I'm awful. I know. I'm in the middle of nursing school and have absolutely no free time for anything. In addition, all of my focus on science has completely erased so much of the creative side of me. I haven't written anything in so long, and I really missed writing this story, but I had absolutely no inspiration. If anyone is still reading this, I hope you enjoy this section.

A loud clang echoed throughout the house as I tossed the keys onto the side table near the front door. As I walked past the mirror near the door, I caught a glimpse of my puffy, tear stained eyes. In response to the image, I couldn't help but let out an audible sigh. I shook my head slightly, ashamed of myself for being so weak. That's all I was, weak. A weak, pathetic, little girl. My mom had cancer and all I could do about it was cry. I couldn't do a single thing to help her, because I was too weak to do anything. Too weak to support her, too weak to make her smile again, too weak to keep her alive.

I walked straight up to my room without sparing a look back at Ezra.

I was going to lose her. She hated me. She couldn't even look me in the eye when she found out about Ezra.

As soon as I entered my room, I collapsed onto my bed. I hugged a pillow to my chest and let out a shaky breath. As I closed my eyes, I couldn't stop all the thoughts rushing to my mind.

I was a failure. I finally found love, something I've been waiting for my entire life… And all it's done is cause me pain. The only good thing in all of this was Ezra. He was the only reason I could get through each day.

Every time I went to visit Ella in the hospital, another piece of her seemed to be gone. The twinkle behind her eyes disappeared a few weeks after her admission. The breathtaking smile that exuded happiness had been missing for months. After finding out about that Byron cheated on her, she tried so hard to stay strong in front of us. But I knew better. I knew that as soon as we left the hospital, she was stuck alone in that cold room, crying into her pillow.

All I wanted was time, more time, but the cruel world wanted to take that away too.

A soft groan escaped my dry, cracked, lips, as I turned over in bed. I felt Ezra unconsciously wrap his arm tighter around me, pulling me closer to his body.

He must have snuck into my room earlier in the night after I had fallen asleep.

As I opened my eyes, I smiled softly at the sight of him.

Months ago, I never would have imagined this moment. I never would have imagined that my relationship with Ezra would be where it was. I never would have been able to prepare myself for falling in love with him. But isn't that what makes love so special? The unexpected, incredible moments that just pulls you deeper and deeper in love with each other?

Honestly, he was so handsome. His dark hair sat in short messy curls and his freckles were peeking through his skin. He was so strong, not just physically, but emotionally too. I knew it couldn't be easy, watching me go through this. I knew it was breaking his heart, just as much as it was breaking mine. But I knew that he would protect me from anything and anyone that ever tried to hurt me.

I wish Ella could see this. The way his body naturally curls up against mine. The way he unconsciously holds onto me, as if he's afraid I might disappear at any moment.

She has to come around in time. Eventually, she has to understand.

Ezra's told me multiple times that our relationship is important to him. But what if he realizes one day that it's too much work to be with me? What if he realizes that I'm just too hard to love? There was just so much going on in my life that kept getting in the way of our relationship. What if, one day, he decides that he's had enough? He decides that it's not worth all the trouble to be with me?

I shook my head. He loves me. He has no reason to lie. If he didn't have feelings for me, he wouldn't have his arms wrapped so tightly around me here in bed. He wouldn't even be sleeping in my bed. If he truly didn't care about me, he would've ran away a long time ago.

I furrowed my brow as Ezra's lips curved into a small smile, before relaxing again.

"Ezra," I tried to whisper, however, his name came out as more of a croak due to my dry mouth.

I needed water.

Trying to be as quiet as I could, I gently removed Ezra's arm from around my waist and slipped out of bed. Quietly closing my bedroom door behind me, I let out a long sigh. What would people think of me if they knew that a man in his 20's was sleeping in my bedroom? I didn't care about what anyone else thought, but I couldn't ignore the fact that their opinions still held some weight.

As I entered the kitchen, I could make out a dark silhouette seated at the table with his hands resting around a glass. The figure looked up at me, and I could see teardrops glistening off of his face in the moonlight.

"Mike," I whispered, as I rushed over to the table. I knelt down in front of him as I held his hands tightly in mine.

