𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐨 - 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜

Chapter 42: Reality

I woke up alone in bed.

Confused about what had happened. I looked over to the other side of bed and didn't see Steve. I sighed.

This wasn't a dream. I decided to stand up, and at least get dressed.

So I grabbed a pair of Steve's sweatpants and one of his hoodies. I changed into them. I grabbed his bottle of cologne and sprayed it on. I immediately felt like crying once I smelled his scent on my skin once again. I wiped my tears and headdd to the bed. Grabbing the teddy bear he got me two days ago. On the last night we spent together. I sighed and placed it back on the bed. I walked out. I was completely tired. So  exhausted. Mentally and emotionally. I spent all day yesterday crying.

I walked into the kitchen and saw Meredith.  "Hey how are you?" Meredith asked

"I'm doing alright." I said. I opened the tea cabinet and made some tea. Meredith leaned against the counter and brought her hand to her chest.

"Hey you alright?" I asked.

"Yeah I just- i have some chest pain her on my left side. I don't know I woke up with it." She said. I looked at Mer.

"Have you cried?" I asked.

She stared at me and shook her head.

"No." She said.

I stared at her.

"That's the problem. You need to cry." I said. She looked at me in confusion. I looked at her and hugged her. She stood there and soon, hugged me back. I rubbed her back in circles and soon heard her soft sobs. She slowly fell on the ground. I fell with her, still embracing her in a hug.

"What if he dies Elena. What if they both die and never come back?" She cried.

I began crying too. "No Meredith! We can't think like this! We can't be thinking bad things. We have to stay positive and try to find things to do."

"But it's hard." She whispered.

"Steve made me promise him, that I would live for the both of us as long as he's gone. And Meredith now I'm telling you, to live for both you and soda. You can't continue to bottle up your emotions. It's not good for you."

"I don't wanna live." She whined.

"Meredith. Look at me-." I said pulling away from her.

Her eyes were puffy, fresh tears falling from her eyes. She stared up at me.

"You and I. We're gonna work so damn hard in school. For as long as they're away. We're gonna get a good job at the hospital and we're gonna save up money for when they come back. But you and I Meredith, we have to continue to live. Otherwise this will kill them." I said.

She stared at me and whipped her tears. Taking a deep breath in and heavily exhaling.

She stared at me.

"We're gonna continue to live." She said.

"For them." I finished.

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I'm not gonna deny the fact that it's been hard not having Steve or Sodapop around. The house feels much emptier. My parents come in the afternoons but still feels lonely. They look at me with pity and pain. Knowing that their daughter is suffering.

I've gone to school. Which is also empty. A lot of the guys who used to go got drafted. It's not a happy place anymore. Not that it ever was. The only thing that motivates me is knowing that Steve will some day come back to me. And Sodapop will come back to Meredith.

I was sitting on my bed reading a book when I heard a knock on the front door. I set the book down and rushed to the front door, opening it.

To my surprise I saw Daniel there.

"Hey Daniel?" I said awkwardly. We haven't talked in god, I wanna say two years?

He stared at me. "Hey Elena." He said.

I stared at him. Not knowing what to say.

"Uh- do you want to come in?" I asked opening the door wider for him to come in.

"Sure." He shrugged and walked in.

"How've you been?" I asked.

"I've been alright. It's been hard without Margo." He said.

"Without Margo? Did you guys break up?" I asked.

He stared at me in confusion. "Didn't your parents tell you? We got in a car accident and we'll she didn't make it." He said quietly. I stared at him.

"We don't talk to margos parents anymore. Not since they found out I'm dating Steve." I said.

We both stayed quiet. "So where is he anyway?" He asked.

"He's not here. He left." I said quietly.

"Oh huh. I thought you two would last longer." He chuckled throwing in some subtle shade.

I stared at him, mentally rolling my eyes. Not even ten minutes in my house and he's already being mean.

"He got drafted." I said seriously. I wasn't gonna let him think he could joke or make jokes around me. He looked at me in pity.

"I'm sorry-."

"Oh please Daniel. Stop acting like you ever cared about him. I don't need your pity." I said walking into the kitchen. He walked in right behind me.

"You're right. I don't care about him, but I care about you." He said grabbing my waist and spinning me around to face him. Pulling me into a kiss. I quickly pulled away and slapped him across the face.

"Don't you ever do that again. You hear me! Don't ever stare at me. Don't ever talk to me. Don't do anything. I'm dating Steve. And Steve is the only man I love." I said.

He stared at me. "But Elena. He could be dead for all you know." He said.

"That's why you came all the way here? To mock me. You know what? Just leave please." I said.

"Elena. I love you. I've always loved you." He said.

I stared at him. "Oh please! You don't love me." I said.

"What do you know about love?" He asked.

"I know so much more than you do Daniel. I know that love is based on what two people feel for eachother. About what two people want for eachother for the rest of their life. And god. I used to think I liked you. But that was only affection I had for a friend. Because now I realize what love truly is. Now get the hell out and don't ever talk to me again!" I yelled pushing him out of the house.

I slammed the door and slid down. I began crying. Daniel could be right. It was two weeks since Steve left. And Steve could be dead. But I didn't wanna think about that.