One year before

As I drive to my parent's house, I feel something in my pocket. At a red light, I reach in and pull out a folded piece of paper. I unfold it and read it.

Hey, I know you're probably not even thinking about me, but here's my number anyway. 678-9102. Four.

He gave me his number. It was nice talking to him, and I would like to see him again. I decide to call him later, as soon as I get back to my apartment.

The drive from the school to my parent's is a long one. The drive from my apartment to theirs is even longer. Even though I grew up in Chicago, I never had any desire to live here. I've already decided to move away to some other state once I graduate from college.

Mom and Dad live in a small apartment overlooking Lake Michigan; they bought it not even a month after Caleb and I moved out. Finding parking downtown is an especially tedious task. After riding around for about ten minutes, I give up my search and just park in a parking garage about a block away from their building. I need to walk anyway.

…

I knock on their door three times. "Hey. It's Tris. Open up please." Caleb answers the door.

"Hey Bea, what took you so long to get here?" He asks.

"Caleb. You know how far away the school is plus Downtown Chicago traffic. That was a stupid question."

He chuckles. "Yeah I know, I'm an idiot." My brother pulls me into a hug. We haven't seen each other in about two weeks since we've both been busy with college stuff. Sure we talk on the phone every day, but it's different seeing him in person. It's funny how someone's appearance can change in a few weeks. He now wears glasses and I got my blond hair cut to my jaw about a week ago.

"So," I begin when we pull away. "What'd you call me here for?"

"Mom and Dad wanted to spend time with their kids and they knew if they called you, you wouldn't have come," he says.

"They were quick to throw us out of the house, ignore us for about a year, and now they wanna spend time?" I roll my eyes. "Forgive me if I seem to be acting like a brat but they could've planned this some other way."

"Bea, they love you and they just wanted to see you. You know they're not gonna be here forever."

I stare up at my brother. Yes, I know they're not gonna be here forever. Yes, I know nothing is gonna be here forever. I am not at peace with that. I am not at peace knowing that everything you've worked hard for is just gonna disappear, everything you know will be gone, and you will be gone. You will hurt the ones you love with your passing, and unless you've done something that people will remember you by, the memory of you will also fade away eventually.

"Okay," I say. "I understand. Hey, where are Mom and Dad anyway?"

"I wanted to surprise them with your presence. Dad is picking up Mom from work," Caleb says.

Caleb and I were always privileged kids. Dad had a job in the government and Mom worked as a graphic designer for some company. We have too much to be thankful for. Too much to lose.

"So what were you even doing at school?" Caleb asks. "You don't even have any classes today."

"Just…no reason."

…

About an hour later, Mom and Dad come home. "What took you guys so long?" I ask.

Mom smiles and wraps me in her arms. "Beatrice, my how have you changed! I didn't know you got your hair cut."

I pull away. "Yeah, it was getting long and annoying. Now why is yours shorter?"

"Beatrice, how have you been?" Dad asks.

"You didn't answer my question," I say, ignoring Dad's question.

"Yeah Mom, you never said anything about a haircut," Caleb says.

Mom sighs, and I notice tears in her eyes. "The real reason I wanted to see you guys is because…because when I went to the doctor about two weeks ago…"

I place a hand on her shoulder. "Mom what is it?" The tears in her eyes spill over onto her cheeks.

Dad speaks up, his voice shaking. "Your mother…has cancer."

Everything goes silent. I can't feel anything. This isn't real. This can't be real. This is just a dream, everything that has happened today is just a dream. I can wake up. I will wake up.

No. This is real. Dad wraps his arms around me. "I'm sorry, for not telling you sooner."

No Dad, I'm the one who should be sorry. I'm the one who hasn't been here. But that will change right now. Four can wait, I need to be with my family right now.

Wow. Seriously, wow. 15 follows. 15 FOLLOWS ON THE FIRST CHAPTER! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! THANK YOU!