The High Life

 

The High life

She walked in from the most important day of her life. Her father was laying on the floor with a bottle of alcohol in his hand, but she was use to that. Everyday she would come home and see that her dad had drunk so much he had passed out. Her mom was killed when she was little, she was murdered. Ever since then her father went down hill. She worked everyday to try and provide for herself. Some nights she would leave and try to forget what was going on at home, but no matter what she did, it was imprinted in her brain. Those nights she would run to her moms grave and just lay there and cry because there was no way to escape this life, Or maybe there was.

She walked into the house her father was awake for once. He still didn't say anything to her. He just sat there. He looked a little out of it, like he was going to freak out at any second, but that was his face when he wasn't passed out.

“Aspen,” he said.

“Yes dad,” said Aspen hesitantly.

“ Could you get me a beer out of the fridge,” said dad.

She didn't say anything; she just walked away, But as she was turning away, she felt a firm grip on her arm. She tried to break free but she couldn’t. Now this wasn't the first time this had happen, so she knew how to get out, but this time was different. It was as if  he was going to go insane, and it scared her. She had always been afraid of her father, but this time her fear was on a whole new level.

All of a sudden his face turned red, and he started yelling at Aspen. She tried to escape, but she couldn’t. He got out a gun, when all of a sudden her grandmother came running into the door. She pulled the gun from his hands, and hit him with the end of it. He fell straight to the ground. Grandma just had a surprised look on her face, and all Aspen could do was cry. Upon her wrists where the marks from where his hands had been, and the blood from his nails digging into her remained on her arms. She couldnt understand how a person could be that cruel.

Aspen and her grandmother had dinner together, and then she left. Aspen wished that she could come with her, but she knew that her grandfather would not approve, and her grandmother would not dare tell him. After grandma left, Aspen went to her room to practice her dance for her recital that she was so excited for.There would be scouts there for Juilliard, which is a performing arts school in New York City, and it is crazy expensive to get into. She knew that she would have to get a full ride scholarship to be able to go there, and if she didn't get in, then there would be no college for her because she didn't have the money to afford it. She was good, really good, She went to nationals every year and won, so she hoped that she could pull this off, and not to mention that it was her dream.

If you have ever seen Aspen in the halls you would know within two seconds of looking at her that she lived and breathed dance, and she wanted to do nothing else but that. You can always find her dancing in the hallways. People always make fun of her for it, but she didn't listen to any of them. She didn't care what they had to say. They all had mommies and daddies who would would pay for them to go to college, so it didn't really bother her when they said those things.   

   Day of Audition

It was just a normal day, and she did her normal routine and headed out the door. At school she couldn't wait to get out, and as soon as the final bell rang, she rushed to her gym locker to grab her clothes and stretch and all that good stuff. Oddly enough, she didn't find herself to be nervous at all because it was so natural to her.

The curtain opened, and she could see them—there they were, in the front row. She took a deep breath and started to move. When she got done, the audience cheered and gave her a standing ovation. She walked off stage, and two people in black suit with clipboards came up to her.

“Are you Aspen Jones?” the women questioned.

“Yes mam I am,” said Aspen.

The man said,“Very fine. Well, Aspen, we would like to invite you to go to Juilliard in New York City and we will give you a full ride scholarship,We would love to meet with your parents, so if you could point me….”

“No, that won't be necessary. I mean I don't have any parents, well I have a father but he is an alcoholic, and my mother was killed when I was about three,” said Aspen.

“Oh, no dear. That is too bad…. I’ll tell you what: we will still give you the scholarship because you, my child, are one of the best dancers I have ever seen in my many years of being a scout,” said the woman.

Aspen gave the women a big hug and tears filled her eyes. She couldn't wait to tell her grandmother. So she rushed to her grandmother's house. When she arrived, she didn't even knock on the door, she just rushed in.She looked around for her grandmother but she was no where to be found but she knew that she likes to sit in the basement by the fireplace. When she arrived downstairs she saw something that she thought she would never seen and something she didn't really want to see— her grandmother lying on the floor with a bullet in her head. There was a gun lying next to her, and she knew that it was her dad's gun. She began to sob as she ran out the door to her house, her dad was not home, which was not surprising because he is always at a bar. She flung open the door to her room and grabbed her picture frame of all of her family and slammed it onto the floor, and the glass flew everywhere. She threw herself onto her bed and cried. She felt like she had nothing left. She knew that the only thing keeping her alive was the fact that the she is gonna get to do what she loved.

