Re: Surviving

**Ikuar** Tue Sep 09, 2014 11:30 pm

Victoria smiled, "Next week should be fun, it'll be nice to get out and do something different than be at the hospital." She then looked closely at him as if studying his expression. Did he really think she'd beat it? She wondered herself if she'd make it or not, if she even had the will to fight sometimes. Everyone called her strong, but she herself felt more weak than ever. "You seem so positive." She commented, "You think I'll make it?"

**Jayrin** Tue Sep 09, 2014 11:42 pm

Michael smiled, then moved his hands to cup her chin before placing a soft, sincere kiss on her lips. After, he placed another two kisses on her nose, then forehead. "I know you will." He chuckled a little to himself, then took in a lungful of air before slowly releasing it. "If I were to switch to my 'doctor mode' right now, I would proceed to tell you that all of your test levels have come back very positive, and I have never seen any patients with test results like yours at this stage of treatment continue needing treatment for more than a year. Your levels aren't above average, but trust me, unless you give up all hope or cease treatment, you will definitely beat this." He offered her a confident smirk. "But, I'm not in my 'doctor mode' right now, so I will instead tell you that you are an exceptionally strong woman with strong, loving, and supportive friends; you will kick cancer's butt, and put it in its place!"

**Ikuar** Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:00 am

"Everyone tells me that I'm so strong, and I always wonder why... I mean I don't feel particularly strong, sometimes I just feel like sleeping and staying in my dreams." She sighed softly, amazed that she was staying as warm as she was. "I know this is going to seem strange, but the wind is howling and it's late... would you like to stay the night?" She asked, "I wouldn't want you to drive home in this."

**Jayrin** Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:09 am

Michael nodded slowly, praying he'd be able to keep his head cool... which he imagined some might consider it odd that he'd need prayers to make that happen in the middle of a snowstorm. "Yeah, I'll sleep out here on the couch though, and drive home in the morning." He relaxed against the arm of the couch and closed his eyes, beginning to keep time to a song with his fingertips against Victoria's arm. "Do you have any other questions for me?"

**Ikuar** Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:31 am

Victoria thought for a couple of minutes, then decided on something she'd been wondering about. "Why did you decide to become an oncologist?" She asked, quickly tucking her feet underneath the heated blanket when they came loose. She listened to the wind howling, the sound of it hitting against the apartment, and somehow it made her comfortable... because it meant Michael was staying the night.

**Jayrin** Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:04 am

"Ah..." Michael grinned a little, eyes still closed as he gently tapped her arm. "It kind of started with Zach to be honest. We were best friends for a long time, and I can always remember him wanting to be a doctor... so I guess I kind of followed suit. After I decided that I wanted to be a doctor because my best friend wanted to be a doctor, I was amazed to find out that I actually had to choose what kind of doctor I wanted to be. I didn't choose for a long time... not until a close friend of both Zach and I died to leukemia. Her name was Megan, and I want to say I was about eighteen or nineteen when she died. It was at her funeral that I decided I would try and prevent anyone else from going through that heartache, so I would be an oncologist."

**Ikuar** Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:07 am

"I'm so sorry to hear that, but it's very noble of you to do something like that. I was in school for psychology." Victoria yawned, feeling very tired from a long day. "I haven't stayed up in a long time, I'm usually in bed by nine or ten... so this is a little different for me. I have extra pillows and a good blanket you can use tonight, I'll go get them." She worked her way out of the heated blanket and wandered off.
When she came back she was carrying two pillows and a big blanket.

**Jayrin** Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:14 am

"Well, sometimes staying up late is good for you." Michael said, moving to sit up straight when she came back with the pillows and blanket. He wondered why she had brought two, but decided not to read too much into it. Victoria was a very kind, and thoughtful woman; there could have been multiple reasons for her returning with two pillows. Maybe they were both a bit flat, and if he put them together, it would be a normal, fluffy pillow. Still, he made a promise to himself that if she fell asleep on him, he'd move her to her bed. Temptation could be an evil enemy. "That blanket looks nice and warm... I don't expect to be cold tonight."

**Ikuar** Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:20 am

Victoria nodded, "They are warm... I brought two pillows in case you prefer it that way. I like to be elevated a little when I sleep, but it helps me breathe easier... so that's just my preference." She set them down near him and then smiled warmly, "Make yourself comfortable, I think I'm probably going to get some sleep. If you want to watch TV, the remote is right here..." She proceeded to show him how it worked and then left it on the table in front of him. "There are snacks in the kitchen too, so make yourself at home."

**Jayrin** Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:27 am

Michael nodded, taking in everything she said. He was tired too, although she looked like she was about ready to pass out. He smiled at the thought of her falling asleep as soon as she climbed into her bed. No doubt it would be adorable. After she finished, he took her hand and gave it a soft kiss. "Good night, beautiful. Sleep well, and don't worry about me... this couch is pretty comfortable."

**Ikuar** Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:33 pm

A few months passed and spring was finally in full bloom.