He looked down at me with teary eyes. They were filled with strong, raw emotions that I had never seen present in them before. Anger. Regret. Sadness. Loneliness. And most of all, pain. Vulnerable, agonizing, raw, pain.

A sob escaped his lips as he bowed his head down, clearly ashamed for feeling so broken.

I rested my head onto his lap as tears fell from my own eyes.

I knew what he was feeling, because I felt all of those emotions so strongly too.

The only difference was, in addition to all of those terrible feelings, I felt love. I felt belonging. I had someone who was helping me through it with every ounce of his being. Mike didn't have that person. Mike didn't have that person at all.

After a few moments of silence, I lifted my head from his lap as I heard Mike speak.

"I went to visit her yesterday."

Fear coursed through my veins for a moment and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

"W-when?"

If he visited Ella before I did, then he didn't know about Ella finding out about Ezra and I. But if he saw Ella after I did… I couldn't even imagine what she told him in her vulnerable state.

I couldn't see any tracers of anger or disgust in his eyes. That was a good sign, right?

"Yesterday morning."

I let out the breath I had been holding back as I waited for his words. He didn't know. Thank god he didn't know.
"I don't know how much more of this she can take… Would Dad have told Mom about his affair if she hadn't gotten sick?" He looked up at me with teary eyes, the question written all over them.

I quickly averted my eyes away from his, too ashamed to meet them.

"I don't know." My bottom lip quivered as my thoughts raced. "I honestly don't know."

Mike's fingers were fidgeting in his lap, and I could tell his anxiety level was rising.

"Dylan's family is acting like I'm going to break any moment. The way they act when they're around me… God, I'm not five! It's like the look at me as if I'm a piece of glass that's bound to shatter any second!" He said angrily.

"Mom, Dad and Ezra were like that with me too, for a while. Ezra didn't even know what to talk about with me because he was afraid whatever topic he chose would remind me of mom and cause me to have a breakdown. And we all know that guys can't handle an emotional, crying, teenage girl." I chuckled, remembering how hesitant Ezra was about comforting me when we first met.

"Have you ever talked to Dylan about all of this? Does he ever bring it up?" I asked.

Mike let out a quiet sigh. "Ezra doesn't act like that anymore does he? And no, Aria. We're guys. We don't talk about feelings and shit."

I frowned in response. Ezra was never hesitant to talk to me about anything I wanted to, whether it was death, heartache, or love. I've even seen the man with tears in his eyes!

I was a girl. I would never understand how to avoid talking about myself and letting my emotions influence my everyday life.

"No," I said hesitantly. "Ezra will talk to me about anything I want to talk about… And if you need someone to talk to, I'm sure Dylan would understand. And if not, you can always talk to Ezra."

"Where is Ezra anyways?" Mike asked, glancing behind me at the living room.

"He's upstairs, sleeping."

Hopefully he thought I meant in the guest bedroom.

Mike stood up from the table and let out a huge yawn. "I think I'm going to call it a night."

I stood up and followed him up the stairs. I just wanted to collapse onto my bed and curl up next to Ezra. I couldn't help but smile as I thought of him. I couldn't put into words how happy I was that he was here.

"Night, Mike." I gave him a small smile before turning towards my bedroom door. As I opened it up, Mike spoke again.

"Aria?" He asked hesitantly.

"Hmm?" I turned towards him, trying to keep quiet so I wouldn't wake up Ezra.

"Can I… Can I stay in your room tonight?" He asked softly, clearly embarrassed.

"Um, actually…" I began, nervously.

"Aria, what's wrong?" Ezra's voice carried throughout my room and into the hallway.

Mike gave me a funny look that turned into anger, as he put two and two together.

As he slowly started walking towards me, I felt my breath hitch in my throat and I prayed to God that he didn't figure out what I think he figured out.

Ezra finally emerged from my room, rubbing his eyes as he tried to wake himself up.

"Aria… Why is Ezra in your room?" Mike asked, his eyes darting between Ezra and I.

Upon hearing Mike's question, Ezra was suddenly wide awake. In that moment, not a single echo could be heard throughout the house. My knees locked and I could feel the color drain from my face. I finally mustered up the strength to look at Ezra, and could see that he was in shock too. He had a look of intense worry in his eyes and his fingers were trembling against his thighs.

