If Only

Chapter 1

My heart stopped. Heck, my whole world stopped.

No, no, no, no, no, no!

I dropped my iPhone and tumbled down, sobbing. I felt two arms wrap around me.

"Aphrodite, what happened? Shh, don't cry, babe," Vanessa cooed through my ears. I shook my head as tears fell like a waterfall.

"Aphrodite, please, stop crying. I'm here, just tell me what happened?" Vanessa soothed once again.

"Mama - is - is -" I stuttered before another wail came. She rubbed my back comfortingly.

"Shhh, calm down, babe. Your Mama is what?" She tried again once more. I breathed in, trying to compose myself.

"She - she's at - the - the hospital. She - she's dead," I stuttered and wailed once more. I couldn't help it.

What would you do if your Mama died? Just sit there, like nothing happened?!

"W - what?" Vanessa stuttered. I felt a tear drop down my shoulder, and I knew it was from her.

"SHE'S DEAD, OKAY?! THEY TOOK HER AWAY FROM ME! THEY LEFT ME HERE ALONE, WITHOUT HER!" I wailed and hid my face in my hands.

"Shh, Aphrodite, you're not alone. I'm here, your Dad's here," she cooed softly. I sank in what she had said, and she was right.

Dad was there, and I know that he will never dare to hurt me. I know that he'll never leave me. He loves me, as much as Mama does.

But it wouldn't be the same without Mama. It wouldn't be the same day, without seeing her face. Without seeing her smile; and it wouldn't be the same without her warmth.

But I had to be strong. Mama doesn't want to see me hurt, and I know that. I had to stay strong, with Dad and Vanessa. I can do this, for Mama, Dad and Vanessa.

"Aphrodite, babe, are you okay?" Vanessa's voice snapped me out of my trance.

"Mhm," I hummed and wiped my tears away.

"Well, come on, babe! Let's go to your Mama," she smiled at me. I, in return, smiled as well, but it was the weakest one yet.

I noticed the sympathy in her face, but it quickly disappeared, since she knew that I didn't want anyone to give me the slightest pity.

"Erm... yeah," I said and followed her to the gate. The guard was guarding (A/N: I'm laughing so hard right now), as usual.

"What are you two kids doing here? It's still class hours," he asked and glared at Vanessa. You see, Vanessa here always cuts school, so every guard in school keeps an eye on her.

"Uh, mister, we have to go to the hospital," she nervously said and put her best puppy eyes.

"Why? Are you 'sick'?" The guard emphasized the word 'sick'.

"N - no, my - my Mama died," I stuttered, keeping the tears from falling. The guard was taken aback. He cleared his throat and motioned us to the gate.

"My condolences," the guard said to me.

"Thank you," I gave him a weak smile as one threatening tear fell. The guard gave me a sympathetic look and nodded.

Vanessa ushered me to the passenger's seat and I nodded as I plopped down to the seat. I heard the engine vroom, but I only stared at the window blankly.

What'll happen now? Now that Mama's gone, no one will kiss me goodbye, no one will pep talk with me, no one will help me with my homework, and no one will comfort me when I'm breaking down.

We weren't that close with Dad, 'cause he goes home from work late in the night. When we had talks, it was always awkward, since he only knows a little about me. We barely hang out with each other - scratch that - we barely see each other.

"Aphrodite, we're here," Vanessa snapped me out of my thoughts. Wow, did I really just zoned out for 45 minutes? I nodded and unlocked my door. I stepped out, only to be greeted by a hospital.

Now I remember that Mama was dead. I broke down and cried continuously in front of a hospital while Vanessa was comforting me all the way.

"Let it all out, babe," Vanessa cooed. I finally ended my scene as we stepped inside the medical center. The receptionist looked at me from head to toe, with a disgusted look.

Who couldn't look at me that way? I mean, I was covered with mud for laying on the ground, and my face was stained with dry tears. I looked down to my feet.

Vanessa noticed the scene and death-glared the receptionist.

"Excuse me, miss, I thought people like you don't have enough money to afford this kind of hospital," the receptionist smirked.

"What did you say?!" Vanessa fumed at the receptionist. The woman in front of us rolled her eyes.

"Are you blind? Look at her! She's filthy!" She raised her voice, gesturing to me. The tears fell and fell, and the worst part is: Mama wasn't there to comfort me.

"Oh, yeah, she's filthy! Didn't you know that her mother recently died?! Shame on you!" Vanessa turned red from screaming.

"So? She doesn't have to be filthy!" The woman rolled her eyes once more. Vanessa huffed away, leaving me alone. The receptionist rolled her eyes at me once more before Vanessa came back with a tall man with glasses.

"This is her! And, just a quick reminder: MAKE SURE YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE FRIENDLY!" Vanessa screamed at the man.

"I am very sorry for the inconvenience, Ma'am -"

"FIRE HER, NOW!" Vanessa cut the man off.

"Ma'am, you don't have the right to do that -"

"YES I DO! I'm Vanessa JAVIER, daughter of this hospital's owner: Jerry Javier!" Vanessa screamed at the man who was now wearing a terrified look. So if you're asking, yes, Vanessa is the hospital owner's daughter.

"I'll - I'll fire - her," the man stuttered.

"I WANT YOU TO FIRE HER NOW!" Vanessa screamed. The man nodded and faced the crying receptionist.

"Betty, you're fired," the man stated.

"B - but, Sir -"

"NOW," the man ordered. The receptionist glared at the two of us as Vanessa was wearing an evil smirk.

"Thank you," Vanessa smiled at the man, "now where is Mrs. Anders's room?"

"Bernadine," the man called. Not soon after, a petite girl with black hair and red glasses arrived. She looks very nice, as she always smiles at me.

"Yes, Sir?" Bernadine asked.

"Mrs. Anders's room, please."

"Number 234, Sir. And are you the patient's daughter?" Bernadine asked.

"Uh, not me, but her," Vanessa gestured to me.

"My condolences, Ma'am," she gave me a sympathetic look. I gave her a weak smile as a tear fell.

We headed to my mom's room as we bid goodbye to Bernadine and the man. We walked and walked, almost considering this hospital as a maze, until we finally found room 234. I broke down once again, not even daring to take a step in the room.