Matthew's POV

I knock on the door. "Jerome, please." I'm suddenly hit by a wave of dizziness, but I push it aside. I must have gone up the stairs too fast.

When he doesn't respond, I abandon trying to be civil and barge in. His room is a mess, just like usual. No matter how many times the maids clean up his room, it will always be unkempt.

I'm not obsessive-compulsive the way Tess is, but even the disarray makes me inwardly shudder.

Jerome is staring at a picture in his hands. "Do you know how hard it is to lose a brother?" he asks, still sitting on the ground.

I sit next to him, his hands obstructing my view of the photograph. "Jer, you don't have any brothers."

But I know what he's saying.

"Losing Michael was like losing my childhood," he says numbly. "It was like my memories were actually made up in my head."

"I know what you mean," I say.

"You two were more than relatives to me. You guys were my brothers that had my back, wrestled with me, made fun of me, gave me 'the talk' about Rilane..."

I laugh at the last one, hoping to diffuse the tension and despondency, but Jerome doesn't smile one bit.

"I lost Michael already, Matthew," he says. "If I lose you now, my brothers will be gone."

I'm surprised he's not mad at me. I was expecting an outburst or anger. And to be honest, I'd rather want him mad. Seeing him so miserable makes me feel horrible, as if it's my own fault that my heart is deficient.

"You'll still have Xander," I say encouragingly.

"It's not the same. He's younger and...I don't know. It's different. You and Michael know the struggles of being a prince. Xander has it easy. He's the youngest."

"But if and when I die," I say, "he'll be the new crown prince."

"Unless you marry Tess and she changes the line of succession."

I shake my head. "I don't think she'd do that. It's definitely a possibility that she'd love someone else," I choke out, mentally suffering at the thought she'd love someone else, "but I don't think she would betray my parents like that."

"Do you ever think about what would happen to everyone else if you go?" he asks.

I nod. "Yeah. I'm not saying it's going to be bleak and desolate without the amazing Matthew Schreave." He laughs at that, and I'm glad he's more at ease now. "But I'm not saying that everyone's going to be jumping for joy."

"Well, it's one less person to feed," Jerome jokes. "No one will have to worry about cleaning up after you—"

"Okay, that's enough." I grin and swing an arm around his shoulders. "I can't guarantee I'll live, but I'll definitely be with you. In your heart." I say the last three words with a high-pitched voice, and he laughs. We both know we're not the sentimental kind of friends.

A knock on the door intrudes our "heart-to-heart" session, and Jerome says, "Come in."

The open door reveals a harried Tess. "I thought you two would be in here," she says. "Matthew, I need you."

Jerome suggestively wiggles his eyebrows, and we both snicker.

Tess scoffs. "I hate you guys. Just...no. Elise Whisks? That former Selection candidate? Her medical company is working on a cure for cardiomyopathy. Sound familiar?"

"Tess," Jerome says, protruding his tongue. "We're not smart enough for your doctor talk."

Jer and I share a laugh again, but Tess's grim look in her eyes makes us stop. "Please. Matthew could live. It's important."

Jerome stands and leaves the picture on the floor. "I guess you should go," he says, holding out a hand for me to stand.

When I do get up, I get the same nauseating feeling in my head. I stumble and check my balance.

"Matt, are you okay?" Jerome asks, putting an arm around me.

Tess rushes to my side, and I'm on the verge of saying "yes" when I black out. The last thing I see is the photograph of Michael, Jerome, and me.


Tess's POV

"Shit, shit, shit," I mumble. I run as fast as I can to the hospital wing. "The prince" is all I need to say before the doctor and a couple of guards and nurses rush with a stretcher.

When we reach Jerome's room, Matthew's still on the floor, in a heap. Jerome seems paralyzed in fear, just standing there staring at Matthew. He seems completely immobile until the staff runs in. The guards lift him up on the stretcher and wheel him to...the foyer?

There's an ambulance waiting, and I turn to the doctor.

"This surpasses our abilities," he says. "We need to get him to an actual cardiologist. I'm so sorry I'm not able to fix this, your highness."

I wave a hand as they hoist the stretcher into the ambulance. "It's alright," I say. "You're only human. Even some things are out of your grasp."

