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✿ Editing Status: Unedited ✿

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❝Today is a good day to try.❞-- Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
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We have been waiting for almost two hours. I hate sitting around, and waiting for something so important, it feels unbareable. Bradley hardly speaks to me the whole duration of time, I feel lonely despite sitting inside a room which is now full of people.

I feel my phone vibrate in my jacket pocket, after tackling the stuck zip I manage to pull it free. Typing in my passcode a picture of me and Isabelle pops up. "2 new mesaages" flashes along the top of the screen, showing one is from my auntie Kathy and the other from an unknown number. I get a mixture of excitement and nervousness over the phone number I don't recognise. I tap the message and read it silently in my head.

"Dear Shelby Evans, thank you for attending the recent interview on the 12th of February for the position of a waitress at The Central Oak. I very much enjoyed meeting with to discuss the role, however after careful consideration I regret to inform you that on this occasion I have decided not to progress your application any further. Thank you for your interest in The Central Oak, I wish you every success in your future Career. Yours sincerely, Mathew Richards."

I let a disappointed sigh escape from my slightly parted lips. I'd think that I'd be used to the feeling, since I've received that message at least twenty times over the last two years on my hunt for a job. But still no luck.

I click on the second message, hoping for something a little more positive.

"Hi Shelly, I hope you're doing okay. I'll pop around in a few hours to help out. How's your mum today? Love Auntie Kathy."

I feel a pang of guilt spark inside of me, for forgetting to let her know her sister has been rushed to hospital. Ever since my mum started getting these episodes over a year ago, my auntie Kathy has been a big help in our household. Helping me shower and do my exercise routines, which my mum used to help me do. Bradley helps me in and out of bed everyday, as well as helping out with other daily routines that I can't manage myself.

I can't help but feel like a burden at times, having to arrange for people to come and help me do the easiest of things, every day.

Looking down I notice red indentations on my thigh, where I have been nipping my skin with irritation. It looks nasty, although I didn't feel a thing. I curse in my head at the old supermarket which left me in this situation for the rest of my life.

I stare at my red converse, their glistening white laces and clean soles, which have never touched the ground. I glare at them hard, wanting them to move, wanting them to hold my weight and let me stamp and jump on the solid floor. But they remain as still as the cold atmosphere in this room. I drag my head up, moving it swiftly in anger. I wish I could swap places with my mum, at least she could live her life to the fullest.

I blink rapidly, suddenly thinking my eyes are playing tricks on me. I see a tall slim girl running towards the waiting room, her long black curls bouncing on shoulders. Her eyes glimmer yet her mouth stays as straight as a ruler.

"Isabelle!" I sign, crinkling my forehead in confusion yet delight.

"How is she?" she furiously signs, as I see her mum appear behind her, looking out of breath.

"We still haven't heard any news yet," I sign, looking back down at my useless feet.

Eleanor, Isabelle's mum, sits down on the empty seat beside Bradley. They exchange a few words and Eleanor puts her hand on his. He doesn't look reassured by her words, but he gives a flash of a smile anyway.

Isabelle slumps down on a chair opposite me. The room is pretty empty again, we've watched half a dozen people come and go, yet we're still waiting.

"Thanks for driving all of this way to come and see us," I sign, huffing and wishing we weren't in this situation.

"We were in the car the second I saw your mum being taken away by paramedics. I got such a fright. I hope she's going to be okay Shelby..." she signs, looking tearful.

I nod, not knowing what to say. We sit in our own silent bubbles for a few minutes, taking the time to dwell, hope and pray for my mum.

"Where's your auntie Kathy?" Isabelle asks me.

I look over to Bradley to see if he's paying attention to our conversation, but he is still talking to Eleanor. "I haven't told her yet, I'll wait to see what the doctors say. I don't want to worry her."

Isabelle gives me a concerned look, which reminds me how wrong my decision is. Isabelle watches me closely and then moves her chair next to my side, cuddling into me. I sniffle, and try to hold back my tears. I breathe in a deep breath and feel grateful for having my best friend by my side at times like these.

Bradley stands up, making us all turn to see what he is doing. "I'm going to see what's going on, they should be keeping us updated, not leaving us here dreading the worst for two and a half hours!" he signs, looking at the three of us in turn.

