Malec High School AU

XV

TW topics are cancer and death

It took Alec about a week to get a job as a cashier at the gas station near the school. After getting the job it was hard to get accustomed to being a working citizen. He got used to it fast and was happy he had somewhere to go at least. He didn't have much spending money, most of it went to paying his part of the rent. He didn't mind, as long as he had somewhere to live. He didn't ever think that things could get worse. Until it did. He was on his lunch break Thursday evening when Magnus called him. "Hey babe." Alec greeted. "You need to take the rest of the day off, Jem said he has something urgent to tell us I know Jem if it wasn't important, he wouldn't want to talk about it right away. I will be at your work in 10." Magnus stated before immediately hanging up. Alec started to panic; he went up to his boss. "Can I take the rest of the day please? I think a friend might need me." Alec inquired. "If it's an emergency yes, but it's coming out of your paycheck." His boss answered. "Alright thank you sir." Alec replied and walked outside.

"What do you think Jem is going to tell us?" Alec asked. "I have no clue, but I'm terrified." Magnus answered driving in a different direction from Jem's house. "Where are we going?" Alec questioned. "Jem told us to meet at 'the spot'." Magnus stated. "The river? Why would he want to meet at the river?" Alec quizzed. "God Alexander, I don't know if I did, we wouldn't be going." Magnus snapped back. Alec decided to stay quiet after that, he didn't want to make his boyfriend any more anxious. As they arrived at the river, they saw all their friends' cars. "This isn't going to be good." Magnus mumbled as he walked up to their group, Alec trailing behind.

"Thank you all for coming, I know I don't usually set up hangouts, but I needed to tell you all this. Tessa already knows, that's why she isn't here." Jem started. "I don't know any other way to put this, I have cancer. It isn't in an early stage either. They don't know how long for sure I will live, but they do not think it to be long. It's the reason I've been getting pale and coughing a lot. I didn't think much of it till I started spitting up blood and seeing my veins too clearly. I don't want you guys to worry too much, if anything I'd prefer if you'd console Tessa instead of me." Jem finished. Everyone who was there had already started crying, none more than Will. "I love you James Carstairs, you're my best friend and you always will be." Will cried. Magnus, Raphael, and Caterina were left speechless. They had known Jem all his life and now suddenly, they wouldn't have him anymore, he'd be gone. Forever.