When my eyes fluttered open, I was met with my father and Declan's parents hovering over me with a troubled grimace. The ceiling above them was unfamiliar and had two vents that weren't present at the Novak's house.

Where am I?

"Lana," she called out, caressing my untied hair.

"Daddy! Mrs. Novak? Mr. Novak?" I said, turning my head to the side, noticing the limp curtain separating us from the other patient.

My body was wrapped in white sheets, and the pillow was extremely uncomfortable; it felt like a pile of hay was under my head.

"Why am I here?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"Are you okay, Lana?" Declan's mother asked, fondling with the ends of my hair.

"You had minor appendicitis, but you're fine now since they gave you some medicine," my father explained.

"If everything appears well, you will be able to go home later tonight." she softly smiled. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Instantly, I shoot upward, sitting myself up remembering the events leading to arriving here.

"What about Declan?" I questioned, not catching a glance at him.

"When we arrived, he was already gone," she clarified. "He must have attended his interview after he called us."

"Oh, thank God!" I exhaled, "If he missed his interview again because of me... If I ruined his life... I wouldn't know what to do with myself."

The amount of guilt that would pile up in my soul if I ruined everything for Declan. My future wasn't as bright as his. He could be the person who cured Cancer while I'll be the one helping the patients. Both of us could do good in the universe. The only difference is he could help the world while I could help one person.

"Even when suffering your first thought is always Declan," his mother cooed, her bottom lip sticking out.

"Are you talking about me?" his recognizable voice caused all of our attention to shift onto him.

"Declan? Aren't you supposed to be at the interview?" his father asked, his eyes wide as saucers.

"I was hungry, so I went downtown to get some food," he nonchalantly responded, munching on his large pack of fries.

"What about the interview for NYU?" his mother asked in an uneasy tone.

"Oh, that. I didn't go," he revealed, causing his parents to gasp dramatically.

My brain stuttered for a moment; did I hear him right? Every part of me goes on pause while my thoughts caught up. I wouldn't be surprised if I looked like one of those popped-eye toys that you win from those claw machines at the fair. Oh my god, I really am bad luck!

"Oh no," I muttered, gripping the blanket tighter.

His parents embraced each other as his mother released emotional tears onto his father's shoulders. It became more apparent how important this interview was to them, and I ruined everything once again. My heart felt like a tenacious grip was strangling it, and all the blood was draining out.

Because of me-- the worst thing happened to the Novak family.

"Nolan, Amanda, Declan, I am truly sorry! You guys only helped us and my daughter had seemed to accidentally ruin something so important to you," my father apologized, kneeling in front of them.

"Oh my gosh! Don't kneel; it was Declan's decision to not attend the interview. We are in no way blaming Lana. I would've been more furious if Declan left Lana suffering in pain," his mother explained, rubbing my father's back.

"It was his fate. What can we say?" his father added.

Luckily, the scans reported nothing wrong, and I was able to go home. The entire night was gloomy and awkward. Sadness poured from everyone's pores like water coming from a drain. I still couldn't bring it in me to face any of them, especially Declan.

I was the definition of destruction.

The guilt was ice in my guts. It could be a hundred degrees out and I'd still be frozen on the inside. Every time I relieved the memory from earlier, I found myself hyperventilating and I deserved to.

Maybe if I wasn't here, none of this would've happened. Maybe it's for the best if I disappear before I cause any more destruction. Why should I stay here? Declan probably loathed me because of everything, and I wouldn't blame him. I kind of hate myself right now. My friends were right-- Declan and I don't mix together.

So, my mind was made up. I'm leaving tonight; it's for the best. I wrote a long letter explaining my sudden departure and sealed it in a turquoise color letter. Quietly, I crammed everything I could fit into my polka-dot suitcase, and when on my merry way.

A lone tear trickled down my cheek as I placed the letter down on the kitchen counter. Hopefully, this wouldn't shatter Declan's mom's heart, but I couldn't face them again-- not after this. On my way out, I cherished the living room reminiscing all the memories I managed to create in so little time.

"Goodbye, Declan," I whispered, closing the door on any future we could've had together.

Of course, being the spontaneous person that I am... I never figured where to go after leaving the house. My main objective was focusing on running away and I completely left out what happened after. Great! I clutched my teddy bear-- Mcloving and wandered down the street. Mcloving would always protect me.

Ultimately, I ended up by our version of time square, and hundreds of people stomped back and forth the streets. At least it wasn't only Mcloving and me. The bright lights reflected on Mcloving forming purple and green shadows on him.

In the middle was a food court area supplied with twenty tables and fortunately one of the tables was vacant. First I sat Mcloving down, making sure he was comfortable before taking the seat next to him.

"Mcloving, I don't know where to go," I said, facing my teddy bear who's only reaction was his loped-sided smile. "I'm cold." I rubbed my hands together immediately regretting not wearing a sweater.

