I awoke with a start, sweat dripping from my forehead, my breath uneven leaving me gasping for air. My eyes frantically searched the all-white room I was currently in. It took a while for me to remember where I was and what exactly happened a while ago. It seemed like a nightmare, one I would wake up from at any moment. But it wasn't. The fact is that I have been diagnosed with cancer, and even though I tried to take my life just before finding out, all I could think about now was just how much I wanted to live. I looked to my side expecting to see Josh sleeping on the couch but found it empty. I frowned feeling confused but instantly smiled when the door opened and Josh walked in with what I presumed to be two coffees held in his hands. "Good morning." He said with a small smile. "Morning," I muttered. "How are you feeling?" He asked. "I feel fine," I said with a shrug of my shoulders. He sighed and handed me the coffee. I muttered a small thank you and sipped the coffee slowly while keeping my eyes glued to the ground. "Lina, I talked to the doctor this morning...he thinks it's best if you receive treatment from a cancer institute in America, I agreed after reading the information on the institute. We will be leaving in the next couple of hours...This could be a new start for you in a new place." When he said this I was shocked but happy at the same time. I wouldn't have to go back to that place I call hell. But we would be leaving England which was our home. I nodded and smiled. "Your right....it could be a new start for me," I said nodding.
I sighed and closed my eyes for a couple of minutes, really hoping that this was a nightmare after all.
. . .
I must have dozed off because when I came too Josh was gently shaking me telling me it was time to leave the hospital, he handed me some clothes to change into and I hastily changed into them. My excitement grew by the second and I couldn't wait to leave and get a fresh start in a new place, and a new school.
I headed outside, told Josh I was ready and we left the hospital. We got to the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Everything flashed by my line of vision and as excited as I am to start anew, I couldn't help but feel sad at the thought of leaving this behind. Even though I had no friends I still loved my home. A tear slipped out of my eye and I quickly wiped it away hoping that Josh hadn't seen it. Time flew by and soon we arrived at the airport. As we went through customs, I couldn't help the feeling of sadness that overwhelmed me. I really was going to miss this place.
We got onto the airplane and found our seats. I made myself comfortable because the journey would be a long one "Good morning passengers, this is your captain speaking. We are ready for take-off so please fasten your seat belts" said the pilot over the intercom. With that said, everyone fastened their seat belts and prepared for our long flight.
. . .
When we finally landed, with feet feeling like jelly, Josh and I got our luggage and waited for a car to pick us up. We have been to America before due to Josh's work and Josh had already bought a house in New York.
The car arrived and took us to our destination. I smiled as I took in the site of the city that never sleeps. It was about three in the morning and I couldn't picture a more beautiful scene than the one I was currently looking at. The lights made the sky look so bright and amazing. The tall buildings only added to its beauty.
We pulled up to a magnificent house with a beautiful garden. I smiled in awe and turned to Josh. "This house is amazing, it didn't cost too much did it?" I asked him. "Lina, how many times do I have to tell you not to worry about money?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. I sighed and put my hands up in a surrender mode.
We went into the house, our hands filled with luggage and the inside was even prettier than the outside of the house. "Biggest room is mine!" I yelled while running up the stairs, hearing the distant sound of Josh laughing. I looked around and found a door with my name on it. I opened the door and my jaw dropped, the room was really big, and it was fully decorated with posters to complement its beauty. I threw myself onto the bed which was very soft.
My smile slowly disappeared as I remembered why we were here, I have cancer. Tears sprung to my eyes and I quickly blinked to make them disappear. I got up, ignoring the now gloomy feeling that settled within me and began unpacking.
. . .
About three hours later I was finally done. I skipped out of my room in hopes of finding Josh. A door just down the hall from mine was open so I peeked in and found Josh unpacking his stuff. "Josh, " I said to get his attention. "Yeah?" He replied. "When are we gonna check out the treatment center, and what school will I be going too?" I asked while trying to keep a strong tone. He looked up with pain in his eyes and I bit my lip in hopes of keeping my tears at bay. He sighed and sat down on the bed. "I already looked into it. You'll be starting chemotherapy in two weeks and you'll be starting at North Bridge High School in two days." He said in one breath. I was shocked at the fact that he didn't talk to me about any of this but didn't say anything. Instead, I just nodded and walked out of the room.
. . .
After a couple of hours of lounging around the house, I heard a knock on the front door. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as to why anyone would knock here when we just moved. "I got it!" I heard Josh yell. My curiosity, however, got the best of me and I went down the stairs. When I got down I went straight to the front door. "Who is it....?" I asked Josh quietly. "Lina, these are our next-door neighbors, they've come to welcome us to the neighborhood." He said turning to me with a smile. I walked out a bit and looked up to find a woman who looked to be in her mid-forties and a boy with brown hair and bright blue eyes standing at the door. "Hi, I'm Angelina. Nice to meet you." I said softly. "Well hello dear my name is Silvia and this is my son Theodore." She said quite enthusiastically. I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Oh, how about you both come in for some apple pie?" Josh asked opening the door wider. "We would love too." Replied Silvia with a warm smile.
We all walked into the house and to the kitchen where the apple pie was. I sat at the table while Josh cut slices for us to eat. "So, Angelina, where did you and your father move from. Your accents are British so I think you're probably going to say England?" She asked curiously. I began to laugh which made her look at me confused. "I'm sorry, he isn't my father he's my brother. Yes, we did move from England, we needed a change of scenery." I said with a small laugh. "Oh, " She replied. "Well, where are your parents?". "Uhm...I can't answer that." I said softly. Luckily Josh walked in at the same moment. "Who wants pie?" He asked with a smile oblivious to what has just happened. I grabbed a slice and began to eat. Soon we were all done, the uncomfortable silence was undoubtedly missed by Josh. "Lina why don't you show Theodore around a bit?". I nodded and told Theodore to follow me. "I'm sorry about my mom." He spoke for the first time since he arrived. " It's fine, she's a very nice woman," I said with a small smile. So just like that, a conversation had started between us. For the whole tour, we talked and laughed and for the first time in forever, I could finally say that I found a friend.
When it was time for him to leave, I walked him to the door. "I'll see you at school!" He said with just as much enthusiasm as his mother when she first arrived. I laughed and waved bye. He walked across the street with his mom and I closed the door with a smile on my face. And for once, I could finally say that I Angelina Winters had found a friend.