I'll Be There (Ethan Karpathy)

Chapter 14

Ethan's POV

I come everyday for the next few weeks, until the chemotherapy round no. 1 is over, and the effects are starting to wear into Zoe.

"Hey Zoe," I say, walking into the hospital.

"Hey Ethan," Zoe replies, but she isn't really Zoe. Just the shadow of the girl that once was. A skinny, pale version with sunken cheeks and large eyes.

No kidding - I still love her.

She is still is beautiful, just.. different.

Different.

She moves over to let me in, and she winces every time she moves. It obviously is very painful for her.

"You okay? In pain?" I ask

"No." she lies, "just uncomfortable"

Well, that was obvious too, the way she jiggled about awkwardly.

"You want me to call the doctor?" I ask

"No. I am just tired." She replies.

"Do you want me to show you something?" I ask

"Yeah sure. Stop asking me stuff. Just..." she stops, too tired to continue.

I pull out my phone.

"Cool." she says.

"What?" I ask, I didn't show her anything special, not yet.

"You got a new phone. Now you have two! Why did you get the same model again?" She replies cheerily.

"Er... no," I reply cautiously "I only have one phone. I only have one phone in my hand"

"Whaat?" She asks, rubbing her eyes, confused "What?"

"Zoe, are you sure you're fine?"

"Yes! I am just so tired that I am obviously seeing double," she says, laughing.

"Ha ha haa?" I laugh too, but stiffly. Fake.

"Maybe you should get some sleep Zoe. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

"Yeah," Zoe says quietly "Please, don't go."

I pretend not to hear her. She NEEDS to sleep.

Trust me.

She NEEDS to sleep.

So why do I feel so bad?

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Zoe's POV

He didn't hear me.

That's okay. Sleep will take my mind off my quickening heart beat and the chest and head pains.

Sleep will be beneficial.

Sleep will be tranqu-

Zzz Zzz Zzz

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Ethan's POV

I see that Zoe has fallen asleep so I decided to leave, taking with me this uncomfortable feeling.

The feeling doesn't go away as I exit the room, and walk down the corridors.

Suddenly, I come face to face with Claudia.

"Oh there you are," she says " I have been looking for you,"

"Me?"

"Yes. You are always here Ethan. Always." she whispers. "You barely ever are at school, where else would I look?"

"What do you want."

Then, Claudia launches right at me, her face colliding with mine.

"Get off me!" I yell.

"Never," She whispers, trapping me into a corner.

She is strong.

"We will be inseparable," she says "like before."

I am stronger.

"No! I am with Zoe!" I yell "I love ZOE not YOU."

"Not any longer," she yells.

Then... then...

Her lips are on mine, again and I cannot back away.

Back away.

Back away.

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Claudia's POV

My stupid messed up boyfriend.

Sorry, ex - boyfriend.

I am about to show HIM revenge for dumping me and going to Zoe.

Zoe, who though has so many other symptoms managed to keep her hair.

Why?

I will show Ethan who the boss is.

I break away and stare at him cruelly.

"Back off Claudia, I don't like you anymore. I am with Zoe now. Deal with it. Go and I won't tell anyone about this," Ethan says.

"Awwww. How sad this will be then," she says sadly. The corners of her mouth are suddenly pulled up as she lets out a loud, hearty laugh.

"Shana, you ready?" Claudia yells.

"Yes, of course," an unfamiliar voice yells back.

Then I launch back at him.

A few blinding flashes and then I knew it was done.

"Bye Ethan. See you soon." I say happily, skipping down the hall, chasing after Shana.

"Thanks, Shana." I smile as she hands me back my phone which I shove down my pocket.

My phone is in my pocket.

That photo is in my phone.

Our kiss is in that photo.

Our Kiss is in my pocket.

Yes!

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Ethan's POV

I watch her go.

Then I run.

I run to wherever my legs decide to carry me.

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Author's Note:

thank you for reading :)

I added a cast, if you have any ideas please comment below!!

merry christmas and happy new year :)

xx

-anna + maya