"Ave!" Emily rushed over and gave him a big hug. Avery stiffened not used to the physical contact.
"Not the touchy type huh?" Emily pulled away.

Someone chuckling caught their attention.
"It seams that you two have already met. I'll be off then. Your father is expecting me at the office." Avery nodded in response.
"Have a good evening aunt Jemima."

Aunt Jemima left the hospital room with a knowing smile stamped on her face.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say she was your mom, you guys look so much alike!" Emily blurted out as soon as Aunt Jemima left.

"She's my father's twin sister." Avery explained.
"Ooh... Hey! Did you like the rock candy?"
"I can't eat it."
"Allergies?" Emily inquired while plopping herself down on his bed.
"No."
"You thought it was actual rock but couldn't say no to an incredibly fascinating young lady?"
At this the left corner of Avery's lip curled upwards forming a half smile on his face.

"Ha! You didn't answer that!" Emily jolted upright and pointed a finger at him accusingly. A broad smile breaking out onto her face.
"You DID think it was an actual rock!!"
"Actually it's because I can't have sugary stuff. I'm diabetic."

"Oh..." Emily's face dropped.
"Ave, I'm sorry. I didn't know, if I did I would have suggested one those boring, flavor deprived granola bars..."

Avery couldn't help it and let out a small laugh.
"Hey! What're you laughing at? I was truly feeling worried and guilty here!" Emily pretended to pout.
This made Avery laugh even harder causing Emily to join him till he started coughing.

Emily immediately rushed to his side as he managed to wheeze out in-between coughs: "water!" And point towards the glass of water on his nightstand.

Emily quickly handed it to him and sighed in relief as his coughing slowly stopped.
"Are you okay?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yeah I just... Too much excitement I guess." Avery explained/reassured.

"Avery didn't your aunt just leave..." Darlene walked in and spotted Emily.
"Ah, somehow this doesn't surprise me" she smiled at the two of them.

"Darlene could you go refill my cup please?" Avery asked extending his now empty glass.
Darlene's eyes widened, "Sir, if you had to drink the whole thing you must need your rest!"
"But it's just water... Right?" Emily asked a tad bit confused.
"It's water and medicine miss. It helps with..." She paused glancing over at Avery with woory in her eyes, "It helps with his condition. You'd best head home now, it's past visiting hours anyways."
"No." Avery interrupted.
"She can stay, just refill my cup please."

Nurse Darlene tried to cover up her worried features with a smile.
"Of course Mr Miller." And with that she took the cup and left.

"Are you sure? You look paler than before"
"I'll be fine" he gave her a weak smile.
"Alright then. Do you have any board games that we can play with?"
"I think so. There should be a chessboard on the top shelf inside of my closet if you can reach it."
"Hey! I'm short but not that short!"
Avery smirked "let's see then".

Emily stomped over towards his closet, opened it and looked up at the top shelf.
That shelf WAS rather high up...

You can do this Em!

She jumped once reaching out with her left hand but failed to reach the chess board but failed so she tried again.
And again...
Aaand... Again.

"As amusing as this is, you COULD try using a chair." Avery interrupted Emily's efforts.
Emily huffed but followed Avery's advice.

Just then there was a knock at the door followed by Darlene coming in with Avery's refilled cup.
"Oh goodness, do you need help with that sweety?"
"Nope! I've..." Emily grunted and went on her tippy toes "Got it!" She announced victoriously, stepping down from the chair holding a rather fancy chess set.

"How's that for a short girl?" She asked Avery quite smugly as Darlene went to go get someone help put Avery in his bed.

"Not bad. It only took you half an hour... Dwarf!" At this Emily threw a pillow at him while he laughed.

"That's rich coming from the kid in the wheelchair. I'd like to see you try."

"Ouch" Avery pressed his hand to his chest feigning hurt.

The two of them then proceeded to play chess. Emily was extremely rusty but determined to improve. Next time... Next time she would wipe that smug victorious smirk off his face. 

If only grandma could help her. Her expression grew somber as her thoughts became darker. Like she was drowning in darkness.

"You okay?" Avery's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Yeah, just thinking about how I'm going to crush you this round!" Emily quickly said, forcing a smile on her face. Never let them see you cry...

A few hours later of crushing defeat, a sulking Emily and a laughing Avery were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"come in!"

"It's good to see you are feeling well Mr Miller." Doctor Cold said as he strolled into the room. He hesitated as he noticed Emily. "Emily" he nodded in her direction. "A bit far from your grandmothers room are we?"

"Heya doc!" Was Emily's only reply, completely ignoring the reproach in the doctors voice.
"Just a quick checkup Mr Miller." Doctor Cold said as he began to check his heart beat.

"Miss Emily, please refrain from making him laugh too much. Too much excitement is not good for his heart"
"Yes sir!" Emily saluted causing Avery to cough in order to cover up his laugh.
The doctor looked at the two disapprovingly before leaving.

***

"How are you so good at chess! I haven't won a single game against you!"
"Because you don't use your head" Avery dead panned.
Emily glared at him but then laughed it off. "Touchè haha!"

"Emily? Your mom is here looking for you." Darlene peeped in through the door.

Emily sighed, "alright. Bye Ave" "Bye Em" Avery smiled as his only friend left his hospital room.

"She's waiting for you in your grandmother's room."
"Thank you, have a good night."
"You too Emily."

Avery wondered why her grandmother was in the hospital. she's old he thought, it's probably nothing... But if it is nothing then Em won't come see me anymore...

Avery felt incredibly selfish for hoping things would not improve, maybe that way, Emily would stay by his side.