Could It Be?

"So what is it?" as Wei Wei waits impatiently. "It's Leukemia," as the doctor looks at the parents. Her mother suddenly drops to the floor, "MOM!" as both Wei Wei and Xue Er called. Xue Er who was on her bed didn't run to her mom, but instead, Wei Wei and her dad did. "Is there a cure for it?" her dad asked the doctor. "We need to find a match for the stem cell transplant." "Then take mine," as her sister called out. "No, it just can't be anyone. The stem cell transplant must match, so we have to test if yours match first," as the doctor claimed. As her dad and sister were talking to the doctor, Xue Er blanked out.

Her mother went to her and held her hands. "You'll be fine, don't worry." Xue Er looks at her mom, "Will I die?" as her eyes start to get watery. "No, you won't" as her mother caresses her face. "Mom, why are you crying? Didn't you say I will be fine?" as Xue Er tries to stay strong. Her mom tries to hide her tears, but Xue Er still sees it. Xue Er pulls her mom closer and gives her a strong hug. "Don't worry mom, I'll stay strong and stay active to fight this illness." Her mother held her tightly and couldn't hold back anymore, and started crying.

The doctor came back and stated, "Xue Er, I'll like to know something, have you been feeling cold these past weeks?" "Umm… my hands and feet get cold at night. AH. I was wearing less clothing, could be why," she said, nervously peek over at mom who was glaring at her as she wiped her tears. "Do you sweat a lot in your sleep?" the doctor continues. "The blankets were heavy," she simply answered. "Then, have you seen any new bruises appear?" "I do," tilting her head to think, "I'm… mostly careless so it's natural." The doctor stares at her parents and back at her, "When did you last see a doctor?" "Ha...ha...when?" looking at her sister for help. The doctor couldn't help but to praise Xue Er for her personality at this moment, "Okay, this is what I have for you. Due to yesterday's incident, with the approval of your parents. I took a sample of your blood. The blood tests reveal too many white blood cells, not enough red blood cells and not enough platelets. With what you also stated, I concluded that it's acute myelogenous leukemia. I don't know if it's a good thing or not. If you haven't seen a doctor... I meant if not treated, it would have progressed quickly. For now, it's under control."

The whole family looks relieved but Xue Er doesn't understand (Why? Why me?) After he finished, Xue Er questioned, "Is this needed?" holding up the patch that connects her to monitors. "You might be having a slight fever. We have to keep a watch." "Yes, yes. I understand," stretching out her arms. Mom automatically stood up and pushed her dad and sister outside, "We'll be coming back later," she said before closing the door.

Now that she is alone, she scoffed, "What's leukemia... Stem cell transplant… sounds like I'm a vampire, seeking for blood…" holding her arms up at the white ceiling, "This is bad...ugh...I shouldn't be crying. Must be strong..."

<>

Xue Er picked up her phone and saw it was Zhi Chen calling her. She wipes her tears away and pressed the button. "Hello?" "Hey it's me, Zhi Chen. I was wondering if you're okay? I came back home and didn't see any lights open at your house." Xue Er suddenly realized that Wei Wei told him that her grandparents came over. She tried to stay calm, "Oh yea, We're outside right now and we wouldn't be back for a few days. We're gonna stay at my grandparent's house for the weekend." "Oh…." Zhi Chen paused and didn't know what else to say. "Do you need something?" as Xue Er asked him.

There was a still long pause on the phone. "Xue Er, do you want to go out with me?" "Go out….?" as Xue Er whispers to herself and stares at her surroundings. "I don't think I can escape the hospital this time," as she thought to herself. "Xue Er are you there? It's fine if you don't want to." as he said it. "I'll go," as Xue Er said it with a happy voice. "Really? Are you free this Monday then since school is closed?" "Okay, I'm free." After that they talked for a little while and her mother came back with food. "I'll talk to you later, Zhi Chen Senior," as she ended the phone, her mom scooped out some congee for her.

"Mom, can I go out tomorrow for a short while? I'll come straight back to the hospital after. PLEASEEE?" "NO, you have to stay at the hospital." "BUT...." "There's no but," and gave Xue Er a hard stare. "Eat your congee and rest after. Me and your dad will go back home first. If you need anything then just call your sister." "Going home? I just told Zhi Chen senior that we won't be home," as she thought to herself. "Mom, can you keep my illness a secret. Don't tell anyone and es-especially Zhi Chen senior." Her mom looks at her, "Are you and Zhi Chen dating?" Xue Er was surprised by this sudden question and swallowed her saliva, "Uhmm, no-no." Her mom stares at her like she doesn't believe her. "Okay, don't do anything silly anymore. Stay here obediently and I'll come back tomorrow morning." "Yes, mom," as her mom walked over and gave her a kiss. "Good night mom."

After her mom left, she took out her phone and called Wei Wei. "Wei Wei, can you do me a favor? This is my only once in a lifetime favor that I'll ever ask." Wei Wei on the other hand already knew what she's gonna ask. "No, I won't help you escape the hospital." "But I didn't even ask you yet." "No need to ask and I know what you're trying to do." Xue Er sat up from her bed and straightened her back, "Pleasess, it won't take long. I'll come back before night time. If you're still worried, I'll let you track me down so then you will know where I am." Even though in Xue Er's mind, she wouldn't let her sister track her down. Wei Wei sighs and finally agrees. "But there are a few things I must say first. If you don't feel well, you must call me and you must come back before night time." "yes mam, I will. Plus, keep this a secret. Mom is gonna come tomorrow morning, so you have to do something, so she wouldn't come." "So much request," as Wei Wei responded back. "Just rest now and I'll take care of the rest."

