6

                                    

                                          
I couldn't tell what time it was, neither could Will. The only measure of time that we had was watching the sunset over the horizon and watching it rise again hours later. We both knew that people would be looking for us, yet we stayed. 
                          
Why?
                          
Rebellion, I suppose. Rebellion is not an easy thing to come by in the hospital, as everything is so perfectly structured and timed so that there are little to no problems occurring. So, yes we will probably get the shit kicked out of us, with multiple blood tests and days of isolation. But, this was so worth it.
                          
"Did you know that Van Gogh used to eat yellow paint because he thought it would make him happier? Maybe we should try it" I laughed, my legs dangling freely now with no butterflies in my stomach threatening to make me back away in fear.
                          
"One, that probably would not be so good for our lungs, just thinking of the practical side here.. and two that's actually not true" He pointed out.
                          
"Oh really? Why did he eat the paint then?" I asked inquisitively.
                          
"He actually wanted to poison himself, so I suppose we could do that too" He shrugged.
                          
"If I could touch you right now, I'd hit you" I chuckled, meeting his gaze.
                          
We stayed like that for a while, looking into each other's eyes with reciprocated smiles adorning each of our faces. I looked down when I noticed his hand inching slightly towards mine.
                          
I looked back into his eyes and he gave me a look of reassurance before I nodded, beginning to mirror his action and also inch my hand forwards slightly.
                          
Our fingertips were centimetres away, so close that we were actually leaning closer to each other with every inch. It was as though the rules meant nothing anymore, as the six feet apart became five, then four, but before they got to three my hand shot back.
                          
His gaze lifted to my eyes again but I quickly turned my head.
                          
"Oh look! The sunrise, we should be getting back don't you think?" I said quickly, swinging my legs back over the edge and jumping down from the wall.
                          
"Wait, we can stay a bit lo-" Will started, yet I continued to panic and walk towards the door.
                          
"We can't do this, what would have happened if we touched hands then? We both could have died, you would have been off the medicine trials-"
                          
"Has it not occurred to you that I don't care?" He suddenly shouted, also jumping down from the wall.
                          
"W-what?" I stammered, as he took laces towards me.
                          
"I don't give a shit about the medical trials or the treatments at all. Heck I could die tomorrow and I wouldn't care-" He said angrily, throwing his arms around as he continued to walk towards me.
                          
"Don't say that!" I shouted back at him, a few tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
                          
"Why? It's not like I have anything to live for is it? No qualifications, spending all day in hospital, worrying about where I can go, who I can be within six fucking feet of? That's not living" He said, this time with sadness in his voice as he continued to walk closer to me.
                          
Tears were freely pouring down my cheeks now and the realisation was overwhelming. He's right.
                          
"Don't cry" He pleaded, crossing the six feet barrier and holding his hand out.
                          
I took one look at his outstretched fingertips and knew that this was wrong.
                          
"I can't" I said sorrowfully, turning around to run down the stairs away from the only boy that had ever called me gorgeous.
                          
Although my breathing was hitching, I carried on running until I reached the ward, where I stopped and took a breath.
                          
"Bella!" I heard Will call from behind me and if it wasn't for my crappy lungs I would have continued my journey, but my body wouldn't let me.
                          
I turned to face him as he stood on the other side of the corridor to me with a look of sadness etched onto his features.
                          
"I'm sorry" He sighed, resting against the wall behind him.
                          
"It's fine, just don't say stuff like that to me again, okay? Please, it's just too real. I don't think I can face that reality yet" I begged, and he gave me a slight nod.
                          
"Should we go back? I bet they're looking for us" he nodded towards the CF ward and I silently followed him.
                          
When we got there it was chaos, people were running around and immediately we knew that something terrible had happened.
                          
Suddenly Barb ran up to us and began scolding us straight away.
                          
"Where the hell have you two been all night? We've been looking everywhere for you, we had to call every ward to find you and nobody knew where you were! You've both missed three rounds of pills and you'll need to be isolated for at least three days. How could you be this irresponsible!?" She shouted, but it was evident that this wasn't the only problem as she had tears streaming down her eyes.
                          
"Barb?... what's happened? What is all of this?" I asked curiously, completely ignoring her rant and getting straight to the problem at hand.
                          
"I think you should come with me" She said, sadness was clear in her eyes and all I could think was the worst.
                          
"No, Barb just tell us now whatever it is it seems serious" I pushed and eventually she gave in.
                          
"It's Poe" She sighed.
                          
I looked over at Will and his eyes were already fixed on mine.
                          
"W-What about him?" 
                          
Deep down I already knew, but I had to hear it clearly. 
                          
"He's gone, I'm so sorry" Barb cried, pulling me into a tight hug.
                          
My heart sank into my stomach as Will leant against the wall with his head in his hands.
                          
This can't be real.