Chapter 3

I woke up breathing heavily. I sat up in a hurry. I looked from my dark room and saw that I was okay. It was just a nightmare. There was no serial killer really after me.

"Are you okay?" Tory said while walking into my room.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a nightmare. Where's Eric?"

"He went to the store really quick. He'll be back in a couple minutes."

"Oh, okay. Did you guys return the U-Haul?"

"Yeah. Hey, do you mind if I turn on the lights?"

"Yes, please do."

She turned on the lights and asked, "Tiff, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because you're red and sweating. Here come with me." She took me by the hand and pulled me to the bathroom. She flipped the switch on and pointed to the mirror.

"Oh, wow. I look terrible."

"That's why I asked. Why don't you take a shower?"

"That's a good idea. Hopefully I'll look better afterwards. If Eric comes back while I'm in here, can you tell him I'll be out as soon as I can?"

"Sure. I'll be downstairs if you need me."

"'Kay. Thank you!"

She left the room and I took a shower in peace and quiet. The warm water felt good against my skin. After a good fifteen minutes of washing my hair and body, I got out. After I dried off, I got into some pajamas. I then went outside near the staircase.

"Tory, I'm out. Oh, hey Eric."

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Tired. But I feel better. Although my stomach hurts a little bit, still."

"Good, because I brought you some soup."

"Awe! Thanks. You didn't have to do that."

"I know. But I wanted to. Plus, whenever I don't feel well, I have soup and it makes me feel better." He came up the stairs and then followed me to my room. I sat on my bed and he brought a chair to sit in. "And I also got you flowers but they're downstairs in a vase. Here's your soup. " He had a little tray with a glass of water along with chicken soup.

"Thanks." I ate slowly, enjoying the soup but also because I didn't want to burn my mouth.

"Is it any good?"

"Yeah, it's very good."

"That's good. You can always count on soup to make you feel better."

I giggled and continued eating my soup. After a while, I finally finished my soup and set it on my bedside table.

"What time is it?"

"It's 10:30 now."

"Wow. I really slept that long?"

"Yeah, but you needed it."

"I guess. Have you been here all day?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"I'm sorry I wasted it."

"Don't be sorry. It was worth it. Although it sucks to see that you still don't feel well."

"Actually, I am feeling better. The soup made a big difference."

"That's good to hear."

"Do you want to watch a movie or something downstairs?"

"Sure, but are you sure you don't want to rest?"

Is he joking? There is no way I would be able to sleep knowing he would be here. "Yeah, I'm positive." I got out of bed and held his hand. I pulled him downstairs and into the living room.

"What movie did you want to watch?"

"Hmmm. What about I Love you, Man.?"

"Sure. I heard it was really funny."

"It is. Tory and I could not stop laughing."

"Alright then. I love you, man it is. Do you want me to get you anything?"

"Aren't I the one who is should be asking that? You're the guest, after all."

"But you're sick. You're the one that's supposed to be taken care of. So do you need anything?"

"No. I'm good. But if I did, I would get it myself."

"You sure are stubborn."

"I am not!"

"Yes you are." Tory argued while entering the room, and then leaving the room again.

"Whatever." I went to the entertainment center and put the DVD on.

"Is it okay if I get a drink?"

"Of course. Here, I'll get -" I began to speak but he put his hand out, stopping me.

"No, you're sick remember? I'll get it. You sit down and relax."

"Finnee!"

He laughed and went to the kitchen and looked through the fridge. He came back with two glasses and sat down next to me. "I bought you a glass of Sprite. It should make the stomach ache go away."

"Thanks, but shouldn't you be sitting away from me. You know, since I'm sick. I don't want to get you sick."

"It's fine. Don't worry about me."

"But you can get sick!"

"Oh well, then. I get sick."

"I'm glad that you're fine, but I don't want to be the reason you stay at home, sick and not feeling well in the middle of summer."

"Trust me. It's worth it."

"Aww. That's so sweet. But since I'm so stubborn, I'm going to sit on the other couch."

"O-kay."

"I should be fine by tomorrow. Then we can do hang out together."

"True. I guess one day wouldn't hurt. Here's the blanket," he said, tossing the blanket to me.

"Thanks, but I'm fine." I set the blanket down on the spot next to me and then the movie started. But the time the movie was over, I was yawning like crazy and my eyes were very watery.

"You tired?'

"Yes. And I don't get how I can be. I've basically been sleeping all day and night."

"It's okay. Go get some sleep."

"I don't feel like it, though." I went to get my cell-phone from the kitchen. One new text. "It looks like Tory went to your place with Jon earlier," I said and after I read the text.

"Oh, I didn't even hear them leave."

"Me neither. Let me call her and see when she's coming home."

"Okay. Although she's probably asleep."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it's almost 12:30 in the morning."

