"You're cute when you smile," he said. I grinned even more. I don't know why, but I felt so lucky to have this boy as my roommate.

"Whats your name?," the boy asked. His ocean blue eyes stared into my brown eyes. I felt like I couldn't look away from his eyes even if I tried. It felt like I was drowning in his deep ocean blue eyes.

"Olivia, but I prefer to be called Liv," I answered. I looked down at my hands and fidgeted with my fingers.
               
"I'm Ivan," he said. 
               
"Ivan? Wow, that's a rare name." I said. 
                 
"Yeah, my parents wanted my name to be unique. So, they picked  the name Ivan.," Ivan said. 

They didn't have to made his name unique. His eyes were already so different from other people's eyes. I wish I could look into his eyes all day long.

Then, I thought, how long is Ivan staying in this room?
                
"Wait, how long is you're recovery?," I asked Ivan.
                 
"Six weeks," Ivan said.
                 
"Mine is six weeks too," I said full of excitement.
               
"So, umm... what type of music do you like?," Ivan asked. I guess he was trying to get to know me better.

I like rock. I like old rock band like Queen, Journey, and The Beatles," I answered.
                    "Yes! I'm so happy you don't like One Direction!," he said, grinning like it was Christmas morning. "What songs do you like?"
                    "Crazy little thing called love by queen, Don't stop me now by queen, Bohemian Rhapsody by queen, don't stop believing by Journey, Anyway you want it by Journey, Blackbird by The Beatles, and Here comes the sun by the Beatles. There are so many other songs by Queen that I like, though," I said.
                    "You have a good taste in omusic.," he complimented. His ocean in his eyes sparkled with excitement.
                    
"Thanks!," I said. "What type of music do you like?"
                    
"Pretty much the same music that you like. I also have a thing for slow romantic songs," Ivan said.

I laughed because I thought he was joking.

His face remained serious.

"Wait...you're not joking? You like cheesy romantic songs?," I asked out of disbelief.
                    
"Those songs are not cheesy! They're beautiful!," he said.

Before I could say something back to him, Dr. Norman opened the door to the room.
                     
"Liv, I need to check your weight.", he said.
                     
"Why?," I asked. I really didn't want to leave Ivan alone in this room.
                       "It's just a checkup," he said.

               I got up from the hospital bed, and walked with Dr. Norman to the scale. I stepped on the weight. I didn't look down at the scale to see what my weight was. I never do, and I don't know why. I guess I'm not like those girls that worry about being too fat or too skinny.
               "You're weight increased,  and that's normal. We put heavy metal in you're back, so you should be heavier." Dr. Norman said, writing my weight down on a notepad. We walked back to the recovery room. As soon as I stepped into the recovery room, a sudden pain shot through my back.
              "Oww.... my back," I moaned.
              "That is normal. Pain in you're back is normal when the surgery is over. That is why you are in a recovery room," Dr. Norman said.
               "Can I not lay on the hospital bed? I think it'll hurt even more," I said, my back throbbing.
                "Sure, I'll pull up a chair for you. Make sure you don't lean against the back. That will hurt you're back," he said. Dr. Norman pulled out a wheely chair from under a desk.
               
"Thanks!," I said.
                
"You're welcome," Dr. Norman said, and he walked out of the room. I sat in the chair.
                 
"So, you did back surgery?",Ivan said.
                 
"I didn't want to," I mumbled.

       All of a sudden, I saw something change in his eyes. The ocean in his eyes was getting wavy. Waves rose high up in the air and then came crashing down on the shore. Those waves were threatening to drown the the whole beach.

Why was he angry?

"I didn't want to have leg surgery! I didn't even want to have cancer in the first place! Look, you're not the only one who feels that way. I do, too," he said to me. 
               I looked at Ivan, and then looked at the metal that replaced his right leg. Then, I understood that I wasn't the only one who had gotten surgery. Ivan understood how I felt. He probably understood more than any person I've ever known. I smiled at Ivan, and he smiled back at me. It's nice to have someone who understands how you feel.
                
"You're the best, Ivan." I said.

The ocean became more less wavy. The waves no longer leaped up into the air.  The waves brushed the shore.
                
"I know.," he gloated, smiling. His ocean blue eyes smiled too.
                
""Stop gloating!," I said, laughing.
                
"I can't help it, it's just what all guys do," he said. 
                "Thats actually very true,"I said.
                "Can we just scream song lyrics? I used to do that with my family. It's really fun," Ivan said. I could see the excitement in his eyes.

"Can we scream Another One Bites The Dust?," I asked.
               
"Of course," he said smiling.
               
"Can I start?," I asked.
               
"Sure," he said.
                "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!" ,I screamed.
                "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!" ,he continued.
                "AND ANOTHER ONES GONE!" ,I screamed.
               "AND ANOTHER ONES GONE!" ,He screamed.
              "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!" ,We both screamed.

