The Will of Ruby

Chapter 2. Introduction to The Pain

"Quick pass the ball Ruby" Will bellowed. I instantly swiveled around Chris who was trying to get the ball from me and saw Will waving his arms around like a lunatic, we exchanged nods and I passed the ball to him before Albert who was on Chris's team could take the ball from me. Will ran with the ball, kicked and scored.

Our other team mate Ivana, hollered pumping her fist into the air. Will jogged over to me, giving me a smile, he asked "Are you okay?" I was catching my breath, my hands resting on my knees. I looked up at him, smiling replied "Yeah, just a little breathless" he chuckled "Yup, Chris, Albert and Lorin put up a good game" I nodded in agreement. Ivana and the other three walked over to us, all grinning from one ear to the other.

Will nudged Chris on the shoulder "Told you you'd lose" "You lost the bet" he stated. Chris sighed. "What does the loser have to do?" Ivana asked, "Make dinner" Will answered, grinning at Chris" All of laughed at their goofiness," You two bet on the silliest things" Ivana commented . Will and Chris just grinned back. "What should we do now?" "We still have some time before going home" I said.

They went silent, deep in thought. "Aha!" Ivana jumped up "What?" the rest of us asked in unison. Then she went quiet again, not answering any of us. "Aha!" she jumped again. "What now?" Albert asked, "How about the beach?" "I don't mind ", I answered. "Yeah, we could play something once we're there" Will suggested. Chris and Albert nodded and we started our way to the beach.

Our neighborhood is very accessible. We had everything at a walking distance. We had pastry shops, groceries, salons, a restaurant, the beach, cafes, where you could just go for a cup of coffee or to just laze around and game, the park we were just playing at and last but not least our school. Will and I grew up with one another, we were constantly at one another's house. Ivana, Chris and Albert moved when I was around 5. Will and I live next to each other and there rest of us live on the same street, across us.

Will had just returned from Ottawa. He joined university there this year. Following his dream and studying digital designing.

His inspiration coming mostly from games. But Will had always told he'd study something related to computer and technology. And I supported him all the way. We had always been there for each other, he had been there since I was born. When my mother and aunt Lilly had told me the story of when my mother first held me and Will had promised to always protect me I had laughed my head off and Will had blushed so much you'd think he had blush on.

My sickness, as the doctor had mentioned to my mother, had gotten worse. Sometimes breathing would get hard and I would feel faint. It was never very serious. But recently it had become a little unbearable, I would choke a little ad my left arm would start throbbing with pain and for some strange reason I knew it wasn't related to my sickness. Will, my mother and Aunt Lilly were the only one who knew about this.

We returned from the beach at round seven and Chris was pushed straight into the kitchen by Albert and Will while Ivana and I searched for a movie.

By midnight we were all loaded with the pasta Albert had cooked, he was the best cook amongst us. We were talking about Wills university and the most deranged things a person could imagine. Will, Chris and Albert had returned home after a while.

My family had fallen asleep and Ivana and I were heading to my room to get to bed. Ivana yawned. I chuckled. We lay side by side on the floor, the soft mattress under us, looking through the sky light as the ceiling. I had asked for it to be replaced with the normal ceiling for my birthday.

"We've been friends for 10 years" Ivana said. I smiled, turning to face her. "Yeah, craziest years of my life" I answered. She gave me a bored look "You only lived five before that, doesn't make much of a difference" . I laughed. We talked about school and what else we'd do the rest of the vacation and soon I turned to my side seeing Ivana already snoozing. I smiled turning on my other side, drifting off to sleep. Suddenly pain shot through my left arm. My eyes flew open, widening as the pain became worse. I quickly ran to the bathroom, flicking the light open as I slid to the ground.

I reached up and locked the door. I clutched my arm, my breathing becoming hoarse, choking me.

I sat there, seconds seeming like hours. I breathe slowly through my mouth. The pain subsiding yet very slowly, taking its time. I stood up hearing a noise at the window of the bathroom.

Thank you for taking the time to read this

-Aishophile