The dead leaves underneath my boots make satisfying crunching sounds as I trudge through the cobblestone paths to the science building. I've always loved autumn, the colors made it look like every tree in New York City was set on fire and the air was crisp and cold. Just the way I liked it.
Little puffs of condensation escape my lips as I breathe out, my red-tinted nose is a bit cold but I should be nice and warm once I reach the classroom. My phone begins to vibrate inside my jacket pocket and I fish it out. Unknown number, strange. I shrug and decline the call, stuffing my phone back into the safety of my pocket.
As soon as my hand leaves my pocket, it begins to vibrate again. Frowning, I take my phone out to see the same number, I pull my glove off before swiping the little round button across my screen.
"Hello?" I answer, pressing the phone to my cheek.
An unfamiliar feminine voice replies, "Hi, is this Miss Aurora Park?"
Confusion washes over me and I stop in my tracks, "Who's asking?"
"This is New York General Hospital, your mom came in today with chest pain and we ran some tests," the person pauses and then continues. "We found out she has stage three heart cancer, I'm so sorry. We'd be happy to answer any questions if you'd hop over, visiting hours end at 9PM tonight."
My phone slips out of my hand and drops face down onto the ground but I don't notice over the thundering sound of my heartbeat. I can't breathe, my chest is tight, and there's a strange ringing in my ears. I think I begin to receive strange looks from passing strangers, I must look like a lunatic, staring off into space. I think I may be crying too though I'm not exactly sure.
"Rory!" a voice calls out, causing me to finally snap out of it. I feel two hands land on my shoulder and I focus my vision on the boy in front of me.
"Hey, are you okay? You're crying," Taehyung says worriedly. He swipes his thumb across my face and gives me a sad look, "What's wrong?"
I bend down and pick my phone up off the floor, brushing off the dirt from my now shattered screen before putting it back in my pocket. I tuck a loose strand of my light brown hair behind my hair and swallow hard before meeting my best friend's eyes.
"The hospital just called me, my mom has," I gulp and let out a shuddery breath. "She has cancer Tae."
His face drops and then I'm enveloped in his arms, his chin resting on my head. I relax a little in his embrace. Taehyung always manages to make me feel better even if it feels like the world is ending.
"I'm so sorry Rory, I-I can't even begin to imagine how you feel," he says softly. "Do you need me to drive you to the hospital?"
I pull away from Taehyung's hold and shake my head, "No, you should get to class. I'll take the bus."
He gives me a sad smile, "Okay but I'll be over as soon as class ends, it's going to be okay, I promise."
"Alright, thank you. I'll see you later then Tae," I muster up a small smile and then turn around to catch the next bus to the hospital. The whole way there, I pray that my mom is okay. She has to be, I don't know what I'd do without her.
- - -
I run into the hospital out of breath, the smell of clean sterile equipment greets me the second I step foot inside.
My eyes do a quick scan of the room until it lands on the receptionist's desk. I sprint to it and slam my hands on the baby blue counter, the nurse sitting in front of it flinches and looks up at me annoyed.
