Jamie

I open my mouth to scream but hear no sound emerge between my lips. In fact, I hear nothing. All I can see are my father's eyes. The fear they hold. The years of memories flashing between them.

Suddenly I am there. I am in those memories.

I am eight years old again, laughing as my father and I browse through the shop, not leaving until we are fully content with my first bicycle.

"What about this one daddy?" I ask him, pointing to a purple bike with silver handles.
"No, no, it's not right. The bike has to be absolutely perfect, Jaim, it has to be fit for my little princess."
I smile as I grasp my dad's hand and continue to stroll through the store feeling like the happiest kid on earth.

I feel a hand on my arm and slowly find myself coming back to reality. I turn away from my dad's horror filled eyes and see Noah, filled with sympathy as he stands beside me, witnessing what he must think is the worst day imaginable.

I watch Noah's mouth move, straining myself to hear the words but I can't. All I can hear are my father's screams of anguish, his cries of fear.

I focus on my father, seeing as it is the only thing I can do as my vision tunnels into darkness, fading faster and faster until I can see nothing and can only feel the cold ground around me.

\\\

My eyes flutter open and I can't quite place my surroundings. I shift my head to find Noah watching me, eyes widening as I wake.

"Where are we?" I ask, hearing my voice crack with weary.

"On the plane." responds Noah, eyeing me with caution.

My eyebrows furrow, "why? We still have another few days left in Italy."

Noah's eyes fill with sadness and he avoids my gaze.

"Noah," I say carefully, "what happened?"

"It's your dad, Jamie. He had a heart attack and there is a possibility that the cancer is spreading faster than the doctors thought. We have to fly back home. The doctors want to keep him in the hospital from now on so that they can monitor him as closely as they can."

I sit still, saying nothing, feeling nothing but sadness and anger.

"Jamie... Jamie are you alright?"

I nod slowly despite the lie. I am anything but alright.

"Where are my parents?" I ask

"They're in a seperate cabin. Do you want to see them?"

I shake my head, knowing that if I face them I will just dissolve into a pile of tears and mush which will be helpful to nobody.

"The twins?"

"They are with your parents," he assures me, "are you sure you don't want to see them?"

I nod again quickly and recede into silence.

Noah continues to watch me carefully, looking at me like I am a delicate piece of China.

After a while he decides to speak again, "do you need anything?"

I just shake my head meekly.

"Food? You can order some from here. I can go get a menu."

I shake my head once more.

"Do you want water? It's really no trouble I can just go an-"

"Noah! I don't need anything! I am completely fine just leave me alone!" I snap and immediately regret it.

I watch his face fall as he gets up to leave, hearing him mutter something about just trying to help.

"Noah," I say gently, grabbing his wrist lightly to restrain him from leaving, "Noah I am so sorry. I just am really scared and I don't know how to deal with this." I admit, feeling a few tears leaking out of my eyes and falling onto my cheeks.

"I know baby," he tells me, sitting back down, "I'm scared too. But I'm here for you and we need to help eachother. Alright?"

I nod faintly as I rest my head against his shoulder. "I love you." I whisper.

"I love you too." Is the last thing I hear before drafting into a deep sleep, an attempt at escaping this nightmare that has taken over my life.

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Im back! I know i haven't updated in like a year and there is absolutely no excuse for that other than having absolutely no inspiration to write so i am truly incredibly sorry. I am also sorry for the short chapter but rest assured knowing that i plan on updating a lot this week and hopefully finishing the book by the beginning of May!  I love you all so much and thank you for the neverending support!! ALSO HUGE SHOUTOUT TO katherinepowell FOR GETTING HER BOOK IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PUBLISHED! THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND YOU CONTINUE TO INSPIRE ME DAILY SO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS!
I love you all!
-Maxine<3