My parents and the new girl came into my room and closed the door for some privacy. My dad motioned towards the short female beside him and made the introductions for me. "Nanoha," He started. "This is Yagami Hayate, she just joined our youth group at church. Hayate, this is my daughter, Nanoha."
"Pleased to meet you." Hayate spoke to me a little nervously, bowing down.
"Have we... met before?" I looked at her harder, wracking my brain to place it. I know I've seen her... but it's so foggy!
"Ahaha... I've come in your bakery before."
Oh, was that it? I nodded at her and was about to say something along the lines of welcome to our church group but my doctor chose that time to come back in the room. "Hello, Nanoha. How are you feeling?"
"Fine," I replied just like always.
The man gave me a look and I knew right then that I wasn't about to enjoy the next part. He glanced at Hayate and then my father, who nodded. I didn't mind, all of the church knew about me, and she was here to wish me well anyway... "WEll," The man continued. "I'm sorry to say that Nanoha's condition has worsened..."
"I'm fine," I interrupted meekly, but was ignored.
"Her lungs are starting to get weak... have you had trouble breathing lately?"
I thought back to my few coughing spells and spitting up blood a few days ago. "No," I lied.
"Nanoha." My mom's voice made me look down sadly.
"... A little." I spoke again, voice soft.
The doctor continued. "Have you had any blood in your mouth?" The corners of my lips twitched lightly at one reply I could have given to that, but instead I simply nodded. "I see... As I told your parents, I want to increase your medication... Also, you will need to increase the frequency of your liquid medicin."
"not more shots," I groaned.
"I'm sorry. Just twice a week now." He sighed. "Nanoha... This is your health, you must take it seriously."
I nodded sadly. "I know, I don't need to be reminded I'm dieing."
"You won't die unless you don't follow our orders. Take your pills twice a day and the shots twice a week. Doing so will ensure your body doesn't shut down."
I suddenly got a little annoyed. "My body is getting used to your pills! I'm making myself sick by taking so many!"
The man kept his cool and gave me a moment to calm down before speaking again. "I know... I'm sorry, but this is all we can do... If it gets any worse, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to stay in the hospital indefinetly."
I felt my throat get tight. I knew Lupis was serious but... Being bedridden indefinetly!? No...
My mom gave me a hug. "Don't worry, Sweetie..."
I shook my head. "I'm fine. Really. I'll be okay." The doctor nodded at my father and got one in return. Taking my mother's hand, he went outside with them, probably to talk about finances. As if we wern't broke enough as it is...
"So," Hayate sat down next to me and I blushed, having forgotten that she was even there. "Do you go through this often?"
I smiled lightly. "They think I'm made of glass, I'll be just fine."
"That's good," She laughed lightly and looked down at her hands. "Um... The youth group were going to get you a fruit basket but they were out...so..." She blushed and took out a shiny apply from her purse. "I picked this up on the way, shall I peel it for you?"
"I like the peel, but I wouldn't mine if you cut it?" I smiled at the thoughtful move.
Hayate nodded and took out a pocket knife. "Don't worry, it's clean." It flipped out smoothly and she slowly started quartering it. "So, Lupis was it?"
I nodded. "Mmn. It basically slowly destroys your body. I mainly have lung problems and weak muscles. In a nutshell it means my body breaks apart from the inside out."
"That's so sad..." She fumbled in her coring and looked down, almost as if she were upset.
"Don't worry, I'll be okay." I shook my head. "Lupis is serious but I'm taking medicine for it...though I think my parents are having a really hard time paying..." Sighing, I looked at my sheet covered lap. I used to think about just giving up but... I met Fate-chan. She's a really sweet girl, I saw her out in hte hallway, did you talk to her?"
"Ah, um," Hayate looked at her project and started turning the quarters into eighths. "I talked briefly to her..."
I nodded. "Yeah... She's special I guess you could say. She made me want to keep trying."
"...She must really mean something to you, huh?" Hayate sounded rather sad.
"Yeah... Oh, I'm sorry, we just met and I'm rambling on and on!" I smiled at her. "Tell me something about yourself? We could be good friends, I think."
Hayate opened her mouth to say something but then closed it, looking at the food she was holding. "Right now... I'm not really sure."
"Hm?" I pried gently, giving her a choice to continue or change the subject.
Hayate looked over at me once more. "Have you ever questioned what you were doing? Like something you've done all your life only to doubt it later?"
"I have." I don't know what was bothering this cute shortie of a girl but I felt like she needed some cheering up, more so than me. "My religion. I was taught the same thing all my life, but once I was out in hte world and could think for myself... I realized that what I was told wasn't always the truth. I guess you could say that asking questions and doubting things can give you an opertunity to find out what you really want for yourself."
The girl looked at me for a long time before standing. "I'm sorry, Nanoha, I need to go. I just remembered that the doctor said not to feed you anything." She dumped the sliced apple into her purse unceremoniously and quickly walked to the door. Her hand paused at the knob and she turned to look back at me. "Oh, I forgot. Fate-chan said something about going to a bar tongiht... could you tell her I'd like to meet her there?"
I nodded at her curiously. "Sure. It was nice meeting you."
"You too." She smiled at me and left the room.
Leaning back in my bed, I chewed on her words. The doctor never said anything about giving me food, I wonder what was-
Fate burst into the door and stormed over to me, black smears littering her torn and burnt clothing, smelling strangely of gasoline. "Fate-chan!?"
"Nanoha!" Fate looked at me seriously. "Did you eat anything!?"
"N-no?" I sank back, a little scared at her snarling and panicked voice.
"Nothing? Anything at all!? A piece of gum, a drink, anything!?"
I shook my head, "No, Hayate-chan was doing an apple for me but she decided not to give it and-"
"Oh thank god," Fate fell on me and hugged me close. "I was so worried!"
"Worried?" I awkwardly pet the girl. "FAte-chan, what happened to you?"
She held me closer and sniffed, almost crying onto my chest. "It's a long story... I'm just glad you're alright...."