I came up with this story on a Sunday afternoon and I didn't really plan on writing it, but two anonymous tumblr bloggers convinced me to write it, so here it is! It's my prediction on Clare's cancer storyline. I'm very "excited" (that's not really the correct word) for that storyline in the actual show. I'm doing some research about leukemia, if I ever happen to be completely off in the next chapters, please tell me. I'm trying to be as right as I can. Okay that's it for now, enjoy this first chapter of Pain, Love and Comfort.
Washington square park on a sunny afternoon is always a good idea. I bought a great book, a Chuck Palahniuk in the new bookstore near NYU and a bottle of water from a guy off the streets. The first 3 weeks in New York have been great, the Brett Barnett movie was going good, it's nearly finished but my job is done. Now I still have 6 weeks left till my first semester at NYC, I signed up for some summer sessions. I spotted an empty spot on the benches next to the fountain. I looked around and I was surrounded by couples, it made me miss my Clare even more. My thoughts wandered to our prom night, the night she decided to sleep with me, I remember her loving touches, her loving gazes. This great memory got interrupted by a phone call from her. the smile on my face grew as I answered.
"hey babe, I was just thinking about you."
"hi.." I could hear there was something wrong. I got up from my slouchy position and sat up straight.
"what's wrong?" no answer, the silence was unbearable. "babe, what's wrong? Answer me!" I started panicking
" I need you to come home." She burst into tears. I barely understood what she was saying. "what happened?"
"the hospital called, Eli. You need to come home." I got up, collected my stuff and ran to the NYU campus. "Clare, what are you talking about? Why did the hospital call?"
"I can't tell you over the phone" she cried out louder "just come home, please, please. I need you." She hung up, I felt myself getting dizzy, the room started spinning and I had to hold onto something or I'd fall down, but there was no time. I remembered that the flight to Toronto left at 5.30PM, that means I still had 3 and half hours left. I ran inside, took one of my duffel bags and threw in some of my clothes. My roommate entered the room while whistling. "dude, what are you doing? Are you okay? Do I need to call your dad or your mom? Do you need your meds?" Joe knew I was bipolar. He put his hands on my shoulders, I was still freaking out. "Eli, what's up." His dark brown eyes looked sternly in my eyes. I felt like I was 6 and I got intimidated by a 10-year-old who wanted to pick on me "tell me, what happened. Why are you crying?"
I didn't realize I was crying until he mentioned it. "I don't know what's up. My girlfriend called, she said she heard from the hospital and she needed me to come home and I don't know what to do, what If something really bad happened, what if I lose her again." I ranted and Joe face changed as he tried to put the pieces together.
"okay man, I'm driving you to the airport. There's no way I'm letting you go alone like this." He patted my shoulder. I started running around our dorm again, I was lost. My legs were moving but I was balancing between hell, heaven and earth. "Eli, focus. Stand still, do you have everything, passport, id, clothes, phone, laptop, meds, money"
I'm glad Joe's here. I would've gone totally crazy without him.
"crap, my passport." I rummaged through my closet
"found it."
"okay, you're ready to go? You're sure you didn't forget a thing?"
"no, I got all the basics I need to get into Canada. Thanks man." We both ran outside. Luckily Joe's car was parked right in front of the school building. LaGuardia is a 30minute drive and traffic was easy on us, until we got to Williamsburg Bridge.
"I'm sorry dude, but once we get into Queens, I can take some shortcuts to get you to the airport as fast as possible. Try calling the airline company to book your flight." I took a few, deep breaths to come to rest, I was on my way home, stuck in traffic but there was nothing I could do about it. I was on my way to see my Clare, I was going to be with her in less than 5 hours and everything would be okay, I kept telling myself. But I feel that it wasn't going to be okay.
I heard a feminine voice through my phone.
"yes, I would like to book a flight for the next flight to Toronto, leaving from LaGuardia Is that still possible?"
