'Hello' said a familiar voice. A hand pulled the curtain over; the curtain hooks rattled, it was James.

I smiled then looked down at myself in the hospital bed. I was in a hospital gown. I thought to myself the guy I love is in here and I'm in a hospital gown, how flattering.

'So' there was an awkward silence. 'How are you Poppy?' he asked as I pulled up the sheets over my hospital gown.

'I'm ok thanks apart from being stuck in this place.'

James pulled the curtain shut and sat on the end of the bed; it creaked. He looked around, looking rather lost for words.

'James…' he turned around. 'The doctors…they think that…I might have cancer'.

He stopped looking around and turned to face me. He looked petrified.

'Oh Poppy.'

'It's ok. Stuff happens. I guess cancer must run in the genes.' I laughed but he didn't laugh back.

I looked out of the window. I needed to distract myself. What if it really did run in the genes? Who would have it next? I looked down and sighed. Why me?

When I looked up James had moved from the end of the bed. He was sat next to me.

'Poppy, there has been something that I have wanted to tell you for a long time but, I never really knew how.' He put his hand on top of mine. 'I love you.'

I smiled. He loved me, he really loved me! I giggled.

'I love you too James.' He lifted his hand off mine and placed it on my cheek. He turned my face to face his. This is it; my first kiss, and it was with James. I starred into his eyes and we both leaned in.

'YOU!' I turned around to see Phil standing at the curtain. he had his arms folded across his chest and he was breathing heavily. James took his hand off my cheek.

'I knew you were up to no good.'

'What are you talking about?' James asked. He was as puzzled as me.

'Messing around with MY sister. You know she's ill! The last thing she needs is someone messing with her head, your just taking advantage of her. I should have known; what with all the girlfriends you have had an all. You like to take advantage of girls and sleep around.' James clenched his fists.

I picked up a pillow and launched it at Phil.

'Leave him alone!' I yelled.

Phil grabbed the pillow and threw it back in my face.

'Leave him alone, leave him alone! I promised dad before he died that I would protect you and mum from any harm, and especially creeps like him!' Phil pointed a finger at James. James stood up and starred at Phil.

'But…' I stammered.

'Get out James, and don't you ever come back! If I ever see you with my sister again I won't be held responsible for my actions'. Phil shouted.

James turned around to me and smiled.

'You heard me clear off!' Phil yelled, I had never heard him shout so loudly. Phil flung the curtain open with force and half the curtain came off the rail.

James pushed past Phil, left the cubical and stormed out of the wards.

'I hate you so much'. I whispered. I grabbed hold of my pillow and lay down. I couldn't face Phil not after what he had just done.

Phil walked over to the window and started to cry. I sat up. I had never seen Phil cry before. I didn't know what to do. I rolled out of the bed and grabbed some tissues.

I walked up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder and passed him the tissues.

'I'm sorry Poppy. I just want to keep my promise to dad. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you or mum like I lost'. He started to cry even more.

I grabbed hold of him and hugged him. I didn't know what to do. I felt my eyes start to fill up with tears. How would mum and Phil cope if I died? Phil had broken down at just the thought of it, and mum couldn't put on a brave face forever. I hugged him even tighter and didn't want to let go. It was funny because before now I wasn't really scared of death. But now I know I might die; well now I'm scared.