Chapter 2

Synthinta got Guimin a towel and they went into their different bathrooms. They showered almost at the same time and exited at the same time. They looked at each other and Guimin laughed. “We’re still the same, even after two years, we’re still the same.”

Synthinta nodded and just stared at Guimin. “Why do you have those boxers?” she asked him. He gave her a confused look and looked down blushing. “Why are you wearing Hello Kitty boxers?”

“It was a birthday present!” he said defensively. He crossed his arms and pouted making Synthinta pat his head.

“Okay,” she walked off and sat in the living room. Guimin joined her after a minute and the two reminisced some more and caught up on each other’s lives. About two hours later, lunch rolled around and they cooked something small and ate in silence.

Synthinta vaguely remembered memories of the two of them when she lived back at the orphanage. She noticed how he was the one who cried the most and chuckled to herself. Guimin told her to forget her insecurities that he was sure she had and told her to push past them. “We’re all here for you, Synnie. We’We will always be there for you.” Synthinta scoffed and gave him a bitter smile.

“Really?” she asked incredulously. Guimin nodded certain that they’d be there for her. “Yeah, sure whatever; you weren’t there when I needed you guys most. You weren’t here to help me pack and none of you, not one of the hundreds of people in that orphanage, came to help me move in. How could you be there through harder times if you guys can’t simply do an easy task like that? I trusted you guys, I thought you had my back. But the only thing I get is silence. It’s because I’m nothing isn’t it? I’m not worth anything to you people, right? I was only good enough to help around the orphanage and then fend for my own out here.”

Guimin stared at her speechless as she continued her rant. One day with him, one day reminiscing, one day after two years, and one day that tore his heart. To say the Guimin loved her as a sister was an understatement. To say that he just wanted to be friends or sibling was so far under that it didn’t even count. To say that Guimin loved Synthinta with all his heart that he’d die for her, well, that was exactly what he wanted.

“Stop,” a voice cut him out of his thoughts.

“Wh-” Synthinta cut him off.

“I know what you’re thinking and I want you to stop.” Guimin looked at her dumbfounded. “I’m sorry Guimin, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love you more than a brother. You’re my best friend, Guimin and I don’t want either one of us to be hurt. So, for both of our sakes, just stop with what you’re feeling and just go home.”

Guimin was stunned. Just one day with him and she already wants him gone? He could not handle this. His facade he built suddenly flew down with just a tap from this woman’s finger. He looked into his lap as Synthinta got up. She turned away from him and took a step towards the kitchen when his hand wrapped itself around her wrist.

“Wait,” Guimin croaked out. “I-I don’t want to leave. Not yet anyway. Let me stay here and I’ll give you anything. I’ll even pay rent just for a while.”

“Guimin,” Synthinta sighed. “What am I going to do with you? It’s only been a day and a half and you’re already crying? Why is it that-”

“It’s not my fault!” he sniffled loudly. “You’re always the reason behind my tears. You never listen because you’re so wrapped in yourself and thinking about how you’re-”

“Nothing,” she finished. “I only thing that way because I know I am. I know that I’m nothing and that I don’t deserve friends and siblings like you and the rest. I know for a fact that not one of you care for me. Every day, someone comes to remind me that I am not alone, but no matter how hard I try, I feel nothing. I don’t feel safe, I don’t feel protected, and I certainly don’t feel loved or I don’t know! I don’t feel like I’m worth anything! I feel in the dark, alone in this darkness that continues to consume my soul and drag me into Hell because I’d be damn lucky if I was accepted into Heaven.”

Guimin stared at Synthinta through wide watery eyes. He looked at her with a sad look before it changed. “You, you really don’t understand. We, we can fix this. I just know we can, there has to be a way.”

“You don’t get it,” was all that Synthinta said. “You really don’t get it! No one does or else I would be a happier person!” Guimin flinched at her outburst. “Why does no one understand me? I’m waiting for a day where someone can love me with the time I have left.”

“Synnie,” Guimin called. “What are you talking about? You’re eighteen.”

Synthinta stared hard at him. “Guimin, I have cancer.”