Terrible Things || Ly and Grace
Taking a seat on the swing beside him, she slid her fingertips into the spaces between his own, squeezing gently. Her eyes drifted up to meet his. They were dark, almost the same shade of hers. She didn’t want to let go of his hand. It provided comfort that she hadn’t expected. But, Vic was right. She never really got over the boy. "I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.” The words felt sour on her tongue, and she realized this was the first time she had said it out loud. She had thought of it a million times. But her parents told her siblings, and the relatives. She never had to make the effort of it. She didn’t even know she’d be able to until this very moment. "I wated to call you, but Dylan told Jamison that… Well, that you’re away with your dad." And you would ditch everything and come here. That she was sure of. “I didn’t want to ruin your trip. It could wait. I mean— I’m not dying yet.”
Sander had to close his eyes as she openly admitted her affliction. Leukemia was the only word that stuck out in his mind. He hated it, her being sick. If he could have, Sander would take her place as the sick one. But he couldn't and he knew he couldn't voice that aloud. She would probably yell at him for it. So that thought sat in his mind as he tried to keep himself from breaking down. "When do you start treatment?" He didn't want to respond to her comment. He would have came home, his future would have been compromised, sure. But to him, Grace was more important. She shouldn't be. After all, the girl broke his heart without a single conflicting thought. But he loved her and that was enough for him. "Wait," he said softly, looking over at Grace. "How long ago did you find out?" The words hung in the air, unspoken. The ones that were asking if that was why she broke up with him.