She heard the front door slam and her grandfather walked into her room and said.

“I killed your grandmother and now i'm going to kill you……..”

TO BE CONTINUED……...

 

My Favorite Sport

My Favorite Sports

Soccer

One of my all time favorite sport is soccer because I love the physicality but there isn’t that much compared to football. My step dad was my soccer coach, but last Saturday was my last day of playing for my step dad. I’m not happy because that is most likely the last time I will play forward. But I got what I wanted. The one thing that I want before the last game is a goal, but I would’ve got two, but I was offsides.

My favorite professional soccer team is USA. Because of my favorite soccer player Tim Howard,  he is the best because he plays my favorite spot goalie. I have been playing goalie since I was in fifth grade, my coach then was Cj’s xmom.

Joy she was a really good coach. But my coach for eighth grade was my step dad.

My first soccer games this year was against Atlantic, and Riverside. My team won against Atlantic 11-1. Blake scored the first goal and he was really happy. Then Jordyn scored the next three goals. So we were really happy so we kept on scoring goals. The team Atlantic got really mad at each other so they stopped working together.

Then we played against Riverside we lost 3-2. Kyle scored the very first goal. Then Blake we were really happy so we thought that we would win but we didn’t. They didn’t  give up so they kept on trying and trying. Adventually they scored a goal. We were not happy so we tryed and tryed but they were too good so they scored another.

Our next game was against Atlantic and we scored eight goals and they scored one. Then we were really happy because our rating was two wins and one loss. The next game was against Harlan and they were really bad but they won because they pulled on our shirts when the referee wasn’t paying attention.

My stepdad was not really happy but no really mad because he went to Harlan and he knows how they play. Then we went to the riverside field to play against a select team. My team was really scared because they were a select team that basically means they are good. But before the game started they my team played tag.

When the game started we were really happy. Blake stated in the net insted of me because he was better than me. When the game stated Kyle, Gabe, and Jordyn ran down the field and scored a goal. We were really happy because we thought they were good but they weren't.

I am going out for soccer when I get in highschool, but when I go out I hopefully will play goalie. The soccer team will hopefully go to state soccer for the first time. That will be really good.

Football

Football isn’t my most favorite sport but I will play it again. I used to play center but I was really bad. So I quit. But everybody tried and tried to get me to go out for football. But I said I wouldn’t do it because I thought I was really bad. But next year when I am in ninth grade I might play football. But if I am really bad I will probably quit.

Baseball

I was not so good at baseball either, but I had a really good arm. I played third base and left field. Every time I caught the ball I jumped just like a little bit so the ball would jump out my glove. It was the last out and if this kid said he was out we would win the game. The ball went straight to me and I did as I usually did I jumped so the ball went out my glove and I lost the game from my team. I got made fun of so much so I quit. My dad wants me to go out but I won't because he won't be able to watch any of my games.

My dad also says that I could be really good. But I won't do it.

Golf

I play golf but it isn’t my favorite. I have a new set of golf clubs, I got them two years ago. I played in a tournament last year I got third. I was really happy because that was my first medal that I won in golf.  

True Colors

                                                         

True colors

It was art class, freshman year. I met the most annoying kid named Hazen. He would always make fun of me because I was so interested in art, and because I was so tall and kinda a nerd. I was one of those girls who loved school, art and music. I always did good in school, and I really didn't have to try and art is my hobby. I don’t know what it is about it, but I just love it so much.

Now Hazen was one of those kids that plays football and didn't really care about anyone else but himself. He would always hang out with his guytourage and make fun of other girls, but he was surprisingly good at art, and he always paid attention, which was weird for a guy who claims he didn't care about school. He was not really like the other guys; he cared about school (when they were not around). I was determined to find out who he really was, because the Hazen Tomsen that he was on the outside isn’t the Hazen Tomsen that he was on the inside. That, I was sure of.

                                                      Wednesday

I walked into art and Hazen was not there yet. He rushed into class ten seconds before the bell rang. This time he decided to make a comment about my hair, because I always leave it the same.

“You know you don't have to make fun of everything,” I said.

“And did you know that you can stop talking now?” said Hazen.

“I know your secrets,” I said.

“What secrets are you talking about?” said Hazen.

