E.T. (A Neptune's Novel)

Chapter 26

       After trying to get my mind set if I'm going to tell Justin about my stupid Leukemia, I finally decided to let him know. Since there are only few people who would actually care about how I am, I might as well tell it to get their attention.

         It's too hard for me to say this to Justin. I never wanted to see him suffer more than I do. He had enough these days and to add on his problems. Before I went to Justin's house, I decided to go and bring a box of cookies on the way. From our favourite bake shop 'Cookies Preziosi" meaning' Precious Cookies in English. Since we were little kids, we used to come here for bites of cookies. Aside from they make the most delicious cookies in town, these are home-baked cookies. Whenever we had celebrations just like birthdays or even just friend anniversaries, we gave each other box of these cookies. It's a tradition. And surely nothing would break that even in the future.

       As I entered the Cookie Shop, I smelled the inviting scent of cookies. The memories of our childhood hit me like a train on full speed.

Flashback:

         "No! Give me back my chocolate chip cookies, Justin." I pounded the table with my little fist as I saw Justin chewing almost half of my last chocolate chip cookie.

        "Nope. Not a chance, Mandy. You're such a cry baby."  laughed by this 7 years old boy with the small bits of the cookie beside his mouth.

       While I can see him laughing,  Having the best laugh all his life this moment, I can't help but give out the giggle I'm holding since his laughs are contagious. The way he smile was really cute. I know that even if this little boy get all of those cookies that I have, it's okay with me because he is my best friend. Best friend because he's there for me ever since that day I fell off the swing on the park. Best friend because he's my own knight in shining armour. He protects me when all of our schoolmates is against me. Best friend because he always stay with me no matter what happens on a day.

Best friend because he's the only guy that put up with all of the things that people consider childish or crazy.

     "I really hate you, you know. A cookies cost $.65 cents and yet you can't even buy a single one. You should really tell your Mom." I answered him, while the waiter girl named Stacey placed my last plate of cookies in front of me. She gave a cheerful smile and left to tend the other waiting customers.

     "And why would I tell Mommy?" he challenged me getting another piece of cookie from my plate. I gave my best scowl which he only grinned back.

     "B-because I think you have some problem." I said, crossing my arms across my chest.

     "A problem that you really love?" he teased and pinched my cheeks hard.

     "Ouch! Justin." I yelled while he ran off the shop carrying at least 3 cookies with him and stuck his tongue out for me. I said thank you to Stacey and ran off the shop trying to chase Justin with 5 cookies in my pockets.  

                                                                                  ~ +++ ~

                I didn't notice the tears rolling against my cheeks. Each memory slapped me with a force like a bus without brake. I gripped the counter with so much force that my knuckles were turning pale. I recognized Stacey from the other side of the counter. She smiled at me with the same enthusiasm as the day we actually met.

"Mandy, dear. Is that really you?' she asked excitedly, with so much warmth from her voice. She always had been a mother figure to me. She was there for me when Justin was too stubborn to even control.

"Yes, Stacey. This is me. I mean who would even get a wrong answer while looking at me. Nothing has changed that much, right?" I smiled, wiping the excess tears escaping my eyes.

"Oh, you've grown so much, honey. I just remembered that moment when you and Justin was here taking each other's cookie." she sighed.

         I agree to her though. It all seems yesterday when it all happened. And now it's been 9 years and things have really changed. Especially in my case. it's like everyday was so much different from the same date as before. I ordered the same old chocolate chip cookies just like before. She grinned and pointed on a table just beside the window.

           I saw a guy who's back was facing me sitting on one of the chairs. Even though that man grew older each day, I would recognize that figure, that back, that whole person himself.

Justin.

          As if sensing that I was approaching his table, Justin's head turned and his eyes lit up by the time it landed on me. He pointed on the chair across him, motioning for me to sit there which I gladly did. I saw a plate of cookies in front of me. Justin was nibbling on a cookie while looking at me, as if expecting me to just be hit by something-

         Oh my god, I can't believe his doing this. Just after everything. Just after the things went through rough obstacles. He is trying to bring back the times when we're still kids. With him stealing my cookies sitting just across me and me who's ordering another batch of cookies because I know he would just swipe out all the rest of the stuff on my plate. He smiled the same smile he did way back when we're both seven. And I felt the stinging tears trying to escape my eyes.

This time I didn't bother to stop them.

        I stood up from my chair and walked towards Justin to give him a hug that I haven't given him for long. I was sobbing while wrapped my best guy friend's arm. He was laughing beside my ears. His breath tickling my earlobes.

"I missed you so much. And all of the time that we spent when we were kids. I wanted so much to surprise you and do all the routine's just before you decided to leave." Justin mumbled and I heard his own tears from his cracking voice.

"I missed you so much, Justin. You just don't know how long I waited for moments like this. I won't leave you. I won't leave you for anything." I answered.

        He looked at my eyes and said, "But what if you decided to go with Neptune and-" he tried to say but and shushed him before he could even finish.

"No, Justin. And now that you are here. I need to tell you something." I uttered under my breath.

Justin's expression turn from happiness to confusion.

This is it. I really need to let him know what is happening to me.

Before it can even get worse.

Author's Note:

               UGH! I AM SO SORRY BUT I JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE COURAGE TO UPLOAD NEW CHAPTERS UNTIL NOW. Thank Taylor Swift because while listening to her songs, I was encouraged to finished Chapter 26 today. Don't worry. I would write down how Chapter 27 would go. And as soon as I was done, I would upload it here. I wish you're still here to read E.T.

          I know. I was tearing up because of that flashback thingy myself. And I was thinking how stupid could that be, but then what Justine did was so sweet. T_T Stay tuned for Chapter 27. This would be ending soon enough. Finally. Stay lovely, people!

= pillowheart <3