After that dreadful night of becoming painfully aware of the cancer in my brain, I spent a few days in that all-too-bright infirmary before I was finally given the all clear from Dr Olendzki to leave. My check-ups with her had been increased to twice a week as opposed to once but in the second meeting she is taking over the part of the hospital and running tests and injecting me with the various medicines and liquids that they would normally do.

She had also given me a really long stern talk when she had heard that I had abandoned my oxygen tank in the woods and made me promise her to keep it on 24/7 now… which I sort of wish I hadn't agreed to as the larger machine which filtered the oxygen as I slept was really loud and only seemed to keep me awake at night.

Dimitri, of course, had stayed by my bedside the whole time I was in the infirmary (with the exception of when he had lessons to teach and meetings to attend) even after my mother screamed at him the first night I became conscious in the infirmary. I was fast asleep when I heard Dimitri get up and walk out of the room only he didn't pull the door completely shut so as my mother reprimanded him for his 'careless attitude' the whole thing was more than audible in my room as the light filtered through the faceless darkness. I frowned as I closed my eyes to imitate sleep as Dimitri walked back in with a heavy sigh and once again sat back in the worn wool covered seat. Why didn't he defend himself? It wasn't his fault that I ran off and most definitely not his fault that I totally flipped out and carved away at my arm.

"Rose I know you're not asleep…" Dimitri whispered as he brushed away at my hair with his fingertips. My frown quickly smoothed out as I felt a hint of smile play around the edges of my lips which I longed to press against Dimitri's. Rolling over I grabbed his hand and cuddled up to it, as a young child would do as they restlessly toss and turn, before I glanced up at Dimitri under my lashes. I knew I didn't look half as good as he did when he gave me 'the look' but I did hope that I was at least coming a little close to it.

"How did you know?" I asked as he just shook his head in mock horror before letting a chaste smile between his lips and tapping his forehead with his index finger.

"Must be psychic." He grinned down at me as I laughed in admiration of him finally loosening up around me even more so. However, my laughs were cut short as I let out a long yawn which I tried in fruitless effort to hide from Dimitri's hawk-like gaze.

Chuckling at my actions he once again smoothed down my hair as he told me to go back to sleep before I cuddled up to his arm once again and fell instantly into a dreamless sleep.

Later that week I was released to wreak havoc on the academy (or at least that's what I'd like to think) but in reality I was actually now under house arrest which sucks! 'It could be worse, Rose – I mean at least you're still allowed to see people" Dimitri commented as he accompanied to my room where I would be spending the rest of my days in my own sorrows… Wow – that was deep…

However, once I was alone in my room the painful loneliness only seemed to grow worse as, defying Dimitri's predictions, I had no visitors and no one to speak to – if it continues to go on this way I may end up speaking to the walls!

*Knock knock*

Flinching at the loud harsh sound I hastily grab the oxygen tank and rush to the door and as I throw it open I couldn't help the large euphoric grin which grew upon my face.

Lissa and Christian stood in my doorway looking anxious as well as eyeing the tube under my nose which led to the tank in curious yet worried expressions. I hadn't seen either of them since I had my little breakdown which was over a week ago and I couldn't even remember the last time I saw either of them before that. I mean – I was even happy to see pyro Christian! And that's saying something…

"Rose?" He asked in hesitation as the two stood quietly in the dark doorway. Realising what he was questioning, I moved the oxygen tank slightly to hide behind my leg before smiling timidly at him.

"Rose… Where have you been?" Lissa asked in exasperation as she threw herself at me in a tight bear hug. I gasped for air as I focused on my breathing solely. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. After a few minutes of Lissa still hugging me I carefully cleared my throat which apparently made her realise how long we had been standing in this position for as she quickly giggled and let go of me before backing back up to stand beside Christian.

I laughed quietly as I moved off to the side so as to let the couple into my room which was extremely dark as I had yet to draw the curtains and let the sunlight into my room (which I guess was a good thing since a) neither Christian or Lissa should be out of bed at the moment and b) the light would only weaken them.

"I'm sorry about the mess, guys. I mean, as I have been on house arrest I haven't really been bothered to clean all this up…" I hesitated as I apologised for the mess of papers lying around on the floor and dirty shirts and clothes thrown around the room in random places.

"Oh, don't worry about it – we just stopped by to see you since none of us have seen you in – in - who knows how long…" Lissa explained as I sat on my computer chair and the other two plopped down onto my bed. As we spoke about the latest gossip across the campus and Adrian's Spirit lessons with Lissa I could see their eyes repeatedly land on the oxygen tank which I tried to hide behind my legs as I sat tall on the small chair.

"Umm – guys I have something to tell you and you really need to keep quiet about it 'cause I don't want this getting around the school. Promise?" I asked hopefully as I cringed at the thought of the new school gossip being about my impending death and cancerous lifestyle.

They quickly exchanged glances before turning back to me with incredulous expressions plastering their faces. 'Ofcourse!' They both spoke earnestly at the same time which I had to stifle a giggle at – they really do love each other!

Pulling the oxygen tank out from behind my legs to sit in front of me in clear vision I took a deep breathe through my nose so as to have the artificial oxygen assist me in the deliverance of such news as I am about to tell. Glancing at the steady looks in Lissa and Christians's eyes I felt a reassurance before I quickly spoke the words I had been trying to avoid for all-too-long.

"I have cancer. It was originally only in my lungs, hence the oxygen tank, but a week ago I had some tests sent away which came back basically saying that the cancer cells had spread… spread up into my brain…" I stumbled over my words as I felt a tightening in my throat and stinging at my eyes which I knew could only mean that I was damn near crying and, as I glanced up at Lissa and Christian, I couldn't help but notice the similar expressions across their faces as a single tears ran down Lissa's cheek.