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                   Running Out of Sugar                    
                      -by Kpopjunkie-                      
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                       Life is Short                       
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Life is Short
Twilight’s footsteps echoed through the empty hallways of the hospital as she was looking for Sugarcoat’s room. She wasn’t much in a hurry, but it was getting late, and her parents are probably wondering where she is. Twilight wanted to visit her friend as worry had consumed her all day. She finally found Sugarcoat’s room, Room 377. She stood in front of the door, contemplating whether to do this or not. After a few moments, she knocked slowly. There was no response. She knocked again a little louder.
“H-hello….Sugarcoat?” She called. “Are you awake?”
“Come in…” She heard a familiar voice call out from the other side of the door. Twilight slowly opened the door and caught sight of Sugarcoat laying on a bed. There was an IV stuck in her right arm, plastic bracelets on the same arm, and she was hooked up to a heart monitor. At that moment, she thought it's best if she left her alone. Sugarcoat is probably tired and doesn't want to be disturbed.
“Hello…” Sugarcoat said. Her voice was faint and weak but audible.
“Hi, Sugarcoat…. How are you feeling?” Twilight asked as she slowly walked into the room.
“I’m okay.” Sugarcoat responded.
“I'm glad you're doing okay,” Twilight said with a nervous smile. “I’ve heard what happened and I was so worried I had to come see you…. if it's okay with you.”
“I appreciate your visit, Twilight.” Sugarcoat said.
Twilight to a look around the room. The walls were a calming tone of grayish-blue, large pictures of oceans contained in beautiful white frames, and long white blinds hung over the large window overlooking the city. “Has anyone else come to visit you?” She asked softly.
Sugarcoat folded her arms and laid back. “Not really.” She responded.
“Your mom didn’t come see you?” She asked “She’s usually off from work by now. Did you tell her you were here?”
“Yes, I did, and she’s working an extra shift tonight.” Sugarcoat responded. “No problem. She may be here tomorrow.”
“Oh…” Twilight looked down at the flowers in her hands. She looked at the heart monitor and noticed Sugarcoat’s heart rate is slower than it's supposed to be. Twilight slowly walked up to her. “Well, I'm here, and I'm sorry I won't be able to stay too long. But I'll come back tomorrow...i-if you want.” She placed the flowers on a small table next to the bed. “Here these are for you.”
Sugarcoat looked down at the flowers. “Thank you.” She murmured.
There were a few moments of silence. Twilight sat down on the side if the bed and faced Sugarcoat who was still looking that the flowers.
“Sugarcoat?” Twilight asked softly.
“Yes…?” Sugarcoat responded. She looked up at Twilight with a raised eyebrow.
“Do you.... think there’s any hope...of a cure for your illness?” Twilight asked.
Sugarcoat looked down at her hands; silent before a moment before she began to answer Twilight’s question. “No…” She murmured. She looked up at Twilight with a mixture of exhaustion and worry in her eyes. “I think it’s going to kill me someday.”
“W-why do you think that?” Twilight asked with a warm tone.
“My dad had the same illness. I inherited it from him. He died when I was eleven...It was the saddest day of my life, I’ll admit. I miss him so much.”
“What was he like?” Twilight asked.
Sugarcoat smiled. “Wonderful.” She answered as she turned her head towards the window. “During the years when I was finally healthy and no longer staying in a hospital for so long, my father has done so much with me. I remember me constantly having him carry me around the house on his shoulders so I could pretend he was a dragon. He used to take me places and taught me about the world around us. Lakes, hiking trails, the city, and even farms. He even taught me how to cook when I was eight.” She paused for a few moments. “I remember these gingerbread cookies that I loved so much, and I would constantly have him make them. I have so many memories with him, and I wish I could have at least one day with him, to at least thank and tell how much I love him.”
Sugarcoat's story moved twilight. “Your Dad sounds amazing.” She said with a smile.
“My mother told me that I was around three years old when I was diagnosed with my father’s illness. My parents were devastated upon hearing this news. I was constantly going in the hospital for prolonged periods of time; for either several weeks or a month. I have hazy memories of teddy bear paintings on the walls, crying as nurses pinch me with needles, and playing with stuffed toys in the hospital bed. I got healthier when I was about five to six years old. Those years were the best of my life.” Sugarcoat started to tear up a little. “My family….was whole.”
“Sugarcoat…” Twilight said softly.
“My family was whole. We were all together. My mother, father, and myself….” Sugarcoat said with sadness in her voice. “When my dad died, I was eleven years old. He was ill for about a week, and he took good care of himself, but just kept getting worse until one night, when I was in my room coloring, my mom suddenly had to rush him to the hospital. I can’t remember much of what went wrong with him, but I remember being watched all night by a friend of my mother, thinking what my dad was going to be okay....until….my mom came home the next day….crying.” Sugarcoat voice broke and tears flew down her face.
