Lonelygirl4556:
> The reason I can't go outside is because I'm…I'm really sick and it's only a matter of time before I…
Kana hesitated. The words were heavy. Even though she had accepted the truth deep down, saying it out loud made it feel more real—more final.
John already knew what she was trying to say. Still, he understood that she needed to say it herself.
Gamerboy115:
> Go on…
His words gave her the push she needed. Taking a deep breath, she finally found the courage to type it out.
Lonelygirl4556:
> The reason I can't go outside is because I'm really sick… and it's only a matter of time before I die.
The words hit John hard, even though he had suspected something like this. He exhaled deeply, steadying himself. He didn't interrupt, knowing she needed to let it all out.
Kana, on the other hand, felt an odd sense of relief. The weight of those words had been pressing on her for so long, and finally saying them lifted something off her chest. But as the words settled, memories from four years ago came rushing back—memories that brought tears to her eyes.
Still, she continued.
Lonelygirl4556:
> I… I've had Dilated Cardiomyopathy; a heart disease since I was fourteen and I've been in the hospital for about four years. After a month or two, my own family….they abandoned me here.
John's eyes widened. He wasn't sure what he had expected, but hearing it still caught him off guard. His heart ached for her. But before he could type anything, she kept going.
> So the reason I haven't gone outside since then—or even bothered trying to interact with anyone—is because I didn't think there was a point. After all… I'm still going to die anyway.
The rawness of her words sent a sharp pang through John's chest. He could only imagine what it must have been like—being left behind, forgotten.
Tears slipped down Kana's cheeks, but she didn't wipe them away. Her voice wavered, but she kept speaking.
> Maybe that's why I got so good at writing poetry. I was just writing about myself. But…
A familiar warmth filled her heart as two people crossed her mind—Dr. Kennedy and Jane. They had unknowingly played a part in what she was about to say next.
> … someone gave me the opportunity to connect with others. And another helped me realize that the tools I needed to reach out were right in front of me this whole time.
John leaned in slightly, his eyes glued to the screen. He was listening—not just to her words, but to the emotions behind them.
> And after everything that's happened these past few weeks… I've realized that maybe my life is still worth something. That even though I don't have much time left, I can still live normally and be happy… just like everyone else… just like everyone else.
Kana exhaled, feeling lighter than she had in years. For the first time, she had truly opened up to someone. And it felt… good.
John, on the other hand, didn't even notice when the first tear slipped down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly, but it didn't stop the others from falling. Her words had moved him in a way he hadn't expected. But she wasn't done yet.
> You know… part of the reason I feel this way now is because of the message you sent me that day. Most people just leave comments on my posts, but no one actually took the time to message me. No one… except you.
She paused. John waited, not knowing what to expect.
And then, she dropped the words that hit him harder than anything else that night.
> THANK YOU
Kana was surprised when she heard soft, muffled sobs coming from the other end of the phone. It took her a moment to fully process what was happening—John was crying. It was unexpected, almost shocking, considering how upbeat and strong he always sounded in their chats.
She had just unburdened herself to him, sharing the darkest parts of her life, her struggles, and the way his words had once given her a reason to keep going. But she never imagined it would move him this much.
John wiped at his face, trying to control the sudden wave of emotions crashing over him. He had realized something…
They were alike.
He had suspected it for a while. The way they clicked so effortlessly, how their conversations never felt forced, how they just… understood each other. But hearing Kana's story firsthand made it all the more real. She had gone through things even more painful than his own experiences, and yet, here she was, finding solace in the small kindness he had offered her without even realizing how much it meant.
For so long, John had been fighting a silent battle, longing for someone to see him, to understand him without judgment. And now, here was Kana—someone who truly did.
Lonelygirl4556:
> Are you crying?
John hesitated. He felt embarrassed, but at the same time, there was something incredibly freeing about this moment.
Gamerboy115:
> Y… yeah. I'm sorry. It's just that…
He paused, struggling to get the words out. His voice wavered, thick with emotion. Taking a deep breath, he tried again.
>"THANK YOU" are words I haven't really heard a lot from people… even my own mother hasn't said them, despite everything I do. But…
Another pause. His throat felt tight. He clenched his fist, forcing himself to push through the emotions.
> …hearing that my message back then actually meant something to you… that it made you look at life differently… it just… it makes me so glad. Glad that I was able to do something that actually mattered to someone. Glad that, in some way, we share this unspoken understanding of what it means to feel isolated. Glad to talk to someone who finally—
His voice broke slightly before he could finish. He let out a weak chuckle, shaking his head at himself.
> —who finally understands what it's like to be alone but not want to be.
Kana felt her chest tighten. A lump formed in her throat, and she realized she couldn't hold back her own tears any longer. She let them flow freely down her cheeks, but despite that, a smile—genuine and warm—spread across her face.
Lonelygirl4556:
> I… I know.
And just like that, as if on cue, they both started laughing.
It wasn't forced or bitter. It wasn't the kind of laughter that masked pain. No, this was different. It was pure. The kind of laughter that came when two lonely souls finally found someone who understood them.
For the first time in a long time, they didn't feel alone.
Their laughter gradually faded into soft chuckles, and as they wiped away their tears, they both sighed at the same time. The perfect synchronization made them laugh again.
Kana shook her head, smiling at the absurdity of it all. Then, an idea suddenly popped into her head.
Lonelygirl4556:
> Hey… you want to switch to a video call?