The doctor gives me an apologetic smile, and I jump up in the car. Mom's shining bright hair bursts into view. She just jumps inside, and the guards accompanying us shut the doors.

Matthew lies there, his arms flat on the stretcher. An oxygen mask is covering most of his face, and his eyes are closed. I don't know if I should perceive him as peaceful or lifeless. I'd like to think of him as the former. I don't want him to go. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Please, please, please, God, not today.

"Tess, you're hyperventilating," Mom says, placing her hand on top of mine and leaves it there. "We're going to a hospital right now. EW Corporation needs a blood sample. They're working on a drug that will control his abnormal heart beat. I'm sure the cardiologists will explain more in detail in ways I can't fathom, but I'm sure you'll understand it."

I smile and look at Matthew, glad I see the slight rise and fall of his chest. "This must be really hard for you," I say dumbly.

Mom sighs. "It's hard for everyone. It's extremely hard when you love them so much."

"Yeah."

"It's a horrible thought, but at least I'm prepared this time," she says. "Last time was a surprise. At least knowing it might happen anytime would lessen the blow."

I look at her, and her blue eyes are glassy. "Mom," I say, giving her a hug. She cries into my neck, and I cry on her shoulder.

At least I know I won't be alone.

We arrive at the hospital, and we dry our tears. We look at each other, and we have to laugh at each other's tear streaked faces. The guards open the doors to the back, and a flock of people wearing medical scrubs carries the stretcher off the ambulance and wheels it to the building. The press is already waiting for us, some snapping pictures here and there and the others recording our every movement.

"Queen America, tell us what is going on," a reporter says, shoving a mic at her face.

"Princess Teresa, how is your fiance?" A mic hits my mouth, and I yelp.

The guards manage to hold off the slew of interviewers, and we rush to the ER. Matthew's now first priority, as he is the crown prince. Nurses hook him up to machines, and Mom and I are whisked to an empty waiting room.

Ugh.

The white tiles and blank walls make me want to throw up.

A doctor walks to us from Matt's room. "Your Majesties," he says. "I'm Doctor Gemini. The prince is in good hands, I assure you. I'm sure you want to know the precise details of his condition. I hate to be the one to tell you, but it was quite unwise of him to not take care of this sooner. The disease definitely had time to progress—"

"Are you able to fix this?" I ask impatiently.

"Uh, I'll tell you the diagnostics first," Dr. Gemini says, "then you can decide for yourself."

Mom and I nod, and he goes ahead. "Familial restrictive cardiomyopathy is uncommon, especially after Illéa was established. The disease was passed down through the Singer family line. It's a mutated gene called TNNI3. But it would be pointless to tell you more about the gene. For the heart to beat normally, the cardiac muscle must contract and relax in a coordinated way. People with RCM have cardiac muscle that is stiff and cannot fully relax after contraction. Impaired muscle relaxation causes blood to back up in the atria and lungs, which reduces the amount of blood in the ventricles."

He pauses for a while to let that absorb. "Wait," I say. "Matthew said his heart was deteriorating."

"Technically speaking, it is. However, this involves more of how the blood is pumping through the heart."

"What are the symptoms?" Mom asks.

"Breathing problems, arrhythmia, dizziness, fatigue," I start, and both adults look at me. "Sorry, you're the doctor."

"No, no, that's perfectly fine. Those are definitely some of the symptoms, and I see that the prince has already experienced some of these."

"Doctor, is there any possible cure for this?" Mom asks, almost begging.

"Your Majesty, there are drugs being developed to help slow its development."

"But is there any way to stop it completely?"

"I'm sure you've heard this already, Your Majesty, but a heart transplant might ultimately end up being the cure."

"That sounds risky," I say. Dr. Gemini nods, and that's all he does concerning my comment.

"Prince Matthew will have new medication to take every night," he continues. "It will help control his blood flow and make sure he doesn't faint so often."

"Thank you, Doctor," Mom says. "The information is greatly appreciated."

"Someone has to inform you." Dr. Gemini starts to return to the ER. "Expected symptoms might be loss of appetite, so just watch out for that."

