I was home alone today, so I studied the raindrops gliding down the window as I waited for Adria to get here.
I traced my finger lightly over two raindrops in particular.
They both started at different edges of the window, but met in the middle and became one.
I was pulled out of thought when Adria's Cadillac pulled into my driveway.
I walked slowly down the stairs.
Here goes nothing.
~~~
An hour and a half later we were in front of the hospital.
"Niall I'm really glad you're doing this. You won't regret it," Adria smiled.
I nodded. I had barely said a word today.
I was scared to death, what if... I was dying?
I shook it off. That was crazy.
"Uh... I'm Niall Horan and I have an appointment with Dr.Seri," I said nervously to the nurse behind the counter.
She nodded and smiled,"He'll be with you soon. You can go wait with your girlfriend,"
"Uh she's not my girlfriend," I said, awkwardly.
"Oh, okay Mr.Horan," She said, clearly not believing me.
I sat down next to Adria.
"What was that?" She giggled.
"She thought we were dating," I laughed.
She burst into a fit of laughter, "Why does that happen every time we go out in public?"
I shook my head, still laughing along with her.
My fear had ceased momentarily but soon returned when the nurse came back into the room.
"Mr.Horan, you can come on back," She said.
Did she ever stop smiling?
I slowly walked back with the nurse.
She measured my height and weight, tested my blood pressure and asked me a series of boring questions before leading me to a room to wait for the doctor.
I was relieved when she was gone.
She kept checking me out and wouldnt.stop.smiling.
Only a few minuets later, the doctor entered the room.
"Hello, Mr.Horan" He greeted me/
"Hello," I said, shaking his hand.
He sat down across from me, quickly looking at his clipboard.
"We've gone over your test results and concluded that your lungs are infected with Tuberculosis. Further X-rays and MRI scans will be needed to tell how progressed the disease is and what we can do to prevent it from spreading further than it already has,"
I nodded my head, not exactly knowing what to say.
I had no clue what Tuberculosis even is.
"Courtney will take you to get your X-rays and MRI's, and we'll see you after" he smiled and left the room.
Great, more time with Susie Sunshine.
~~~
An hour and a half later I was back in the doctors office.
I didnt know the appointment would take this long, and all I really wanted to do was go home.
The doctor entered the room and I braced myself.
I was sure I wouldnt understand half of the things he said, since he always used confusing medical lingo.
"Good to see you again," he said.
I just nodded and smiled in acknowledgement.
Adria stood next to me, gripping my hand tightly.
The doctor asked if I wanted my 'girlfriend' with me when he delivered the news, and there was no way I was doing it without her.
"Our diagnosis of tuberculosis was indeed correct," he began.
Okay, I was following him so far.
"Tuberculosis is a disease that attacks the lungs, and is caused by various strains of Mycobacterium.
Myco what?
"Most infections do not progress very far and are treated immediately, but your case is very... peculiar." He said,
Well, that didnt sound good.
Adria looked very pale, and squeezed my hand even tighter.
"If tuberculosis is left untreated, it kills over 50 percent of those infected," He stated.
Adria was tearing up, but i just nodded.
What was he saying? Was I part of that 50 percent?
"Mr.Horan, you've had tuberculosis for almost two years. Tb starts off latent which means the bacteria isn't moving, and isn't communicable. But in your case, the bacteria is active, and spreading through your lungs. If its not treated immediately, it can eventually overtake your lungs, preventing your ability to breathe," He finished.
I looked over at Adria who was sobbing.
Why was I so emotionless?
"Could we try to do the treatment?" she asked between sobs.
"If its what Mr.Horan wants we could give it a go, but you need to know there is a possibility it wont help,"
I nodded.
"Can we have a second?" I asked.
He nodded before quietly exiting the room.
Adria hugged me instantly.
"I'm so sorry," she cried into my shoulder.
"Dont be sorry," I whispered into her ear.
"You need to do the treatment," she said, releasing me.
I shook my head.
"You know I wont be able to afford it," I whispered.
"I'll pay for it," Adria said quickly.
"No. This is my problem, and your not spending thousands of dollars on something that might not even help," I said.
"Niall, If there is a chance that this is going to save your life than God dammit Im going to do it!" She said, wiping the tears trailing down her cheek.
What if I did die? What would happen to Adria?
I couldn't bare the thought of leaving her.
"Fine," I said, "I'll do it. But I promise I'll pay you back. Every penny,"
She shook her head.
"I dont care about the money, Niall. I just... I cant loose you," she cried, hugging me again.
I hugged back, but this time tighter, as if it was the last time.
Because from now on, who knew when it really would be.

Notes

Hey Guys!:)
Sorry it took me so long to update, my laptop got a virus so I have to use my OLD laptop and its thee slowest thing ever.
But i appreciate all of the positive feedback, and make sure you let me know whatcha think is going to happen with Niall and the treatment...
comment~rate~subscribe <3
xxx
Ps. If any of you guys have stories you would like me to read, let me know, I would love to read them!(: