Page 78 of Styx & Stones

Styx: Don’t say I never do anything for our love.

Me: What, like wake up all of the ICU? I wouldn’t dream of it.

Styx: Every cell in my body misses you.

My heart trips all over itself, and tears well in my eyes because I know exactly how he feels.

Me: You’re such a dork.

I grimace at my text. I’m out of my mind with longing. I just lack the ability to say it as casually as he does.

Me: I miss you too. I wish we could go back to LA, back to Disneyland.

Styx: Me too, but without the sepsis and seizures.

Me: Yeah, definitely without those things. Get some sleep, Styx. Hopefully they’ll let us see each other in the morning.

Styx: I’ll threaten to sue if they don’t.

Me: Sue?

Styx: For depriving me of you.

A dreamy sigh leaves my lips.Who even am I now?

Me: I love you, loner boy.

Styx: Love you too, Stones. More than life itself.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

STYX

By lunch, I’m giventhe all clear to see Alaska. This fucking sepsis is a pain in my ass. My organs feel like they’re being squeezed in my dad’s wheatgrass juicer, but I lie when the doctor asks me how bad my pain is because I’m afraid they’ll keep us apart. My mom and the nurses give me shit about not resting, but I can’t. Every waking second, all I can think about is Stones, and when I’m asleep, I dream we’re back at Disney, and we’re healthy, watching the fireworks, and she’s wrapped tightly in my arms.

I walk down the hall, my ass sticking out of my hospital gown, my IV pole clutched in my hand like a life support. She lies in bed, staring at the ceiling as her mom’s mouth opens and closes rapidly. From behind this glass door, Mrs. Stone sounds like the parents inThe Peanutsmovie.