Kiss To Forget (Blairwood University #2) - Anna B. Doe Page 0,94

where I hear a low wheezing sound. Her fingers twitch in my hand, the hand that’s still holding onto hers.

“Mom?” I ask, my voice rough from sleep. “Is everything okay?”

Tightening my hold on Yasmin, I lean forward so I can see Mom better. Her eyes are barely open; the bright blue of her irises has lost all the spark that was always in them, leaving them dull and lifeless. She is going away, and there is nothing I can do to change it.

“M-myy… b-boy…”

Her words pierce me straight to the heart, or what was left of it anyway. She fights for her every breath, but it feels like I’m the one who can’t breathe. The weight I’ve been carrying for months now is finally crashing down on me.

This can’t be it. I’m not ready.

Panic spreads through me, but I try my best to appear calm. She needs me to be calm, although I’d do anything to fall down on the floor and throw a temper tantrum, demanding somebody, anybody, to do something.

“Shhh… You have to rest.” But before my words can come out, she’s already shaking her head.

The movement, no matter how small, must have awoken Jade. Her eyes fly open, worry etched in them as she leans against her hand and looks down at Mom lying next to her.

“J-Jadie…”

Tears well in my sister’s eyes instantly. She knows, just like I do.

Jade shakes her head, refusing to listen. Wrapping her arms carefully around Mom, she burrows her head in the crook of her neck, her whole body shaking with silent sobs.

Letting go of her hand, I get to my feet. The motion startles Yasmin. Blinking her eyes open, she looks around the room. “What?”

I just shake my head, not knowing what to say. I put Yasmin back in the chair and kneel down by the bed, taking Mom’s hand between mine.

“There is still time,” I protest, knowing damn well there isn’t. We’ve been playing a losing game from the very start. “You should rest.”

Don’t leave us. I want to beg her. Not yet.

“M—” Mom tries to suck in some air, but her lungs aren’t having it. She starts coughing, and my heart hurts as I watch her struggle, knowing there isn’t anything I can do to help her. Jade’s sobs become stronger, but to me they feel like an echo in the distance. I want to help her, console her somehow, but I can’t move my eyes from Mom’s shaking body trying to get enough air into her lungs. Tears burn in my eyes.

I can’t do this. I can’t watch...

Hands grip my shoulders, fingers digging into my flesh. Even in the stale room that smells of disinfectant and death, I can feel the faint scent of cinnamon.

Yasmin.

She’s here, holding onto me. Silently telling me she’s here and offering me her support. Her presence grounds me, reminding me of what’s on the line here.

You can do this. For them.

Finally, after what seems like a lifetime, Mom’s coughing stops. Her chest is still rising and falling rapidly, but at least she has enough air to breathe.

Mom looks over my shoulder. “T-take…” Wheeze. “C-care…”

Her fingers twitch between my palms so I let go of her. She tries to lift her hand, but she doesn’t raise it an inch before it falls back on the mattress. There is no strength left in her body.

Tenderly, I help her lift the hand so she can cup my face. Her finger traces over my cheek. Rough stubble has turned into a full-on beard since I haven’t seen the razor in weeks, but she doesn’t seem to notice, or maybe she just doesn’t mind.

“L-lo… L-love…” she stutters, struggling to get the words out.

“I love you too, Mom.”

A tear slips down my cheek, but she swipes it with her thumb, wiping it from existence before it can fall down.

“I-I… k-know…”

She turns her head to Jade, who’s still holding her tightly, like if she grips her hard enough she can make her stay. They exchange silent words of their own, and only then does she relax, her eyelids falling shut.

Mom tries to fight the sleep, but it’s no use; this took more strength than she had.

“Rest,” I whisper, slowly putting her hand back on the mattress. It lost its warmth long ago, but there’s no way I’d let go of her. “We’re here, you just rest.”

There is rustling behind me as Yasmin sits on the floor behind me. Her arms wrap around my middle from behind as she leans her