“You actually care about school, and you're not like the guys you hang out with,” I said.

“Yeah right, that’s probably the funniest thing you have ever said, Nerd,” said Hazen

“Yeah, yeah you know what I’m talking about,” I said.

He didn't say anything else to me that class, which was kinda weird for him and to be honest I kinda missed talking to him. I mean I just don't get why it’s such a big deal if people find out who he really is. I tried to tell him bye, but he just looked at me with a saddened look on his face. I knew from that moment that I did care about him and it was strange for me. Guys like him are not usually my type, but there was something different about him.

Friday

I walked into art class and I was almost late, but Hazen was already there when I got there. This time he didn't make a rude comment, he just said hey. I stood there with disbelief. This was a side of him that I had never seen, but I liked it much better.

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that again,” I said.

“No, you heard me the first time,” said Hazen with a smile on his face.

“Do you feel ok?” I asked.

“Yes, I just listened to what you said, and you were right, I’m not like the other guys,” said Hazen.

“Yeah duh, I know that,do you think I’m stupid or something?” I said.

“Why would I ever think that, nerd?” smirked Hazen.

During that class, we talked a lot and it was kinda awesome.

As time went on we talked a lot on snapchat and texting. It was fun doing snapchat with him because he would always send the most funny things that made me laugh. But he also didn't talk to me in person in front of the guys. I mean, I kinda expected that, but the more close we got the more the real Hazen Tomsen got revealed . Also, I started to realize that I liked him but it wasn't because of his looks or anything like that. It was because of the type of person he was on the inside. One day he finally asked me out and of course I said yes. But I should have known that it also came with some stipulations.

One month later

“I just don't understand, what is your problem?” said Hazen.

“My problem? My problem is that we can't even be a couple in public, the only time we can talk is texts (which you delete after we are done). We can't even talk, this is not a relationship and I want out,” I said.

“Well you know what? Then just leave,” said Hazen.

I stormed out of art class and went into the bathroom and cried. I wasn't crying because I was sad, I was crying because I was disappointed. Disappointed in the choice that he made.

We didn't talk for the next couple of days. Until one day he called me and told me that he would make it up to me. I didn’t listen to him and I hung up. It was probably just another one of his lies that he made up. I wanted to believe it because we broke up at the wrong time. Prom is coming up and I’d bought a dress and everything, but now its looks like I will have to go by myself.

                                         Lunch the next day

I was eating lunch with my friends, Skylar and Hannah, when all of a sudden Ed Sheeran's “Thinking Out Loud” started playing and down the steps walked Hazen, and all of his guys turned to stare. He walked right up to me and then a slide show started playing of this video of all these paintings that he made for me and at the end it said, “Emily, will you go to prom with me?”

I couldn't believe that he did this for me. I said yes and hugged him. The guys began to laugh but Hazen didn't care. He got what he really wanted and that was way more important than what they thought.

Now I know what you're all thinking. Why did she choose to write a love story, but the stories not just about love. It’s about our differences and no matter what we look like or how smart we are we should always stay true to ourselves, and not let other people tell us what we can and can't do, because popularity is not everything.

Soccer

Soccer

My favorite sport is soccer. My team mate’s are Cj, Blake, Kyle, Gabe M, Jordyn, Sidney, Zach, Courtney, Maxx, Lucas, Rayden, and Dakota. Our first game we played Atlantic. I started in the net. Blake, Kyle, Jordyn, and Gabe started in forward. Cj, Sidney, and Maxx started in front of me.  We started with the ball and we scored right away. Blake scored the first goal. The score was one to zero.

Kyle got another goal a little bit later. I basically didn’t have to do anything. Gabe scored a goal. The score was three to zero. Blake scored another goal. The atlantic team ran up the side of the field and almost scored a goal. But me being so good of a goalie I am, I stopped it.

Blake got another goal right after I threw the ball up to him. Then Kyle scored a goal again. the score was five to zero. Then the half ended so the team went to the side. My step dad started telling us what we should do. After that we went back out on the field. The people that started at the beginning started in the same spot. Atlantic started with the ball. They got halfway down the field then Derek ran up and took the ball.

