One step at a time

30

Melissa Newman

I smiled as my eyes opened the next day, I was happy, happier than I had been in a long time. Breakfast came and for once I didn't frown, For once I felt like I could do anything. I waited for Blake to show up but he never did luckily Lee and them haven't left yet. "Normally he picks you up every day did something happen between the both of you guys?" Lee asked and I shook my head. "Not that I know of maybe the cancer thing freaked him out?" I mumbled as I crawled into the back of the car. This week was going to be my last week at school the results haven't come in yet but I knew.

We waited under the big tree at the front of the school for the boys to arrive. They arrived and I jumped in joy until I saw Belle in the passenger's seat of Blake's car. He walked out and saw me I smiled at him but all he did was turn around and kiss Belle right in front of me. The boys stormed towards us. "He's a dick" Casey mumbled as my heart crumbled into a million pieces. I promised myself that this was the last time I would let any boy walk all over me. This was the last time I was going to put my happiness first. This was the last time I was going to be heartbroken over something that wasn't in my control.

Lunch came and Blake completely ignored our table and followed Belle to hers. I didn't know what his problem was but this time I didn't want to find out. This was the last time I considered Blake Shepard as a friend. It didn't matter anymore I was only going to be here for the rest of this week and graduating on Friday with a small ceremony which included my family, friends and a couple of teachers. In less than 3 days I was going to be finished with high school. "What time are you graduating on Friday" Martin asked which reminded me I still needed to tell the principal the students that I wanted there. I had already written them down I just needed to cross one person off my list.

"10 am" I whispered scared that if I spoke too loud I would ultimately break. "I need to go see the principal I will be back soon" I smiled at everyone as I stood up, Megan stood up with me. I wanted to go alone but I knew she wouldn't leave me alone. "You know he's only doing this because" She stopped. "I'm trying to come up with an excuse for him because you two belong together but he's an asshole I don't know if I can make up an excuse for him" I smiled at her. "You don't have to Megan, I have my family, friends and You I don't need anyone else I'm happier than I have ever been" I lied straight to her face but I needed to say it because I needed to hear it.

I knocked on the door before I walked in. "Come in" The principal spoke. "Hi, here's my list of people I want at the ceremony" I smile as I handed him the new list. "So all your friends I didn't know you and Beatrice were friends but your not gonna invite your boyfriend" He smiled at me. This was a small town everyone knew of our relationship. "What boyfriend I don't have one" I shrugged pretending that I didn't know what he was talking about. "Okay I will notify all their teachers" I smiled as I walked out. "You know you can always have rebound sex" Megan hummed as we walked back to the cafeteria. I could see Blake in the corner of my eye so I played along. "Hmm maybe who did you have in mind?" She thought for a second. "Casey" She asked as a question and I laughed. "You do know he's my fiancé's cousin right" I didn't bother saying ex-fiancé. "What about Tony I heard he was dirty in the sheets" I laughed as we continued to walk. We walked right past Blake as I found myself saying. "Maybe I would ask" I winked at her.

We arrived at the table as everyone smiled at me. I wasn't going to let this get me down I had everything I needed. I didn't need anyone else I can settle for this, I settled for Noah what's the difference. I began eating my yogurt that had all my pills stuck in them. Beatrice ran up to our table. "Blake told Belle" She looked at me and I instantly knew what she was talking about. "So the whole school is going to know before the end of the day great" There was no way I was ever going to forgive him now, There was a slight chance that I would but now there was no way in hell.

Beatrice sat down with us. "Out of all the people he could tell he told her" She grumbled. She was frustrated. "I thought you two were friends" Megan said as Beatrice laughed. "I only have one genuine friend at this school and she's sitting at this table" Beatrice looked at me as she hugged me and I smiled. The bell rang and we all stood up. I felt a rush and began feeling dizzy. "Someone needs to take me to the hospital right now" I whispered and everyone looked at each other. "Brad take her and I'll make sure everyone gets home" Beatrice said as Lee rushed to me and picked me up. My nose started bleeding. It was flowing just like it had in the car before I booked myself into the treatment centre.

The doctor was waiting for us when we reached the hospital. "I'm afraid I have bad news" That's how he started his sentence. "It's okay I already know" I smiled as Lee shook from next to me. "Now we need to figure out a treatment plan" I smiled because I already knew what I wanted to do. "I don't want to go back to the centre I want it here at this hospital so that I can go home after chemo I want to be with my family" I smiled at Lee as he cried. "I have notified your parents and they will be here soon" He needed parental consent. My parents smiled when the doctor told them what I wanted. I chose to have a support system this time. I chose to live and this time I wasn't going to take that away from my family this time I was going to do it the right way.