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“And number twenty-fourfall in love forever”

Vanessa’s fingers tightened on the pen until she was sure it would break She tried to write the last goal, but the page was too blurry

Then Adele’s fingers brushed against the back of her hand She latched onto her friend’s cool touch and pressed Adele’s hand to her heated cheek “That’sthat’s quite a list”

“It’s not a list It’s a life Your life” Adele’s voice beca and clear, et back to it”

“Adele—”

“You’ve been with me constantly over the last year I’ done, not that I want you to jump back into your crazy work schedule” She paused for another breath “And I know it’s you I have to thank for being as coeously expensive hospital roorateful—”

“Oh, shut up,” Vanessa adaze still on the blurred list “You knoould pay anything—do anything—to have you well again”

Adele jiggled on Vanessa’s hand, signaling she wanted her attention Vanessa brushed away the tears before looking at her friend who’d tugged the plastic mask from her face

“What’s that saying? We only have one shot at life, but if we do it right once is enough? You know better than most—especially no quickly life can be taken away,” Adele said, her voice low and strained “Don’t get so lost in your art after I’ out there for you”

“I still have three pieces to finish,” Vanessa said, the faain One that had started years ago between the on a painting instead of attending a school dance “You kno I get before a show This is an i from Europe, the Far East—”

“You’ve been painting since you were a kid,” Adele cut her off “You were a star in the art world at seventeen and we both know that’s because you buried yourself in your art after your ift and your trust fund, you’re set forlife It’s time to live it”