Chapter 22: 𝑋𝑋

"Honey, come on you need to cut the cake"

Lily's mother gently said, placing a hand behind Lily's back. It's been almost an hour since people started arriving at Lily's birthday party and Jason still didn't show up.

The birthday girl was a bundle of nerves worrying about him instead of enjoying her party. She constantly fiddled with her fingers as her eyes swept over the crowds of people trying to spot Jason.

She called and texted him for the umpteenth time, but he still wouldn't answer or pick up. She, to her shock, was on the verge of crying over something she would usually consider silly.

"But mom, Jason is still not here"

"Honey, we can't keep the guests waiting much longer"

"Just thirty more minutes, mom. Please"

"Okay, darling. Thirty more minutes and then you should cut the cake okay? People will start leaving after"

"Okay, promise"

Her mom placed a kiss on her cheeks and with pained eyes offered Lily a smile before going to entertain the guests.

'Come on Jason, where are you?'

•

•

•

Lily sadly sat down on the backyard's porch overlooking the mess left behind from the party. Her parents were inside with the neighbors that were still hanging over.

Their neighbors were very nice couples that always visited and got her gifts throughout her childhood. They couldn't have kids and maybe that's why they always treated Lily like their own.

A black figure moving in the dark caught her attention and she squinted her eyes trying to see who it was.

"Who's there?"

No response, but the figure kept getting closer until the light hit it.

"Jason? Where have you been? I was worried sick about you"

Lily ran towards him and hugged him not caring that she should be mad at him. She hugged him closely, but he didn't. He was dead still and his arms were hanging down next to him not moving or attempting to hug her back.

"Jason? Is everything okay?"

Lily took a step backwards to have a better look at his face and what she saw got her panicking inwardly.

Jason's eyes were bloodshot, it looked like he was crying and rubbing them for hours. His hair was messed up as if he pulled it and ran his fingers through it thousands of times. Jason's skin was pale and his lips were chapped ... and his knuckles were bloody like he punched a wall over and over again.

"W-what happened, Jasey. Where were you? Did something bad happen? Did you get into a fight?"

And still no response.

"Jason, please answer me. You're scaring me"

Jason clamped his eyes shut and held his breath, trying to hold the tears that threatened to break free for the umpteenth time today.

"Tell me it's not true" Jason whispered under his breath.

"What's not true?"

"Please, Lily.... Tell me it's all a misunderstanding"

"Jason you're not making any sense, darling. Tell me what's wrong"

Jason dragged his hand down his face as it stopped over his mouth squeezing his jaw. His other hand went to the back of his head as he paced around.

"My mom... she sent me to the hospital to get Sophia's blood results and then I- I"

Jason's voice quivered and he couldn't explain anything anymore. He was afraid of what he would hear in return.

"Is something wrong with Sophia?"

"No, no she's fine it's just that doctor he was with that kid and you .."

Lily grabbed Jason's face between her hands and pulled his face closer to her so that they were staring into each other's eyes.

"Jason, you're making no sense. I need you to explain slowly, can you do that for me?"

Jason nodded faintly as his teary pained eyes filled with unshed tears. His dry lips that has been bitten harshly by his own teeth dared to ask the dreaded question.

"Lily"

"Yes, love"

"Are you sick?"

Lily's whole demeanor changed. She abruptly dropped her hands from Jason's face, taking  a step back with fear and sadness swarming all over her face.

Jason's lips quivered as he his breathing hitched. He shook his head, his hands tugging his hair harshly.

This couldn't be right... no please no.

"It's true? You have... c-cancer?"

At that Lily broke down, falling onto the grass harshly. Her sobs were muffled by her hand as she cried all her pain out.

"Lily"

"Lily" Jason called again, but Lily was full on weeping.

Jason dropped down onto his knees in front of her grabbing her face between his hands like she did earlier and tilted her up so that she was looking at him.

Her face that was covered with strikes of tears came into his sight and red teary eyes closed the moment they met his.

"Open your eyes" Lily shook her head in denial.

