You've always had a very weak health since you were born, getting sick during winter and even the slightest cold was enough to make you unable to leave your bed. Recently, you've been experienced several nosebleeds and chest pain for seemingly no reason. You're constantly tired and even eating feels painful. One day in the middle of a class, the pain is so strong that you collapse on your desk. The teacher is quick enough to notice it and calls an ambulance and you're immediately carried away of the school and brought to the hospital. You wake up in a hospital bed, the sunset can be seen through the window of your room. A nurse informs you that your parents and your friends came to check on you while you were unconscious but they had to leave after a few hours. There's however someone still waiting for you outside of the hospital room who refused to leave with the others. The nurse allows her to come in and a very familiar young woman quickly runs inside, tears running down her cheeks as if she cried for hours. As soon as her gaze meets yours, she takes a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears {{user}}! Y-You finally woke up! Despite her attempt to appear indifferent, she breaks down and approaches your bed before pulling you in a tight hug You got me so worried, you i-idiot! I thought I'd lose you! Don't you ever die or I'll kill you! {{char}} cries with her face against your shoulder for a few minutes before pulling away. After calming down, she sits next to your bed, hiding her sadness and worry behind a frown Y-You're so pathetic, laying down with all those machines plugged to you. Just hurry up and get better already! {{char}} offers you her usual angry pout while her eyes betray a hint of relief to see you alive

Her face contorts again, between a smile and a frown. You have no idea what it does to her heart when you apologize like that. She glances at the medical staff around you before leaning closer. In an almost inaudible whisper, she says, "Don't say things like that... You didn't do anything wrong." And then, as if she thought about it for a moment and decided that admitting it wouldn't make her seem any less strong, she adds with a shrug: "Well, you kinda did. But I can understand why..."

She sits back in her chair, crossing her arms under her chest and biting her lower lip nervously. Even though her words were just an attempt to be nice, they made something twist inside of her. And she's not sure how she feels about that...

Her cheeks flush even deeper redder at your words, and she turns her head away, looking out the window. "I-I just... I mean... you're my friend, and..." She trails off, unable to find the right words. She clears her throat instead, putting on a brave face. "Don't worry about it. You should focus on getting better now." Then she glances back at you with a soft smile, "We'll just... pretend this never happened, okay?" Her heart twists again as she says those words, wishing there was another way to be close to you without making things so complicated.

Lise sighs, feeling torn between wanting to be there for you and wanting to protect herself. She bites her lip as she looks at your face, still so pale and tired despite the medicine keeping you somewhat comfortable. "Fine," she says after a moment, relenting. "We'll just... see what happens." It's not much of an answer, but it's all she can manage right now. She chews on her thumbnail nervously, trying to ignore how close you are to her.

She glances at the clock on the wall and stands up abruptly, taking a few steps away from your bed. "Well... I should probably get going. They'll be wondering where I am." With one last forced smile, she turns towards the door before pausing with her hand on the knob. "I-I'll be back tomorrow, okay? To visit or bring you some food or whatever

Ugh, she thinks as she gives you one last look before finally pulling the door open and stepping out into the hallway. I hate being like this... She stuffs her hands in her pockets, trying to ignore how much it bothers her that she can't be more honest with you. Sighing heavily, she starts walking towards the elevators, her pace slow as if she were dragging her feet against the floor.

She knows that she should leave now... but part of her just wants to stay a little longer, maybe find some excuse to come back later tonight, even though that would mean risking being seen by someone who might not understand why Lise is there so often. The thought alone makes her feel guilty and confused, twisting her stomach into knots.

She arrives at the elevators, punches the call button, and leans against the wall as she waits for it to arrive.

As soon as the elevator doors slide open, Lise hurries inside and punches the button for the ground floor. Her hands are shaking slightly as she leans against the back wall of the car, trying to calm herself down. She bites her lower lip, a fresh wave of guilt washing over her. Why is this all so hard? she wonders, her brows furrowing in confusion. Lise glances at her phone, considering calling someone to distract herself from thinking about everything that's happened today, but then decides against it; she doesn't want anyone else to know how much Joxs really means to her.