Zachary had been dating Anissa for a while and he was thinking to himself that she didn't really know much about him. She had asked a few times to hear about his life, to know why he became a doctor. As he was walking to his car, he prepared himself for yet another conversation about him when they went on their next date, which was in about two hours. He had to go home and change, then he would drive over and pick her up from her apartment. Anissa had been recovering very well, though he knew sometimes that she did have pain, but she was at least walking and working again!

Victoria and Michael were serious about each other, she'd met his family and they had loved her. They planned on going to Korea once Victoria recovered, but that was a slow process. Most people with lung cancer didn't have very good outcomes, but she was a fighter and Michael knew things were looking good for her in the long run. Staying positive was good for Victoria.

Zachary pulled up to the apartment and wondered if she was home, it was late in the afternoon and he hadn't anticipated arriving so fast. However, he got up and walked to the door and knocked.

**Jayrin** Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:43 pm

Anissa was in the middle of putting on her foundation when a knock came to the door. Victoria and Michael were out on another movie date, so there was no way Anissa would be able to ignore the knock. She frowned at herself in the mirror. One side of her face had make-up... the other did not. She was at least dressed, so in her knee-length lace dress she hurried to the door, pulling it open with a soft grunt. She stared at Zachary, wide-eyed. She wasn't exactly sure who she expected at the door, but it hadn't been him... especially not with only half of her makeup on.

"Ah..." She felt her cheeks heat up as she stepped aside for him to enter. "C-Come in! I was pulling my make-up on... I'm not finished yet! I was late getting out of the shower..."

**Ikuar** Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:46 pm

"That's okay, I'll just wait in the living room!" Zachary wanted to kiss her, but he didn't want to mess up her makeup while she was still putting it on, so he kissed the top of her head. They walked into the house and she hovered back to her room to finish her makeup.

"How are things going? Any pain?" He asked, sounding just like a doctor without realizing. He mentally slapped himself for not thinking before he spoke. "Ignore that!"

**Jayrin** Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:58 pm

"No pain! Oh... well, only when I have to bend down to pick something up!" Anissa responded anyway. She knew he'd asked because he cared, and she loved him for that. Yes... she really loved him dearly, although it was beginning to worry her that he wouldn't speak hardly any at all of his childhood. Perhaps I am pushing too hard... She thought to herself, smoothing the foundation over her skin. Zachary had quite the habit of dodging her questions about his past... about the man she hadn't known. He'd dodge the question, change the subject... and on rare occasions he wouldn't answer at all. That was really hard for her to understand. They hadn't yet fought over it, but she felt so tense lately... like he was hiding something from her... like they would actually end up having a fight over that.

I don't want to fight with him. Maybe... I just shouldn't ask him anymore. She applied her eye makeup, then a bit of lip-gloss before washing her hands and drying them on the pink hand towel hanging by the sink. She pulled on a pair of flat boots to wear with her dress, and hurried to the living room where Zachary was. "There, now I don't look like a half-woman!"

I shouldn't, but I still want to ask. I want to know so badly.

**Ikuar** Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:09 am

"You look beautiful tonight." Zachary replied, finally able to kiss her lips gently. "Let's go."

After about twenty minutes of driving, they arrived at their favorite place to eat. The weather was nice enough to have a private patio seat, so they sat outside under the lanterns as the sun was setting. That was when she came out again and asked him the same question she'd asked him before, just out of her own curiosity of wondering what his life had been like. Zachary stirred his soda with a straw, sighing heavily as he was faced with the decision to answer or not.

"I know I haven't said too much... and I'm sorry for that." He apologized, "It's just very hard to talk about, but I will try."

**Jayrin** Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:22 am

Anissa had asked out of habit and the off-chance that he might reply, and yet hadn't at all expected the answer she'd received. In fact, she'd expected him to get angry with her, more than anything. Yet, there he was... staring at his soda while stirring it with his straw, offering to try and speak on the one topic he'd so greatly been avoiding. He was a mystery, and always surprising her in new ways.

She tilted her head, attempting to catch a glimpse of his expression. She couldn't really pinpoint what expression it was, but her heart suddenly hurt, and she began to feel guilty for prying. "You really don't have to..." She replied, resting her chin in her hands. "I hadn't planned on asking you again after this time anyway. Besides, I-I'm sure you'll tell me when you're ready!" That was almost a lie. Anissa wasn't so sure he'd ever tell her if she left him go this time, but heart ached at the expression she wore. If it hurt to talk about his past; she decided it wouldn't be kind of her to force it out of him.

**Ikuar** Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:35 am

Zachary took a sip of his soda and then pushed it away slightly as he leaned back in his seat, "No, you deserve an answer and it's not right of me to hide it. Michael would probably end up telling you if you got too desperate anyway, and I don't want you to find out from someone else." It took him a moment to even get his thoughts together, but he eventually cleared his throat and began to speak.