"Oh, wow. Then I'll just leave her a text." I sent the message and then closed my phone. "Do you want me to stay over?"

"Well, not to sound rude but I was already planning on staying the night once you said she was over there. I wouldn't want you to be alone at night, especially since they're a lot of drunken idiots over here."

"Oh, okay. Thanks. So you want to go to bed?"

"Yeah, I'm sort of exhausted." He walked back over to living room towards the couch.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to bed."

"Not on those couches. I would not let you sleep on those. Come on, there's a guest room upstairs."

"Oh, okay."

We went upstairs and I showed him the guest room. Then I went in my room, changed, and went to bed.

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. I got up and walked quietly over to the guest room to see Eric sound asleep. I decided to make him breakfast since he has been taking care of me the last couple of days. Downstairs, I got out a loaf of bread, some eggs, and milk. I mixed the egg yolk and milk and then spread it over the pieces of bread before cooking it over the stove-top. Within ten minutes, I had 6 pieces of French toast ready. I set those on a plate, turned the stove off, and went upstairs. I was about to open Eric's door, but he opened it for me.

"Oh, hey."

"Good morning, sleepy-head. How was your sleep?'

"It was good. I had a very weird, yet unique dream."

"What was it about?"

"I don't know. It might seem really weird to you."

"Oh, come on. You can tell me anything."

"Alright. I'll tell you over breakfast."

"Speaking of breakfast, I made us French toast."

"Oh, okay. Then let's get down before it cools down."

"And before you forget your dream."

"And that."

"Come on. Let's go before you forget it."

"You really want to know?" he asked as we went downstairs.

'Yeah."

"Why?"

"I'm curious to see your version of a weird, yet unique dream."

"Ahhh.. I see. I guess I would be the same if it was the other way around. Well let's eat so I can tell you my interesting story."

I laughed and followed him downstairs. We got out plates and then put butter and syrup on top of them. We ate for about 5 minutes but then he stopped, set his fork aside; probably so he can talk about his dream.

"Okay, so you really want to hear my dream?"

"Yup."

"Alright well it starts out with the two of us married."

"Married, huh?"

"Yeah."

"That doesn't sound so weird."

"That's when the next part comes along. We became robbers and started sneaking in peoples' houses. But the this is, we would never take anything."

"So we were robbers without the robbing?"

"Yep. And get this. We stopped in the houses to see pets"

"Okay, that is weird."

"Yeah, and then after we would break in the houses, we would go try to find stray dogs and help them find homes. We had around 15 of them at our house. And then I woke up after we got two more puppies."

"Wow. That is one weird dream. Although it seems like a good life. Well, without the breaking and entering."

He chuckled. "You wouldn't mind being married in the future?"

"Oh, no. I want to have a family, raise my kids and grand-kids."

"What about robbing as a career?"

"I think I'll slide on that."

"Darn. I was hoping you would want to be my partner in crime."

"For now, I'll just be your partner."

"Alright." He flexed his right arm and then brought it towards him, making a check-mark like shape. I giggled in response.

"So are you my girlfriend now?"

"I don't know. Am I?"

"Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

"I just said I'll be your partner, didn't I?"

"Then it's settled. You're my girlfriend.

"And you're my boyfriend."

He held my face and gently kissed me on the lips. We stayed like that for a few minutes until he pulled away. When we kissed, it felt as if everything disappeared. For a while, I forgot we were in the kitchen, eating breakfast. I smiled at him and then started to eat more of my breakfast. After I finished, I took my plate and set it in the sink. I then went back to the table.

"Are you finished?" I asked, pointing to his plate?"

"Not yet." He pulled me by the hand, making me sit on his lap. Then out of the blue, he kissed me. I touched his cheek and kissed him back. After what seemed like hours, I pulled away.

"Now I'm done."

"You are such a cornball," I said and took his plate into the kitchen. I started rinsing the dishes when I felt hands around my waist. I jumped at the touch.

"You need help?"

"You scared the crap out of me. And no, I don't need help."

"Sorry. So what are you going to do today?"

"I don't know. One you let me out of your arms, I'll probably see if Tory's going to come home soon. Then maybe we can go to the beach." He let go of me and I turned around to face him.

"We are on the beach."

"You know what I mean. Does that sound good to you?"

"Yeah. Or we can go somewhere else."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Maybe we could go out on a double date."

"That's sounds fun. We haven't really been out on a date yet. I'll ask Tory when I call her."

"Okay, sounds good." He kissed my forehead and then hugged me. I hugged him back and patted him right arm.

"Hey, Eric?"

"Yeah?"

"Umm. I need to call Tory."

"Oh right, sorry."

"It's okay," I said, kissed his cheek, and then walked out of the kitchen. When I noticed he was still in the kitchen, I went back. "Eric, you coming?"

"Hmm. Oh yeah." He followed me up to my room.

I grabbed my cell-phone and called Tory.

