Part 7

“Miss Yuri, you can leave today.” Dr. Brown informed her. ”Feeling better?”1

“I’m fully recovered, due to your careful treatment. Thank you.” Yuri said, packing up her books.2

“You know, Mr. Vacur is a fine young man.” Dr. Brown said suddenly.3

Yuri looked up in surprise. ”Yes indeed he is.”4

“Do you really think he can replace Mr. Simon’s place in your heart?” the doctor stopped cleaning and looked down at his hands. ”He will never be Simon, you know. My wife died, and though I’ve met some fine young women, they will never replace her. Are you really loving him, or just using him as a mere shadow of Simon? If you’re just using him, you will hurt him more than you can imagine.”5

Yuri looked down, too. Now that Dr. Brown had mentioned it, she wasn’t sure anymore if she wanted Thomas. She didn’t want to hurt him and use him merely because he looks like Simon. She can’t pretend he is Simon, because he’s not. That would be too unfair for him. 6

Yuri suddenly realized she was still standing in the ward. She quickly bid the doctor goodbye and left. 7

Yuri reached her dormitory thirty minutes later. Emily stood there, glaring at her.8

“Emily, what—“9

Emily slapped Yuri across the face.10

“You filthy little hag, how dare you get involved with Thomas?” the girl snapped, her face in a frightful glare. ”I told you to stay away. He’s mine. You just like him because he looks like that wretched brother of you, Simon!! You have to break up! You’re hurting Thomas rather than loving him!” she glared at Yuri, hate in her blazing blue eyes.11

Yuri was staring intently at Emily, tears in her eyes. They weren’t tears from the stinging pain, but from the fact that Emily was right.12

“I can give him real love! How can you just come in and break us apart? We were a fine couple before you came in! You’re so unfair to me, and to him!” Emily glowered at Yuri, then stormed out of the room.13

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“Students, as you all know,“ Mr. Spiel’s voice came through the loudspeaker. ”The annual music ball is to be held in one week. The gym will not be available due to decorating. Please prepare.”15

Thomas looked eagerly at Yuri. He had gone to the last ball with Emily, but this year he was looking forward to a real nice and romantic time with Yuri. However, she wasn’t looking his way, or was she avoiding his eyes?16

After class, Thomas hastened to catch up with Yuri.17

“Yuri, let’s go to the ball together.” He said, taking her hand. ”It’ll be great.” But she didn’t reply.18

“Thomas, I—I don't think I’m going to go.” Yuri stammered, to Thomas’s surprise. ”I’m a little ill this week. I think I’m going to rest for a bit.” Yuri shook free of Thomas and walked away, her head bowed. A few minutes later Emily came up, to Thomas’s dismay.19

“Thomas,“ she said sweetly. ”Since Yuri’s not going, are you willing to come again with me?” she batted her eyebrows furiously at him in a cute way. Thomas stared after Yuri, who was well out of sight already. Then back at Emily, who was looking anxiously at him. He nodded.20

Emily’s beautiful face broke into a smile. ”It will be a success.” She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, then left.21

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“Yuri, tell me what’s wrong.” Thomas begged.23

“I told you, I’m ill.” Yuri replied.24

“You’re hiding, I can tell.”25

Yuri bit her lip, then turned to him in a matter-of-fact way. ”Thomas, I don’t want to hurt you, OK? I don’t know if I’m really loving you, or I’m just seeing Simon through you.” She blurted out.  26

Thomas looked astounded. ”But I thought—“27

“Yes, you thought I love you! I don’t know if it’s real love, Thomas! Just, please, go with Emily!” Yuri began to tremble uncontrollably. She got up and ran, ran all the way to the dormitory, well out of Thomas’s sight.28

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“Yuri, you have to go to the ball.” Emily pleaded, a purr in her voice. ”Go with Randy, he asked you. That way you won’t hurt Thomas and you will get to have fun also.” Emily reached into her suitcase and pulled out a beautiful dress of red satin. She measured Yuri’s body quickly.” We’re about the same size. Here, this is a dress of mine. It fits you perfectly. You can have it.”30

Yuri looked at Emily, surprised at her sudden kindness toward her. ”No, this is too beautiful and exquisitive—“ she began, but Emily shoved the dress into Yuri’s arms.31

“You simply must go,Yuri. I’ll wait for you at the ball.” Emily said hastily, and left before Yuri could refuse.32

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The night of the ball was cheerful and wonderful. Finally Yuri gave in to Emily’s endless nagging and dressed in the red satin dress. Emily and her crowd of friends were to meet their dates in the gym, but Randy waited for Yuri.34

Thomas and Emily stood chatting. Thomas had worn a long and handsome black suit and a tie, while Emily wore a red satin dress. The gym was crowded with people, half of them Emily’s snobby and popular friends. Thomas’s mind kept drifting to Yuri, and twice he had started for the door to go visit her but was stopped by Emily. 35

Just then his eyes caught on a flash of red that just entered the gym. It was Yuri, and Randy, and she was wearing exactly what Emily was wearing. Shocked, Thomas dropped his cookie. Emily noticed too, and suddenly put a hand to her head. She looked at Thomas, who caught her.36

“I feel so ashamed, Thomas. Yuri told me she didn’t like that dress, that it was ugly and a waste of money, yet she goes and buys the exact same one to the ball. I think I’ll go back to my dormitory before she sees me.” She sped away before Thomas could stop her. He was still staring in stunned silence at Yuri, a look of disbelief and disgust on his face. She had lied to him, and she had lied to Emily. She told him she wasn’t coming, and yet she turns up with Randy. What kind of rotten heart does she have?37

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Two days had passed since the ball, and Thomas refused to speak a word to Yuri. He stayed with Emily, who was beyond happy. She had won against Yuri Kowan, finally. Yuri began to feel the horrible pain more often and sometimes she felt weak and tired. She decided to ignore it, but the pains and weakness came more often, so she went for a check-up from Dr. Brown. Yuri waited patiently outside of the examination room while the doctor concluded the results. 39

He came out two hours later, his face somber and the conclusion paper shook in his trembling hands....40