Hidden Truths

As you waste your breath

complaining about life,

someone out there

is breathing

their last breath.

Chapter One: Hidden Truths

It's okay. You can do this. Alesia keeps chanting to herself as she's being rolled into the emergency room, her eye lids soon getting heavy from the anesthesia.

"Steve she's waking up.." Alesia hears her mom say to her dad. As she opens her eyes the familiar hospital smell clouds her nostrils as she intakes large amounts of oxygen.

"Water." She mouths. Her mouth feels as dry as the Sahara desert.

"Sure honey." Her mum says grabbing a bottle off the bedside table and putting the straw in Alesia's mouth.

"What happened?" Alesia asks confused.

"You had another seizure love." Dad says kissing her forehead.

"Your mum and I were frightened." He continues taking her mothers hands in his.

"Don't worry dad I'm not gonna leave you anytime soon, I'm strong, my heart is strong, rest assured."

"I know honey." He says. "Just keep fighting it until we get you a donor." Steve adds. Alesia nods with enthusiasm taking his hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

"How long have you guys been here?" Alesia asks with a slight crack in her voice.

"A week." Her mothers confesses and she gasps.

"Aaa we--ek ?" Alesia stammers.

"Don't worry we've been going home often." Her mum assures and she nods, even though she doesn't believe her mother at all.

"You can go now I'll be fine." Alesia says trying to persuade her worried mother to go home.

"Honey we're okay really." Donna says and her daughter shakes her head in disagreement.

"Just go home take a shower eat something and come back later tonight okay I feel guilty for keeping you here." Alesia confesses as her mother pulls at her knot infested hair.

"Fine we will go." Her mum finally says giving in to her daughters request as well as letting go of her crazy curls.

+

The door opens an hour later and Eric Alesia friend of 9 years and boyfriend of 4 years walks in.

"Alesia." He says walking over to her and gently kissing his pale girlfriend on the cheek.

Damn I don't think this is good for my heart.

"Okay then I won't do it again." He says pouting

Wait did I say that out loud.

"I was joking." She replies grabbing his hand.

"Your jokes aren't funny Lis, I don't like them." He says pouting which in turn makes her laugh..

"I missed you." She admits rubbing his hand against her pale cheek.

"I missed you too Lis." He say. "You know your my best friend." He says and she nods.

"I love you." Alesia says and he nods taking her hand in his. She then looks up at him expectantly and he caves.

"I love you too." He hugs her and she puts her arms around him breathing in his strong musky scent.

"Any news from the doctor?"

"Not really, mum and I will get the news in a few days." Alesia replies and Eric nods.

"Everything will be alright Lis." He says like a reassurance but honestly she doesn't feel reassured his tone gave her more doubts than assurances and I'm sure he noticed it too.

"How was school?" She finally ask changing the subject and killing the awkward silence as she take another slice of pizza which he brought for her.

Thank God my mum's not here she would have made me eat healthy.

"Same old, same old, you know boring classes and such." He says stuffing his face with another slice of my pizza.

"Hey that's my pizza." She complains grabbing the box.

"I paid for it." He says grabbing it back and she pushes his shoulder in a friendly fashion and they both laugh like lunatics as the sun begins to set.

+

"Where are you going Donna?" Her husband Steve asks.

"To the hospital." She answers him as she puts on her jeans.

"Your neglecting me Donna. It's like I'm not important anymore. This last week has been..."

"Neglecting you? I've been at the hospital with our dying daughter."

"I'm your husband." He states and she nods.

"Yes and she's my daughter."

"Yes and you can't help her Donna, your not a bloody doctor! That's why we took her to the bloody hospital! To get her professional help. So leave it to the bloody professionals to help her!" He shouts emphasizing every point.

"Your right Steve I'm not a bloody Doctor but I am her mother, and God help me if I'm not going to be by her side as she goes through this." Donna angrily says and slams the door as leaves the room.

+

"Oh no." Alesia says in terror.

"What's wrong?" Eric asks.

"My parents are gonna be back soon you need to leave." She continues pushing him away from their embrace.

"Why it's not like they don't know me." He counters.

"No but they might think I told them to leave because I wanted to spend time with you." She says pushing him off the bed.

"But didn't you." He asks and she rolls her eyes.

"That's not the point." She continues. "I don't want them to think I'd rather have you here than them."

"I understand Lis." He says and Alesia gives him the pizza box.

"Throw that out too, will you? You know how mum gets." She adds and he nods taking the box.

"See you tomorrow Lis" he says and Alesia waves goodbye .

+

Eric

'It's getting worse today when I kissed her I felt nothing.' I think to himself as I drive to Bettys a dinner close to home. Finally parking into an empty spot at the busy dinner I walk in. I spots Danielle at our usual booth, her banana smoothie almost done. Her raven hair in a high ponytail exposing her neck which I kiss. She jumps in surprise and I chuckle then take a sit opposite her and she frowns.

"Where have you been Eric?" She asks and he shrugs.

"Here and there." I reply trying to take what's left of her chips, but she swats me away and she shakes her head.

"I know you were with her." She says practically stabbing her bacon with her fork.

"You spend more time with her than me." She says and he laughs.

"Are you jealous Danielle?" I ask intrigued.

"It's just not fair." She pouts.

"Danny relax you have nothing to worry about." I say placing my hand on hers.

"And why is that." She asks retracting her arm.

"I told you before I only love her as a sister." He states taking back her retreating hand.

"And why can't you tell her that?" She asks.

"It's not that simple Danny she's dying and I don't wanna be the one to break her heart."

"So it's okay to break mine." She asks and I shake my head with a sigh.

"Danny," I sigh, "you know I love you. It's just that with her it will be twice the damage cause you never know when it's gonna stop beating or what's gonna trigger it. I don't wanna be the cause of her death." I admit it to her.

"You should have broken up with her before you knew she was sick." She complains.

"I know, but I didn't realize I didn't love her until it was too late." I whisper but I'm sure she heard me.