I Fell in Love with Hope by Lancali

Simon and Schuster Ltd. Paperback. NEW. In the desolate confines of a hospital, amidst the unforgiving landscape that seemed to mirror our own shattered lives, an unexpected spark ignited amidst the darkness. It was there that I found solace and companionship in the mischievous, sun-eyed boy who became my sole source of joy in that desolate place. Yet, the cruel hand of fate would later crush my soul when he made the unimaginable decision to take his own life right before my eyes. Such a devastating loss shattered my heart, leaving behind scars that made me vow never to open myself up to love again. However, I soon discovered that there were three exceptions to my rule; my friends, Sony, Neo, and Coeur - a little gang of rebellious children whose lives were plagued by illness. United by our shared struggles and a thirst for freedom, we found solace in one another's company. Leading us with an infectious sense of liberation was Sony, who refused to let his compromised lung hinder his vibrant spirit. Neo, a writer filled with a fiery temperament and confined to a wheelchair, meticulously documented the triumphs and misdeeds of our intimate group – from daring thefts to amusing predicaments that left our nurse in a state of constant bewilderment. And then there was Coeur, with his irresistible charm and fragile physique; a gentle giant with a failing heart. Faced with the grim reality that our lives were approaching their fleeting end, my comrades and I concocted one final plan; a grand escape that would liberate us from the clutches of abusive parents, crippling loss, and the suffocating grip of our diseases. We yearned to taste freedom before death dealt its inevitable blow. However, as we clung to the notion of our impending adventure, fate had other plans in store. It was then that a girl unexpectedly crossed the threshold of our barricaded hearts. With a mischievous smile that held a tinge of vulnerability, she infiltrated our tight-knit camaraderie, leaving me utterly speechless. There was an undeniable radiance in her eyes, reminiscent of the shining suns that had illuminated the darkest corners of my soul. Despite my profound fear of loss and heartache, I found myself irresistibly drawn to her. Against my own will, my fragile walls began to crumble, and I started to fall. With the impending threat of vulnerability, my stolen comrades and I stood at a crossroads. As we prepared for the great escape that held the promise of a fleeting elation, uncertainty loomed over our once steadfast resolve. Would this newfound connection jeopardize the harmony we had established among us? Or would it grant us the strength and resilience to face our uncertain futures head-on? In the face of adversity, a twisted tapestry of love, friendship, and rebellion has woven its threads through our fragile hearts. As the world outside our hospital room beckons, we find ourselves torn between forsaking all emotional entanglements and embracing the impermanence of human connection. In the grand scheme of life's fragile tapestry, we have grown to understand that even amidst the struggles and constant reminders of our own mortality, embracing love might be the very thing that keeps us alive. So, as we stand on the precipice of our final heist, driven by the desire for freedom and purpose, we embark on a journey that could either cement our legacy or shatter our spirits once more. Trigger warnings: The following story explores sensitive themes including suicide, illness, and abuse.