Gabe got the ball and ran up a scored. The score was six to zero. Atlantic started with the ball after gabe scored and tried to go to get a goal but they didn’t. Kyle ran up and scored another goal. Atlantic got the ball and ran down the field and Zach stopped the ball and gave it to Blake, he scored a goal. Erik told me and Sidney to switch. I ran up to her spot. When she got ready Erik told me to move up to forward. Then Blake got another goal.

The score was sight to zero. The Atlantic team got the ball and went all the way to the net. Blake got the ball and scored again. the score is nine to zero. After that Gabe got the ball and scored again. The score is ten to zero. They kicked the ball up into Kyle’s hand in the box. So Atlantic got a PK which means penalty kick. Atlantic went for the PK. Sidney didn’t tell anyone that the gloves that she was wearing were too big. When the person kicked ball.

Sidney went the right way. She touched the ball but the gloves were too big. The finger bent back and the ball went in the net. The score is ten to one. Then we started with the ball. Blake was running down the field and tried to get me a goal. He tried many times but I was at the wrong place at the right time.

Then the game ended with the score ten to zero. We won the game. Then after that almost everyone went to go eat at Pizza Ranch. When I got done we went back to the field. We had to face Riverside next. Riverside started with the ball. They gave the ball to Hunter which is one of their best players. He tried and tried to get the ball in the net but he didn’t.

My step dad and my coach said, “You should move the back line up so there is no open space there.

“Ok,” I replied.

Then I yelled to the people in front of me. They did as told, but the Riverside team is a really great team. Lucas kept going on the left side of the field where he should be but he is too far out.

“Lucas get closer to me,” I told him.

Hunter ran down with the ball and passed it to Aj. Aj is another good player for the Riverside team. Aj kicked the ball in the net right pass me. I got so mad. I threw the ball as far as I could to the middle. I kicked the pole. The score is one to zero. The Riverside team is winning.

Then Blake got the ball. He passed the ball to Jordyn. Jordyn passed the ball to Gabe, and Gabe passed the ball to Blake. Blake shot the ball and it went in. The score is one to one. We are tied. Then Hunter got mad and tried to dribble the ball threw everyone. Which did not work out.

Blake got the ball and ran as fast as he could to the net. He shot and the goalie stopped the ball. Blake was furious. The goalie kicked the ball to the middle and gave it to Hunter. He ran to me and tried to score but he didn’t Cj jumped in the way of the shot.

Half time ended and the score one to one. We got the ball at the end of the beak. Gabe touched the ball and Blake ran up the field. Blake passed it to Kyle. Kyle passed it to Jordyn. Jordyn passed it to Gabe. gabe passed it to Rayden.

“Pass the ball,” Gabe yelled.

“I can’t,” rayden yelled back.

So Gabe ran up and helped Rayden. But Hunter got the ball.

“Go the the middle,” Hunter said to Aj.

So Aj did as told. Aj scored and the score is two to one. I got really mad.

“Courtney don't back up,” I yelled at Courtney.

So there Kyle ran up and got the ball. He went up the field and went to go get a goal. Then Kyle scored a goal. The score is two to two. At the end of the game. We tied.

The Game

The Game

The noise of Jack’s alarm clock had been going off for the last three minutes. He didn’t feel like getting up for school, he wanted to time-travel to the baseball game later. After another three minutes went by, Jack finally got up to go take a shower and eat breakfast.

“Whats up Jack?” asked Jack’s father.

“Nothing much,” replied Jack.

“Well, you better be ready for your baseball game later because your coach called and said you’re pitching today,” stated Jack’s father.

“Why is coach making me pitch? I pitched last game,” cried Jack. “Coach won’t stop making me pitch.” Jack walked over to the refrigerator to grab an ice pack for his arm.

“I don’t see what the big deal is kiddo, he just wants you to get into a good college for baseball,” notified Jack’s father.

“Whatever,” muttered Jack as he walked over to the closet to grab his book bag and his baseball gear. Jack walked out the front door to drive to school in his 1970 Corvette that his dad customized. As he pulled out the driveway, his dad called him telling him that his coach has gotten a few letters from a few colleges.

Once Jack got to school, he was greeted by a few of his classmates.

“Whats up?” asked Fred as Joe, Austin, and Brady followed him.

“Nothing much, my dad and coach are still riding me about going to college,” replied Jack. “I just wish my dad would just watch me play, and not try to find things I did wrong.”

“Well, don’t let it get to you, remember this is the most important game of the season,” reminded Austin.

