Paisley

Three days. Three days of waiting. Three days of wanting. Three days of wishing. Three days since I had last seen or talked to Harry.

I got out of the hospital the same day I went in, Harry dropped me off at home, and I haven't heard from him since. Part of me thought that he regretted what he did. Another part of me thought he was embarrassed, or ashamed. Or perhaps he's angry at me. He didn't show me in the hospital because of my delicate state, but maybe he's angry that I never told him.

When he kissed me, I was in complete and utter shock. I'd never expect him to do something like that. Especially with me. I'm not complaining, but he had just broken up with Desiree. And now she probably wants to blow my brains with a bullet. Not that I care.

So, here I am, sitting in yet another hospital room, receiving my first set of treatments, thinking about Harry while the doctors poke and prod at my skin with needles.

My skin tingles as they pull out the last syringe, Dr. Albino (whom I've grown to dislike) and Dr. Key exit the room while scribbling things on their notepads. "You can watch television, if you'd like. I'll be back to check on you," my nurse, Yumari, tells me. "I recommend you watch China Dynasty." Of course you would, I thought. Yumari was from China, and while she was doing check ups on me, she constantly talked about her home country and the delicacies and stuff. I've learned a lot from her, and I'd only been in the hospital for a day.

She left the room, and I flipped the channel to a news station.

"Breaking news! Harry styles was recently seen with an unconscious girl. We have pictures of him taking her to the hospital. No news on who she is, but she definitely wasn't Harry's most recent love interest, actress Desiree Morfin.

"An insider says that Harry and Desiree have called it quits. Has the British boy band member moved on? Tell us what you think on our Twitter, @London_Today_News."

I rolled my eyes and flipped the channel again. Nothing seemed interesting, so I turned the TV off and grabbed my phone. Still nothing from Harry.

Yumari walked in with someone following her. "You have a visitor, Paisley." I craned my neck and gasped at who I saw. "Percy," I was too shocked to even smile or give a proper greeting. Yumari left without another word.

"Great to see you, too, Paisley," he smiled. He sat down on a chair next to my hospital bed. He looked different than the last time I saw him. His red hair was still as curly as ever, but it was slightly longer, though not as long as Harry's. Percy had blue eyes-which he inherited from our grandmother- as opposed to mine and our parent's grey eyes. He seemed to have sprouted an inch or two, and he had small budding muscles.

"How's everything?" He asked. I shrugged. "Harry and I haven't talked in a few days."

"Still in love with him, I see."

"Shut up Percy, you're only thirteen."

"Yeah, but I'm not stupid. I can tell by the way you say his name."

"Whatever."

"Why haven't you talked to him? Did he find out?"

"Yeah, and..... Something else may or may not have happened...."

"Tell me."

"He k-kissed m-me."

"Getting all flustered?"

"Shut up. That's not funny."

"It's adorable."

"Percy-"

"So, does this mean that he loves you, too?"

"He just broke up with Desiree. I'm pretty sure he just felt the need to be comforted. I'm pretty sure he loved her."

"You don't know that. For all you know, he didn't have feelings for her like that."

"And when did you become so wise?"

"Learned from the best."

"Where's Aunt Ellie?"

"She's in the waiting room."

"Can I see her?"

"Yeah, I'll go get her. Look, it was nice to see you again, Paisley."

He reached up and gave me a long hug. "I love you," he said.

"I love you, too."

"I want you to fight. Be strong," were his final words before he left the room.

A couple minutes later, Aunt Ellie walked in, and she smiled when she saw me. "Oh, honey!" She cried, hugging me, but being careful of my IV. "You look so much like your mother."

We chatted about everything. I told her about Harry (she said I needed to make my move, to which I replied, "No.") and she told me about their life in Dublin.

"We'll come and see you again, honey," Aunt Ellie smiled, kissing my forehead.

▪️▪️

Two days later, after four sets of treatments, I was back home and alone. Harry still hasn't called, which was unusual for him. Usually he was calling or texting or coming over around the clock.

I turned on the shower and rid my body of clothes, and hopped in. I jump when I feel the scorching water hit my skin. But it relaxes me, somehow.

I pour shampoo in my hand and massage my scalp. As I ran my fingers through my hair, I felt some strands wrapping around my fingers. I slowly pulled them away, hoping my hair would untangle, but the hair clung to my fingers. My eyes widened and I felt my eyes get moist. Wrapped around my fingers were strands of hair- lots of it. A lot more than you find in the drain after your shower.

A sob was released as I turned the water off and shook the wads of hair off in the garbage. I wrapped a towel around myself and looked in the mirror. My hair didn't look much thinner, but when I felt around (with more wads of hair coming out in the process) I could feel how thin it was getting. I even found a small bald spot where my hairline met the nape of my neck.

I went in my bedroom and put on a bra and underwear (which never match, by the way) and slipped a pink and white floral long-sleeved top over my head and tucked it into a high waisted navy blue skater skirt, white cashmere tights, and my pink Doc Martins. I loosely braided my damp red hair and tied it with a white silky bow.

I grabbed my purse, and headed out.

I decided against taking my car and walked down to the park. It was a little colder outside, and there were children running around and not realizing that it's a scary world out there.

I pulled out my journal from my purse and made a sketch of the children being happy and free.

I had always loved the idea of having kids. The thought of raising a child had always appalled me. But now, things were different. With a short chance of living, how could having children be possible? But more importantly, get married and do the things that normal people do?

▪️▪️

It was late when I returned home. The sun had already set, but the streets were lined with lights. I opened the door of my room and tiredly made my way to the kitchen. I went to open the fridge to get some juice, when I noticed a piece of paper taped to the door.

*

Paisley,

I'm really sorry about what happened in the hospital room. It wasn't very wise of me to kiss you, especially in your fragile state. It was a mistake. I guess I just felt alone, and needed comfort.

I care a lot about you, and I don't want to ruin our friendship. Well, what's left of it. I'm still not very thrilled that you kept your cancer from me. It broke me to pieces.

I need time. I'm leaving for two weeks. If you need anything, just ask my buddy Louis. His number is below.

-Harry

*

Of course it was a mistake. What was I thinking? That he would all of a sudden like me?

Notes

Wow! Sorry for not updating in almost a month! A lot has been going on :P

happy Independence Day (aka Fourth of July) THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER!!

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