"Please, Fiore"

Lily opened her eyes upon hearing those words and her heart broke when she saw the impact of her sickness weighing down onto Jason... she was the reason he was emotionally in pain.

"You're gonna be okay, right? You're taking medicine and going to the doctor, yes?"

Lily cried even harder if possible. How can she tell him that she doesn't have much left in this world? How can she tell him that she's not getting treatment?

How can she tell him that she's going to die before she even graduates? Before she can even live her teenage years fully. Before achieving her dreams . Before getting married and having children.... Before enjoying life with him.

"Tell me that you're going to get better, please Lily" Jason shook her shoulders in dispar.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" Lily choked out.

And that was all it needed for Jason to understand the reality of what's happening. It all made sense, how could he be so stupid and oblivious?

"That was the secret you were going to tell me today?"

"Y-yes"

Jason stood up and turned his back towards Lily, he was on the verge of breaking down.

"What stage are you in?"

"Fou-r" Jason sucked a breath in.

"Why aren't you getting treated?" He asked before turning around " Is it because of money? I will play for it , I will sell my soul to treat you"

"I know you would and that is what hurts the most, and it's not because of the money, it's because it's .....too late"

"Don't say that , don't talk like you're going to die and leave me"

"But I am .. going to die"

"I don't fucking care, don't talk like that. Why? Why you, out of everyone? Why do I have to lose you when I just found you?"

"Jason-"

"No, Lily. Why didn't you tell me from the beginning? Why didn't you spare me the pain? Why would you hide this from me?"

"Because I was scared, okay? I was scared of losing you. I know that's selfish of me, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't bare the idea of losing you ... because I fucking love you, Jason. You're God's last gift for me before I leave this world"

Jason couldn't help it anymore as he rushed to Lily grabbing her into a desperate hug. He wrapped his arms around her small figure like a warm coat and squeezed her so tight like he was afraid she's going to disappear any second now.

Like she was going to turn into ashes and fly with the wind into the night sky. He hugged like she was his life.. and she indeed was his everything.

He kissed the top of her head over and over again and smelled her hair and traced her back like he's memorizing her before she fades.

His tears managed to escape again and fell down his cheeks like waterfall watering  lily's hair. Lily's tears weren't any different as they soaked Jason's shirt.

"I can't - my heart can't take this, I would rather die before I ever lose you, my Fiore"

"Don't say that, Jason. Please"

"I need to leave, I need some space to wrap my mind around everything"

"Don't leave, Jason."

"I have to"

Jason placed one more kiss on the top of Lily's head before breaking free from her grip and walking away.

"Jason" He stopped in his tracks.

"I love you".

Turning around for a last glance Jason's fist clenched beside him in agony.

"I love you more" Jason replied then disappeared into the night darkness.

"Lily? Is everything okay, honey?"

"No, mom. Nothing is okay"

"What happened, baby. Talk to me"

"Why do I have to die? I don't want to die . I want to live and live my life to the fullest. Why me ? What did I ever do to deserve this?"

"Oh, my baby" Lily's mother engulfed her in a hug.

She didn't know what to say to consult her. How could it ever be easy for a mother to accept that she's going to lose her child? How could a mother ,who carried her daughter for nine months then fed her and taught her everything from zero, deal with the pain of suddenly losing her?

How could she ever live without her sunshine, her joy of life ... her Lily that she loved senselessly.

Life is not fair. Maybe Lily was too good for this world or maybe... just maybe the reason for her existence was achieved.

•🫧•🫧•🫧•🫧•🫧•🫧•

(A/N): I'm crying 😭

As most of you expected, Lily has bone cancer in her knees. It's already stage four so the treatment wouldn't work. She only takes medications to relieve the pain.

My cousin died because of the same illness, she was only fourteen and I loved her dearly.

So this book is dedicated for her... She will always be alive in my heart. Lily's birthday is the same as her.

Her name was Amal which means hope in Arabic. It always felt like she was too pure for this world .

Whoever lost someone dear to them from cancer or any other reason, may god make it easy for you and reunite you with them in heaven

Don't forget to vote and comment

Lots of Love 🤍