"Thanks," we mumble.

He closes the door behind him, and I sigh. "It's like he might die either way."

Mom nods. "There's the transplant and there's relying on a drug that doesn't even exist."

"Damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't."

"Well, I suggest you guys do something worthwhile," she says. "Besides, he still has years ahead of him. You have enough time."

"There's never enough time."


Well, I hope that gave you more...insight, I guess.

Also, I apologize for not updating in a while. I went to vacation with my family, and we went hiking in a forest. Guys, you take breathing for granted. I was hiking, and I could actually BREATHE. It was a blessing, really, cuz now I'm back home, and I can't fricking breathe again. Sigh.

MAJORLY IMPORTANT: If you guys PM me and I haven't responded yet I'm uploading chapters, don't take it to heart. I'm literally trying to scrounge up every minute I can, and when I manage to get one, I PROMISE you that I will respond ASAP. I get how it is to PM someone and not get a response, and you feel like you're being ignored, but please don't think that. I literally have read all of the PM's I have but I just haven't responded yet. My apologies.

QOTD: If you could do one last thing before you died, what would it be?

Answer to previous QOTD: Maybe I would look like Pocahontas or Jasmine? Idk. Not Mulan b/c I'm much tanner than she is. Personality-wise I might be Anna. I'm such a pathetic romantic, and I like singing through the halls. If I lived in a palace, I'd sing just to hear my voice echo.

Thanks for the reviews!

LovableL101- I'm glad you liked the chapter! Thanks so much!

Kiren- Sometimes I want to hug fictional characters too :P Oh Matty boy and his phobias. Thanks so much!

HikariTheNormaller- DUDE YOU SAVED MY ASS. LEGIT. Sigh. I have so many mistakes in my stories because I write so late at night. My head is like spilled watercolor paints that just looks uncoordinated *writes that down* Anyways, I know what you're saying, both about the iPhone and the colors (Wednesday was the worst). Yep, we need Steve Jobs back on Earth. Thank you so much!

Theoneforever- Kill you now? Don't you want to wait until a chapter does that? :P Glad you liked the chapter! Thanks so much!

agb1700- I'm soooo relieved and happy! Thanks so much! Lurve ya! (OMG JOSH WON [in the bachelorette]! YAY!)

Athenachild101- Glad you're excited! Thank you so much!

Clara Harkness- I'm glad you loved it. And I will! *reads books* #sorrynotsorry :P Thank you so much!

dakotamo- Awww thank you sooo much! YOU and every reviewer rules!

ReadLikeYouMeanIt- Haha oh two-year-olds. I don't know how I'll be a mother. I don't have the patience for children *sighs* Oh well. Thank you so much!

PokemonLuver151- I'm soooo glad you thought so! Thanks so much!

ilona18- What will happen? Ooh. I know! The answer is...$# %^ Thank you so much! (Also, please check the Google chat stuff cuz you might have missed some stuff.)

SJWrites2014- Oh those titles are so poetic. That's cute :) Your SO. Glad you thought it was improvement (I thought it was too) Thank you so much!

KhrystineR- Oh, that's cool! I'm 100% Filipino since I wasn't born here. :) Haha spam away cuz I'm probably going to forget again (I actually don't remember right now what it was...I might...idk). Yeah, I think Pocahontas is a Disney princess. There's probably a list online listing all of the Disney princesses. Thank you so much!

LittleMissTori- I'm so happy you loved it! Eh, I'm not really. I can act, I'm just not good at it :P There's a difference in knowing how to do something and being good at it at the same time *writes that down* So yeah. I'm not keeping up with PLL anymore. After 6 seasons and they still don't know who A is? Idk I just feel like it's being dragged out now. But opinions are opinions, and it's not like mine matter anyway *writes that down* Thank you so much!

winterprincess- Haha weird phobias. Oh, Disney. The new Disney movies are teaching us that true love doesn't always have to be boys, and I think that's a great message. Just don't use it for EVERY movie :P (I like romance, but I would never consent to having a bf yet.) Thank you so much!

ivyvian- Oh, yes, Jasmine suits you :) Thanks so much!

Love ya!- AcademicGirl