Cammie,

I guess the letter wasn't easy to write. Wait - maybe it was hard to send, I bet the words flowed right out onto the paper just like they always used to. I'm sorry for a lot of stuff I've done, or haven't done, when it's come to you. It was so tough reading the letter, like getting to know you all over again only knowing somewhere in the back of my mind that it'll probably be the last exchange we'll ever have.

Cancer. God, that's such a horrible word. I bet you're an expert on it, huh, Cam? It terrifies me. Hate me all you like for saying that, and you have every right to, but it's true. From the moment I heard it: 'Zach, sweetie, we've had some terrible news... It's Cammie. She's been diagnosed with cancer, do you know what that is, honey?' I knew it wasn't a word I ever wanted to hear again. And it just doesn't make sense, it's not as if I know what it's like to suffer with it. But you know what? I don't want to talk about cancer either, I don't think that's what your letter was really about.

Cammie, Cammie, Cammie. I've been good, but I've missed you. I've heard about you from my parents - I knew they still met up and spoke to each other. I stopped being angry about that a long time ago, it's not their fault they want friends, right? Besides, there's no point being angry with your family - you're stuck with them for the rest of your life.

I liked you too. You meant the entire universe to me, you still do. We spent so many days together and because of one stupid hospital meeting that got you diagnosed we never saw each other again. It's so stupid, Cam. I know you don't blame me for that, but I do. I could've done so much more, you must know that in the back of your mind, right? We could've met up, I could have spoken to you in school. I saw you in shops, out on the street, entering the house, driving around town. There were so many opportunities that I knew I could grab but never did. I'm scared of loving you, Cam, not because of your cancer, but because I'm not good enough for you. I want you to find a boy that will sit with you throughout your treatments, that will see you and run to you, that will make you feel special. I've already missed my chance to be with you, the perfect girl, but you can still find your perfect guy.

I'd like to meet Macey too, she sounds great. Anyone that is worth your time must be pretty amazing; I'm glad you have someone like her to keep you going. I know some people that could help you accomplish some of those things on your list, if you want? It sounds fun.

I was wrong about you being a butterfly, you're right, you are your own amazing person. But you were wrong about me replying, huh? It didn't go in the bin because I was intrigued about a handwritten letter with writing so beautiful. Next thing I knew I was tearing it open and reading it. Laugh all you like, but I think I might have even shed a tear.

I'll look after Liz, and your mum. I want to be your family again, and I want to help them through if the worst happens, which I'm sure it won' are strong, Cam, and I'm by your side.

I knew you were happy, Cam. Like I said, I saw you out and about and you were always, without fail, smiling or laughing. You're the most beautiful girl I have ever met.

To look at a girl who for seven years has trekked through endless treatments, met people like her but then have died, and you think 'she has ever right to stay inside, to cry herself to sleep, and do nothing because she knows she's going to die'. But she's not like that. She's thin, and she's lost her hair, her hands are scarred and you know she is ill but still her eyes are full with life, her lips smiling a story and she's so alive. That's you, Cammie. You're looking everywhere for a miracle, that you haven't even looked at yourself. You're the miracle, Cammie, you are your own miracle.

Yours,

Zach

Zach smiled, folded up the letter and slid it into an envelope. Walking up to Cammie's door he knew that this was his chance to make everything in his life better, so he shoved the letter through the door and walked away.

It's been almost a year, I think, since I've updated any stories but someone messaged me the other day and so I had to write something because I felt bad haha.

Anyway, that's Zach's reply to Cammie's letter to him. I guess there was like a week or so gap between him reading the letter and replying, but it's really up to you to decide when he replied - it could've been a year later, or a few days, it's up to you.