"Aria!" Mike exclaimed, startling me enough to cause me to jump up out of surprise.

I finally regained myself and stood in front of Ezra, blocking him from Mike's view as much as my short frame would allow. I put my hand behind my back where Mike couldn't see it, as Ezra grabbed it and held it tightly in his.

"Mike, please just go to sleep." Exhaustion was laced throughout my voice. I really didn't want to have this conversation right now.

"No! Tell me what the hell is happening here! Are you screwing Ezra?" He demanded. His whole body was shaking in rage and his hands were balled into fists at his side.

Ezra slowly moved towards the side of me, noticing Mike's anger as well.

My eyes met Ezra's for a brief moment and I knew that the look of desperation on my face mirrored his.

"Mike, please, just stop!" I cried out, as I began feeling anger consume by body. How dare he talk to me that way? I was his older sister, and I deserved some respect.

"Please, let me explain," Ezra said, as he dropped my hand from his. He made a move to get closer to Mike, but the look on Mike's face must have told him better.

"Ezra, no. This is between Mike and I, not you." I said curtly, not allowing him to get involved in the conversation.

Mike shook his head at Ezra in revulsion. "No. You disgust me. Both of you."

A pang of hurt hit my chest, upon hearing Mike's words. I could see the disappointment in his eyes at my actions, as well as the hurt and anger at Ezra.

"Screw you, Aria." Mike shot nastily at me, before turning towards the stairs.

I jumped as I heard the front door slam shut, knowing that Mike wasn't coming back anytime soon. My fingers were trembling as anxiety surged through my skin. My palms felt drenched in sweat and my heart was racing as adrenaline coursed throughout my body.

I ran downstairs and flung the front door open, but Mike was nowhere in sight. As I looked around, all I saw was darkness. Tears began welling up in my eyes as I cried out Mike's name over and over again, holding onto that little shred of hope that he would just come back.

"Aria." I heard a voice say my name softly behind me. "He's not coming back." Ezra said softly as I turned to him with tear stained eyes.

Ezra quickly closed the front door a moment before I collapsed into his arms. I couldn't stop the sob that escaped from my throat. Ezra held me tightly against him as I buried my head into his chest. Ella was furious when she found out about Ezra, and Mike was no different. Maybe they were right. Maybe this was all just a huge mistake. Maybe this was just a foolish act of desperation and wanting to have someone to rely on in such a dark time of my life.

I lifted my head slightly from Ezra's chest and noticed a pained expression on his face. I knew it hurt him to see my like this. It always hurt him. I knew he cared so much about me, and I knew that my feelings for him were true. But if our love was so strong, why does it cause me so much pain? Why does it cause both of us so much pain?

I made a move to get out of his embrace and let out a trembling sigh. I kept my eyes towards the ground, knowing that if I looked up and saw the pain and love reflected in his eyes, I would only break down further.

"You should probably go." I said quietly, as I tried to wipe away my tears as best as I could. I wanted to be alone.

"Aria…" Ezra whispered my name softly, as his fingers slowly lifted my chin up so I could meet his eyes. "Are you sure?" He asked.

I couldn't get the words out of my mouth as his hand moved to cup my cheek and he brushed his thumb across my face. Time and time again, the simple touch made me tremble. How such a simple touch from him could do that to me, I would never know.

A shaky breath escaped my mouth as I finally responded. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sure."

He closed his eyes for a brief second at my response, probably knowing he shouldn't leave me alone but also realizing that I wouldn't hesitate to fight him on this.

I knew deep down that I wanted him to stay, but I just wanted to be alone.

He leaned down and his lips briefly met mine. A part of me wanted to pull him closer, feel his body against mine, skin on skin, lips on lips, and allow the passion we felt for each other to fill me up and just make me forget. Make me forget that my mom had cancer. Make me forget that no one knew how long she had left. Make me forget the shame, disappointment, and anger that painted Mike and Ella's faces when they found out about Ezra. Make me forget everything.

The other part of me, the sad part, just wanted to curl into bed, burrow under my duvet, and just escape from the world. As I slowly pulled away from Ezra, the sad part won.

