*Luca* "Can I come in ?" I poke my head into Lumi's room. Meri and her mother have agreed to give me 15 minutes alone with her first. She doesn't answer, and it seems she has fallen asleep so I slowly walk in, closing the door behind me. Walking over to sit beside her, taking her hand. Looking at her my heart is beating almost frantically, part of me wants so badly to protect her, to take away any pain that she is feeling. I would do anything to make her well again. Unfortunately it's not in my power, all I can do is be here for her and pray that the new medicine will make her better. It had started out as a very strong physical attraction, and I hadn't really expected it to be more than a fling. But the connection is undeniable. And I find myself wanting more, despite the banter going on between us. But then she kind of rejected the possibility. When Tom called telling me she was sick, everything just kind of fell into place and I just knew that I had to come, I had to be here.

1 week later *Lumi* "Please just let me die". I mumble, trying to roll up into a small ball in the bed. I have been on the new drug for a week now, but every time I take it, I get more sick. My whole body is shaking with pain. "Shhh don't say that, please don't say that". Meri mumbles and I can hear she is fighting tears. I know she hates seeing me like this. I just moan slightly. This is hell, I can choose between medicine that doesn't work or one that makes me so sick it feels like dying. "Luca ! Where is he?" "I don't know, he said he would be her". Meri says, just as the door opens and Luca hurries in. I hold out my arms whimpering and instantly he is there, pulling me into his arms, caressing me. "Sorry baby, the train was cancelled". "I needed you ... you weren't her and I needed you". I can't keep the emotions in and start sobbing against his chest. He just holds me, gently rocking me back and forth. He has truly become my rock this last week. Being here every time I

*Meri* "It's okay Luca ... I am sure she didn't mean it ... she is just scared and upset right now". I try padding his back, looking helplessly at Tom. Luca had shown up, telling us that Lumi kind of broke up with him and now he's crying out his eyes rolled up on the couch. "She thinks she is protecting you". Tom tries, but nothing seems to make him cry any less. I shake my head. I feel really sorry for him ... and honestly I want to grab Lumi and shake her, what the hell is she thinking ? "I just thought ...". Luca tries to speak between sobs. "She had just stopped pushing me away. I thought she got that she can trust me, that she knew that I am not running away". Sitting down on the edge of the couch I rub his back. "She has a very hard time trusting that anyone could want her, give her time, she will come around if you keep showing her". He nods sitting up and I hand him some paper towel to dry off his eyes and nose. "Yeah, I have to show her ... make her see without a doubt

2 weeks later *Meri* I am sitting in Tom's office, working on a paper for school. Tom is out walking Nani and I try getting work done, ignoring the flashing numbers telling me that someone is trying to get my attention on messenger. Lumi has started on the hard treatment to break down her own bone marrow and her immune defences, making her ready to receive mine and tomorrow I am starting on the medicine that will send it into my blood. My father is on his way, and should arrive later today. I am looking very much forward to seeing him again. And for him to meet Tom. Me and Tom have been doing good, there has only been a few little comments showing hints of jealousy since that incident. All of them over me still having Daniel on messenger. I have explained that I don't like making a scene, as I have classes with the guy. I rather just ignore his unwanted comments, and keep to being friendly and talking school stuff on my part. Also I still don't know if he is just very friendly a

1 week later *Meri* "Meri … Meri, stop for a moment, I just want to talk". Fuck it's Daniel calling my name, and I have nowhere to escape. I blocked him after the day I broke up with Tom. He has tried talking to me a couple of times since, but I managed to avoid him. "What is it Daniel ?" I stop and turn to face him, when I realise that I can't get away. He smiles at me like we are best friends. "How is your sister doing ? Ready for her transplant ?" Turns out his mom is a nurse at the hospital, that is how he keeps himself updated. "It's going fine, thanks … and talking of my sister, I have to go visit her". "It's such a great thing you are doing, giving her your marrow, you are a wonderful person". He reaches out to caress my arm and I back off. "Not really, she is my sister, my twin, everyone would have done the same". I am backing away slowly. I feel cornered and just insecure. He just follows me, a smile on his face. "So you dumped that old fart I hear. Was it because