October 16th, evening, continuation

''Um,'' I was thinking of an answer. I thought he would ask me some easy questions, but this one surprised me. If I'm honest, I have a few 'and then it got worse' stories, but they felt a little personal. ''I think it would be the day my grandma died. At first, she got diagnosed for cancer. We all were devastated. On our third visit, the doctor came in and said, that her cancer will be cured, and we thought they did, after they let her out of the hospital. But then it somehow got worse. And, um...she died.'' I say. ''On my twelfth birthday.''

''I'm sorry.''

''Yeah, well, I've gotten over it now, but sometimes I swear I can still feel her presence.'' There's a moment of silence. ''Anyway, my turn. Do you have a future plan?"

''Surprisingly, yes I do. I want to be a doctor slash scientist.'' I turn my head to face him. Marcus is looking up in the sky.

''Wow,'' I say.

''Yeah, I want to find cure for cancer. I know that it's something that people have already been doing, but it's my life goal.''

''And why's that?'' As soon as I see his reaction, I regret that I asked it. It seemed like that question ripped open some possibly healed wounds.

''Is that your second question, Willow?'' Marcus asks. There's charm and sympathy in his voice.

''No, I just thought we were explaining our answers. You can forget about that question.''

''I want to do that in honor of my old family friend. He was my grandpas' best friend. Good man. Honestly, he was more there for me than my dad or granddad. You can guess, how it ended. He kind of started searching for the cure, so I want to finish it for him.''

''I get it.'' I sigh. It's weird, finally knowing someone, who's lost somebody because of cancer.

''Okay, second question. What is the worst thing you've ever done in your life?'' He turns back, facing me.

''Don't do me like that.'' I chuckle.

''What? It appears to me, that the sweet, innocent Willow isn't that sweet and innocent?'' Marcus laughs. Almost too much. I punch him in the shoulder, and he lets out another laugh.

''I accidentally pushed an old lady down the stairs.''

''What?'' Marcus is laughing even more. ''Tell. Me. More.''

''You're enjoying this too much.'' I say. ''When I was five, I visited my cousin, and she lived in an apartment building. I was running up and down the stairs from her apartment to the persons' that lived one story below. There was an old lady, that was going up the stairs with two full bags of groceries. As I was running up, I accidentally touched her grocery bag a little with my leg. She told me, and I quote, to be more careful and respect older human beings.''

''Older human beings,'' Marcus repeated. I literally felt that he was trying to hold back his laugh.

''Exactly like that. But I didn't listen. When she was on the last stair, I was back running downstairs and this time that lady stepped in front of me, with her body blocking my way down. But I wasn't fast enough and I didn't stop in time, so I ran in her and she fell backwards down the staircase, her vegetables smashing under her body and flying everywhere.'' I couldn't hold back my laugh. We both were now laughing at each others stories.

It was nearly a midnight. A white Range Rover was pulling into the driveway.

''I think I need to go,'' Marcus sat up. ''Thanks for the funny evening, Willow.'' He said and climbed down the stairs. ''See you tomorrow.''

I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye, he was already walking away from my house. He left through my back yards fence, so my parent's wouldn't see him. I placed my blanket back in my room. My back was stiff, and now I just realized how uncomfortable the roof actually is. I've never laid on there for so long.

But spending the evening with Marcus was something I really needed. My mood was better and I kept repeating the moments in my head, chuckling of our lifetime experiences. We didn't get to ask each other all ten questions, though.

This is making me question things right now - what are we? Are we friends? Close friends? Strangers?

I would be lying to myself now, if I'd say that I don't want anything with this guy. The whole time he was here, I felt like I could share stuff with Marcus. And seemed, like he thought so too.

I was in bed now, when I heard my parents come upstairs. They opened the door, as I closed my eyes. I didn't feel like making them explain the whole situation. The evening turned out well enough, so I was actually kind of glad they had to cancel the intended party.

''She's sleeping.'' Mom whispered. I felt them approach my bed. They both planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

''Happy birthday, sweetie.'' Dad whispered to me.

I felt tears filling my eyes. I was holding them back, but as soon as I heard them leave my room, I turned my face to my pillow and let myself cry my guts out. I feel sorry for my parents, because their work is so complicated - yes, they get really good salary, but they're humans as well, and they don't need to work that insane amount of time.