FIVE FEET APART

FIVE
FEET
APART
Rachael Lippincott
with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

NEW TORK LONDON TORONTO SYDNEY NEW DELHI

 STELLA
I trace the outline of my sister’s drawing, lungs
Hang in there, Stella! We love you.
Marry me!

I’ve got CF and you remind me to always stay positive. XOXO.

 You’re here? Me too. Tune-up.

Bronchitis. Just happened. I’ll live. Come by and wave at me

later. Gonna crash now.
 WILL
“All right, I’ll see you guys later,” I say, winking
 STELLA
I pull on the blue AffloVest, snapping it into
place
You up?
Yees!
 WILL
I rub my eyes sleepily, clicking on another video,
 STELLA
I slam open the door to the stairwell, buttoning
 WILL
I open the door to my room, surprised to see
 Get this, dude: a truce with that girl I told you
about.

Must be your good looks. Clearly not

because of your charming personality.
…
 STELLA
“Just give me ten minutes,” I say, shutting the
Lovers’ spat?
 WILL
I carefully shade Barb’s hair, leaning back to
 STELLA
Dr. Hamid frowns as I lift up my shirt, her dark

Cafeteria for lunch? Meet me in 15?

Way to go, Mya!!!
 WILL
“Cevaflomalin time!” Julie sings, swinging my
 STELLA
I slam open the door to my room, Abby’s
drawings
Multipurpose lounge. Now.
 WILL
I messed up bad. I know that.

What should I do? She won’t even talk to me

Just give her some time, man

Anything?
 STELLA
I hold Patches close to my chest and look from
 WILL
I quietly push open the door, looking both ways
 STELLA
“Time to wake up, honey,” a voice says,
somewhere
 I’m here. Did you get my message?
Where are you?
 WILL
I dangle my legs off the side of the roof and
listen
You still doing okay?

Yeah, I’m fine.

 Heard you’ve been doing your treatments. Glad to see
you’ve come around.
 STELLA
“Why didn’t I pack anything nice?” I cry to Poe,
 WILL
I can’t take my eyes off her.
 STELLA
We leave the pool, our hair slowly drying as
night
SOS.
Barb is looking for you two!!!
WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?
 WILL
I watch my mother sleepily from the edge of my
HIDE AND SEEK. You’re it. XOXO S.
. . . our second date begins!
 STELLA
I lean against the counter, smiling at Poe as he
 WILL
I sit in my chair, waiting for Barb to come to
take
 STELLA
For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel sick.

LUNGS. THREE HOURS UNTIL THEY ARRIVE. WHERE ARE YOU???

Stella. Please reply! LUNGS ARE ON THEIR WAY.
 WILL
“What’s your dream place to live?” I ask her as
LUNGS FOR STELLA. GET BACK NOW.
 STELLA
I thrash, icy water all around me as I try to swim
 WILL
My throat is on fire.
 STELLA
I feel something pricking at my arm.
 WILL
I fall weakly back onto my gurney, my entire
body
 STELLA
I open my eyes.
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
 WILL
The speaker in the airport terminal crackles to
 STELLA
“What happened to winging it, Stella? Doing it
MISS YOU ALREADY, STELL! Send pictures!
AUTHORS’ NOTE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Rachael Lippincott

Mikki Daughtry

Tobias Iaconis