Strike One

Chapter 17

The next few weeks have been hard for me. I have started treatment and started losing a bit of my hair. At school, the only people who know are Eliot, Tyler, Alexis, and my teachers. The teachers have not been as hard on me as they usually are, but I can't complain.

Right now, I was sitting in class with Alexis and Tyler when Alexis passed me a note. It said, "Your hair is falling out again. If you still don't want anyone to know we should ask if we could go because you can almost see your scalp." I looked at her questioningly and she nodded. I didn't want anyone to know because I didn't want to be known as cancer girl or the sick kid.

Alexis and I walked up to the teacher and asked if we could go to the office and call my mom. I think he understood because he told me he hopes I'm better and that I'm able to leave. We walked out and I started crying. Alexis just hugged me. When I got to the office and they saw me crying they immediately handed me the phone and I called my mom. She picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Mom?"

"Elizabeth? What's wrong, why are you crying?"

"Please come get me mom. I need to go home. Alexis is coming too because I need a friend right now."

"Ok sweetheart I'm on my way. I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Ok. Thank you. Love you. Bye."

"Love you too. Bye."

After I hung up I sat down in one of the chairs and cried while Alexis hugged me.

"Lex?" I sobbed.

"Yes Liz?"

"Do you think I'll ever be pretty again?"

"What do you mean? You are still pretty?"

"I don't feel it. What if I never get better? What if I have this the rest of my life?" I sobbed harder at the thought.

"You'll fight through this. Think of it as a softball game against the first place team and your in second place. If you win you'll be first. Don't you want to be first?"

"Yeah. I'm gonna be first. I always am and if I'm not I will never be happy again." I giggled a bit while saying this.

When my mom finally got her she signed me and Alexis out and took me home. On the way home she asked why I needed to go home.

"More hair is falling out. I'm gonna be bald soon." I said with no expression.

"Would you like to go buy a wig?" She offered. I smiled and nodded my head. We got a wig that was close to my original hair color which was black that shined a navy blue in the sun. I went home and brushed my hair to see how much hair I actually had left and I had none. I cried even more now because I looked ugly.

"What's wrong honey?" My mom asked coming in.

"I'm an ugly bald girl!" I snapped.

"No your not! Stop saying your ugly. I taught you not to lie so don't start lying."

"I'm sorry. I can't help if." I whispered just loud enough for her to hear. She hugged me and so did Alexis.

Alexis had to leave and Eliot and dad were just now getting home. I was wearing my new wig when they got home.

"Hi daddy!" I said coming down the stairs.

"Hey pumpkin. Did you get a wig?" He asked. I frowned a bit and nodded. Sadly, Eliot didn't miss my frown even though I tried to cover it up.

"What's wrong Liz? You good?" I just nodded.

"How was school and work?" I asked changing the subject.

"Good but don't go changing the subject! What's the matter?" Eliot asked.

"Nothing!" I yelled. They stepped away but dropped the topic, luckily. "Sorry." I mumbled.

After dinner my brother was staring at my wig. He was being creepy and I didn't like it so I addressed him about it.

"Why do you keep staring at my wig?" I asked.

"Just because. Why'd you get it so early?" I looked at my mom and she was looking at me.

"Want me to tell them?" I shook my head.

"Tell us what?" My dad asked. I was silent for a few minutes the Eliot started messing with me.

"I don't like seeing you sad!" He yelled over my laughs as he tickled me.

"St-st......op!" I gasped out. Unfortunately, my wig wasn't secure enough for my squirming and came off. Eliot stopped right away and stared. My dad did the same.

I was embarrassed so I grabbed my wig and ran upstairs to my room and locked my door. I was trying to fix my wig in front of my mirror when someone knocked on the door.

"Go away!" I yelled. I heard someone unlocking my door and Eliot walked in 5 seconds later. I walked to my bed and laid down face away from Eliot. Eliot laid down next to me and hugged. I soon fell asleep in that position. Feeling protected by my older brother. The best feeling in the world.