She bit her lip, unsure if he would agree. But before she could even brace herself for rejection, John's answer came without a second of hesitation.
Gamerboy115:
>Yes.
*****
Before making the switch, they both took a moment to prepare.
Kana grabbed the hairbrush from her bedside table and frantically ran it through her long brown hair. She straightened her hospital gown, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles, and took a deep breath.
John, on the other hand, wiped away any lingering tears, ruffled his hair to make it look a little more presentable, and even checked his reflection in the phone screen.
Then, with their hearts pounding, they returned to their phones, fingers hovering over the video call button.
Gamerboy115:
> Are you nervous?
Lonelygirl4556:
> Kinda… yeah.
Gamerboy115:
> Yeah. Me too. (pauses) Let's do it at the same time?
Lonelygirl4556:
> Yeah.
Gamerboy115:
>Okay then, on three?
Lonelygirl4556:
> Yeah. One…
Gamerboy115:
> Two…
Gamerboy115 & Lonelygirl4556:
> Three…
They both tapped the video call button at the same time.
For a brief moment, silence filled the air.
Then, the screen loaded, and they finally saw each other.
First Impressions
Kana blinked as she took in the boy on the other side of the screen.
Messy brown hair. Sharp eyes, yet softer than she imagined. A slightly nervous expression, as if he was trying to gauge her reaction.
John, meanwhile, found himself staring.
Frail yet beautiful. A loose hospital gown draped over her thin frame. Large, expressive eyes that held a depth he wasn't prepared for.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. They simply… stared, processing the fact that the person they had been talking to for so long was now real.
And almost simultaneously, they both came to the same realization.
"They're kinda cute."
After observing each other for a while, Kana broke the silence…
Lonelygirl4556:
"You don't look half as bad as I thought you would."
John smirked, crossing his arms.
Gamerboy115:
"You thought I was going to be ugly?"
Lonelygirl4556:
"Sort of."
John let out an amused laugh.
Gamerboy115:
"Well…I'm glad I disappointed you."
Lonelygirl4556:
"Yeah… me too"
John felt heat rise to his cheeks. Did she just admit she thought he looked good?
They stared at each other again, but this time, it wasn't awkward. It was just… nice. Comfortable.
Then, John spoke up.
Gamerboy115:
"So, do you have a name?"
Kana gasped dramatically.
Lonelygirl4556:
"Rude! That's not a polite way to talk to a cute girl."
John rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.
Gamerboy115:
"Are you really praising yourself, right now?"
Kana grinned mischievously, her confidence shining through.
Lonelygirl4556:
"Yes…because I'm cute to the max!!!"
Gamerboy115:
"Yeah sure…"
As Kana giggled, John found himself staring at her again, his heart doing an unfamiliar flip. She looks even cuter when she laughs.
Finally, remembering his question, Kana answered.
Lonelygirl4556:
"My name's Kana. Kana Young."
John smiled, something warm settling in his chest.
Gamerboy115:
"I'm Johnathan Wellman. But you can call me John."
******
The morning sun cast a warm glow through the hospital window as Kana sat up in bed, her fingers still resting on her phone. A lingering warmth filled her chest—a rare feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.
At the same time, across the city, John leaned against the kitchen counter, his phone pressed to his ear. The house was quiet. His mother had already left, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
The door to Kana's room creaked open, and Ms. Jane stepped inside with her usual gentle smile. She noticed the smile on Kana's face and she smiled all the more.
Jane: Hey, there little sister. You're looking brighter today. Did you win a online lottery or something?
Kana blinked, then let out a soft laugh. She hadn't realized she'd been smiling so much.
John tapped his fingers on the counter as the ringing on the other end stopped. A familiar voice greeted him.
Ms. Marie: What's up kiddo?
Jane sat beside Kan and noticed her holding her phone and smiling and it took less than a second for her to figure out why.
Jane: So? Spill it. How did it go?
Kana glanced up, a grin breaking across her face.
Kana: It was wonderful.
There was a lightness in her voice—one that Jane hadn't heard in years.
John exhaled a small chuckle.
John: Ms. Marie… I just wanted to say thank you. For the advice.
He ran a hand through his hair, grinning.
John: It worked. It worked wonderfully.
Jane smirked, her gaze flicking to Kana's phone.
Jane: I told you good things can happen, sweetheart. (pauses) So… did you get his name?
Ms. Marie hummed on the other end of the line surprised and happy that John didn't sound like he had always had before.
Ms. Marie: Well, well, I'm happy for you, kid. It's rare to hear you sounding this cheerful, John. (pauses) So… did you get her name?
Kana's smile widened, a soft warmth settling in her chest.
Kana: Yeah I did.
She let the name sit on her tongue for a second, savoring the way it felt before finally speaking it aloud.
"John."
John exhaled, his grin never fading.
John: Yeah. I did.
His gaze drifted toward the window, where the morning light cast long shadows against the walls. And then, he said it.
"Kana."
Jane's smirk softened into something gentler.
Jane: A beautiful name, isn't it?
Ms. Marie chuckled softly through the phone.
Ms. Marie: A name you won't forget, I bet.
Kana turned toward the window, watching the morning sky shift from pale pink to soft blue. For once, the world outside didn't seem so far away.
John glanced up at the ceiling, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. For the first time in a long while, home didn't feel like a cage.
Two voices. Two smiles. Two souls, miles apart—yet, in this moment, they felt the same warmth.