Jack, Joe, Austin, Fred, and Brady all walked together to each of their classes because they all have the same classes. During the middle of class, Jack was pulled out of his Literature class and greeted by his coach in the office.

“I wanted to know if there was something wrong with you,” smiled Jack’s coach.

“I am feeling good, but my arm isn’t feeling up to its best, It hurts to move it, even ice won’t really help it,” notified Jack.

“I don’t want any whining from you,” snapped Jack’s coach. “Now you’re going to pitch that whole game, Oregon is going to be there watching.”

Coach was pacing back and forth, looking at Jack with a look of desperation.

“I don’t know….,” said Jack with a worried look on his face.

“Don’t ever say that to me, you are our whole team, and are going to win us the championship!” screamed Jack’s coach.

“Jeez,” sassed Jack, “What do you want from me?”

“Get out of my office,” yelled Jack’s coach.

Jack stood up from his chair and walked over to the door, swung it open and ran out.

Later that day, after school got over, Jack and his squad went to the locker rooms and changed into their uniforms then headed towards the baseball field. Jack almost always played catch with Joe because he was the catcher for the team. Jack went through the warm-ups trying to get his arm feeling good.

It was finally time for the game to start, and Jack wasn’t feeling up to it. His team was up first to bat against the Cowboys of Arlington, and they had a good pitching staff lined up against them. Jack was fifth up to bat, and coach wasn’t wanting him to do anything but pitch.

“No!” stated Jack’s coach, “you are not hitting tonight.”

“Why, I have a 30 percent hitting average,” urged Jack.

“Ok, do whatever you want, I don’t care,” moaned Jack’s coach.

Jack went out and into the on-deck circle waiting for his turn to hit. Jack was zoning off when all of a sudden a foul ball was barreling straight for his head. Jack tried to dodge it, but it hit him in his neck, and he fell like bricks to the ground. Jack’s parents rushed out to the field screaming asking for someone to help him.

“How many fingers am I holding up son?” asked Jack’s father. Then Jack’s father inspected further, and saw that the ball had shattered his jaw.

“Oh my god, call the hospital!” Jack’s mother screamed.

Jack’s mother tried to wake him up, but Jack wasn’t able to sit up. Jack finally opened up one of his eyes and tried looking around. He tried talking, but his jaw was mangled up, and he couldn’t talk.

“Mum,” Jack whispered, “What happened?”

“You got hit in the face with a baseball,” replied Jack’s mother. “Don’t try to talk though honey.”

Jack pushed his jaw up, and he thought he could still play the game. He tried standing up, then he tripped on the bat that he was using, and hit his head hard.

Jack was pronounced dead a week later from head injuries, and was remembered as the best baseball player in Texas.

Toxic (Ending)

It had been nearly one month since I had been able to start researching for the cure. The only thing keeping me here is Tyler’s condition. I still think back to when I found out. I can’t help but wish it was me who had it.

“Hey, Jade?” I looked over to see my partner in researching.

“Yeah, whats up?” I asked.

“Well, I noticed you keep spacing out, and…” he trailed off.

“And… what?” I was confused.

“Well, you should go home for the day, I can finish up here.”

“No, I can stay; I need to stay,” he looked confused to why I wanted to continue researching. It’s because I never told anyone why I decided to research here. They don’t know about Tyler and how bad it has gotten over the past month.

“Well, at least go take a break, as your superior I can’t have you getting hurt because of your spacing out,” he said firmly like he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Fine, but I’m not going home, I can’t, I have to research as much as I can.” I said stubbornly.

“Ok, but just relax a little,” his expression softened and he gave me a smile.

I smiled back because it would be rude to not to. I walked back to the break room passing many beakers and scientific stuff. I opened the door and plopped on the squishy couch in the middle of the room. I sank down and tried to relax. I can’t stay relaxed for too long. I told myself that over and over, but I didn’t get up. I heard the door to the room open, but I guess I fell asleep because that was the last thing I heard.

I don’t know how long I was sleeping, but when I woke up I could feel something covering me up. I looked down to see a lab coat. I moved it off and looked at the name tag. It read Nathan Samuels. I could feel the heat start to rise in my cheeks. Nathan was the name of my partner. Why? I thought.

Just then the lounge door opened. I looked over to see him.

“Hey, Jade.” he greeted me with a smile.

“Hi,” I replied. “How long was I asleep?”

