Last First Kiss

A White Ribbon

//TW: cancer, panic attack(?)\\

I quickly ran over and checked his breathing. It was slow and faint. I picked him up and ran outside. The hospital was farther away. I couldn't run the whole way.

I ran up to someone on the street.

"Excuse me! Sir!" I called. The man turned to me and gasped. "Could you call an ambulance? Please. I don't have a phone." The man immediately pulled out his phone and lifted it to his ear.

Soon an ambulance arrived. I quickly got into the back with Elijah. The nurses put a breathing mask over his nose and mouth. One of the paramedics worked on Elijah while the other turned to me.

"What happened?" She asked. I lightly shook my head.

"I-I don't know," I mumbled. "He was outside and talked with me. I went back in and h-he was unconscious."

"Any signs of illness?"

"H-he's been coughing up blood a-and sometimes has trouble breathing. He's tired a lot too" The woman turned back to Elijah and clenched her fists.

"Sh!t..." She mumbled under her breath.

Within a few minutes, we arrived at the hospital. The paramedics took Elijah to the emergency room and while I sat in the waiting room.

I could barely sit still or focus on anything. Everything felt like it was moving so fast.

This stranger I'd met 5 days ago is suddenly the only thing I worried about. I'd do anything to make sure he'd be ok.

It was quiet. Too quiet. I wanted someone there with me, to keep me occupied and distracted so I didn't need to face whatever news I got alone.

I sat there, my heart beating faster than ever before and my head in my hands. Every time someone walks past, I shoot my head up to look at them. Hoping it'd be the doctor coming to tell me everything would be ok. That he'd be better by tomorrow. That he'd get to live a normal life.

"Alex Orman. Please follow me." A voice said. I looked up and saw a doctor. She had a blank expression on her face, making it difficult to tell if she had good news or bad news.

I glanced at the clock. A whole 3 hours had passed. I was so deep in thought, I didn't realize how much time had gone by. I stood up and followed the doctor to a private room.

She asked me to sit down and asked me a few questions about Elijah. His symptoms, age, if any family was available, how long he'd been sick, etc. I answered as best I could. After she'd write it down on her clipboard.

She sighed and looked up at me.

"I'm so sorry to tell you this," She mumbled. "We found a cancerous tumor in his lungs."

My heart stopped. I felt so many emotions at the same time. I was scared, sad, angry. But I felt hope. He's strong enough to fight this, right?

"H-how much will treatment cost?" I hesitated to ask.

"Anywhere from 1,000 to 12,000 a month," She looked upset to tell me that. I felt a hole in my stomach. There's no way I can pay for that. But there's no way I can let go yet.

ˇ°—•<3•—°ˇ

I walked into the hospital room. Elijah laid there on the bed with a breathing mask over his face and an IV. He stared blankly at the ceiling. He didn't even look at the door when I opened it.

I sat next to him. He turned his head to me, a few tears falling down his face.

"Please tell me you did pay for treatment," He mumbled. I was shocked.

"What?! You don't want me to pay for treatment?!" He nodded.

"I don't want you to be in det for the rest of your life. I'll die then you can live your life and-"

"I already signed the contract." Elijah's eyes widened. He opened his mouth to protest but didn't say a word.

"Your treatment will begin tomorrow." I smiled and stood up. "Get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow."

ˇ°—•<3•—°ˇ

I walked into Elijah's hospital room. He was hooked up to an IV for chemotherapy. His eyes were closed so assumed he was taking a nap.

He's been getting better, although it's hard to tell because it's only been a month. The doctor told me he's allowed to go home today. He has to come in a certain amount of times a month for treatment.

His eyes opened slightly and he looked at me. He's been even more tired than before because of the treatment. I smiled at him. A nurse walked.

"You're all done for the day," She cheered. Elijah smiled and closed his eyes again.

I ruffled the top of his head but stopped. A few strands of hair fell down. I knew this was going to happen, but it still hurt to see. I'm just glad he hasn't had any of the more painful side effects.

The nurse unhooked the IV and wrapped Elijah's arm with bandages. She pulled over a wheelchair and left it in front of the chair Elijah sat in.

"Come down to the front desk when you're ready," The nurse said before leaving. I looked back at Elijah.

"Can we go home now?" Elijah asked softly. I nodded and helped him into the wheelchair.

We went down the elevador, checked in with the front desk, and left. I had rented a car to make getting from the apartment to the hospital easier. I helped Elijah get into the passenger seat and we drove home.

Cereal was very happy to see Elijah. He hasn't been able to come home until today. Elijah sat on the floor for a while, holding Cereal in his arms. His eyes were closed.

I sat next to him and gave him a hug. He looked at me a little angry. He's been annoyed at me for paying for his treatment. No matter how mad he gets at me, I'm still paying for it.

I let go of him. His angry expression changed and he smiled at me. He rested his head on my shoulder. I leaned my head on his and wrapped one of my arms around him.

"I'm not letting you give up on me," I mumbled.

"I know," Elijah mumbled. He soon fell asleep, as well as Cereal. I messed with his hair a little. It continued to fall out.

I sighed and carried him and Cereal to his room. I made sure he was comfortable in his bed and left him to sleep.