The Heartbroken - S01 E202

Story 2 years ago

The Heartbroken - S01 E202

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 202

Cedric’s eyes were closed when I was ushered inside

by Philip, but the moment he heard me approaching,

they fluttered open and landed on me. His skin was

alarmingly pale and his brown hair stuck up in all

directions, and for a moment I realized just how real

situation was, and when he smiled, I almost cried.

I quickly shuffled over to the plastic chair placed

beside his bed, sinking into it without looking away

from his smile.

The whole thing was so familiar I could hardly bear

to breathe.

I found his hand somewhere in the layers of blankets

thrown over him. It was cold, too cold, and I wanted

so badly to share my warmth, so I wrapped his

fingers in mine and held on.

“You didn’t have to come,” he croaked out.

I gave him a look. “Of course I did.”

He looked at me, eyes tired but grateful, squeezing

my hand in a silent thank you.

Shifting closer, I studied him. “How are you feeling?”

“Been better.” He closed his eyes, taking in a deep

breath, and I couldn’t help but reach for his head

with my other hand, running my fingers through his

dark locks.

“Hail was here a while ago,” I told him, “she would

have wanted to see you too, but she had to go

home.”

“God, I must have freaked her out,” he said, his eyes

hardening with determination as he turned to look at

me. “You shouldn’t be stuck in a hospital on a Friday

night, either.”

I wrinkled my nose, pretending to consider it, before

saying, “Well, there weren’t any parties scheduled

tonight, so I figured I might as well drop by.”

He managed a weak laugh before turning away to

look up at the white ceiling. When his smile

evaporated, different kinds of emotions made their

way to his pale face.

“I’m sorry.” His voice was merely above a whisper.

“I’m sorry for putting you through this again.”

I had to stop myself from tightening my grip on his

hand. I wanted to reassure him, but I was also afraid

of hurting him. He seemed so fragile, lying there,

pale and disheveled and seemingly lost, and I wanted

to bring him back. I wanted him to know that I

would always, always find him.

“Hey,” I said, “I want to be here, okay?”

He didn’t bother with a reply, and for a moment,

there was nothing but the sound of our breathing.

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking about, but when

he finally turned to look at me, I knew I wasn’t going

to like it.

After what felt like forever, he said, “I’m not getting

any better.”

I inhaled sharply.

“Cedric,” I said, my voice coming out steadier than I

expected it would. “Look at me. Look at me. You

don’t know that for sure.”

“They want to start chemo immediately, Ky” he told

me. “They moved the date from next month to next

week. They’re getting desperate because nothing’s

working.”

I shook my head, already spluttering out a series

of no no you’ll get better tell me Cedric tell me you’ll

get better and that you’re going to fight this tell me

tell me tell me you’re f-----g kidding me.