"Hello?" Tory answered.

"Hey, T."

"Oh, hey Tiff. What's up?"

"Oh nothing. I just wanted to know, I don't know, when you're coming home?"

"Sorry. Well I'll probably head over there in 30 minutes."

"Okay, well Eric mentioned about going on a group date with you and Jon. Are you in?"

"Sure. I'll let you know when I'm on my way."

"Okay, bye sis."

"Bye, Tiff."

I hung up and put the phone on my nightstand. I then lay down and sighed.

"When is she coming?" Eric asked.

"In around 30 minutes, why?"

"Well, maybe we can…" he started to say but then trailed off. He sat down on my bed next to me and I sat up, confused.

"We can do what?"

"This," he replied and kissed me. I pulled back shortly, still confused.

"Will you stop kissing me and tell me what it is you want to do?"

"Do you want to … um make-out?"

"Oh wow. I can't believe I was that out of it. You are such a boy."

"Sooo?"

I can imagine how awkward it was for him to ask me that so instead of saying yes or no, I took his face in my hands and kissed him. I felt a smile form and that made me smile back. Then a few seconds passed and the phone rang. He groaned but kept on kissing me. I broke the kiss and got up.

"It's just a phone call."

"Yeah, but it's going to waste our time."

I ignored his response and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Babydoll. It's dad."

"Oh, hey dad. Are you okay? You don't sound so well."

"I'm afraid I'm not okay. And neither is your mother."

"Mom? What's going on, dad?"

"I found mom passed out in the kitchen with a bloody nose. I took her to the hospital."

"Oh my god! Is she okay?"

"No. I don't want to say this but the doctor found out she's sick. She has cancer."

"What?" I said, feeling my heart skip a beat. In that same instant, it felt as if someone punched me in the stomach.

"She has leukemia. Stage 3. And the worst part is that she only has months to live."

"Noooo!" I cried. My cries were getting louder and it was getting harder to breath. "Tory and I will be there as fast as we can."

"Okay, pumpkin. Call me when you leave and land."

"O-okay. I will. Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Well I'm just trying to enjoy the time I have left with her."

"Okay. Take care. I love you."

"I love you too. See you soon."

"Bye, dad."

"Bye, Tiffany."

I hung up the phone and threw it on the floor. I started screaming and crying. My knees eventually gave out and I fell to the floor.

"Tiffany! What's wrong? Tiff, what happened?"

"My mom. She's sick."

"I'm sure she'll get better soon."

"You don't understand. She has cancer. The doctor said she only has less than two months to live!"

"Oh. Tiffany, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Okay, shhh. You need to calm down." He hugged me and then started to cradle me back and forth.

"Calm down? I was just told by my dad that my mom is going to die in less than two months!"
"I know. But you need to let Tory know."

"You're right. I'm sorry I yelled at you."

" It's okay. Why don't I call Jon, tell him to pack a bag for us, and then we can come over, tell Tory and head to the airport."

"O-okay."

He called Jon, told him it was an emergency and needs to get their things together now. I quickly got a mini-bag, filled it with a couple of changing clothes for both Tory and I, tissues, medication, and our phone chargers. Then we rushed to Eric and Jon's house. We got there in a few seconds and ran inside.

"What's going on?" Jon asked once he saw Eric, then me.

"Tiff, what happened?"

As soon as she asked me that, I started to cry again. My eyes kept getting blurrier and blurrier and I finally had to sit down before I couldn't see anything.

"Tiffany! What happened? Tell me what happened now!"

"It's mom." I finally blurted out.

"What about her?"

"She's sick."

"Is she going to be okay? What's wrong with her?"

I shook my head. I do not like hearing or saying these words but I had to tell her. "She has cancer. She has less than two months left."

"What do you mean by left? As in to live?"

"Yes, Tory. Dad called, told me the news. We have to go!"

"Oh, god! I need to sit down."

"Tory! There's no time to sit down. We have to go. Now!"

"Just give me a minute to take this in. I'm sure you needed to do the same thing."

"Whatever!" I wiped my eyes and grabbed some tissues from my purse. I handed one to Tory and used the one in my hand.

"Jon did you pack our bags?" Eric asked him.

"Yeah, they're upstairs," he replied.

"Okay, let's go put them in the car."

"Which one?"

"We drove in theirs."

"Okay, let's get them."

They grabbed the suitcases and Tory and I got up. I felt bad that I was giving her attitude during one of the worst times so I went to her and hugged her. "I'm sorry I was acting like a brat."

"You have a right to."

"Sisters forever?" I asked.

"Forever."

"you guys ready?" Jon asked as he came back into the room.

"Yeah, let's go," Tory said quietly.

We all walked silently to the car, put our suitcases in the truck and got in the car. Jon drove with Tory in the passenger seat, while Eric and I sat in the back. I cuddled next to him and eventually fell into a drift.