“I think about two or three hours.” he said thinking about it.

“Oh, I better get going! I’m late!” I said panicking.

I quickly got up causing me to get really dizzy. I Ignored it and went to the area where we put our stuff. Nathan followed close behind me looking confused. I took off my lab coat and shoved it in the locker that I put my stuff in.

“Jade, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“It’s nothing, I’m just really late for something really important,” I said, in an even bigger rush than I was before.

“What is so important, if you don’t slow down you’re going to get hurt.”

“I can’t slow down, I’ve never been late before.”

“What’s going on?” he sounded really concerned about me, but I can’t tell anyone about Tyler yet.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about,” I said shoving the last few things in my bag.

“I’m leaving ok, bye.” I walked out of the room and made my way to the front of the building. Once I got out of the building I started to run towards the hospital. I’m so sorry. I kept saying that over and over in my head. After about ten minutes of running I had to start walking. I was still rushing though. After about another 20 minutes of walking I made it to the hospital. I rushed in through the doors. The nurse automatically knew what I was here for. I came here everyday when I found out his condition.

“Right this way, please,” the nurse said. I followed the nurse hoping that Tyler wasn’t mad at me. I walked into his room. He has been in that same bed for a long time. He looked up and gave me his signature smile.

“Jade!” he exclaimed.

“Hey, Tyler, how are you feeling?” I asked.

“I feel fine, but the doctors don’t seem to think so,” he said sounding a little sad.

“Oh, I hope they can come to think that you are fine.”

“Yeah me too,” he said sighing.

“Oh, sorry for being late today, I got caught up in the lab,” I said sheepishly.

“Really? I didn’t notice you were late, it’s ok if you’re late sometimes,” he said smiling again. His smile could light up a room. I smiled at him. I looked over at the clock in his room. there was only five more minutes till visiting time was over.

“Hey, Tyler?”

“Yeah?”

“Well…” I trailed off afraid to say what I wanted to say.

“Jade?” he said, “Jade, are you ok?”

“Huh, oh, uh, yeah, I’m ok,” I replied as I heard the door to the room open.

“Visiting times are over, come on you can come back tomorrow,” a nurse said.

“Oh, ok, well I will see you tomorrow Tyler,” I smiled and waved as I left the room. I walked home. In the past month I was able to afford my own apartment. I’m saving most of my money to buy Tyler things he can’t get from where he is at. I pass stores that I want to take Tyler to when he gets better. I sighed as I walked down the street. What am I going to do If I don’t tell him. I can’t think about the possible outcome if I don’t hurry and finish my research. I stopped walking.

“Maybe, I should go to the lab and do more research, but that be against the rules. I could get fired for this,” I said aloud.

“What could you get fired for?” I jumped. I turned to face the speaker.

“Nathan?” I asked puzzled.

“Yeah, so what could get you fired. I don’t want another partner to do something reckless and end up losing their job,” he said with a warning tone in his voice.

“Well…, I just… I wanted to go back to the lab… and do more research,” I said looking at the ground.

“Why?”

“Well…, I can’t really tell you why I want to find a cure so bad, but it is something so important that I would do anything and everything to make it happen.”

“Yeah, but…” he trailed off. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I decided against it.

“Listen, I won’t do if it you really think it’s a bad idea to do research right now, ok.”

“It’s not that, it’s just…” he trailed off. I looked at him and could see the slightest tint of pink on his cheeks. Was he blushing?

“Nathan?” I asked. “Hey, Nathan, what’s wrong?” I called out but he didn’t answer.

“Jade…” he mumbled. “I just… don’t want… you to get in trouble… thats all,” he seemed conflicted, he was obviously holding something back.

“I know that,” I said.

“Just, don’t do anything stupid,” he said in a warning tone.

“I won’t, I’m going home, ok.”

“Ok…, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, ok.” I started walking again. I wanted to go to the lab, but at the same time I wanted to listen to someone for once in my life other than Tyler. I was feeling conflicted all the way home.

I reached the door to my apartment. I entered a small room. I walked over to the kitchen. My stomach began to tighten. Thats right I didn’t have time to eat anything today. I got in the fridge and took out some of the leftovers from yesterdays dinner. I sighed as I put them in the microwave. I paced around the room waiting for the microwave to ding. When it did I hurried to get the food.

