Also, thank you to the reviewers who gave me ideas for the story's plot. I'm KIND OF doing what you mentioned but KIND OF not, too. You'll just have to find out by reading...
Is Love Joy or Sorrow?
Chap. 20 Good and Bad News
Approaching Natalie's room, Riku's heart beat faster and faster with each step. He did not want to see her now...but, then again he did. Even though he hated seeing her in the condition she was, he wanted to comfort her as well.
The nurse lead them down one more hallway before stopping in front of a door labeled '214.'
She smiled gently, "She's in here. I'll leave you all alone for a few minutes."
"Thank you," Riku replied.
Slowly turning the handle and hearing the door open, he peeked in at first. She was mostly covered in blankets and also had a cast on her left arm.
"Natalie?"
Natalie's bright green orbs were now opened and she tilted her head slightly to look up at him.
"Riku...hi," she spoke weakly.
He came in and told her, "I'm not the only one."
Sora and Kairi followed behind as Natalie barely forced a smile to come upon her lips.
"Hey, guys. Glad you could come see me," she giggled in her throat, "Although...I wish it was in different circumstances."
"It's no problem," Kairi said, "We all want to make sure you're okay."
"Hiya!" a voice behind Kairi shouted, making her jump.
She whirled around to find..."Tidus! Don't scare me like that!"
Natalie giggled again at the amusement before her.
"Sorry, Kairi," Tidus apologized as he and Selphie came in from the hall.
Selphie was exicted, "I'm so glad you are awake! I was so worried about you, girl!"
"Thanks for caring," Natalie replied.
Sora hadn't said a word so far. The entire time he had been staring at Natalie's bed, daydreaming...as he saw Kairi, the one he loved more than anyone in the world, lying there in her place.
"Sora?"
He snapped out of it, "Oh! Sorry..."
Kairi gave him a look, "The 'you know what', if you please?" She extended her hand.
"Yeah! Oooops."
He handed Kairi a card, and then in turn Kairi opened it and put it by Natalie to read.
"It's a get well card."
Natalie was trying hard not to cry, "Thanks, Kairi."
Riku bent down right next to her, "Hey...What's wrong?"
"It's all...my fault this happened. If I would have given you your gift earlier, I wouldn't have-"
"Gift?" he smiled, "You had a gift for me?"
"Yeah...although it's probably been smashed and in the middle of the road now."
"It's okay."
Natalie was confused, "What?"
"I don't need it. The best gift I could ever have for my birthday is just being with you."
At saying that he was starting to weep as well.
"I...just don't want you to be hurt. That's all."
"Riku...I'll be fine. As long as you are here I can pull through this."
Riku kissed her on the forehead, "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."
After some more conversation between the friends, the nurse came back in.
"I'm sorry, but you all need to leave now. The doctor wants to do another x-ray test on her."
"It's okay," said Riku, "We'll just wait more."
He looked into his girlfriend's eyes.
"No matter how long she's here."
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After about an hour, it was getting quite late...Almost midnight to be precise.
"Hey, Riku," Sora shook him from sleep.
"Y...Yes?"
"I...think I'm gonna have to head home."
The others agreed.
Riku looked at the clock, "Wow...it's that time already?"
"You staying?" Kairi asked him.
"Of course. I'll say goodbye to Natalie for you. She'll understand why you all needed to go."
As soon as all his friends left, Riku fell asleep again. He dreamed horrible things...about Natalie and what might happen to her. It seemed to take place over and over in his mind every time he had a chance to slumber in the waiting room.
When another half hour went by, he was awoken by footsteps coming near him.
He looked up, then stood ubruptly out of his chair, seeing that it was the doctor.
"How...did the test go?"
"Well, I have some good news..."
The hope that Riku had soon faded at the next words spoken:
"...and some bad news as well."
"Oh...okay."
"Natalie is doing fine. She is recovering quite well and should be out of here in a few days."
Riku was a little confused, "How...how is there bad news, then?"
"...While doing the x-ray we found something...unexpected."
"Wh...What?"
"I'm afraid...she has cancer."
OOOOOOH! Another cliffhanger! So...any more plot ideas? I think I know the direction I'm going with this story and all, I'm just not sure about filling in the 'gaps' still. For example, help for the plot in my next chapter would be GREAT! Thank you :) and more reviews please, as always.