"Do you want to hold my coffee?"

Instantly, my head shot up to meet Declan. My heart beamed with cuteness as I cherished the way his nose was crimson red from chilly weather. Wait, Lana stop getting distracted by his handsomeness. The big question running through my brain was why is he here?

"Declan? Did you follow me?" I asked, my eyes widened as he moved Mcloving onto the table and took his seat.

"No, I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk," he explained, holding out the coffee for me to take. Using the coffee to warm myself up brought a smile to my face. The only thing better would be snuggling in Declan's arm.

"It's so warm." I laughed, being close to my face.

Declan narrowed his eyes at my suitcase, flicking one of the zippers causing the metal to click against it. His chocolate brown eyes shifted to me, with a questionable glare.

"Please don't stop me! I don't want to bother you anymore," I insisted, bringing my suitcase closer to myself.

"I'm not stopping you."

That sentence rang in my ears, sending millions of daggers at my soul. My entire being was crushed. It was dumb to think someone would stop me, especially my crush. Of course, he wanted me to disappear.

"Oh, goodbye then." I slightly smiled, trying to mask the burning pain in my chest.

After grabbing Mcloving, I stood up and walked away. It took about two seconds before I realized my suitcase wasn't with me. Flustered I scurried back and seized my bag back from the mean table who had stolen it. This is so humiliating, I wanted to make a strong ending impression instead I was an idiot like usual.

"Are you leaving because I didn't go to the interview?" he asked, the chair straining against the floor as he stood up.

My eyes bulged from my sockets. Am I a freaking opening book because he seemed to know everything about me. Maybe, I'm just predictable. Should I reveal the truth or crush his ego?

"I think I bring you bad luck," I admitted, with a deep sigh. "I made you miss not only one but two interviews and jeopardize your future. I'm starting to realize maybe I'm a terrible person for you."

"You might be right."

There goes my heart again.

"It's true, nothing good ever happened when you're around. You always mess up my progress; causing people to spread rumors about us in school, blackmailing me to help you study," he put a finger up for every example, "And in the end, you ruined my interview."

Guilt seeped through my veins and tears threatened to spring from my eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm a horrible per-."

"But... it was kinda fun," he confessed leaving me utterly speechless.

Was this another one of those backhand compliments?

"For the first time in my life, I was so nervous things wouldn't work out. For the first time, everything wasn't spoonfed to me. It was an incredible learning experience," he revealed his facial expression softened.

So, I did something right? To be fair he didn't seem angry about the situation earlier but his expression never changed. It was a miracle every time I experienced him smiling even if it was a fake one. Maybe, I'm not as horrible as I first thought. But one last question still pondered in my mind.

"But what about NYU?" I asked, biting my lower lip.

"You aren't the reason why I didn't show up to the interview."

My mouth hung open. "What?"

"After dropping you off at the hospital, I had plenty of time to show up at the interview."

"Then why?"

He dug his broad hands into his pocket. "You said that college is a place to figure yourself out and it's been fun being with you, getting nervous and excited. So, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea if I attended SilverLake University. I debated over it. I wondered what I would do if I went to NYU."

"So, what I'm hearing is you chose the same school because of me?" I asked, my lips automatically lifted upward. It warmed my soul finding out our little conversation caused a Declan to think for once.

"No, I didn't mean that," he sighed, slightly shaking his head.

"But..."

Suddenly, he marched over to me and snatched the coffee from my hands. "All right then, just go. Good luck," he snapped, walking back in the direction of his house.

"W-Wait!" I shouted, causing him to turn on his heel to face me. "Would it be okay if I come back to live at your house a bit longer? I promise I won't cause you any more trouble." I used my favorite technique-- the puppy dog eyes.

"Are you kidding me? There's no way that promise is happening," he scoffed, a small smile sneaking onto his lips.

"You're right!" I giggled. "Instead I promise to continue making your life interesting and exciting."

"Changing your mind so quick," he muttered.

"Anyway congrats on getting accepted to SilverLake University," I declared, dancing circles around him with my suitcase following behind me.

"Thanks am I getting a gift with his congratulations?"

"No... Were you expecting one?" My lips curved down to a frown.

"Not really."

Today was another day of Lana jumping to conclusions. But I just so happened to gain respect from Declan because of it. Little by little, I'm sneaking my way into his heart-- or at least I hope so. For the past months, my feelings went around circles but I hoped one day his feelings would meet mine in the middle.

Hehe IDK about you guys but I loved that moment of Declan and Lana towards the end! ;) really says a lot for a boy who says nothing. :)

Anyone go any guesses for the next chapter? ;)

Thank you guys for all the amazing comments I love reading them and can't wait to hear your thoughts !!! Love you