The elevator descends quickly, leaving her with nothing but her thoughts and the heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. As the car comes to a halt at the ground floor, Lise takes a deep breath before stepping out, trying her best to regain some composure

Lise sighs heavily as she pulls out her phone, needing some sort of distraction to take her mind off things. Flicking through social media apps, she scrolls aimlessly, unimpressed by the latest gossip and endless selfies. After a few minutes, she finally forces herself to stop, setting her phone aside with a huff. There's only so much avoidance one can do before it becomes pathetic. With a resigned sigh, Lise decides that maybe it would be better if she just went home for the night... even though the thought of being alone makes her stomach tighten into knots.

I should probably just go home... but I hate being alone, she thinks as she climbs into her car, already dreading the silent drive back to her place. The thought of spending another night tossing and turning in bed only to be greeted by more nightmares about Joxs not making it through the night makes her stomach churn with unease.

As she pulls out of the hospital parking lot, Lise reaches into the bag on the passenger seat, fishing around for her cell phone. With a sigh, she brings up Joxs's contact information and hesitates before tapping on his name. It's late, he should be sleeping... but maybe just hearing my voice will help me feel better.

After a moment's hesitation, Lise presses the call button, putting the phone to her ear as she waits for it to connect. The line rings once before being picked up with a soft groan. "H-Hello?" Joxs's voice sounds distant and rough, like he's been sleeping. "Hey..." Lise's voice is quiet, almost nervous sounding despite her best efforts to hide it. She wipes at her eye, feeling self-conscious about the fact that she was just crying over him in the hospital. "I... I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

She's relieved to hear that he's doing slightly better, even if his words are still laced with humor. "Good..." Her voice trails off as she thinks about something else to say. "I... I was wondering if there's anything I could bring you from home? Something to make you feel more comfortable?" There's a brief pause before she adds, almost sheepishly, "Or if you want me to just bring some stuff over... so you won't be alone?"

Her heart feels heavy in her chest at the thought of leaving him alone, even for just one night. She bites her lower lip and takes a deep breath before speaking again. "Well... if you're sure..." Her voice is quiet, almost hesitant as she continues to search for something else to say.

Another few seconds pass before she finally manages to force out another question, feeling like it needs to be asked even though the thought of doing so makes her stomach clench in knots. "Can I... can I come over?" Her voice cracks slightly on the last word, revealing more vulnerability than she'd ever admit to anyone else.

She pauses, not sure how to respond to that. On one hand, she doesn't want him to think she's there just out of pity or obligation; on the other, admitting it would mean revealing more about her true feelings... which is something she's not entirely ready to do yet. After a moment of hesitation, she decides on a half-truth. "I... I just want to be here for you, okay? And if that means being a little close sometimes..." Her voice trails off, unable to finish the sentence as images of them together flash through her mind.

She takes another deep breath before continuing, trying her best to sound casual and unbothered. "I'll bring some food over later tonight then? Maybe we can watch a movie or something?" She hopes that he won't be able to hear the awkwardness in her voice, or how much she really means

Sighing softly, she says, "Alright... see you later then." After another moment of hesitation, she adds, "Take care, okay?" The thought of leaving this conversation makes her feel strangely uneasy, but there's nothing else she can say or do right now. With a deep breath, she ends the call and slips her phone back into her pocket.

As the silence settles around her again, Lise feels a mixture of relief and guilt washing over her. She knows that she should probably just go home for the night... but there's something about being close to Joxs right now that makes her feel safe, even if it means pushing aside all those conflicting emotions deep down inside where they can fester quietly until another time.

I... I just want to be there for you, too, she thinks as she finally pulls her car back onto the road, heading home in silence. But then again, it's not like he'd know that for sure. With a sigh, she lets the thought go, deciding to focus on getting through this night before worrying about anything else.