       We screamed songs until about three o'clock a.m.  I never guessed that I would have fun in a recovery room. Who would have? Who would have thought Ivan would end up in the recovery room? Probably no one. My life changed in an instant the moment I saw Ivan laying down on the hospital bed next to mine. Then, somehow, I knew that I had been so lucky to have him in this room with me.
       I woke up at twelve thirty in the morning. Ivan was sleeping, and, in fact, he was snoring. Okay, I officially like Ivan, but I officially hate snoring. Dr. Norman walked into the room.
        
"I heard you and Ivan screaming songs all night. Ivan and you sure do have fun together," Dr Norman said, laughing.
        
"I'm really lucky to have him in this room with me," I said.
         
"Ivan is a sweet boy," Dr. Norman said. He smiled.
         
"How do you know him?," I asked.
         
"I'm friends with his dad," Dr. Norman said.

"Cool," I said.
     
"You're really lucky to have Ivan in this room with you," Dr. Norman said.
    
"I know I am," I said.
   
"Why did you come in here?," I asked Dr. Norman.
  
"I saw you woke up. I thought I would talk to you to keep you from dying of boredom.," Dr. Norman replied.
    Ivan opened his eyes.
   "We were watching you sleeping," I said, creepily.

"Is that a joke?," Ivan said, tiredly.
 
"Of course it is, Liv is not that creepy," Dr. Norman said, laughing.

"Why are you in here?," Ivan asked Dr. Norman curiously.

"I was just talking to Liv," Dr. Norman said.

"Yeah, one thing we were talking about is how you're a horrible snorer," I teased.
"Oh, come on! I can't control when I snore! Give me a break!," Ivan said, smiling.

"Ok, I'll check on you in a couple of hours," Dr. Norman said, walking out the door. 

....................................................................................................

Three days had gone by. Ivan and I spent those days joking with each other and laughing with each other.

I liked Ivan, and he liked me.