The next morning, Wei Wei told her mom that she will be bringing the food over to Xue Er and told her to rest at home. Once Wei Wei got to the hospital, she saw Xue Er all changed up already. "Wow, you're all ready to leave, but first eat." "I can't, I'm running late right now." As Xue Er wears her shoes and jacket, Wei Wei stuffed a bun in her mouth. "Eat this or else I won't let you go." Xue Er took the bun out of her mouth and started eating it. "I really have to go now," as Xue Er starts walking out. "Make sure to come back before night time and be safe," as Wei Wei called out. "I will," and Xue Er closed the door behind her. After Xue Er left, Wei Wei realized she forgot something. "OMG, I forgot to get her phone to track her down. This girl…." as she shakes her head and starts eating the food.

As Xue Er was in the car with Zhi Chen she curiously asked, "Where are we going?" He looked over at her as he drove, "Somewhere, I know you never been to." Leaving her thinking of what that place could be, "never been?" After 25 minutes of driving, they arrive. "WELCOME TO THE ARCADE!" he said with excitement. In front of the arcade, Xue Er commented, "...I went to one a couple of times," she looks over at the proud Zhi Chen who suddenly drops his smile, "But… I never went to one for the date," trying to lift his spirits. "Of course, you haven't," he declared, taking her inside. After entering Xue Er came uncontrollable, "Hey senior, let's play this," quickly scanning to place, "OH, WAITTT!! THIS "Zombies Shooting Zone." Zhi Chen rolled up his sleeves, "Ya READY?!" "LET'S DO THIS!" **BAMM. BAMM.** "TO THE RIGHT!" "WOOW! Look at how many tickets we got," Xue Er exclaimed after they finished.

"Let's try this," pulling him to another shooting game. He answered with a smirk,"That's my girl." After countless games, he stops at a photo booth. "Wanna grab a drink?" Xue Er asked, trying to catch her breath. She found him staring at the booth, "Wanna go?" He looked at her trying not to make it obvious, "Ahem… If that's what you want." "Come on."

As they went in, "It's a lot smaller than I thought…," as he took a seat next to her. Seeing his reaction, Xue Er wants to tease him and lean closer to his side. He froze in place. She couldn't help but laugh, "Ready." "yea..." After the second shot, Xue Er said "Cute faces." Zhi Chen put his hands under his chin. At the count of three, Xue Er changed her pose and kissed Zhi Chen's cheek. The last shot was Xue Er laughing at him being frozen.

"Let's retake!" "No, I like this!" as she edited the photos. "Fine, if you do it one more time. I won't retake," trying to get another kiss. "Do what?" Xue Er question. "That." "What?" Pointing at the second shot, he said, "The thing you did here." "Sorry, I'm blind what's it showing," holding up the photo closer to her face. "This," as he went and kissed her cheek instead. Both faces turned into a tomato.

"GO...Out now! ...Someone is waiting." as she pushes him out, avoiding the awkward moment she saw a claw machine, "This time I'll get you a stuffed animal," pointing at the claw machine.

"What do you want?" Xue Er glances at what is inside. "I'm fine with whatever you pick up." She points at a poop emoji," That too?" "Hey." She puts in a coin, "Don't fall for me any deeper as you are already," acting all mighty. "AHHAHA, you suck. Let me do it." "NO!" Finally, at the 10th time, she finally caught something, two stuffed animals in one. "OMGGG I got two," handing them over to Zhi Chen. "Here you get this pink penguin and I'll take the orange penguin. These can be our couple items," he proudly stated. "COUPLE??" she shockingly questioned as she punched him out of embarrassment.

"I'm hungry, let's go eat pizza," as she pulls Zhi Chen's arm.

As they were waiting in line for the pizza, Xue Er could feel her joints hurting. "It must be one of the symptoms," as she thought. As she tried to endure the pain, Zhi Chen noticed something wrong. "Are you feeling okay? Do you want to sit down and wait for me?" He touched Xue Er's forehead and it's heating up. "Your head is so hot, are you sick?" Xue Er removed his hand and told him that she is fine. "I'll just go sit and wait for you. I think I've workout too much before," as she smiled at him.

While waiting for Zhi Chen, Xue Er felt a buzz on her phone. It was a message from Wei Wei. "Where are you? Remember that you must come back before night time. Tell me where you are now, so I can pick you up later." After reading the message, Xue Er quickly put her phone back inside. Zhi Chen came back with the pizza. "Wow, it smells so nice," as she exclaimed. "Eat slowly, it's hot," as Zhi Chen put a slice of pizza in front of her. "I'm gonna eat now," as she puts the pizza in her mouth. "IT'S SO GOOD!!" as Xue Er exclaimed. Watching Xue Er eat so happily, Zhi Chen took out his phone and took a picture of her. "HEY, what are you doing," she puts the pizza down and tries to take his phone to delete it. Zhi Chen quickly puts the phone back in his pocket before she could grab it. "You better delete it," as she looks at him. "What if I don't?" "Then I'm gonna kill you." Zhi Chen laughs and stares at her. Xue Er notices him staring, "Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?"

"Yeah, there's a handsome guy reflecting off your pupils. Who's that? Oh, it's me." Xue Er rolled her eyes, "That was the lamest joke I ever heard." Her phone began to ring again, "Yikes." "What's wrong?" "... Overprotective sister, that's what wrong." He checks the time, "I should drive you back now it's getting late." "You don't mind?" "No, let's go." "Ah… drop me off at the hospital..." "Again?" "...yeah, Me and Wei Wei are taking turns watching over a family member."