Ch.15 | Kisses

Riley

I had feelings for Leo. Too many. So many. But I loved each and every feeling.

But what was happening, would be unfair to him. I was dying, while he's thriving in life.

We could both fall in love. Spend my last few months together, but who would that benefit? I'd die happily. But he'd be stuck feeling this unbearable sadness.

Thats not fair.

"Riley?" Amanda asked and I looked up. I hadn't realized she came in.

"Hey." I croaked.

"Where's your night in shining armor?" She asked with a smile.

With a sigh I said, "Gone." And left it at that. There was no point in talking about it.

"Gone? What do you mean gone?" Amanda made a disgusted look and I looked at her with teary eyes.

"Uh nope. You're not doing this cliche crap." She stood from her previous spot and retreated to the hall, coming back in seconds with a wheelchair.

"What?" I looked at her in disbelief, and confusion. Mandi tore the blanket off my lap and moved the wheelchair closer.

"In." She nodded at the chair and I shook my head.

"Okay, let me rephrase, get your skinny ass in the chair before I do it myself." Mandi flashed me her evil grin and I realized I wouldn't win this fight. I pushed myself off the chair and into the wheelchair, panting afterwards.

It's become a pain just to go to the bathroom.

Amanda rolled me out of the room and down towards the lobby. Stopping and putting a mask on me.

"Where are we going?" I asked but she kept pushing, ignoring me.

We made it into the lobby where Leo was sitting in a chair, filling out paperwork.

"Amanda." I whisper-yelled at her but she pushed me straight over to Leo. He glanced up and looked just as surprised.

"You two are supposed to be one of those good fairy tales. The one where the princess marries the prince and they rule the kingdom together. Well, I guess this one is more like Mulan. But you get the point. Work it out." She glared at the both of us.

"You may leave the hospital for a bit. But no cheeseburgers." Mandi pointed a finger in my face before spinning on her heels and leaving us alone.

"Cheeseburgers?" Leo raised an eyebrow at me and I nodded, "I really like cheeseburgers."

"Gotcha." He nodded. An awkward silence fell between us.

But it wasn't too long before Leo spoke, "Am I really nothing but a boss to you?"

I could tell he was hurt. But that hurt was temporary. Was it worth it telling him the truth and then dying?

I took a deep breath, "No. You're so much more." I felt tears fill my eyes.

"More like a potential boyfriend? Or more like a brother?" Leo winked at me and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Definitely not like a brother. But maybe if your moves are as smooth as they are in the letters, I'll consider the first one." I teased him.

"Deal." Leo took my hand in-between both of his. The small action giving me pure happiness.

"What are we gonna do, Leo?" I asked, reality taking over.

"You're going to keep fighting. You're not giving up on yourself or us, okay?" Leo squeezed my hand tighter and I nodded.

"Ill come visit often, and maybe we can get you into a closer hospital." I nodded at his words and reached up, taking my mask off.

"Rile-"

"Shush." I leaned forward, and placed a kiss on his cheek. He cupped my face and kissed me directly.

My face was once again a tomato.

♡

Leo

"How long are you here for?" Riley asked as I helped her into the hospital bed.

The rest of the day had gone peacefully. The nurse, Amanda, allowed me to take Riley out to dinner and we had done some shopping too. She wanted to grab a new hoodie. I ended up forcing her to let me buy it, she wasn't too happy.

We talked for a while about some of the missions I went on while she's been here. Riley seemed fascinated by each and every detail. It was cute.

"Leoooo?" She called my name like a small child and I looked up to see her cocking an eyebrow at me.

"Yes ma'am?" I asked with a smile and tucked the blankets closer to her, grabbing another from a chair close by. This room was freezing.

"How long are you here for?" She asked again and I sighed.

I hadn't thought about it. Mainly because right now, I was most likely freaking out my entire squad.

I hadn't told anyone I was leaving and I went M.I.A in the middle of a mission.

"I should go back tomorrow." I spoke quietly, hating how soon I'd have to go. But she'd be okay now. She was getting her treatments and would continue to.

"Okay. That doesn't give me enough time to pack my bags though. And Im really tired." She whined and fell back on her pillows.

"Pack? Where ya goin, sweetheart?" I asked, squeezing her thigh.

"With you? Duh." She rolled her eyes.

"You're not going to Hawaii." I shook my head and she sat back up.

"Yes I am. Your dad gave Amanda permission to bring me to Hawaii." Riley tilted her head,"He didn't tell you?"

Why on Earth would he have done that?

"He did, I just forgot. Hey Im gonna go get you some more water, Do you need anything else?" I asked, standing from the bed.

"We have water," She pointed at the two full jugs of water on her side table.

"Pshh, That's not nearly enough. Ill be right back, okay?" I bent down and gently kissed her forehead.

My dad was about to get his ass kicked.