Seventeen

Ch 7

Chapter 7

    Seventeen

 

     “Happy birthday, Misaki!” The family said as they came in the door holding as birthday cake. As they began to sing all i could think about is how a whole month had gone by and i was still here.

     It’s not like i had a problem with it. I’d become friends with the boy down the hall in room 106. His name was John and he had lung cancer. I’d also grown quite fond of my time with Dr. Usami. He’d come in on his lunch breaks and when his shift ends to say good bye. It kind of made me feel special.

     “How do you feel? You’re seventeen!” Jenna asked. This question snapped me from my thoughts of Usami, which accrued a lot lately in this boring hospital. I thought about it and decided I didn’t feel any different. How did i normally feel? Sadness shifted me as i realized i wouldn’t know that either. They stood waiting.

     “I don’t feel any different” i said quickly through a fake smile. It wasn’t a lie. I felt the same; lost and alone in the new world building up around me, but the bricks for these new building were fake and made of dirt. I looked over at Usami and i could tell he saw right through my act.

    “Misaki, when do you get to come home?” Stanley asked. I’d have to leave some day, I knew that. So why did his question hurt so badly? I looked over at Usami again and he looked like he was in pain to. Or maybe it was my hopeful imagination.

     “Soon.” I reassured.

     “Good! Cuz i miss you brother.” They stayed for an hour and left to continue their lives. Usami came over and sat on my bed.

     “Want a piece of cake? There’s plenty.” I said.

     “Nah. I don’t like sweets.” I nodded. It was raspberry with white frosting. They must have known my favorite because it was delicious. “Maybe your brother is right.” He said and looked away.

    “Huh?” i asked with a mouth full of cake. The once moist delicious cake had become uncommonly dry.

     “I mean, you have been here a month and you’ve been just fine. Your parents asked twice and…”

     “So...So what!” I said cutting him off. Anger ran through my body but i couldn’t say anymore. I was speechless. Didn’t he want me here? Didn’t he enjoy our time together? “What did i do wrong?” i managed after a long period of silence passed.

      “Nothing, I just can’t be selfish anymore.” He rustled his hand through my hair and left. My heart dropped as nothing but sadness and confusion filled my head.