“Same old routine everyday,” I sighed. I ate and went to take a shower. I hurried to get out and slip on my pajamas. I collapsed on my bed and let out a heavy sigh. Soon after I fell in a deep sleep unaware what was happening at the hospital.

I woke up like always, got ready and started to head to the lab. Once I arrived I came face to face with Nathan.

“Good morning Jade!” He said cheerfully.

“Oh, good morning.” I gave him a small smile. The day pretty much went by like any other. It was lunch break when I got a phone call. I was chatting with Nathan about further researching when my phone went off. I answered it and I could feel the tears in my eyes. One by one they came out. Nathan instantly got worried.

“Hey, Jade?” he questioned. “What’s wrong?” you couldn’t answer. I could feel my whole life crumbling. “Jade?” He didn’t know anything. I didn’t know how to start my explanation to him. I got up and walked out of the building. I started sprinting to my destination. I could feel my legs start to burn, but I wouldn’t slow down until I got there. I ran through the hospital doors. The nurse looked up and all you could see in her eyes was sympathy. With that look you knew it was true.

Tyler was gone. I knew that I should have told him, but I never did. I knew he didn’t have much time left, but I never told him. I instantly broke down in the middle of the hospital lobby. The nurses were trying to comfort me, but it didn’t work, not in the slightest. I wanted to see Tyler, to see his smile, to hear his laugh, but now he’s gone. I refused to believe it.

“Tyler, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please come back!” I cried, saying it over and over wanting it all to be a dream. I heard the door to the hospital open. I didn’t care who it was, I just wanted Tyler back. The door closed and I felt arms come around me. I looked up at the person with my red puffy eyes, tears still coming out. It was Nathan.

“Jade, what are you doing here, what’s wrong?” He asked me softly. I continued to cry.

“My brother,” I cried even harder afraid to actually say it out loud, if I say it, I know that it will become apart of reality.

“It’s ok, what happened?” he asked rubbing my back gently. I stayed silent other than the sounds of my muffled crying. He let me cry on him. Somehow I ended up in his car.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked concerned as he drove down the road. I sighed and looked out the window

“Where are we going?” I questioned.

“I don’t know we’re just driving,” he answered.

“I was at the hospital for my brother… he had cancer,” I said sadly. He looked shocked for a split second but his gaze went soft again.

“Is that why you decided to research for a cure?”

“Yeah…, but then I wanted to find one for everyone out there.”

“Your brother, what is his name?”

“His name was Tyler…” I trailed off.

“Was?”

“Yeah, I was at the hospital because he just died,” I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. I didn’t want to talk about it, but It felt good for someone to comfort me. I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice the car stop, until an arm wrapped around me.

“I’m sorry for your loss, but you should continue your research.”

“Why, I lost my brother, he was my only motivation.” I broke into tears again.

“I know It hurts Jade, but you can’t give up; think about all the lives you could save if you keep searching for the cure. You’re close to finding a cure, I just know it!” I couldn’t answer, I just gave him a nod before hugging him back.

The funeral came around and I was broken again, not being able to concentrate I often find myself almost dropping the chemicals at the lab, of course Nathan was there to help. I eventually fell head over heals for him. The pain of losing Tyler motivated me more. I was in so much pain, but Nathan made it somewhat bearable. I missed him.

Years went by and I ended up finding a cure… I often think about Tyler, but I know he’s in a better place. I wouldn’t call my feelings happy. Tylers gone and I will be too, very soon in fact. I’m dying… I don’t have regrets. I’m just sad to leave people behind…, but the good thing is that I will be able to see Tyler again. I miss him.

“Nathan?”

“Yeah Jade?”

“How long do you think I have left?”

“The doctor said you will be gone in a few hours…” He looked sad.

“Smile ok.” I gave him the sweetest smile I could. Nathan and I had gotten married, but I had a lab accident, thats how I got here.

“I can’t smile knowing that I will lose you.” He sighed and looked at the ground as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. I looked up at the white ceiling.

“I think the doctor was wrong…, I think I’ll be gone in less than an hour…” I could hear his breathing almost stop.

“I don’t want to believe that… I just want you to stay a little longer…” I only said that because I could my body starting to get really weak.

“I’m sorry…, but I’m tired now…”

“No, don’t go to sleep, please, stay with me, Jade.” I could hear the desperation in his voice.

“I love you…” That was the last thing I said before drifting off into darkness.