Chapter 6
Celine visited the infirmary every day now. After one of her visits, Sloane and Michael had mentioned it was lonely without them. She visited every day after that. Dean came sometimes too. And Lia. They both came for Michael, but you could hardly tell with Dean. He kept glancing over.
Cassie was the only one who came to see just Sloane, and only when Dean wasn’t there. If he came in while she was in there already, she left soon after. Like an odd sort of dance, and only Cassandra knows the steps.
Cassie only came to see Sloane, and only when Dean wasn’t there. IF he came in when she was there, she would be quick to leave. Like an odd sort of dance full of hate, and only Cassandra knows the steps.
♥ ♥ ♥
Celine went into the infirmary for her daily routine. She had an idea she had been mulling over for a few days and wanted to try it out. She pushed the door open, and only Sloane was in the room. Michael was probably with Lia or Dean. “Hey, Sloane. How’re the flowers looking?” It was meant to be lighthearted, but it was really a question on how long he had. Without a cure or surgery, Sloane would die.
Celine didn’t want to think about that. She came here with a purpose. “They’re doing awfully well. Now it’s a whole carnation. I’m only lucky it’s not a bouquet yet!” Sloane answered. Well then. Her plan had better work.
“Sloane?”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to walk?”
She looked confused. “But I do walk.”
“I mean like outside. You haven’t been outside in a while, right? Judd makes you stay in the house?”
She hesitates. “Well, yes. I guess, I do stay inside all day, and sort of want to smell the outside and count the birds and steps I've walked outside and the clouds that I haven’t seen in days.” Celine took that as a yes.
“Ok! Come on!” She grabbed the other girl, pulling her out of bed. They ran. Sloane hadn’t run in months. She had forgotten what it had felt like, almost for a second.
After getting outside, out in the woodsy area, they stopped running, just laughing, still holding hands. Sloane pointed out all the types of moss, flowers, birds butterflies, trees, everything that they saw. When Sloane coughed up flowers, she held them in her hand instead of leaving them on the ground. She said it was because she didn’t want to infect the other people that track through here and pick up flowers. “That’s really nice of you.” Celine said softly. “Well, what Michael and I have to go through is already hard enough and we know the cure. I can’t imagine what their condition would be.”
“That reminds me.” Celine tilted her head towards the sky. “Did you think about who your crush is yet?” The truth is, she had. Many nights and sleep were wasted thinking about it. She had a general idea of who it might be, but she honestly didn’t know. But the general idea was right there, next to her. And it wouldn’t hurt to try. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since you told me that was the cure. And I think I have one?”
Celine instantly brightened, although some of it was forced. This would make or break her. But she would always be there for Celine, as a friend or more. Friendship came first. Always.
Sloane looked down. She hadn’t thought this would be so nerve wracking. “I think,” she looked up. This moment deserved eye contact. "I think it’s you.”
Silence
And all you could hear were the woods sounds
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5 seconds of defaming silence from both girls in anticipation. Joy and sadness balancing on a knifepoint. And then the knife fell.