Flashback: The Way We Were

Nick pulled his swag over us. I had decided to sneak in after everyone else went to sleep. The rule for the weekend was girls in the tent, boys in their swags. We were camping out the back of Nick’s house to celebrate the end of the school year.

“Can’t sleep?” He asked moving away slightly from me as I got comfortable.

“You know I hate sleeping outside.” I said, “How are you going?” I said.

“I am good. How is your mum doing?” With genuine curiosity.

"She has her good days and her bad…mostly bad days at the moment, the doctor still thinks she will pull out of it.” I said, fiddling with my nails. I always feel so uncomfortable in my own skin. Awkward and cautious of my body positions so I didn’t look fatter then I already was. It was hard being a fat girl.

“Anna, she will of course she will. Your mum is way too strong to let a little bit of cancer get her down.” He said mimicking, something we said when she first got sick.

“A little bit of cancer seems like a lot at the minute.” I said allowing myself to feel a little bit bitter.

“I know it does.” Nick said sympathetically, something I had gotten so sick of hearing lately.

“I am really scared Nick.” I said.

“Anna, you have so much support. You will never have to go through this alone.” He said with 

genuine concern.

“Yeah.” I said. “I should probably go back to bed, wouldn’t want Millie to see.” I said winking at him.

“Whatever Anna, she’s so into me.” He said smiling at me.

“Not that you have tickets on yourself.” I said smiling and crawling slowly out of the swag.

Suddenly we saw headlights speeding towards us, I quickly recognised Nicks dads car. Nick jumped out of his swag and stood next to me, we both feared what was next. My stomach dropped as I saw Lillian jump out of the car with bright red eyes and the normal smile the filled out her face was absent.

“Anna, sweetie. It best you come with us right now.” Mick said, Lillian losing her ability to speak.

“Why?” I asked, at this point Will came out and stood next to me. The rest of the group remained in the tent and in their swags.

“What’s going on?” Will asked in a confused state.

“Nick you guys haven’t been drinking have you?” Lillian asked.

He looked confused, “Of course not, why?”

“I think its best you send your friends home. I am sure Anna would like you and Will to come with 

us.”

“What is going on?” I asked bordering hysterical at this point, Lillian came over to me and grabbed my arm leading me to the car.

“Well why don’t you four go ahead and I will make sure everybody gets home.” Will said, obviously 

people felt it best to ignore my outbreak.

“Yes. Good idea, thank you William. We will see you soon” Mick said, suddenly taking control of the situation.

Lillian, Nick and I piled into the backseat and drove silently to the hospital.

I had never knew fear until that moment. Not fear like this anyway.