     Today, my mom would be visiting me. I know that because she called the hospital and asked if she could visit me in the recovery room. What would she say to Ivan? Would she like him? I really hope she does.
     "I heard your mom was visiting. Why isn't your dad? Are your parents divorced?", Ivan asked.
      "Yep, and it's no big deal. My dad remarried and is happy, and my mom is happy with just me." ,I said.
       "Well, that's good. You are so lucky your parents are like that. You know, some people with divorces are miserable." ,Ivan said.
       "Liv, your mom is here." ,Dr Norman said, peeking in the room.
        Mom walked into the room. Mom looked like she hasn't slept in days. There were big dark circles under her eyes.
      "Mom, what happened to you?" ,I asked.
      "I was so lonely. I couldn't sleep without thinking that you were not in my house. I wanted to see if your ok." ,Mom said.
      "Mom, I'm. fine. I'm not miserable, I promise you that. I got him to talk to." ,I said.
      Mom walked over to Ivan. 
      "And who are you?" ,Mom asked.
      "I'm Ivan, nice to meet you." ,Ivan said politely.
      "Hi Ivan, I'm Liv's mom. So, you've been talking to Liv?" ,Mom said.
      "Yeah, Liv's a nice girl." ,he said.
       Mom looked at Ivan carefully.
      "Ivan is a really nice boy, mom. He treats me well, don't worry," ,I said.
     . Then she looked back at me.
      "Oh, Liv. You don't know what my  life has been for me. I haven't slept in days." ,Mom said, sounding exhausted.
      "You can sleep on my hospital bed. I'll scoot over for you." ,I said to mom.
      "Thank you so much, Liv.", Mom said.
      "You're welcome." ,I said, scooting over. Mom got in the hospital bed, and, in less than ten seconds, mom was dead asleep.
       "I like girls who care about their mother. My mother was very nice.", Ivan said.
       "What happened to your mother?" I asked Ivan.
       "She got shot when I was eight." ,Ivan said.
       "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up." ,I said.
       "It's okay. It was a long time ago, anyway." ,Ivan said. I could tell he was trying not to cry.
       "It's okay to cry, Ivan." ,I said. Why did I say that? Shouldn't I have changed the subject or said a joke to make him laugh? This just goes to show how a terrible supporter I am.  With me saying that, Ivan bursted into tears.
      "Why did they have to kill her? Why did they have to kill my mom? Why her?" ,Ivan screamed. I almost was about to ask him who killed his mom, but then I realized that would make him cry even more. I turned my head the other way so I couldn't see Ivan. I hate seeing Ivan like this.
       "Ivan, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up. Please don't cry Ivan. Please be the happy, cheerful person you are." ,I said.
       "I'm sorry, I'm acting like this right now. It's just, the memories of my mom are coming back to me. My mom was truly a remarkable woman. She raised money for shelters for homeless people, and,you know, stuff like that." ,Ivan said.
       "I completely understand. My dog died when I eight." ,I said. Ivan laughed.
       "Why are you laughing? My dog dying was a truly sad thing!" ,I yelled.
      "It's nothing compared to my mom dying." ,Ivan said.
      One of Ivan's doctor's walked into the room.
      "Ivan, you need to go to physical therapy for you're metal leg.", The doctor said.
       "Can she come with me?" ,Ivan said, pointing to me.
       "No patient is allowed out of their hospital bed without permission from one of their doctors. I'm not her doctor, am I?", the doctor said. Ivan sighed.
        "Wait, how long is it?" ,Ivan asked.
        "One hour.", the doctor said.
        "All right." ,Ivan said, as he sighed another time. I was alone with my mom. Mom's eyes opened.
        "How long did I sleep?" ,Mom said.
        "A short period of time." ,I said.
        "Ugh, you know what? I give up on sleeping." ,My mom said.
        "Great, so we can talk for a while." ,I said.
        "Where's Ivan?" ,Mom said.
         "He went to psychical therapy for his metal leg." ,I said
         "Did the doctor that came to pick Ivan up see me?",Mom asked.
         "He probably did, but he didn't say anything about you." ,I said.
         "I had this dream that Ivan and you were married, but then you got a divorce because Ivan treated you horribly. It got me worrying about you guys." ,Mom said.
          "Mom, Ivan is nice guy. He'll never treat me horribly I'm my life. And how would I know if I get married to him?" ,I said.
           "Just because I dreamt that you got married to him doesn't mean I believe it. And, also, don't get you're hopes up." ,she said. The rest of the hour we were silent. And I thought to myself, even of we did get married we wouldn't get a divorce. I mean, sure we will sometimes argue with each  other, but we won't get a divorce. I don't know why I think of that surely. And I don't know why I'm thinking of this so early on! It's only the sixth day I have known him! God, I must really like him.
           When Ivan came back from psychical therapy he said, "I missed you."
           "Wow, you're good at flirting." ,I said.
           "Yep, it's my talent." ,he said. I laughed.
           "I missed you too, not." ,I said. Ivan laughed.
           "I'm gonna go home and sleep." ,Mom said, getting out of the hospital bed.
           "I thought you said you gave up on sleeping." ,I said.
           "That's just because hospitals scare me. Bye!" ,Mom said, closing the door.
           "So, how'd the therapy lesson go?" ,I said.
            "Terrible! The physical therapist talks in a babyish voice to me. Even though I'm sixteen! But it's worth it though. I need to learn how to walk with my new leg." ,Ivan said.
               "I hate when people act like people like us are babies. I hate that! I try to stop people from babying me, but all they say is 'it's alright, sweetie.'" ,I said.
                "Exactly!" ,Ivan agreed.
                "I wish I can just punch those people in the face!" ,I yelled.
                "You can." ,Ivan said. I laughed.
                "If only I had a good punch." ,I said. Ivan laughed so loudly I was afraid my eardrum would burst. 
                When a doctor turned off the lights in the room for us to go to bed. My thoughts were filled with happiness. Ivan made me happy. When I closed my eyes, I had a dream about Ivan and me as a couple. We were happy together. We laughed and joked together. We were a perfect couple.
                I woke up to the sound of Ivan snoring.
                "That's the only thing I dislike about you. You snore." ,I said to Ivan even though he was sleeping.
                When Ivan woke up I said, "Ivan I hate how you snore so loudly." ,I said.
                "And I hate how you bug me about it." ,Ivan said.
                "I'm sorry, but I can't help it." ,I said.
                "I guess I have to live with it." ,Ivan said.
                "How many times a week do you do psychical therapy?" ,I asked.
                "Oh, I go every day." ,Ivan said.
                "Every day?" ,I said, in shock.
                "Yep." ,Ivan said, sighing. Ivan looked down, disappointed.
                "I know, it sucks! It sucks because you're the only person I love to talk to. I love when you joke around with me. And I actually like  when you bug me about my snoring. What I'm saying is, I like you.  And I hate losing an hour of you every day. But all I can do is treasure every single moment with you because I like you." ,Ivan said.
                Oh my god, that's so sweet! But Ivan is taking this way too fast. "Ivan, don't take this relationship too fast. I mean, you say you like me, but you didn't even ask me to be your girlfriend yet!" , I yelled.
                 "Ok...ok... do you want to be my girlfriend?" , Ivan asked.
                 "Ivan, did you even listen to me? You taking this relationship WAY too fast! The next thing you know you're gonna ask me to marry you!" ,  I yelled. Ivan laughed.
                  "It's cute how you yell at me." Ivan said. I half wanted to yell at him again for saying I'm cute when I yell, and I half wanted to smile. I chose to yell.
                  "You think I'm cute when I yell? Yelling is supposed to make you afraid!" , I yelled.
                    "Oh, Liv... I'll never be afraid of you." , Ivan said.
                   "Ugh, Ivan just don't take this too fast." , I said.
                   "I'll try not to." , Ivan said