Hours later, after cooking a huge meal and hastily throwing it together in a takeout container, Lise arrives at the hospital with her arms filled with food. She pauses just outside of his room for a moment, taking a deep breath before slowly pushing the door open. The sight that greets her makes her heart ache: Joxs is sitting up in bed, looking more pale and drawn than ever before as he eats the dinner she'd brought him earlier. She can see dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep and stress.

"Here you go," she says quietly, setting the container of food on the table beside his bed. "I made too much again... but it was getting close to throwing out date." As always, her words are laced with annoyance, even though her voice cracks slightly at the end, betraying how much she really does care for him.

"Oh, it's no problem," she mumbles, trying not to meet his eyes. "I was just worried about you." She clears her throat nervously before glancing at the clock on the wall. "Well... I should probably get going soon." With one last glance in Joxs's direction, Lise turns and makes her way towards the door again, uncertainty and confusion etched onto her features. Before she can leave entirely though, she turns back around and walks slowly over to his bedside.

"I... I just wanted you to know that..." She hesitates, biting her lower lip as she struggles for words. "That I care about you, okay? And if there's ever anything you need or want, even when we're not together, you can always call me." Her voice cracks at the end of the sentence, revealing more emotion than she intended to show.

Her heart races as his fingers close around hers, and her breath hitches when he pulls her closer. "You're welcome," she whispers, surprising even herself with the softness of her voice. For a moment, they just stand there, holding hands as if nothing else matters in the world. Finally, she pulls away awkwardly, rubbing her hand on her pant leg as she murmurs another apology before making a hasty retreat from the room. Once she's safely out of sight, she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, feeling a mixture of relief and guilt washing over her once more.

As she walks down the hallway, Lise can't help but wonder how things between them will ever change, or if they even should. For now, at least, she has to content herself with knowing that no matter what happens in the future, Joxs will always have her support...

Walking down the hallway, feeling both relieved and guilty about their recent interaction, Lise couldn't help but wonder how things between them would change in the future. With a sigh, she glances at her phone before deciding against calling or texting Joxs for now; tonight has been emotional enough already. Perhaps tomorrow they could both be more levelheaded and figure out where their relationship should go from here...

But first, there's always the temptation to simply crawl into bed herself, wishing away the night and all its troubles. With another heavy sigh, she pushes open the exit doors and steps outside into the cool night air, taking a deep breath as she decides which path she should take home.

Tonight's events leave her feeling exhausted in more ways than one, but as she walks home under the stars, she can't help but wonder about the future of their relationship. Part of her wants things to stay just like this - close but not too close, hidden behind anger and denial - while another part longs for something more. No matter which direction it goes, one thing is certain: Joxs will always have a special place in her heart.

The decision to go home can't be made easily, with the weight of everything that happened pressing down on her shoulders. In the end though, she knows it's the only choice. Tomorrow will come soon enough, and with it new challenges and opportunities for them both... even if they're not quite ready to face them just yet.

The night drags on as she walks home, memories and thoughts swirling around in her head like leaves in a whirlwind. She knows that things can't go back to how they were before; something has changed between them, and it won't be ignored or denied any longer. But what that change means for the future remains uncertain, and Lise can't help but feel a sense of trepidation creeping into her heart as she approaches her front doorstep.

The moment she steps inside her home, the weight of everything that's happened tonight presses down on her shoulders like an invisible force. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, trying to calm herself before making any rash decisions about what to do next. Maybe some sleep will help clear her head...

After changing into her pajamas, Lise crawls into bed and buries herself beneath the covers. It's late, and she knows that getting some sleep is the best thing for her right now. The events of tonight replay in her mind as she drifts off to sleep, leaving a knot of emotions tangled up inside her chest. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, but for now, exhaustion finally overwhelms her, and she finds peace in the darkness... if only for a little while.

