"Hey hun how you feeling today?" Asked the always upbeat Nurse Jackson.
"Fine."
"You don't look fine."
"How can you when this disease is going to be the end of you and you can't do anything about it."
"Well you have us all here to care for you and we all do."
"That's one thing I don't want people to do is care the more they care the more they miss me when I'm gone.I would almost rather people not caring about me and I just die alone than leaving someone behind."
"You know Paul you're too nice,and also make some pretty deep speeches."
"Thanks." I said as I popped in my headphones turning on Obsidia-Android.
The one person that never failed to show up for her daily visits was my mother.She would always come in with the same greeting the same way of brushing back the hair I no longer had and kissing my forehead.She was one person I especially didn't want to care I didn't want her to be the emotional wreck I know she'll be.But she is a mother you cant just tell them to not care and expect them to listen.
"Hey dolly how you feeling." My mother asked startling me.
"Jeez mom someone should get you a bell,I'm doing good to thanks for asking". I said in a low monotone voice.
"Well you sound grim as always so I see nothing much has changed,so are you excited?"
"For what?"
"You really don't know what today is do you?"
"Saturday?"
"No your birthday."
"My 20th birthday...yeah we're not gonna celebrate."
"WHAT?!"
"Well think about it what is there to celebrate me dieing."
"B-but your not dead yet,I was gonna get John and Eddie in here for you".
At this I could see the look on her face,the look of a child wanting to go to their favorite ice cream parlor or pizza shop.I couldn't say no...it was like her dying wish from me from her.
"Okay Ice cream cake, Eddie, John,and no presents".
"Nothing? I mean you don't want anything?"
"No I already have enough I only want the cake and you guys".
"Okay I already called Eddie and John they're coming down now".
"Smooth operator".
-------________________
"Paul, Happy birthday"! Eddie exclaimed as he jump on me to give me a hug.Good thing my bed was here so this can look worse than it does already (kind of looked like he was humping me).But I honestly didn't care it was him showing me his gratitude and how happy he was to see me.
"Hey Eddie thanks for coming my ribs wouldn't be the same without you?"
"Your welcome."
"So when is john coming?"
"He was right outside he should be in any second."
So just then the latter of the the two layer cake showed up with his laptop bag in hand slung over his shoulder.He put down his bag in the corner.
"Hey Paul happy Birthday." He said as he handed me a card.
"Thanks John."
"No problem,how you feeling?"
"I'm dying from an incurable disease I'm doing pretty terrible."
"You gotta look pas--
"Looks past it?That's like trying to look past a speeding car while your feet are nailed to the ground,you can't".
At this point a awkward silence was born between John and I eyeing each other and Eddie letting out a deep sigh.
"So I guess another gay baby was born".
This was a joke between us 5 seconds of a awkward silence means a gay baby was born.We all shared a giggle between the three of us.We all talked about the times we had together through my life.We had been friends since our earlier years.We talked about how we first met,our stupid mistakes,and all the good times in general.
"You remember the time I first met Eddie John? He was so mad at me for camping in Black Ops he was going to strangle me".
Later on my mom arrived with the cake that read "Happy 20th Birthday Paul". A Birthday to be remembered, a milestone in my life.I'm spending it dying with my two best friends that I consider my brothers.I might as well make the most of it before my time runs out.
"Okay everybody gather around". My mother said with a happy tune.
They started the tune with a happy and joyous tune but around halfway through the song I realize a sudden warmth to the room. Then the sound of family and friends singing ceased to continue.Only their mouths moved but nothing came out.At this point I realized what was going on remembering bible passages that I memorized when I was in grade school.Then the room around me was enveloped in light and I felt like everything was right with the world.Then I woke up..
--------________________
When I woke up I was in a lush field filled with roses and amongst the forest the animals froliced around.I stood up inspecting my surrounding.I brushed the leaves off of my AND1 grey Basketball shorts.I got up and walked for a little while it was a wonderful day wherever I was I reached in my pocket and to my astonishment my iPod was still in there. I flipped it open to check the time 12:07 PM. I walked around for a little while longer and was happy to realize I had my hair back.
After a few minutes I got the feeling someone was behind me and was looking at me.I stopped dead in my tracks to see if my senses proved correct.I heard some rustling in the bushes I looked directly in that direction standing straight up at foot 6'4 inches hoping to be intimidating.Not moving an inch and keeping an emotion less expression on my face.My unmoving gaze caused what ever it was to emit a small EEP noise.
"H-he-hello."Said a soft voice coming from the bushes.
"Hi, are you by any chance spying on me?"
"O-oh no I was out getting food for my pets and tending to the forest creatures when I noticed you.What are you if you don't mind me asking?"
"Oh I'm sorry how rude of me to not introduce myself my name is Paul,and I'm a human why, aren't you."
"N-no I'm a pegasus I've never heard of a human, my name is Fluttershy."
"That's a beautiful name,maybe it would be better if you came out from behind that bush so I could see you."
"You won't hurt me will you"?
"No I would never hurt or hit a lady I promise." as I said this I got down on a knee so she could see I am of no threat and putting on my best smile."
"Oh okay."
As she stepped out I was amazed by what I was seeing. A small pony with wings and she just talked.She stepped out very slowly and cautiously hiding her face behind her mane.She walked up to me and we looked at each other and examining each other until my stomach cut in emitting a low growl.
"EEP!" She screamed as she jumped back and hid her head under her hooves.
" Ah! What's wrong?"
"I-I heard a g-growl come from you."
"Heh, sorry that was my stomach,don't worry about any growling beast I'll keep you safe".
Her face suddenly flushed red she had never had a male speak to her in such a way before I assumed.
"Do you want to come over to my house I have some food you can have."
"Oh okay but I don't want to impose you don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"No don't worry about it at all I have plenty of salads and fruits back in my cottage."
"Okay well thank you Miss Fluttershy."
"You can just call me F-Fluttershy."
"Okay Fluttershy, if I might add I think that is a wonderful name."
"T-thank you Paul."
"No problem."
After a short walk we ended up at her cottage, it was a small dainty cottage enough to fit two people at max.As I walked in I noticed an abundance of animals from chipmunks to birds she had them all.Surprisingly the place didn't smell like a sewage treatment plant like most people with this many animals back home. I was happy to see that she was a responsible caretaker.
"Your home is lovely Fluttershy,oh and who might this cute little one be."I said as I reached my hand down toward the small rabbit on the floor.
"Thank you, and this is Angle bunny."
"I found a wild bunny once when I was younger I raised her and her brother back to health it was quite a hard task seeing they needed to be fed every few hours."
"You did? To me you didn't look like much of one to take care of animals."
"There is a lot you don't know about me."