At age sixteen, Scozza's disease worsened, he was sent to a hospital for a checkup, he'll have to do a check up routinely until his state gets better. in the hospital garden, He meets Sophia — rebellious, fierce, usually with an oxygen tube curled around her cheek.
Sophia: "Why're you here? You don't look sick."
Scozza: "I'm dying too. Just slower."
Their friendship starts out with them eating together, and talking daily, but it evolves into hanging out and sharing secrets. He eventually tells her about the contract he made.
One evening on the rooftop, the sun sinking behind them:
Sophia: "Let's live like we've got forever."
Scozza: "Consider it a deal."
Rain pours at a bus stop. She Partially takes of her oxygen tube and leans in to kiss him.
Sophia (smirking): "Now you have to remember me."
Time passes, they sing together at the hospital talent show. Their duet fills the room. Even Nyxcie watches silently from a distant windowsill.
Weeks later they bury a small box of keepsakes in the hospital garden.
Sophia: "when we're gone, maybe someone will find it."
Scozza nodded.