From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )

"Another no-show? 00"

"I'm sick, guys. Looks like it's late-stage lung cancer."

"???!"

"Stop joking!"

The next second, Lizzie's video call came through.

Tanya answered the call.

Seeing Tanya on the other end wearing a hospital gown, Lizzie was in shock, "Tanya, are you really..." Tanya just smiled and nodded.

...

The Yeager household.

Anthea Yeager was sitting on the floor tinkering with a circuit board when her phone on the table started ringing.

"Snoopy, grab my phone, will ya?"

"Master, I'd prefer to be called Little White, if you please." Little White slid over with the phone in tow.

Anthea wedged the phone between her shoulder and ear, her hands busy with the wires on the circuit board, "Hello?"

"It's Annie." Lizzie's voice came through the speaker.

"What's up, Lizzie?"

Lizzie sounded pretty upset, "Annie, it's bad news. Tanya's got lung cancer, and she's in the hospital right now. Can you make it? Let's go see her together." Lung cancer?

Just lung cancer, right?

A surgery, a shot, and it's all good, right?

What's there to be afraid of?

Anthea raised an eyebrow slightly, but then it hit her - this wasn't the world she used to live in.

Here.

Once you're diagnosed with cancer, it's like a death sentence.

Because here, cancer is incurable.

With that realization, Anthea quickly put down her circuit board, "Which hospital is Tanya at?"

"Crescent Moon Medical Center," Lizzie replied.

Anthea stood up, "Let's meet at the hospital entrance then."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Anthea took off her white gloves and brushed her bangs back behind her ear, then grabbed a backpack from the cabinet, checking to make sure she had everything she needed before heading out. On her way out, she said, "Book me a ride. I need to get to Crescent Moon Medical Center."

"Right away, master!" Little White chirped.

Ten seconds later, Little White added, "Master, your ride is booked. It's a red Volkswagen, license plate number: Cloud A6235."

"Got it." At the door, Anthea grabbed a black baseball cap hanging on the wall and put it on.

The long brim shaded her eyes, leaving only her straight nose, crimson lips, and a bit of her delicate jaw visible.

She was naturally pale.

With the cap, her complexion stood out even more - stark and cool.

Little White saw her off, "Have a good trip, master. Your dear Little White will be waiting at home for you."

Anthea didn't look back but waved at Little White.

Stepping outside, the red ride-share car was already waiting.

Anthea slid into the back seat.

With the cap on, the driver could

only see her chin, which looked as if it were carved from jade. Even though he couldn't see her face, the driver felt there was something extraordinary about this young lady.

Such a presence.

Not something you'd find in just anyone.

QUMS

The driver started the engine and asked, "Miss, you're headed to Crescent Moon Medical Center, right?"

"Yes."

"Alrighty! We'll be on our way!"

Crescent Moon Medical Center was a bit of a drive.

When Anthea got out of the car, she saw Lizzie standing there with flowers and a fruit basket, waiting for her.

Maybe because of the cap, Lizzie didn't recognize her at first.

It wasn't until Anthea walked up to Lizzie and called her name that Lizzie realized, "Annie!"

Anthea nodded, "Do you know which room Tanya is in?"

"Yeah, let's hurry."

Anthea followed Lizzie's lead.

Soon, they reached the hospital ward where Tanya was staying.

Anthea knocked on the door gently.

It was quickly opened by Tanya herself.

"Annie! Lizzie!"

Lizzie's eyes were red, "Tanya, are you okay?"

Tanya shook her head with a smile, "I'm fine! Come in, have a seat!"

Seeing Anthea and Lizzie seemed to lift Tanya's spirits. Karan and Gage, along with Hank Jones and Jane, were also in the room. Tanya introduced her family to Anthea and Lizzie.

"Dad, Mom, big bro, sis-in-law, these are my classmates, Annie and Lizzie."

Anthea and Lizzie greeted them politely, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Smith! Hi, big bro and sis-in-law!"

"Hello, nice to meet you," Karan stood up, "Thank you for coming to see Tanya."

Anthea and Lizzie were the first classmates to visit Tanya after her diagnosis, so her family was very welcoming. Jane was busy pouring water for everyone.

d the items on the

Lizzie cabinet

the bed, "Tanya is our

best friend, it's only right that net

come to see her."