Fading

• Genevieve Willis, Grade 4
• Short Story
• 2022

“Can we stop Em” I sigh “Come on Liv just a few more meters” “No way” I can barely breathe” Okay Okay” But Liv you gotta just go for things” Emma says as she slowly sits down in the sand. “What do you mean” I say kinda knowing what she’s talking about “You know Liv” She eyeballs me “Come on Daniels so nice. Remember when he came to check in on you to see how you're doing” No Em just no” I say as I start walking back to my house. I’m so tired I just want to sleep. My name is Olivia. I was born with a disease called cystic fibrosis. It affects my breathing and digestion. Sometimes I feel like I’m just not made for the world if this disease is just going to get worse and worse. I lay in bed and I slowly drift asleep. I’m standing in the darkness. There's a voice telling me I don't deserve to be alive. “You were made for no reason” It says “NO go away I’m not going to listen to you! I woke up immediately. I'm breathing heavily and I can't get it to stop. I ran over to my mum and dad's room. “What's wrong honey?” She says, looking like she is about to doze off. I couldn't say anything. “Oh my gosh” “Sweetie get in the car and drink some water” ``We're going to the hospital”My mum sounds scared, My sight goes black. Beep, I woke up in a hospital bed and Emma,My mum and dad are surrounding me. “What's going on?” I say. “Just something going on with your breathing” She says,”Nothing to worry about. “Hi Em” I say, sounding pretty tired. “Hey Liv” I’m going to go so you can get some rest.” She sounds sympathetic. As soon as she left my phone buzzed. It's Daniel. Hey, I heard you were in the hospital. U ok? I text back Yeah I’m fine. Thanks for asking. I hear the doctor and my parents talking. “Your daughters going to be okay, She can go home but we will be doing regular check ups” I hear my mum sigh with relief. The next day I’m back home in my cozy bed just reading my favorite book. I hear the doorbell ring. I go downstairs and open the door. Right there standing in front of the door is Daniel. “Hey Liv can I come in'' He says sympathetically “Sure” i say, We walk to the kitchen “So what's going on” He says, I don't really know but somethings definitely not right, My parents act weird all the time and they say everythings fine” I say looking down. Daniel squeezes my hand. “Everything will be okay Liv” Daniel says “I really really hope so” I sigh