Neverending Peace

Visiting Hours

"Gigi! And Selena!" Taylor was all smiles as her two friends walked in. "It's been a few days. How are you guys? How's the team? I heard from Joe you're all planning to visit tomorrow when I'm released, and that I should act surprised."

It was a couple of days after the training had ended. Taylor had been transferred from the hospital in Tokyo to the one back in Pennsilvania. All the team knew was that she was staying for a few days until she was stable and the doctors were able to run a few tests.

Taylor smiled. Selena looked like she was on the verge of throwing up. Gigi was livid.

"Why the hell did you stop chemo if you're not cured yet?"

Taylor sighed. "I figured that's why you came."

Selena looked down at her feet in shame. "I'm sorry. I know you didn't want me telling anyone..."

"It's fine. You've always been bad at keeping secrets. And if anyone were to figure out, it would be you, Gigi." Taylor turned to Gigi. "Yes, it's true. I'm no longer continuing my chemotherapy. I just met with my parents and my doctors, and we agreed that this would be for the best."

"Why? Because you're better?"

"Nah," She replied with a laugh. "Because it's easier."

Gigi was practically vibrating with anger. "So you're just going to take the easy way out? Is that it?"

"Gigi," warned Selena. "Please."

"The Taylor I know wouldn't just give up like that! She would fight with everything she's got!"

Taylor stared out the window. "She would, wouldn't she?"

"THEN WHY AREN'T YOU FIGHTING? WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU GIVING UP?"

"Gigi!" Asahi began to scold, but was stopped by Taylor. Her friend shook her head before giving Gigi a sad smile.

"Because I'm not getting better."

The silence that followed was deadly. Gigi was standing, seething with rage, but underneath all of the anger Taylor could see another emotion in her eyes.

Fear.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, voice impossibly quiet.

"It," Taylor started, then stopped. She swallowed. "It means what I just said. I'm not going to get better. I'm going to die. I'm going to die, and there's nothing in this world that can stop that. I've been lying to everyone when I said I was getting better. It felt like it for a bit too, especially when I was still able to go to awards shows and practice. But it's been getting worse. The cancer is spreading, and even aggressive chemotherapy could only do so much. The doctor's told me it's terminal."

Gigi was just shaking her head back and forth, eyes vacant.

"You're lying."

"Why would I lie about something as valuable as a human life?" There was a steely edge to Taylor's voice that made Gigi flinch a bit. The girl's expression softened almost immediately. "I'm sorry. I was just informed they weren't able to stop the cancer from spreading. It's now reached Stage Four."

"What does that mean?" Gigi's voice was so small. It was so unlike her.

Selena was the one to speak first. "There's nothing after Stage Four."

Taylor nodded. "Exactly."

Gigi teetered on her feet, then took a seat in the plastic chair by the bed. It took her a full minute to ask, "What exactly did the doctor say?"

"I was told it would be best I no longer do performances, and that I should consider dropping tour plans within the next month or so. After that, I'll be on medication to help with the pain, the sleepiness, and the nausea the painkillers cause."

"Is it really that bad?" Gigi asked.

Taylor was silent for several seconds.

"I have less than a year left," she said. "Optimistically around six months."

Gigi backed up from the bed. Taylor had turned away. Selena was crying.

"You can tell them all," said Taylor, voice cracking. "The team, that is. They'll figure it out sooner or later. I'd rather they know."

The team visit was one of the bleakest events of Taylor's life. The false merriment was dropped the moment she called them out, scolding them about being honest before smiling and giving each of them a hug. It was after several painful minutes of masked emotions that someone had the courage to bring up the real reason why they were all gathered there.

"You really are going to die, aren't you Taylor," Jack finally said.

She nodded sadly. "It looks like it. And don't make that expression! It doesn't suit you, Jack."

Jack wasn't pleased.

"How can you say something like that?" he asked.

"It's okay. I've accepted it already. I had a good life. There's nothing to complain about, except maybe not getting that world wide this year." She winked at Selena, who turned away quickly.

"But—"

"Besides," she cut in, "there's no point wasting what time I do have left wishing for things I can't have. I might as well enjoy what I actually did."

With the click of heels a certain girl entered the room walking towards the back corner having arrived late.

The screechy high pitched voice spoke "So, are you for sure dying or just like maybe. This isn't all just some publicity stunt."

The entire team's heads turned unsure of what the do.

" No Lauryn. Nothings ever 100% they say there's an experimental trial with a 15% survival rate. I'm lucky enough to have the options, but I'm just not going to be as present as I usually am." Taylor said with a small smile hiding the internal disgust.

" Oh, Bummer." Was all she said. Just two words. Who knew they could hurt that much. That slight smirk and tint of happiness in her voice that she could easily mask with a quick pout. No one noticed of course. No one but Taylor.

Selena didn't say anything. She just stood and left the room. Selena looked conflicted, glancing between the door and Taylor. Taylor waved her away.

"She's probably just upset. I can go check on her if you want. It's been very difficult on me having to see you like this. I'm sure it's the same for her" Lauryn recited.

Taylor nodded, too tired to deal with her. She didn't return for over twenty minutes. By the time she'd come back from her meaningless voyage and back to the Taylor's room visitation hours were done for the day. Selena stood right outside her door.

"Don't worry!" Taylor said brightly. "I should be back at practice tomorrow! Though I'll be on the sidelines."

Selena just nodded, bowed, and left. She was the last to go. No one commented on how red her eyes were.
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DON'T LOOSE HOPE! The next episode will be much happier 😁