A Boy She Loved

Welcome To My Life

I love living in Arcata, California. It's a place most people have not heard of. But once you have been here you never forget its charming appeal. It is a windswept coastal community where everyone knows everything. Yet that is part of the appeal. It's like having one giant extended family. Instead of just my dad and I. Who was the main doctor here on this piece of paradise I call home. I was born and raised here, I knew nothing else. Not that I wanted to. I know there were alot of kids who cant wait to graduate and move really far from home. But I like where I live and as sappy as this may sound, I really love my dad. So I'm not counting my days till I can leave. I'm just enjoying summer and not having to deal with the popular kids. I dont really fit in with their idea of what cool really is. And over the past few years they have gone out of their way to make sure I never forget I'm not one of them. Which is so ridiculous to me because I do not want to be anything like them. Despite their opinions I like myself. Which is why I think they focus on me soo much. Aww..the joys of growing up. I laughed to myself just as I heard the front door open and close.

I hung my head off of the couch, looking at my dad upside down, "Hi daddy. How was work?"

He smiled at me, "It was very busy. How was your day?"

I sat up on the couch, "It was okay. kinda uneventful."

He sat down next to me. "Hmm...I wonder why that is?"

I giggled. "Because I didnt go outside today...Yeah yeah."

He laughed. "Just saying Ivy. Fresh air would do you good."

I stand up and grab the latest book I have been reading and head to the balcony door, "Okay you win. I'm going outside."

"That's my girl."

I stick my tongue out at him and close the door behind me. Its beautiful out. Like always. I just hadn't felt up to doing much today. I had been having more of those days here lately. I normally loved being outdoors and would prefer it to being inside but that had changed a few years back. I might as be honest with you firms the start. I cant tell anyone at school. I mean I could but I dont want to. Things are already difficult enough I dont need the extra stares and whispers. Not to mention the fuel it would provide for the popular kids to use to make my life even harder.

I'm dying.

My heart is what I call defective. They have tried all they can to make it work but nothing has been successful. And I have been on the heart transplant list for two years now and barely have made it into double digits on the waiting list.

So you can see why I dont want anyone to know. I dont want pity. Nor do I want any extra torment. Especially not now when I seem to be getting worse. Now dont get all sad for me. I have way more good days than I do bad days. Besides I had a doctor as a dad, I mean how lucky can I get. And now that summer was here and there was less stress I was looking forward to the next few months of feeling my best. I just had to take my medicine and rest more. Or like dad liked to remind me I needed fresh air every day. I stretched out on the chaise lounge using my book as a shade and focused on the lake. I could hear loud laughter and then the sound of a boat starting up. Which meant the popular crowd had already staked their claim. We lived only a half mile from the lake and every summer I watched them have fun. Always from the outside because in all the years of summer fun I had never once been invited. And I told myself I wasn't missing out in anything but I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to go to ine of their parties, just once?

"Ivy are you hungry? " My dad called from the doorway.

Slowly I stood from the chair and took one more look out at the lake where more kids had gathered. Noticing David Taylor arriving with another new girl on his arm. I shook my head. Poor girl. She would be old news in a week.

"Coming Dad." I headed back into the house and away from a world I knew nothing about. I didnt even know why I was even wasting my time thinking about them. Wondering about their life and what it was like.