I slowly opened my eyes, cringing as they adjusted to the sunlight shining through the window on the wall to my left. Waking up meant another day in this dreary room, more hours of wishing things were better, and more minutes of wondering why this happened to me. I looked around the room, everything was exactly the same as it was yesterday. The alarm clock on the table next to me read 11:19. Eleven more minutes and id be given the same bland food that I have to try and manage to keep down every single day of my excuse of a life. I glanced down and saw the IV needle taped onto my forearm. I remembered going to the doctor as a young girl with my mother and being terrified of the needles, crying at the near sight of them. Now, everything's different. This hospital is my home. This is where I spend long endless days sitting in this white bed. I dread the utter fact that I'm still here, that I'm still here suffering, that I'm doing nothing good for anyone, not even myself. My daydreaming ends as I hear the echoing footsteps of the nurse coming down the hallway with my tray of food. After a slight knock on the door she comes in.
"How are you feeling today, Cassie?" The young nurse asked. She has long flowing brown hair that covered her ears and reached an inch or two below her shoulder. She had thick rimmed glasses that seemed to guard her big blue eyes. I envied her. I envied the way her hair bounced as she walks, the way her eyes shine with happiness and life, the way her cheeks are round and blushed. I envy her because I sit here, looking lifeless and pale, while she has a life, unharmed by any sickness or anyone.
"I am doing well," I respond brushing my thoughts aside, "What's for lunch today?"
"Mashed potatoes, asparagus, grilled chicken, and cranberry juice, just what you requested." She said with a slight smirk as she set the tray down on the table next to me.
"Oh fantastic," The words came out as lifeless and dull as I looked and felt. I glanced down at the bland food. Its been weeks and I still have no idea what this woman's name is. A feeling of guilt reverberated through my heart.
"I almost forgot!" She exclaimed, "You are going to have a roommate! They are coming later on today."
"A roommate? Really?" I felt some sort of excitement for once, "What's their name?"
"Niall, Niall Horan." She answered quietly.
"Niall? That is a weird name for a girl." I questioned her, seeing I have never heard of a girl being named Niall before.
"Oh no, no Cassie, Niall is not a girl. He is a boy." I saw the uncertainty in her eyes, unknowing of what my reaction would be.
"A boy? Why a boy?'' I almost shouted, shocked and confused about why they would give me a roommate that's a boy.
"Well, you see Cassie, its special circumstances. Niall has the same cancer you have, and he is just starting to undergo the same treatment plan that you are going through. Doctor Mandel thought it would be a good idea to pair you two together. So you guys could, you know, help each other through both of your tough times and eventually recover. He said it would help both of you stay positive." The nurse explained, "Well you better eat before your food before it gets cold!" She said, patting my shoulder and leaving the room before I could protest what was happening.
I'm going to have a roommate. A boy, living, eating, and breathing in the same room as me. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. I sat there dazed and confused as I stared off into some other world. How was this happening. The name Niall Horan repeated in my mind, My life was about to drastically change, and I had no control over it.