We watch him disappear out of the waiting room door. The room is now empty, except from me, Isabelle and Eleanor.

"How are you keeping up Shelby?" Eleanor signs to me, looking deep into my eyes.

"I'm doing okay, I guess." I manage to reply.

Without saying another word she pounces at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. She holds me for a few minutes, Isabelle still laying on my shoulder. I feel like I'm in a safe bubble, protected from everything that's going on in the world. Eleanor has been like a second mother to me ever since starting the non-hearing school in Tampa, when I was around five. The distance hasn't come between our bond, Isabelle and Eleanor have always felt like family and been there at times of need.

I can feel her talking, her soft lips moving against my neck, the hot air tickling my skin. I don't know what she's saying, but it feels soothing.

She leans back and sits on her chair. "Your mum is one of the strongest people I know, she always has been, since the day I met her on your first day of school. She's going to pull through this, I know it. You two are a pair of strong girls, and you are going to be by each others sides forever," she signs, her eyes filled with hope. I feel overwhelmed by her true words about my mother, and hope she is right.

The door swings open, ghostly looking Bradley returns with my mum's doctor. Bradley falls into a seat, resting his head in his hands. I think he's crying, but I can't be sure.

My heart begins to race. My breath gets caught in my throat. My eyes sting as a salty liquid fills them.

Eleanor stands up and begins talking to the doctor, only she's the only one talking, she doesn't let him talk. Her cheeks go red and her mouth opens wider with each word. He pit his hands in the air, trying to calm her. Eleanor stands back and the tall sympathetic looking man looks at us in unison.

"Amanda is awake and stable," he tells us, Eleanor stands next to him and translates in sign language what the doctor is saying for me and Isabelle.

We all breathe out a sigh of relief, but Bradley doesn't look any different. "But I am very sorry to tell you that from the results we have gathered from Amanda's last few episodes, it seems as though her condition is terminal," he continues. Eleanor's hands stay in the shape of the word 'terminal,' her face filled with shock.

I feel as though I've been hit by a fast travelling vehicle. My whole body freezes like a statue. The lump in my throat feels biggest than my throat itself. Tears are streaming down my face, even though I feel no emotion.

No one knows what to say, Dr Walsh tries to console Bradley, but I can tell all he wants is to go and see her. The doctor agrees to his question, but he says only two at a time for now.

Bradley looks over at me, his face expressionless. Eleanor and Isabelle sit down, moving out of his path. They both have tears in their eyes and look too gobsmacked to say a word.

"Come on Shelby, your mum need us," he signs, putting on a brave face and taking hold of my hand.

We take the short walk along the corridor, entering the box room quietly. My mum is sitting up in bed, looking a lot better than the last time I saw her. She manages a weak smile and waves me over for a hug.

"Sorry for giving you both a fright," she signs, giving a shrug and curling up her mouth.

I exchange a quick glance with Bradley, wondering if my mum has been told the details of her diagnosis. Dr Walsh told us they are still waiting for more test results back to be able to give us more information. However, everytime she's been brought into hospital they haven't been able to find a diagnosis or cure. Seventh time lucky?

I watch Bradley and my mum talking, looking closely at their lips, but I can't make out what they're saying. He kisses her on the forehead and her eyes start to tear up. I don't know whether it's something he's said, or his kind actions.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, distracting me from watching them, I take it out and unlock it quickly. I see it's another text from my auntie Kathy.

"Hi Shelby, I'm outside your house but I can see the three of you have gone out. I hope you have a nice family day out!"

My heart sinks. I wish we were having a nice day out too.

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Authors Note: Here's another chapter because I'm on a writing streak right now! I hope you liked it. I feel as though it's dragging about Amanda, but this is the last chapter about her, I felt as though it was necessary not to rush such an important part. Let me know your thoughts!

My highlight of the chapter: My highlight was when Eleanor gave Shelby a hug.

Questions of the chapter: What's your highlight of the chapter? What do you think of Eleanor? What are your overall thoughts of the story so far?

Don't forget to show your support through leaving feedback, so I know whether or not you're enjoying it. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to add Wish Upon A Dream to your library to receive update notifications! :)

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