A Saint for Life by Nicole Heck

lost my brother in an accident.” My voice cracked while I spoke.
    “I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.” Her eyes widened.
    “Not many people do. I don’t really talk about it either.”
    “How old was he?”
    “A freshman in college. He had just started at Siena. It was the reason I chose to go here. Loss is a horrible thing. I’m sorry you have had to go through it too—more than I have, I mean.” Our shared grief seemed to bring us closer together.
    “I’m sorry too. Not many of my friends have experienced a close loss like I have. It’s kind of nice to know I’m not the only one for once.”
    “You’re right. You’re not alone. I know we hardly know each other, but I’m always here to talk if you need me.” I rubbed my thumb in a circular motion on her hand and she let her head drop down on my shoulder.
    “I just hope I don’t lose Gabe. He’s all I have left. I can’t lose him. I just can’t.” Her eyes were teary.
    “You won’t lose him. What else can they do?” I said, pulling her in even closer to me.
    “Not much. Not much at all. It would be easier if they could find a bone marrow donor, but I’m not a match, and they haven’t been able to find one in the donor system yet. I’m scared that by the time they find one, it’ll be too late.”
    A powerful gust of wind blew inside through the window, putting out the only source of light. The flames of the fire quickly died, and darkness filled the room. Through the silence I could now hear her breathe, and I watched her shoulders rise as she inhaled deeply. Placing my thumb on her cheek, I wiped away the visible tears that began to fall. A few tears had soon become a film of water covering her glowing green eyes. Slowly moving my hand to the edge of her face, I brushed away the hairs that fell in front of her lips. Our eyes met, and a sudden burst of heat rushed through all of the limbs in my body. As I closed my eyes, our lips touched for the first time. I kissed her, and my heart started to beat like a runaway train, faster and faster. 

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    {16}
     
    Zoe
     
    I walked Christian to the front door. I didn’t want him to leave.
    “I had a great time tonight,” we both said in sync. Laughing, he bent his head down to kiss me once more. Our lips were barely touching when a sound came from the living room.
    “Wait here,” Christian whispered while placing his finger on my lip.
    I took a step back and smiled again. Walking into the living room, I watched him slide his arms underneath Gabe, who was sound asleep. Picking him up, he headed over toward the stairs.
    “He should be in his bed. Which room is his?”
    I smiled and walked him toward Gabe’s room.
    Lying him down in his bed, Christian covered Gabe up under his blankets and gently placed his head on his pillow.
    “Stay strong, buddy. If not for me, do it for your sister,” Christian whispered before exiting his room.
    He kissed me again as we got down the stairs, and I could feel my heart beating out of my chest.
    “You didn’t have to do that. For Gabe, I mean.”
    “I wanted to. Have a good night, Zoe. I hope to see you again soon.” He held my hand and kissed me on my cheek before shutting the door behind him. I stood there for a moment before heading up to bed.
    How was I so wrong about him?
     
    *
     
    Once again I laid awake at three in the morning, restless and covered in sweat. I couldn’t sleep. Waking up in a panic with tears streaming down my face had become a common occurrence lately. The dreams were all different except for one detail that never changed, that one tiny detail that sent my heart beating right out of my chest. Gabe was in the hospital. Dying.
    The negative changes in his health overpowered the positive, which, in turn, made my fear of losing Gabe more evident. The recurring dreams stemmed from the negative thoughts I couldn't shut out. Christian made his first appearance tonight in these nightmares. Standing by my side next