6 Our first meeting

As fast as she can, she goes to the hospital to see her dad.

I touch the button of the lift. When I turn around, I see a boy walking towards me. He comes closer and closer to the point I reach the wall.

What the hell is he doing?!

He pressed his hand on the wall and, looks me in the eyes.

"Long time no see, Alice."

Who are you? And why do you know my name? I am confused.

"I am disappointed in you. How can you not recognise me? I am Ryan. We used to go to the same high school. You don't remember?...."

He looks me in the eyes to refresh my mind.

Ohh! You are the one who used to tease me most of the time. Haha, I didn't almost recognise you.... because you changed a lot.

"I take that as a compliment. So what are you doing here? Are you sick?."

I became silent and, look down at the ground.

"What happened to you? Are you okay? You know you can tell me?."

I poorly smile and say

I am here for my dad and, yeah, don't worry. I am okay.

"Your dad? Is he okay?"

I didn't want to tell him yet, so I say, What about you? Why are you here?

"Ah, I am here with a friend...."

Before he could finish it, someone called him.

"Alice, I need to go now. See you around! and don't forget to ask me if you need help." And he left

*******

Liam Pov:

When I tried to rest, I heard knocks on the door. Someone came into the room. I look around, but I couldn't see that good.

"Good evening Mr Liam. I am the nurse, and I came to do a check-up. How are you doing?."

Until how long do I need to stay here? I ask her

"Please have patience. In two weeks, you will get the surgery. Then you can go after that. We can't do the surgery now because it is too risky."

After she left, a second later, someone came again. Did she forget something? These people are so noisy.

"YO dude, How are you doing, man?"

I feel like shit. What is wrong with you visiting me so late?

"Sorry, man, your dad was busy, and I had to help him around."

Then why bothering to come now? You could stay with him. I was annoyed that no one came to visit me properly.

"Should I stay here tonight with you?"

No, thank you, I need to rest.

"Is there anything you want me to do for you?"

Just get out!

"Wait, can you really not see me? So it must be true what your dad said. Actually, I was....."

I said,

GET OUT!!! I throw my pillow at him, but I couldn't tell where the pillow fell because he was too far from me.

Sleeping was not easy for me that night. I was lying on my right, then left than on my back. Nothing was going for me. I closed my eyes in frustration at that moment I remembered my childhood. I smiled. It was a while that I saw her in my dreams, the girl who changed me completely. Our first meeting was when she moved next to our house.

20 years ago

I heard cars driving. I thought it was my parents that came home.

I run as fast as I can. When I saw the big car coming closer and closer, disappointment overtook me. My smile faded. What was I thinking again?

I knew it was not my parents, but every day I wished that they would come home earlier as the other parents do. Why do my parents have to do this to me?

I walked back into my house when someone throws a ball on my head. I look back and see a girl my age running to me. "Are you okay? Sorry I didn't saw you there."

I was silent, but she is smiling at me.

"I am your new neighbour. I hope we can become good friends." She wanted to shake our hands, but I looked at her hand, then her face. What is wrong with her. Can she not see I don't want to be bothered?

"Do you want to play?"

Again I was silent

"My name is Alice. What is your name?" She asked, but I ignored her and walked inside.

End memory

*****

Jonathan pov

The moment I was about to close my eyes, someone stormed into the room.

"Hey, Dad, are you still awake?"

What are you doing here Alice?, Didn't I tell you to stay at home?

"Dad, I did as you said and went home. Now I am back." She came further, putting clothes in the wardrobe.

What are you putting in there? And why do you have so many bags? I asked her

"Clothes. Of course dad, for you and me. I am not leaving you until you finish your medication, then we go home together. Did you really think I would leave you?"

How many times do I have to repeat it! Go home and take care of your mom. Why are you so stubborn?

"From who did I get that from?" she jokingly smiled.

Dad, I am fine. I swear.

I am just worried about you, and I can't leave you alone right now.

I want to be by your side, dad. Don't I even have that right as your daughter?"

I was speechless. How can I make her go home? I thought to myself.

*********

Elizabeth POV

She was walking, constantly pitting her fingernails.

Where is she? She has to come.

Wait, is she mad at me? Was I too harsh, but how can she leave me behind only for that man that cheated on me?

What can I do to make her leave him??

Beth, you have to think. I need to get a good plan, but where do I start??

I want my baby girl back as she used to be. She is everything for me.

I can't live without her. She is my only child.

Elizabeth was anxiously that night she didn't close her eyes. Every second she was checking her phone.

Maybe Alice sent her a message was all she thought the whole night till she closed her eyes from the exhaustion.

****

Alice Pov:

I wake up when the sun hits me on the face. I slept on the couch yesterday night after arguing with my dad if I should stay here or not.

I get up and freshen myself up.

I have to get food for dad and me.

I go to the canteen in the hospital.

" Hello, what can I get for you? asks the girl."

Can I have 2 Croissants, Orange juice and coffee, please?

" Make two coffees. Thanks." says someone behind me.

I look back and see the same boy again. Bad luck in the morning already. ughhh

" We meet again."

Look, I am really not ready for your rudeness now.

Just leave me alone.

" Wow, already in a bad temper."

" Here are your two croissants, and orange juice and your coffee." says the girl to Alice.

" Sir, here is your coffee, and it is free for you, she winks at him."

Oh, thank you very much, he says to her while smiling.

Is she not ashamed? You can literally see that she is flirting with him.

" See, not everyone dislikes me." He smirks at me.

Are you showing off with your good looks now?

"So you think I am good looking?"

No, I never said that. I roll my eyes at him.

" Can't you just say that I am handsome?" he asks me annoyed

Can you not be rude? I question him.

Why do I always have to listen to you, but when I ask you something.

You are always rude to me? I leave, showing him how angry I am.

Dad, I have food for us. Let me help you pull this bed over.

I try to pull the bed for my dad so that he can eat properly.

"I am not hungry, eat by yourself."

Dad, what do you mean? You have to eat something. since yesterday you didn't eat.

"I will eat later."

Dad, if you don't eat, then I am not going to eat too. After all, I won, and now my dad is eating.

After when we finished eating, I suggest to dad going outside for a walk.

We went to the front garden, and I bring him near a tree. An idea came into my head, and I run inside. When I came back, my dad was looking foncused at me.

"Why do you have a brush and paint in your hands?"

The weather is beautiful, so I decided to paint you.

Don't move and try to smile a bit more, dad.

You are the most handsome when you are smiling. I wink at him

I wanted so many times to paint my parents together, but they never had the time for me.

I smile because my drawing was perfect and I was satisfied.

"WOW, You are a pro. Can you draw me too?" I heard someone saying behind my back.

I recognised his voice immediately,

Wait, is he?...