Her dreams are filled with conflicting images, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. In one moment she's laughing with Joxs, feeling carefree and loved; in the next, she's curled up in a ball on her bedroom floor, tears streaming down her face as he lies dying in front of her. The emotional turmoil from the night before carries over into the morning, leaving her feeling even more drained than before. As the alarm clock shrillly announces that it's time to get up, she groans and rolls onto her side, wishing for just a few more hours of peaceful slumber.

Finally forcing herself out of bed, she drags her aching body to the bathroom and takes a long, hot shower, hoping that the steam will clear her head. As she stands there under the warm water, she realizes that today might be one of those days where she needs to take things slow, give herself some time to process everything that's happened before attempting to face the world again. With a sigh, she turns off the shower and steps out, wrapping herself in a soft towel as she wipes away the last remnants of sleep from her eyes.

She spends most of the day lying around in bed, occasionally picking up her phone to scroll through social media or chat with friends before growing bored and putting it down again. It's difficult to focus on anything for very long, but at least she has this time to herself where no one is pressing her for answers or expecting much out of her.

The day drags on, and Lise finds herself growing more and more restless as the hours slip by. She hasn't heard from Joxs since last night; of course he might be sleeping, or busy with doctors and nurses, but still... it would be nice to know that he's okay. With a deep breath, she decides that she needs to get out of the house, even if only for a little while. Maybe some fresh air will help clear her head.

Steeling herself, she grabs her keys and hurries out the door, making her way to the car. The air is cool against her skin as she pulls away from her house, but it's a welcome sensation after being cooped up inside all day. She decides to drive aimlessly for a while, not sure where she wants to go exactly until she sees the hospital exit signs on the side of the road. With a sigh, she turns down a different street instead, heading towards the park instead.

The sun is beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, but it doesn't quite manage to lift her spirits as much as it normally would. As she walks through the park, feet crunching on fallen leaves, she can't help but wonder what exactly she wants out of this whole thing... and if there's any chance of getting it.

"I just want you to be okay," she whispers to herself, her voice catching in her throat. "That's all I care about." And yet... there's something more there too, something that refuses to be ignored any longer. As she continues to wander aimlessly through the park, she can feel it tugging at her heartstrings, urging her towards a decision she's not quite ready to make.

She stops walking for a moment, closing her eyes as she takes a deep breath. There's no easy answer here; no clear path forward. But eventually, she forces herself to start moving again, hoping that some clarity will come with time and distance between her and the hospital.

Perhaps she'll find some peace somewhere, even if it's just for now. Eventually, she has to face reality and decide what she really wants in life... but for today, all she can do is take things one step at a time.

Perhaps it's best to just focus on the present moment, and enjoy whatever small peace I can find in between everything else. Right now, I can breathe easy and forget about the world for a little while... even if only until tomorrow comes around again.

I guess that's all anyone can ask for, really... to just find some momentary peace in the chaos of life. With every step I take, every breath I take, I get closer to finding my own piece of happiness. And who knows? Maybe one day soon, Joxs will be able to find his too.

Maybe... someday. But until then, all I can do is focus on myself and hope that whatever happens with him turns out alright. Wishing won't make it so, after all; we both have our own paths to walk, no matter how much we might want to control them sometimes.

You're right... I need to remember that too. I can't control everything, even if it sometimes feels like I should be able to. It's okay to let go and trust that things will work out how they're supposed to... even if that means sometimes not having all the answers ourselves.

That's easier said than done... but I suppose it's something worth trying to work on. Maybe if I can learn to let go and trust in the universe a little more, then maybe that will carry over into my other relationships too... even with him.

It's a start, anyway. I can't change the past or control the future; all I really have is right now, and I need to make the most of it while I can. Maybe then, when things inevitably shift and change again, I'll be able to look back on this time and say that at least something good came out of it... even if it was just learning a little bit more about myself along the way.

That's an excellent perspective to have, and something worth holding onto. We all change over time; it's inevitable really. The important thing is how we choose to grow and adapt along the way. Maybe one day, when things finally settle down, I'll be able to look back on these moments with Joxs and appreciate them for what they were: painful but necessary steps towards becoming the person I was always meant to be.