"Just… come back in the morning." I said softly. I didn't want to see him go, but I really needed to spend the night alone.

He nodded, and gave me a soft smile and a kiss on the cheek, before leaving the house. I watched as he drove out of the driveway and into the darkness.

I love Ezra, but I just needed one night off. One night to be alone with myself and my thoughts so that I could finally come up with a solution to fix all my family's problems.

As I curled up in bed, my mind continued racing. I couldn't stop the tears from welling up in my eyes.

I feel stuck. How are things going to get better? They're just going to get worse. I was losing hope. Ella hadn't stepped foot into our home in months. She's been basically living at the hospital, unable to leave at all. To make everything worse, she keeps getting hurt by everyone she loves. Every day, I'm going to see Ella in the hospital, and every day I'm going to get bad news after bad news, and every day I'm going to hide the fact that I'm not broken. I'm going to have to hide the fact that I can't do this anymore. I can't. There's no point in any of it anymore. She's going to die because she's too sick for all the treatments. And when she leaves me, I'm going to be alone. Completely and utterly alone.

Ezra can say that he loves me as many times as he wants. But it doesn't matter, because most of it's probably pity. Even though he loves me, this isn't going to last. It never does. Every relationship I had ever been in, ended badly. It was always my fault, because I was so flawed.

"I have an idea." Ezra suddenly jumped up from his spot on the couch held out his hand in front of me.

I gave him a funny look before allowing him to take my hand in his and lead me to wherever he was going.

He let go of my hand and headed straight for the pantry. I continued watching him as he pulled out the flour, sugar, and chocolate chips.

Ezra had arrived back at the house early that morning, as promised. I couldn't hide the relief I felt when I was back in his arms. Although I felt a little more clear-headed this morning, I did miss getting to fall asleep wrapped in his arms.

"What are you doing?" I finally asked him, as I grabbed a big mixing bowl from the cupboard.

"We're making cookies of course!" He responded, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of him, with that big goofy smile on his face.

I jumped up on the counter as I started mixing the ingredients together in the bowl.

I scooped a small piece of cookie dough with my finger and with a devious look in my eyes, innocently asked Ezra if he wanted a bite.

He looked at me intensely as he slowly walked closer to me without saying a word. My breath hitched in my throat as his lips met my finger and licked away the cookie dough. His other hand was grasping my hip tightly and his eyes were filled with so much desire. My heart was pounding in my chest, at the feeling of having him so close to me. I couldn't help but notice a small speck of green in his piercing blue eyes. As if they could get more gorgeous. I swatting his hand away and crushed my lips to his. A soft moan escaped my lips at the feeling of his lips on mine, of his hands on my body, of his body against mine. My arms wound themselves around his neck, as the warmth of his mouth sent currents throughout my body.

"Aria," He whispered against my lips, as a shrill ringing filled our ears. "Your phone. Your phone."

"Let it go." I said softly, before crushing my lips to his once again.

His lips were so soft and gently against mine. I tangled my fingers in his hair as I tightened my legs around his waist, bringing his body closer to mine.

Suddenly, his phone began to ring, interrupting us once again.

"Don't." I whispered against his lips, before kissing him more forcefully, not willing to let him go.

All I wanted was to be alone with him, to be wrapped up in his arms, feeling my heart overflow with love. But the world seemed to have other ideas.

Ezra kissed me back for a moment, before breaking off the kiss. "It could be your dad." He reminded me.

I unwrapped my arms from around his neck and removed my legs from around his waist.

I watched Ezra as he grabbed his ringing phone from the counter. His lips were extra pink and slightly swollen, and I couldn't help but giggle at the sight.

"It is your dad." He said with surprise laced throughout his voice.

"Hello?" He answered. "Yeah, she's right here."

I held my hand out to take the phone, assuming Byron wanted to talk to me. However, Ezra shook his head and continued talking.

"Really? I'm so sorry Byron." He said softly into the phone.

I watched him intensely, feeling slightly frustrated that I could only hear one end of the conversation.

"Is she going to be okay?"

What the hell was going on? What had happened to Ella?

"Okay, we'll be there soon." Ezra said, as he hung up the phone.