Twilight rubbed Sugarcoat arm. “What happened to him…? I-if you are okay with--”
“Stroke.” Sugarcoat said with a trembling voice. “My mom told me he had a stroke…”
Twilight didn’t know what to say. She shifted herself closer to her friend and embraced her in a hug. Surprisingly, Sugarcoat hugged back tightly and sobbed a little on Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight has known Sugarcoat since her freshman year at Crystal Prep. She remembers first seeing her, sitting at the front of the classroom alone because she was early. Never since that day has Twilight witnessed Sugarcoat cry like this. She’s never seen Sugarcoat cry or express so much emotion, and now, Sugarcoat is trembling in Twilight’s arms and crying on her shoulder. Twilight has also never known Sugarcoat had been through so much in the past. From having a strange illness, constantly going to the hospital at an early age, and the loss of a parent.
“Twilight…” Sugarcoat mumbled.
“Yes?” Twilight responded softly.
“Thank you…” Sugarcoat said. “Thank you for coming here….”
Twilight loosened up the hug a bit to face Sugarcoat with a warm smile. “Of course,” Twilight said. “I was worried about you.”
“I won’t…” Sugarcoat said softly.
“Sugarcoat…” She began. “I believe you’ll get better. You’re a strong person, and you have your whole life ahead of you to fight for. Whether it ends up being long or short, make the times you're breathing count.”
Sugarcoat looked down, trying to hide the pitiful look on her face. “Talking about my father made me think about…” She was silent for a few moments. “How he would think of me if he met the person I am today. If he just saw the person I am, he would be so disappointed in me. I’ve treated people like crap...I’ve treated you like crap and... you’re….and….and…” Sugarcoat paused and frowned. “I’m just a terrible person.”
“No, you’re not…” Twilight said. “By the way you described your father to me, I think he would be proud of you no matter what. You have so many achievements, and you work hard on achieving more. Yes, everyone knows how blunt you can be, but you’re also friendly and helpful. Deep down inside, I can see you’re just like your father.”
Sugarcoat looked up with a raised eyebrow. “You think so?” She asked.
“Yeah!” Twilight exclaimed. “Probably not so much a few years back, but now, I see it steadily growing.”
“This is getting stupid.” Sugarcoat said.
“You have a whole life ahead of you,” Twilight said. “I bet you have a bright future.”
“That’s what they all say.” Sugarcoat said rolling her eyes. “But all I see my future is a dull and repetitive life. I’m just going to be doing things I don’t have much interest in doing.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.
“My mother wants me in Business Management so that I can take over her business in the future.” Sugarcoat responded.
“And you don’t want to do that?” Twilight asked.
Sugarcoat looked down. “No...but it's what I have to do.”
“What do you want to do?” Twilight asked.
Sugarcoat thought for a moment, she's rarely asked that sort of question but does remember being fascinated by teaching at a younger age. Memories of her pretending to teach her stuffed animals when she was a child flew through her mind. “I’ve always loved teaching.” She said.
“I think you’d make a fantastic teacher,” Twilight said.
“Why say that?” Sugarcoat asked.
“Well...you’ve done such a good job helping Rare Emerald.'” Twilight said. “And I have to say; it was kind of you to help him out when he was failing.”
Sugarcoat blushed. “I didn’t help that much…”
“Yes, you have,” Twilight said. “His parents had spent so much money on tutors and stuff, and he was still failing. Things started to get better when you offered him help.”
“Well, you were always talking about making more friends and junk….I thought I’d just try to make some outside the usual group.”
“I think Rare Emerald really likes you,” Twilight said with a broad smile.
“I know…” Sugarcoat said as she looked away.
Twilight stared in confusion. “Sugarcoat, are you ok?”
Sugarcoat didn’t respond. There was silence for a few moments. Twilight smiled as she shifted closer to her friend.
“You like him too, don’t you?” Twilight whispered.
“Yes.” Sugarcoat said bluntly.
A huge smile grew on Twilight’s face. She gasped, and her eyes sparkled. “You do?!” She exclaimed under her breath. “Aww Sugarcoat.”
Sugarcoat’s face was red as a tomato. “I thought that Rare Emerald was annoying at first with all of his constant joking around in class.”
“Oh, he didn’t joke around,” Twilight said. “He just makes random comments that are funny and brighten up the class. I thought he was funny.”
Sugarcoat’s gaze trailed off for a bit as she mentally pictured Rare’s smile. “I figured he was funny too.” She said. “After a while of meeting him in the library, I began to believe he was kind of cute. I’ve grown to his personality, and for some reason, I like him.”
