*Patrick's P. O. V.*

~One month later~

I haven't seen Y/N again since our day out in Disney World, but I'm glad she and I are still talking over the phone once in a while. I never want to lose contact with her and I know she needs someone, most especially now that things in her industry isn't looking well.

That disease just keeps on claiming the lives of those poor people and I know that hurts her on a daily basis. She's one of the people who should help these patients, but so far, they really can't do much about it. It's not their fault, it's just that this sickness can't be cured and the surgical procedure is working less and less these days.

Fortunately, the disease isn't contagious, but unfortunately, we still don't know where it came from and what causes it. All we know is that once you have it, it rarely goes away and there's no medication for it.

As a form of support, I always message my best friend support every day. I honestly salute her for being this strong. She's the kind of person that would continuously get hurt for not being able to save as many people as she can, and even with this current circumstances, she's going strong.

"Hey, Y/N. Here's your daily dose of encouragement from your best friend :) You can do it and it's not your fault. Don't be too hard on yourself. Don't forget to rest too, alright? Just tell me when you're free so we can go watch a movie or something! I also need to tell you something. See you soon," I texted her. I genuinely mean everything that I tell her.

Speaking of that something, I want to tell her that Elisa and I have been going out for the past 2 weeks. I guess we both clicked the moment we met at Disney a month ago. I honestly can't explain what happened, but it seems like we both immediately got close after that meet up. We also stayed up late that night at a coffee shop, trying to introduce each other to one another as much as we can. I guess I just found it so easy to connect with her.

"Thanks, Patrick. Really. I appreciate your every message. It helps me to keep going. :) I miss hanging out with you too. I'll let you know when I'm free asap. Take care!" Y/N messaged me back which made me smile.

I'm really excited to tell her the news too, I bet she'll be surprised.

*Y/N's P. O. V. *

My cough is getting worse and I absolutely hate it.

I know I have weak lungs, but I haven't actually experienced this kind of a severe cough that is now lasting for almost a month. I've taken all medication that I can, it helps sometimes, but those can't remove the problem.

I got too paranoid one day and went to a pulmonologist to have some examination and laboratory, but they saw nothing. I guess, it's just been a while since the last time I caught a cough and my body is adjusting to it. I just hate the fact that it's beginning to get in my way at work.

I'm currently on break and I'm alone inside the EMT quarters when I received a text from Patrick. I have to admit, I look forward to this every day. His messages are simple, but it's enough to encourage me. It's not that I'm feeling down or something, I mean, an extra encouragement is much appreciated especially these days.

"I also need to tell you something," that part of the messaged lingered around my head, weirdly making my heart pump in excitement but at the same time, I can feel my chest tightening again which resulted to me coughing hard.

Damn it. I really need to get rid of this.