I quickly took Ezra's hand in mine as I gave him a fearful look. Half of me was dying to know what the call had been about, but the other half was desperate to never find out.

"What is it? What's going on?" I asked urgently.

Ezra bit his lip softly and looked at me with sadness in his eyes. "They're trying to rush your mom to surgery within the next hour."

I felt a pang of heartbreak radiate through my chest. Was she ok? What was happening? Why won't he tell me more?

I couldn't bring myself to ask any more questions about Ella, in fear of what his answer would be. The feeling in my fingers was gone, my heart stopped aching, and my mind stopped spinning. At his words, for one small moment, I felt numb. It was as if the whole world suddenly stopped turning.

Ezra grabbed something from the living room before taking my hand in his and slowly leading me to the car.

As he pulled out of the driveway, I could no longer even identify what I was feeling.

I chewed on my bottom lip and stared out the window.

I turned my head as I heard Ezra talking to someone.

"Mike," Ezra said softly, "Please meet us at the hospital as soon as you can. Ella needs you, now. I know you're mad and don't want to see either of us, but don't come for us… Come for your mom."

I felt Ezra wipe away a tear from my cheek and tuck a tuft of hair behind my ear.

Without a word, I scooted as close to Ezra as I could in my seat and leaned my head against his shoulder. If the tears that were silently falling down my cheeks bothered Ezra at all, he didn't dare say a word. He held one of my hands tightly in his as he continued the drive to the hospital.

My hand was trembling in his, out of fear, out of anxiety, out of pure misery.

When we arrived at the hospital, Ezra walked over to me to open the car door for me. As he did, he pulled me into his arms, remaining silent.

I buried my head in his chest, failing miserably at stopping more tears from falling down my cheeks. The smell of his cologne filled me up and the cotton of his t-shirt tickled my skin. I felt him stroking my hair delicately, as he pressed kisses to the crown of my head. As a sob escaped my throat, he held me more tightly against him.

There was no place that I felt safer, felt more complete, than in his arms. At that moment, I didn't care if anyone was watching us. I didn't care if anyone saw me breaking down. I just didn't care anymore.

I began to feel raindrops hitting my skin. I looked up to find Ezra looking at me with a sad look in his eyes.

Before I could dwell on it some more, I grasped his hand tightly in mine and led us towards the entrance of the hospital. I felt so empty. Nothing felt real anymore. Nothing mattered at all, not me, not Ezra, not Byron's cheating, nothing.

I did my best to wipe away my tears, not wanting to endure the stares from everyone in the hospital or my own family.

As we neared Ella's room, I dropped Ezra's hand and ran towards the door. I was so scared to see Ella. I didn't want to see Byron either. But Ella needed us. She was the only person who mattered right now.

I flung the door of her hospital room open as another sob escaped my lips at the sight that greeted me.

The room was empty. We were too late. I was too late to even say goodbye.

Images of Ella and I flashed before my eyes. Days when she would take me to the park and spend hours upon hours pushing me on the swings, chasing me across the money bars, and letting me beat her at hopscotch. The first time I watched a scary movie, I spent the entire movie curled into Ella's lap and peeking out glances when I thought it was safe. The first time we made cookies together, Byron, Ella, and I got into a fight with the flour. Ella and I laughed ourselves to tears at the sight of Byron looking like he walked out of a snowstorm. When I got my first kiss, Ella was the first to know, not because I told her, but because my flushed cheeks gave away all of my secrets. Whenever I was feeling broken, Ella's arms were the first place I always found myself buried in.

My breaths came out in gasps as I clutched at my chest, unable to breath. The hospital walls were getting closer and the room started spinning. The whole room felt like it was closing in on me. My hands were shaking violently as my whole body went numb. I fell to the cold, hospital floor, as warm, salty, tears rushed down my face. My heart was beating so hard in my chest; I was scared it'd burst.

"Mom…" I tried to whisper, but it came out more as a sobbing, bubbly, mess. "Please be okay."

This is almost embarrassing to say, but I feel like I'm no longer as good of a writer as I was before. The lack of practice (writing) has definitely made me a little rusty. If you have any suggestions or constructive criticism on this chapter, I'd really appreciate it! Please review, your reviews are truly so appreciated and motivational!