"When I was a kid, my dad was arrested and my mom couldn't afford to take care of me so I was put in a foster home. I was maybe... eight or nine when this happened. Anyway, I became pretty close with the family and they considered adopting me, which was great... seems like a happy ending. Except in school, I was picked on a lot, I was the nerdy kid, I eventually had braces and spent my days avoiding bullies and kids who harassed me, especially after being adopted. I managed to keep in touch with my birth mother, though our calls or letters were few and far between. I was thirteen when I learned that she'd been murdered by my father." He cleared his throat, "So I had planned on visiting her when I was old enough... let's face it, I still missed her, she hadn't been a bad mother... a-anyway... I got really depressed. I had therapy sessions, I met Michael at the end of middle school, and we became like brothers. My depression got really bad around sixteen and seventeen, I began to wonder if life was really worth living and decided it wasn't." He paused there and reached for his drink, "I wrote a suicide note... I overdosed. Just as I swallowed Michael happened to show up for a surprise visit to cheer me up."

"I spent the next few days in the hospital... after that things seemed okay until college started, and I learned that my father had died in prison... not that it really got to me or anything, but it was still shocking. Two years after that Michael and I lost a mutual friend... it seemed like death was following me everywhere. I'm glad to say that I recovered from depression eventually, became a doctor and now I see death all the time, though not as much as a forensics specialist... but still, I try hard to save lives."

**Jayrin** Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:45 am

Anissa was holding the napkin dispenser in front of her, trying the tears that flowed down her cheeks like a river. Actually, it almost looked like she was more affected by his story at that moment than he had been... even if it wasn't the case. "Zach!" She sniffed, using up one napkin after another, "You've been through so much!" She continued wiping at her eyes, thereby removing all of the make-up she'd just put on. "I-I'm so glad Mike was there!!" She was sobbing now, as she imagined how lonely she would still be if he had succeeded in taking his own life. "I already can't imagine living without you."

**Ikuar** Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:59 am

"I had to tell you eventually... I just didn't know how to talk about it. Those were very dark times for me, and if it wasn't for God and good friends, I don't think I'd be here today. Anyway... I am thankful for what I have now, I have my adopted parents and a girlfriend who I love dearly. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." He reached over and took one of her hands, squeezing it gently. "Thank you for giving me the push I needed to open up."

**Jayrin** Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:28 am

Anissa nodded emphatically, still desperate to dry the tears that were streaming down her face. "I-I just wanted to know you, is all." She cried, blowing her nose into a brand new napkin. "You're so important to me, and I want to know everything about you. I was so scared you would be angry with me for pestering you about it." She tightened her grip on his hand, and tried to smile. It turned out to look kind of like a mixture between a snarl and a grimace.

**Ikuar** Thu Sep 11, 2014 10:40 am

Zachary shook his head, "No, I was thinking about it on my way out of work and decided it was time to be honest." He moved his drink aside when their food finally came to the table. "So... tell me a little more about yourself? I know you are crafty, and that you've worked in a day care for a while... but how did you and Victoria meet?" He was curious, and Michael seemed to know all about that.
Victoria was an open book, apparently.

**Jayrin** Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:29 am

"Oh..." Anissa sniffed one last time before wiping the last of her tears away. "That... that's an interesting story." She giggled, then took a long sigh before beginning to recount the tale.

~*~

Anissa's heart raced as she opened the email from a girl looking for a roommate in her area. She had posted an ad on a website for people looking for roommates and such. After spilling out probably too much information about her hobbies, interests, major, and even music interests almost two months prior, this was her very first response. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, opened them again, and began to read...

**Ikuar** Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:46 am

Hello, my name is Victoria Lane!
I'm about to move to the states for school and I noticed your ad on this site. I don't know if you are still looking for a roommate or not, but it seemed promising. I'm from South Korea, I'm twenty-four years old and have a masters in psychology! I wanted to come to the states to continue working on school, as I only have a couple more years left and wish to transfer. I like that you have your hobbies listed, I like to go to movies and do trivia! I also enjoy ice skating if I ever find the opportunity. Do you like ice skating? Anyway, we seem to have similar taste in music, which I thought would be great if we end up being roommates... I have heard horror stories of people ending up with someone who likes death metal and that doesn't suit me at all. If you are interested, I am willing to work and help pay rent/groceries/utilities, so let me know! I respond quickly, and I look forward to maybe being your roommate in the future!
-Victoria Lane

**Jayrin** Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:56 am

"Ah! I think I'm going to faint, Hagrid!" Anissa exclaimed, glancing at the fish floating in its bowl on her desk. "I got a response to my ad! We might have a roommate soon!" She giggled, clicked the button to reply, and began typing as fast as she could.

It's nice to meet you! I literally just squealed at my fish when I read your email! I don't like death metal either... it's scary and horrid. Also, it gives me the most terrible headaches! Yes, I love ice skating... but I really don't know how to skate. Isn't that sad? I am Russian, and I don't know how to ice skate! Anyway, yeah, I'm super interested! When are you coming to the states? I need to make sure all of my junk is out of your room! (I was using it for storage... my bad. ^^; )

**Ikuar** Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:00 pm

Hi again!
I'll be coming in about two weeks, I know it's kind of last minute! I've already gotten things transferred and I have a job lined up for me when I get there, thanks to my dad's business. It won't be a problem to start helping pay rent. Don't feel bad about not knowing how to ice skate, I can teach you how one day if you like! It's one of my favorite things to do!

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