I replied to him immediately, telling him that I'll be seeing him soon. I'm also keeping up with Elisa. It's unfortunate that I still haven't got the time to bond with her again, but I try my best to talk to her on the phone. She seems to be enjoying in this city and I can hear that she's really been upbeat these past few days. I'm honestly excited to hang out with her again too.

~~~Few Days Later~~~

Finally, after several hectic days, my schedule loosened up again and I'm now able to have some free time to spare. Of course, I decided to give myself a break first, resting and sleeping as much as I can so I won't stay looking like a tired zombie. I also need to take it slow since my cough is still lingering. But tonight, I'll be able to go out and surprise Elisa to go hang out with her.

I got her address weeks ago and I'm now finally driving towards her place. She doesn't know that I'm going there, I wanted to surprise her too. Soon enough, I arrived there and I quickly parked my car. I headed straight to her door and knocked. After a few seconds, the door finally opened.

"Y/N?! Hey! You finally came!" Elisa said excitedly.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry, cous. But I came here as soon as I can to hang out!" I said, having the same level of excitement. Suddenly, the wide bright smile from my cousin's face changed into a guilty one.

"Oh, Y/N, I'm so sorry, but I can't tonight. I'm actually going out," she said, guilt filling up her eyes.

"Oh, don't worry! It's okay, I came here unannounced anyways! I have a lot of free time this week so it's alright," I told her with a smile. 

"That's great, I'm happy that you're finally somehow free. I'm really sorry if I can't spend the night with you, but you can stay here while I get ready. I really need to tell you something too," she said enthusiastically.

"Sure, I'll be your company for a while," I answered.

I walked inside her apartment and we started chatting non-stop. I'm just following her around as she prepares herself. I'm just asking her how she's doing here and I'm glad everything is turning out well for her. Elisa didn't change a bit, she's still that kind and caring cousin that I know. She's a little older than I am and I actually look up to her, almost seeing her as an older sister than a cousin. We spent a huge chunk of our childhood together, we were actually inseparable at one point and I'm so glad that I can still feel that closeness between us until today.

"Anyways, what do you want to tell me, cous?" I asked and just like on cue, I heard a knock on her front door, "I'll get it," I said as she was in the bathroom, getting some of her stuff.

I walked to the front door and opened the door, shocked to see a familiar face standing outside.

"Y/N? Hi! What are you doing here?" Patrick asked in shock when he saw me.

"H-hey... and same question though, what are you doing here?" I asked, questions suddenly popping inside my head.

Patrick chuckled while putting his hand on the back of his head, indicating that he's a bit shy, "I guess you still don't know. Well, you see...--

"Oh come one, you came in too early, 'Trick! Our surprise is foiled!" Elisa suddenly appeared behind me. She's still having a bright smile, while me, on the other hand, is just confused, "This is actually what I want to tell you, Y/N. Well, Patrick and I are dating," she said, her eyes dilating when he looks at Patrick and Patrick's eyes were doing the same as he looks back at her.

I should be saying something now, but a sharp chest pain suddenly came...but I held it in - so were my thoughts. The news suddenly came to me so quickly that I think I stopped responding.

"R-really?" I finally asked in shock while chuckling.

"Yeah, I know it was a bit fast, but we're just...trying. We were about to tell you formally, but this happened. Sorry I didn't tell you over the phone too," Elisa explained.

"Same here. We really want to announce it to you personally," Patrick said.

"That's great! And come on, you don't need to be so formal...I mean I'm not your moms or something," I said, my head slightly feeling a little lighter.

"Well, Patrick's your best friend and we just met again. I think it's reasonable for you to know?" Elisa said. I can really tell that she's glowing. She's happy and I am too, I really am.

Honestly, coming to think of it, they complement each other. Elisa and Patrick have a lot of similarities and they are one of the kindest people I have in my life. Elisa is really someone that Patrick would like and vice versa, I know that's the case, I know those two very well. I'm sure this will be great for them and I can already tell.

But somehow...something hurts. It's like something inside of me shattered. I don't know what...

It's not like I...have feeling towards Patrick.

I never did...think of it that way.

I just...always assumed that...it's a mutual relationship...maybe an unspoken one...that we were on the same understanding of things.

But I guess that's not the case.

It never was the case.

"Hey, why don't you just come with us tonight and we'll--

"No...No, of course not. I don't want to be...I mean, it's your date. It's fine, really. I just barged in today, and I don't want to mess up your plan," I interrupted Elisa. I know she means well, but I feel like I can't.

"Aww, fine then. We'll just catch up soon. Just you and me, and not this guy, alright?" she said playfully and I chuckled...just keeping my cool even when this literal chest pain is really bothering me now.

"Heeey, what about me? She's my best friend too," Patrick said like a kid, "Well, just come by at the studio anytime, Y/N. The others miss you too," he continued.

"Sure, sure. No problem, I will. Well, I better leave you lovebirds now," I said, already heading out. I haven't given them a single inch of an idea of what I was thinking and feeling internally, luckily I'm good at taking all this in and keeping it inside, "I'll see you soon again, you two," I said, waving them both a goodbye.

I hurried to my car then quickly locking myself in.

Why do I feel like this?

I shouldn't......

I never admitted it to myself. Maybe because I think.....

Damn it, I'm stupid. I thought to myself while I laugh, tears inching from the corner of my eyes and it's embarrassing, really. 

I never really thought that I have feelings for Patrick...more than a mere best friend should have.

Suddenly, the sharp pain appeared again and I began coughing hard. Damn it, now's really not the time.

I coughed for longer than it should normally be until the pain was gone. I inhaled slowly, trying to stabilize my breathing and weirdly enough, I started smelling a scent of a Lavender.

Well, I guess this revelation is really messing with my mind. 

I ignored that and once I'm fine again, I started my car and began to drive away. 

///

A/N: Hey, would you look at that! It's our old friend - ANGST. Hahaha (sorry).

Anyways.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! (I don't celebrate that since I'm not even in the US, but for those who do, have a Turkey for me, alright?!)

I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU, YOU STUNNING PEOPLE!