Twilight smiled at her friend. “Awww, you have such a connection with him.” She said. At that moment, Twilight’s phone beeped. She took her phone out of her pocket and read the time and notification. It was 8:47 PM, and there was a message from her father asking when she would be home. “Wow, it’s late.” She said.
“You should get home, or else you’re going to get in trouble.” Sugarcoat said.
“I know…” Twilight said as stood up. “It’s just that...I never got to bond with you like this.”
Sugarcoat looked up. “I enjoyed your company today.” She said. “ I wish I’ve taken the chance to talk to you more. You’re such a nice person to be around.”
Twilight blushed a little. “Oh, well in all honesty. I’ve always hated the fact we were so distant.” She looked down at Sugarcoat. “Do you think things would be different between us when you get out of here?”
“How about tonight?” Sugarcoat said with a smile.
Twilight smiled back. “So...does this mean...we’re actually friends?”
Sugarcoat shook her head. “I’ve always liked you, Twilight.” Twilight squealed and gave Sugarcoat a hug. She almost teared up in Sugarcoat’s shoulders.
“I’m so glad this is happening,” Twilight said. “We could do so much together.”
Sugarcoat chuckled. “Would you like to come back tomorrow?”
“Definitely!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’ll be back...and how long do you have to stay in the dreary hospital?”
“Not sure.” Sugarcoat answered. “I’m just going to be laying here for probably a week.”
Twilight thought of an idea, knowing she won’t be here all the time. “Do you like have anything to read?” She asked.
“No.” Sugarcoat responded.
“Having you heard of the Daring Do series at all?”
“I’ve heard of them but never read any.” Sugarcoat said.
“I know what I’m bringing with me tomorrow,” Twilight said. She realized it was getting late and she had to head back home. She sat up on the bed once again. “Well, I have to get going. Bye, Sugarcoat.” Twilight said with a smile.
“Goodbye.” Sugarcoat said with a smile.
Twilight turned and walked towards the door. Her worry for Sugarcoat finally going away, knows she’s fine and in good hands. Twilight opened the door and greeted by the brighter lights of the hallway.
“Twilight.” Sugarcoat said, grabbing Twilight’s attention.
“Yes?” Twilight said as she turned to face Sugarcoat.
Sugarcoat smiled. “You’re a good friend.”
“Thank you,” Twilight said with a bright smile. After they both had waved to each other, Twilight left the room and closed the door behind her.
The hospital was a lot busier the next day. Many people shuffled in and out of the lobby, and the gift shop was packed. Twilight was walking through the lobby, trying her best not to bump into people. In her hands was a book to a series she loved. It was ”Daring Do and The Quest for the Sapphire Stone.” She hopes Sugarcoat would enjoy it. Twilight was greeted by an older man with dark green hair and lime yellow skin.
“Good afternoon.” The desk clerk said.
“Hi,” Twilight said with a smile. “I’m here to visit Sugarcoat. Room 377.”
“Ok.” The desk clerk said. “Do you have your ID?”
Twilight shook her head as he handed him her identification card. The desk clerk looked at it and did a little writing.
“Alright, here you go.” The desk clerk said. He handed Twilight her ID and a visitor’s pass.
“Thank you,” Twilight said. She walked off towards the elevators. When one finally opened, she entered it and pressed the button that goes to the third floor. When the elevator doors opened to the third-floor lobby, Twilight walked up towards the front desk. Before she made it, Twilight noticed a woman crying in the lobby. She recognized the woman as she seen her a few times at Crystal Prep with Sugarcoat. It was Sugarcoat’s mother. Her body was shaking, and the look of the complete shock was on her face. Twilight felt extreme worry as she walked up to the sobbing woman.
“T-this can’t be happening. The c-can’t be real…. Please, please, please…….” The woman was saying under her sobs.
“Hello?” Twilight asked softly. “I’m so sorry to bother you.”
The woman looked at Twilight, trying her best to calm herself down. “H-hello…” She said. “I-it’s okay.”
“I’m Twilight.” She began. “A friend of Sugarcoat’s. You’re her mother, correct?”
The woman nodded. She looked back down at the damp tissue in her hands.
“Um…Is Sugarcoat doing alright?” Twilight asked softly.
The woman looked up at Twilight with pain in her face. More tears fell from her face as she shook her head. “N-no…” she said with her mouth quivering.
Twilight felt her stomach sink down her body, and the world around her began to fade. She dropped the book to the floor, and her body began to shake. “W-what h-happened?” she asked as her voice began to shake.
The older woman looked down at the book Twilight had dropped. “Sugarcoat passed away this morning.”
Author's Note
https://img.youtube.com/vi/9WsiTaSsdck/mqdefault.jpg
This is just a random one-shot that took me like a month (believe it or not). I hope you like it. And thanks to my amazing friend Nalaxsimba for help! <3 (Go check out her fimfiction page!)