Chapter 12 – The Meeting
(Part 2: Personal Farewells)
Care and Ash – Soul Sisters
Ash's hand was the first I reached for. She hadn't left my side, ever. From the first day I had walked into that school, trembling and silent, she had been my voice, my courage, my anchor. She had laughed with me when no one else had, pulled me out of tears, and never let me feel invisible.
I took her hands in mine, gripping them like I never wanted to let go. "Ash… I need you to know…" My voice shook. "…I've written letters. For everyone. They're in my drawer… in my study table."
Her eyes widened, disbelief mixed with fear. "Letters? Care… what do you mean? Don't say things like that."
I swallowed, tears welling up. "…I… I think… I won't make it through this… tomorrow. But I want… I want them to have it. If…"
Ash froze, the words crashing into her like ice water. Then she exploded. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WON'T MAKE IT?! YOU HEAR ME, CARE?! YOU ARE NOT LEAVING ME! I WILL NOT LET YOU DO THIS TO ME! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
I couldn't respond. My tears flowed freely. I had never admitted this to anyone—my fear, my certainty. But she needed to know.
Ash held me tight, rocking me gently. "You are my soul sister! The girl who could have been broken, but stood taller than anyone I've ever seen. You will fight. You're too stubborn to die, and you know it!"
I buried my face in her shoulder, crying silently. "I… I just… wanted to be ready… for them… just in case."
She shook me gently, voice raw with emotion. "Don't you dare. You're going to wake up tomorrow and smile at me. You hear me? Smile. And fight. You're mine, Care. You belong here. With me. Always."
Care and Ben – His little sister
Ben came next. I had always known he saw me as someone smaller, someone he had to protect. His quiet care, his subtle worry—he had always treated me like a little sister.
I held his hand, and he looked down at me with those steady eyes, trying to keep calm but failing. "Care… you're awake," he whispered.
I nodded faintly, unable to smile. "…Ben… I want you to… promise me something. Tell everyone… if… if I…"
He shook his head furiously. "No. No promises like that. You're not leaving me. You hear me? You're not leaving me. I don't care what the doctors say. You're my little sister, and I don't care who or what—nothing can take you away."
I swallowed hard, tears spilling. "You… always cared for me… more than anyone knew."
Ben squeezed my hands tightly. "I always will. You are my little sister, Care. My little sister who survived everything. And you're going to survive tomorrow too. You hear me?"
I nodded, letting myself cry softly into his shoulder. The weight of his love was grounding, fierce, and protective.
Care and Daisy – Understanding Strength
Daisy hesitated before sitting beside me. Our relationship had been… complicated. Rivalry, envy, competition—but underneath all that, there had always been respect.
"You… you're awake," she whispered, voice catching.
I nodded faintly. "Daisy… I wanted you to know… I've always… admired you too."
She shook her head, eyes brimming. "No, Care… you don't understand. I thought I knew you. That you were untouchable, perfect… but you're just… a girl. Fragile, scared, fighting alone. Strong… but just like me… just like everyone else. And now, seeing you… like this…"
She choked back tears. "…I'm sorry. For everything. For ever thinking you were… different in the wrong way. You're amazing, Care. And I… I don't know how I'd survive if I lost you."
I squeezed her hands gently. "I… I wanted everyone to know… that strength… it's not just in being perfect… it's in being alive, fighting, loving… even if you fall."
Daisy buried her face in my shoulder. "You've survived so much… and I… I'll be here, always."
Care and Cole – The Last Meeting
Cole was last. His presence was steady, unwavering, but I could see the storm inside his eyes. He had carried me when I collapsed, had driven me recklessly to the hospital, had kept me alive in every way he could.
"Care…" he whispered, voice low, trembling. His fingers brushed mine gently. "You're awake… thank God you're awake."
I smiled faintly, the faintest curve of lips. "…Cole… I…" My voice faltered. "…I don't know what tomorrow will bring. But… I needed to see you, to… tell you… that…"
He grasped my hand firmly, pulling me gently toward him. "Don't. Don't say anything else. Not now. I don't care what the doctors say… you're not leaving me. You hear me? You're staying. You're fighting. You're mine, Care. You're not going anywhere."
I let myself be held, letting the warmth of his hands, his body, his presence sink into me. I could feel the love, the desperation, the hope he was clinging to… and it was both comforting and terrifying.
"You… you've always been my strength, Care," he said quietly, voice low and raw. "Now… it's my turn. I'll hold you. I'll protect you. I won't let anything happen to you."
I nodded faintly, tears streaming. "I… I believe you."
Care's POV – Night Approaches
After the four meetings, I lay in my bed quietly. The monitors hummed softly. My eyes were dry, but my chest ached.
I had told them everything I could—my gratitude, my love, my fear. I had tried to console each of them, to give them hope even when I knew the truth inside.
I called Lyra once more. Her voice was soft, trembling.
"Care… please… just survive. I can't…"
"I know," I whispered. "…I just wanted you to have the letters… in case…"
"Don't you dare think like that! I swear, Care, you're impossible. But I love you. And I'm not letting you go."
I smiled faintly, letting her scold me, letting her hold my voice in her heart.
Nova came next, sitting quietly, hands clasped. "Remember… you're the strongest person I've ever known. You've survived everything. And you'll survive tomorrow."
I nodded, remembering every lesson she had taught me. Every time she had made me stand up, fight, be a topper, smile, even when I wanted to vanish.
"I… I'll try," I whispered. "Because of you… I've become… who I am today."
Nova squeezed my hand, eyes wet. "Then try for us. For everyone who loves you. For me. You have to try."
I nodded again, letting the warmth of their love surround me, holding it like a shield against the fear gnawing at my heart.
Visits continued.
Neither they now care slept at that night...
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Before the OR
Morning came anyways.
Care's POV –
Meeting the Group (maybe last time)
One by one, I reached out to them.
Ben, who had always been stoic, let his guard break slightly as I grasped his hand. "You… you're not leaving," he whispered. I nodded faintly, squeezing his hand gently.
Daisy's fingers were trembling as I held her hand. "Care… promise me… promise me you'll fight," she said, voice cracking. I smiled softly, the weight of gratitude heavy in my chest.
Ash clung to me like I'd been gone for years. "I can't lose you again," she murmured, her head on my shoulder. I pressed my forehead to hers. "You won't. I'm here. I'm here with all of you."
Cole's hand found mine, fingers lacing together. "I won't let you go, Care. You hear me? No matter what tomorrow brings… you're not leaving me."
I swallowed hard, letting myself be held, feeling the warmth and love surrounding me. Inside, I knew my time might be short… but for now, I let them hold me, let them believe, let me live in the moments we had left together.
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