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11

Before Calum could even get her completely medicated and checked into the hospital, she was asleep.

"Did she eat dinner?" He asked me, listening to her lungs again.

"A little, yeah" I exhaled, watching him nod lightly.

"And we should see some improvement by the morning." He spoke, exhaling lightly, making me nod, sitting in a chair beside her bed.

Calum fell into the couch, immediately pulling a blanket over his body.

And we slept like rocks

Aaliyah.

I woke up to someone playing with my hair.

I knew neither Cal or Luke would be waking me up like this- they would normally talk to me or rub my arms and back to wake me up- so this was weird.

I opened my eyes-turning to see where the feeling was coming from.

Tracey.

"Tracey?" I cleared my throat, still finding it hard to breathe.

"Yeah- Luke and Calum just went to a wreck in the ER, and I saw your name on a chart, so I decided to stop by" she whispered, sitting on the edge of my bed.

It was almost awkward.

"Oh" I whispered, slowly sitting up, coughing lightly to try and help make myself able to breathe.

"How's your treatment?" I asked her slowly.

"Good, they think I'm about to be able to go into remission" she smiled, this clearly being an accomplishment.

"Oh- that's awesome, I'm so happy for you" I spoke truthfully.

"Yeah, mom and dad said they're booking a trip to Disney World for the day I can actually get out of here" she spoke with a smile, and I tried my hardest not to frown.

"How's life with the doctors?" She exhaled to me.

"Really good" I mumbled truthfully.

"We went to Australia-" "wow, Australia" she spoke, her eyes widening.

"Yeah" I exhaled.

"And now you're sick?" She asked slowly.

"Yeah, it's pneumonia" I told her slowly, watching her nod.

"You're happy?" I asked her, seeing her nod.

"I couldn't ask for much more" she spoke, making me nod slowly.

"Same" I whispered lightly, seeing her glance to me.

"You're wheezing" she mumbled, pointing out the noise that came from my chest every time I took a breath.

"Yeah- that happens with pneumonia" I mumbled, wishing nothing but to go back to sleep.

"I miss you- we all miss you" she whispered.

I stayed silent, looking to her.

"You know, I'm sure they'd let you come to Disney with us, like a family trip-" "I'm okay." I mumbled slowly.

Her eyebrows flew together.

"What?" She spoke as if it broke her heart.

"Tracey- I'm not a Johnson anymore" I mumbled to her.

"My last name is Hemmings- Luke and the guys are my family." I spoke slowly, trying not to upset her, but I knew I failed when I saw tears coming into her eyes.

"B-but you're still my little sister" her voice cracked.

I slowly nodded.

"Yeah- technically, but I don't consider your mom and dad my mom and dad" I whispered.

I watched a tear fall.

"I just want my family back, Aaliyah" her voice cracked.

"Tracey- I was never apart of your family" I whispered, seeing Luke appear in the doorway with Calum- both looking shocked.

"I was made for you- to cure you" I spoke, my own tears coming into my eyes.

"And I couldn't even do that" I managed to laugh lightly.

"And I thought- after almost killing myself, that I would have no life purpose, but my family showed me my purpose" my own tear slipped down my cheek.

"And I'm so sorry, but I'll never give that up." I tried to stop crying due to it already being hard to breathe.

"Aaliyah- once I'm not sick anymore they'll give you more attention!" She almost yelled towards me.

"But why do I have to be a second choice? Why do I have to be pushed aside constantly when I have four boys who want to love me every second of the fucking day?" More tears fell as we stared to each other.

"So you're just going to forget your family?" She cried out to me.

"No, I'll never forget you guys." I spoke, wanting nothing but her to leave.

"But I'll also never regret leaving."