"I-I have....six months to live, Niall," the words rolled my tongue with despair and worry of his response. I squeezed my eyes shut, shuddering at the thought of leaving him forever. "Wh-what?" He stuttered I could practically feel the tears falling down his cheeks that were always a rosy colour. I pulled the phone away from my ear, the guilt becoming overwhelming. It was taking me far from real life. Was I really going to do this to my best friend? Surely I could confess to him. I pressed the phone back to my ear, hearing only his steady breaths along with a few sniffles along the way. "I'm coming home," he says quickly. "No..please don't," I begged, clueless of the next words about to leave his mouth. "You don't understand," he paused, gulping heavily. "I love you, Alicia." Tears were now falling down my face. I chucked the phone hard against the wall, pieces of the mobile device flying across the room in every direction. A long shriek left my mouth, as I buried my face into my frail hands. I had to fake my death without telling Nial

1. Prologue