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  CHAPTER 4
Julian
WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
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   ANNIE AND I GET BACK TO THE HOSPITAL and walk down the hallway to the lobby where we sit on the floor cross-legged next to the vending machine “So what’s your story?” I ask.

   “What do you mean?” Annie asks, taking her crossover body bag and portable oxygen tank off and looking down at her sneakers. “I mean, I can’t figure you out.” I add. “You barely know me!” Annie says laughing. “Yeah I know, but I would like to.” I say winking. “Well I have IPF and Asthma-”

    “No! Not your illness story, your real story.” I say. “For example?” “Like,” I think for a moment, “Like your weird fetishes.” “Weird fetishes?” I ask, looking him directly in the eyes. “Yeah.” “Well, I’m 16, I’m christian, I like to read, I have two best friends who are twins, I’ve lived here my whole life, not once have I left San Francisco, and I like clothes. What about you?” Annie explains chuckling.

    “Well, I’m 16, I love to draw, I’d really love to leave this hospital and travel but I can’t, I’ve lived in England most of my life until my parents moved my brother, sister and I here when I was 14, and I have two best friends, who are dating.” I explain.

     “Wow, how is that working out?” She asks. “I’m still single and to top it all off, I'm the third wheel.” I say winking and smiling at Annie. Annie and I talk for hours, laughing at the things we say, the stories we’re telling. I never knew this but Annie Grace has the most beautiful laugh and smile I’ve ever seen.

☆

     Afterwards, I walk  Annie back up to the 3rd floor. “This is me here.” Annie says, showing me her  door. “Room 313.” I say. “So where’s your room?” Annie asks.

      “Oh, It’s just down the hall, room 316.” I say. “You can come in if you want.” 

      “Sure”  She opens the door with her key and walks inside then moves out of the way to let me in. Her bedsheets and comforters are white with colorful designs on them, white pillows with the same matching designs that are on her bedsheets and comforters, and tiny decorative pillows that are pink, red, white, and grey. To the left near the doorway where we're standing, are her dressers that happen to have sunflowers painted on the drawers, to the right near the big window, is her body mirror and a surfboard. In front of her bed is her t.v. and tons of pictures of her and her family, her friends, and her sister (I think). And in the very corner is a white cello near her closet, I walk over to it and play with the strings, careful not to put it out of tune.

      “What?” She chuckles. “This is a cello.” I say trying to sound smug. “Yep.” She says nodding her head slowly. “Do you play?” I ask pointing to the cello.
      “Sometimes. I can play a few songs on it.” 
      “Show me.” I order, walking over to her. “I'm not gonna play my cello for you right now.” “Why not? I'm serious.” “No.” She laughs nervously and looks away shyly.
      “Okay fine, you'll just have to play for me later.” We stand there for a few more minutes until I speak up. “Well I should probably go now.”
      “Yeah. Oh! I almost forgot, let me give you my email- in case you want to hang out sometime.” Annie says, changing the subject and grabs a pen and writes her email on my hand, [email protected]. “There, now yours.” Annie says, handing the pen to me. I take the pen from her hand and write my  email on her hand.
       [email protected]. “Your middle name is Linds-.” “Lindsey. I know, blame my parents for that one.” I say grinning. “And I thought my name was weird.” Annie says as I start opening her door. “Well there, now we have something in common.” I say smiling, closing to the door behind me. Leaving Annie's world behind.                                                                                      

☆

NOVEMBER 

<>Simple As This by: Jake Bugg

       Annie and I continue to talk and hang out for the next two months, often hanging out in her room- because I’m too afraid of what she’d say about the mess in my room, the lounge room where we would-half the time- look at the giant fish tank and compare each other to the different types of fish in it and sometimes leaving the hospital, most of the places we would go would be the bookstore or a sushi restaurant that Annie loves- often ending up fighting over each other’s sushi.
     One night, It almost seemed impossible to get to sleep because of the constant beeping of the heart monitor on the left side of me.
    Julian Lensherr:
    Hey Annie Grace, can you sleep? 😕

Annie Grace:
Nope. Can you? 😕 
 

Julian Lensherr:
   Me neither. Got Insomnia  😕

Annie Grace
Wanna know what my dad would do when I couldn’t sleep? 😃
 

  Julian Lensherr
    What? 😏

Annie Grace
He would sing “ Somewhere Over The Rainbow” 😅 
 

  Julian Lensherr
    Oh my god. You’re insane 😁😂 

Annie Grace
Oh crap, Kim’s coming into my room, talk tomorrow? 😊
J

ulian Lensherr
  Talk to Tomorrow. Good night Annie Grace. I turn my phone off and try to fall back asleep.

☆

  Annie Grace
     Hey, Lindsay, let’s play fast favorites; 
     Food, music, book, person(s), movie, color, and place. Go. 

Julian Lensherr
Okay; Chinese, Alternative Rock, Surrender,
my sister, Mission Impossible, Blue, and England. What’s yours?
 

Annie Grace
   Well, Cake, Indie, Between an Infinity, My best friends, 
   The Princess Bride, Yellow, and Hawaii. Why England? 

Julian Lensherr
Cause that’s where all my friends and family are. Why Hawaii? 
 

Annie Grace
    Because If I could go somewhere, anywhere, I would go to Hawaii.
    Oh shit, I forgot that I have a therapy session with Dr. Tulsa in 20 minutes. Gotta go.   

Julian Lensherr
Okay Annie Grace.😙❤😉
 

Annie Grace 
    Oh my god, stop flirting with me!! 😂😙❤

DECEMBER

     The ringtone from my laptop alerts me that I’m getting a call from Skype. I answer and Annie’s face appears on the screen, her big brown eyes twinkle through her black glasses. “Hey Grace, how's it going?” I asked, situating myself on my bed. “Hi Lindsay.” She giggles into the screen. “What’d you get for lunch?” She asks. I turn my laptop down to face my tray of chinese food.
      “What'd you get?” Annie frowns and doesn't show me her tray but picks up her chinese box instead. “Same. All I have is some nasty ass rice and that's it.” She says as she picks through her rice.
     “Shame.” I click my tongue and laugh, eating with my chopsticks. “What, hold on. I found one egg roll!” She says laughing and holds up the egg roll. “How are you enjoying the cold?” I ask, looking down into my chinese box. “It could be better.” She shrugs. “Well, I usually warm up by the fireplace, but you’re hotter.” I say, wiggling my eyebrows at her and smirking. “How was that?” I smirk.
     “That. Was. The. Lamest. Pick-up line. EVER!” Annie says, laughing hysterically. 

     “It was worth the shot.” I shrug.