Counting The StarsTulipenguin “What do you do here when you’re all cooped up in this hospital room?”“Me? Well. You might call me stupid for saying it.”“No. I won’t. Tell me.”She shrugged, lips pursed and cheeks pink.“Sometimes, I just count the stars.”  ForewordPrologue "The rooms are currently full, will it be alright if your daughter stays in a room with another patient?" I could see my moms face showed a sign of agitation before she spoke, "As long as that patient isnt contagious. We dont even know what’s wrong with my daughter, I dont want another unknown disease with her." The doctor gave a brief smile despite my moms tough stare and nodded. He turned on his heel and began to walk down the hallway, successfully dodging the oncoming rush of doctors and nurses. Mom began to follow him and I saw the stern look that seemed to be stuck on her face since forever wash away immediately, replaced by a look of worry and confusement. Our feet began to walk in sync and as I stared at the ground, I couldnt help but feel guilty. My mom was tired. She had bags under her eyes and her posture was slouched. She seemed to drag her feet everywhere and her face was pale. And it was all because of me. It started nearly two months ago. Sharp pains in my lower back and hip that knocked the wind out of me, nosebleeds that only seemed to get worse and worse as the days passed. One day I couldn’t breathe and I was sent home from school and mom immediately brought me to the hospital and I had several X-rays, though there was no physical clue, none that any of the doctors could see from the X-rays, about why I’m having this pain. We’ve been through several doctors and they all told us the same thing. “We can’t pinpoint why she’s having those pains, it’s most likely just temporary..” Then they’d just give me painkillers that hold off whatever the hell is hurting me for, at most, a day, before it came back. Some doctors have even gone as far as accusing me of over exaggerating my pain in which my mom went off at them and put them back into place. Finally, we came here, to Dr. Kwon. He’s been in the medical industry for years and it seems to me that he knows what he’s doing. “You two can have a seat in that room right there while I go get everything ready for the bone marrow biopsy.” The doctor pointed to a room just to our left. “My daughter is the patient in that room so just knock and she’ll let you guys in.” He smiled a warm smile that caused crinkles to form around his eyes before he walked off. Mom knocked on the door and a voice called from inside. “If it’s the nurse again, I already told you I’m not hungry!” I gave my mom a look and she shrugged, opening the knob. “I already said--” The voice stopped itself. I walked in and saw a tall, lean girl sitting on the foot of her hospital bed, watching something on TV. She had sharp features and intimidating eyes. Her eyes locked onto mine before looking at my mom’s. “You two aren’t new nurses, are you?” She asked, her tone showing a hint of aggravation. “No, we aren’t.” My mom answered, “Dr. Kwon told us that my daughter is sharing a hospital room with you for the time being.” “Oh.” She blinked. “There’s only one bed in here, though.” She stated before pointing at the couches off to the side, “You girls can sit there, then.” The girl turned her attention back to the TV hanging on the wall, not staying on one channel for more than a second before flipping to the next. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Dr. Kwon entered the room. She turned and acknowledged her father, “Hi daddy.” I quirked an eyebrow. Daddy. She said it in such a childish way I was surprised. “Hey, sweetie. You’re going to have to get out, I have to perform the biopsy.” “Kicking me out already.” She groaned and shut the TV off, “Wait--” “Did you say autopsy?” She asked, looking at me then at my mother, “You’re going to cut one of them open?” “Yuri, I said biopsy. Now, get out.” Dr. Kwon pointed to the door. Yuri scoffed and stood, “That’s not any better.” She commented. Dr. Kwon continued pointing, “Out.” “I’m going. I’m going.” Once Yuri left, Dr. Kwon let out a heavy sigh, “Sorry about that. My daughter is a handful.” For once, since this morning, my mom let out a smile, glancing at me, “So is mine.