*September 21st, 1989

Luckily, my dad didn't scold me too badly he was just surprised and worried that I left the house.

Even more surprising he told me I was free to spend time with Ernest because he was nice and brought me home early.

Afterschool, I got a call from him asking me to go eat some McDonalds together. It definitely wasn't in my diet but just once in a while is fine.

Besides dad doesn't have to know. Also Mondays suck.

*McDonalds

I ordered a fish sandwich with a Coca Cola and Ernest ordered a milkshake and a kids meal.

I raised an eyebrow at him and he just said,'You only live once.'

Yeah you do.

We sat at a table and ate our food in comfortable silence.

"So how was your dad after I brought you back from the game? I hope he didn't get too mad at you."

"No it's alright. He scolded me but nothing too serious, he just tends to get a little overprotective. But he seems to trust you and that's good."

"He does?"

"Yeah. As well as me."

I said with a giggle as I chomped on my sandwich. Ernest laughed a little in response and we continued eating and laughing together.

After we left the restaurant we headed to a nearby park and walked over to the enormous, beautiful fountain. We stood there watching the water, and it was pretty sight to see.

Ernest briefly cleared his throat to get my attention.

"Hey Octavia?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something about- Well I hope it's not too shameful or personal.."

"What is it?"

"Why does everyone at school call you the plague? Is there something wrong with you?"

This was the question I was dreading him to ask. I didn't want to answer but I wanted to talk to someone other than my dad and my doctors about it.

"Well...umm, can we sit somewhere a bit more secluded so I can tell you?"

"Oh sure. How about the bench over there?"

"Yeah..."

We walked over to a bench that was partly covered in bushes and nobody really came through here because it was always poorly maintained. So I shouldn't be interrupted when I tell him.

"Ernest please understand that it's hard for me to talk about this. So please listen and I'll try to explain everything I can."

"Of course. Go ahead and tell me."

"To answer your question, I had a medical emergency in front of the entire school in 6th grade. And after everyone saw the state I was in then, I guess they were so terrified they literally became afraid of me. Afraid I'll make them sick and the name 'Plague' stuck ever since."

"That's awful Octavia."

"That's not even the worst part. My illness does not even spread easily, it's inherited through genes. And people don't even try to understand it they just assume the worst all the time. I have a condition that worsens every year I exist and one day it can kill me if I don't take care of myself. I have Cardiomyopathy or a weak heart as doctors call it. I can't eat certain foods, do too much strenuous activity, and I have to swallow multiple medications every day to stay alive. All because of a gene that killed my mother, and she unintentionally passed it down to me."

I sniffled and tried to steady my breathing which was triggering my heart from a traumatic memory.

"You see Ernest? It's affecting me right now because it's too strenuous on me if I feel an overwhelming amount of emotion. This is why I had doubts you were my friend because it had to be genuine because I literally can't take anymore pain if what everyone says about me is true. I ignore it to not strain myself but it still sticks like that damn name. I just want to live a normal happy life for once."

"Octavia."

"What?"

"It's okay. Thank you for telling me. I'm happy you did just please stop crying. It's not doing you or me any good. Breathe."

Ernest repeated breathing movements to me and I slowly took deep breaths eventually calming down.

"There. You feeling okay?"

"Yes. Thank you."

I said wiping away the small flicker of tears in my eyes. I turned to Ernest and brushed my hand very subtlety next to his.

I thought he wasn't going to hold my hand back but he put his hand over mine and we wrapped them together.

I sat there blushing as I felt his warm hand on mine.

"Hey Ernest?"

"Yes?"

"Tell me about your family."

I learned it was just him and his parents. He had Korean heritage under a long line of ancestors. They lived there for the first few years of his life, came to America and moved towns a few times before eventually moving here.

And then next he said something really sweet.

"I have made a lot a friends in my life but I feel like you're my first real friend. I'm grateful to have met you and maybe... we can be...something more... i-I-n the future?..."

Was Ernest actually getting all flustered? It was honestly so cute. And here I thought it was only happening to me.

"I don't know. We'll have to see. But for now I like this. And being with you."

*September 30th, 1989

After hanging out whenever we could at school or hitting the town to eat, study at libraries, and even just hanging out at the park, I invited him over to my house.

My dad spent most of the time grilling Ernest on countless questions I pulled him to my room and locked us in.

"Sorry about that. My dad does that sometimes."

"No no. It's fine. It's your dad so I wouldn't expect him to do anything else."

"Anyways this is my room. I umm-"

I scrambled over to my dresser trying to put the medications away before Ernest would see the amount I had. In my rush I dropped one of the bottles and it rolled over to his feet and before I could stop him he picked it up.

I flushed in embarrassment as he read the label.

"Is this one for sore feet?"

"Yeah. It's one of the things... that happens... because of my...condition..."

"You don't have to be embarrassed."

"I know. I just am because it's you..."

I said as I sheepishly took the bottle away from him and put it away in a drawer.

"How many do you have to take? If you don't mind me asking?"

"I lost count. When I was 11 maybe 2. I just got some new ones prescribed earlier this month. Maybe about 6?"

I looked down at the ground ashamed to even look at Ernest. I wonder what he thinks of me. And this curse.

I flinched in surprise as came up from behind and he held me, pulling me close in his arms.

I slowly wrapped my arms around his and felt my face flush.

"Octavia. Don't be ashamed of who you are. I know it's hard but I like you just the way you are. I wanted you to know that since that day you told me everything."

"Ernest."

"It's probably not the best time, but Octavia I have to tell you that I like you. I've had a great time with you going to so many different places and making many new memories with you. You are not weird like every one else says. You are you Octavia."

"Ernest?"

"What?"

"Thank you."

I said as I turned around placing my hands on his chest. Ernest chuckled and hugged me a little tighter. My face flushed more but I didn't care.

His arms felt warm and I felt safe and happy all over again like at the football game. I didn't want this to end.

I liked Ernest so much.

We eventually had to when my dad called us down for dinner, but I secretly held his hand when he wasn't looking because he thinks we're just friends.