Ember sits straight up in the bed.
Ember
What…what are you doing here?
Wren
I’m off work and I thought I’d keep you company. Is that okay?
Wren frowns, motioning to the door.
Wren
I can go if you want.
Ember
No. Sorry. I’m just a little surprised. Come in.
Wren
How are you feeling?
Ember
I’m fine. I can’t believe you were here…thank you for the flowers.
Wren
Was that creepy? I debated but came anyway because I want to make sure you were okay.
Ember
No, it’s not creepy. It’s really sweet.
Ember
I didn’t exactly give you the first impression I wanted to make though.
She chuckles, trying to ease the tension.
Wren
Don’t worry about that.
Wren moves toward Ember’s bedside, and Ember catches a glimpse of the box Wren’s holding in her other hand.
She opens the red-colored box.
Inside, there are a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries.
She holds one out to Ember and Ember accepts it.
They spend a few minutes eating the dessert and tossing each other shy looks.
Ember
Those were good. Thanks for bringing them.
Wren
Anytime. I’m sure the food here gets boring.
Wren smiles and Ember’s heart flutters. A sudden realization hits her.
Ember
You’re so much prettier in person.
Wren immediately blushes.
Ember
I don’t mean you’re ugly in your photos. You’re pretty in those too. I just mean…
She covers her face with her hands.
Ember
I’m screwing this up.
Wren
No, you’re not. I get what you mean.
Wren
And thank you. I think you’re gorgeous too.
Wren
Of course, you only showed me half your face — but even that was gorgeous.
Ember can still feel herself blushing.
Wren
So tell me everything about yourself. What do you like to do?
Wren
What’s your favorite animal? Do you like to travel?
Ember
Umm. I would love to travel but I’ve never had the chance. I’ve been sick for so long.
Ember
And my favorite animal is a bioluminescent octopus because they’re really smart, and I mean, come on—
Ember
They make their own light.
Wren’s eyebrows go up and Ember continues nervously chattering.
Ember
As for what I like to do…
Ember
I mindlessly flip through the TV stations, stare at the ceiling, prank girls who accidentally text me…
Ember laughs at herself, but Wren looks at her more carefully.
Wren
I mean, what do you like to do when you’re not in the hospital?
Ember
Try not to go back to the hospital.
Wren
Oh come on. You must have a hobby. Were you in school for anything?
Ember
I was planning to go for oceanography before I got sick.
Wren
Oceanography. Cool. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Wren
When you get better…
Ember
I’d like to go to Antarctica.
Wren screeches at the admission.
Ember
Well, yeah. It’s got the most interesting sea life.
Wren
Most people would choose somewhere tropical where they can lie on the beach and relax—
Wren
But you chose the coldest continent on the planet.
Ember
I’ve never really been normal.
Wren
You’re quirky. I like it.
A comfortable silence settles between them.
Ember
So what about you? Do you travel a lot?
Wren
I have to pay off my school loans first. But I have a list.
Ember
A list? What’s on it?
Wren
I really like history, so I want to visit places with historical significance.
Wren
I’d like to imagine the story taking place while I stand on the ground where it happened.
Ember smiles at Wren, completely in awe.
A warm and fuzzy feeling fills her chest.
Is this really happening to her?
Is she really meeting the woman of her dreams?
Ember
That’s really neat.
They both awkwardly glance at each other and then look away again.
Ember feels her heart swell but then reality hits—
Ember
I’m not sure you should be here.
Wren
It’s still visiting hours.
Ember
No, I mean…for your sake.
Ember
You know how sick I am. I might not…
A lump forms in her throat.
Ember
I might not get better.
Wren
Are you warning me away because of your health condition?
Wren
Stop that! I know what I’m getting into.
Wren
And I know the risks involved with your condition. I wouldn’t be here if I was worried about that.
Wren reaches out and pushes a lock of Ember’s hair behind her ear. Goosebumps erupt on Ember’s arms.
Wren
You just worry about yourself.
She gazes into Ember’s eyes.
Wren
Let someone like you. Let someone take care of you.
Ember is hypnotized by Wren’s warm brown eyes. She whispers in response.
And for the first time in a long time, Ember feels a flutter of hope.
