What The Heart Wants (gxg)

Part 11

Juliette and I were the only two in the room that would be on campus during Thanksgiving break.

Her parents were going to be going to another country on vacation, and she was happy for them. She said they had never taken a vacation- just the two of them- and they needed to.

Like Samantha, Juliette is from Naples. However, Naples is a very large town- and the two did not go to the same Prep school.

Everyone else was leaving- including Melina. She gave me a gentle kiss goodbye and said she would be thinking of me. I still didn't know what we were exactly but that was okay.

Without everyone else around, Juliette was more laid back. I was worried she was going to want to get into mischief non-stop, but she didn't. She just wanted to hang out, in the room mostly.

We were considering going to a bar the night before Thanksgiving- but we decided not to. She was still wary about it.

The kitchen prepared turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing for us who were there at the school for Thanksgiving break. Juliette and I each got a box to go- and decided to eat in our room and spend time together.

Juliette and I sat on her bed- across from each other and ate.

"I'm really sorry you couldn't spend the break with your family." she said, "Is it selfish though that I am glad you're here?"

I chuckled, "No. Because I am glad you're here too."

"I'm sure you'd rather it be Samantha or even Violetta. But I hope it is okay that it's me."

"Why do you say that?" I asked Juliette, eating a bite of turkey and cranberry sauce.

"I know Samantha is your best friend here. And you and Violetta are close as well." Juliette shrugged.

"Yeah, but we are close friends too. Are we not?"

"Of course we are. You're still the only one that knows about my cancer." Juliette said.

"That must have been absolutely horrible to go through so young."

Juliette looked thoughtful for a moment. "It was. It was more confusing than anything. I didn't understand the magnitude of it, how serious it was. I was just wondering why I didn't feel good, why I always had to be missing school, and why I lost all of my hair. In some ways, I am grateful that it happened when I was younger. Because my parents of course never told me how close to dying I was. Now as an adult, I would know this information. But as a kid- I didn't know I almost died."

"You're really strong, you know that?" I said to Juliette.

"I try to be." she nodded, "And even though I put myself out there- I still sometimes question if I am doing too much. But I always remind myself that I have a second shot at life- and I am not wasting it."

I thought for a moment about Blaze and her notebook. Her second shot at life.

"I am asking this because I care- please do not take it the wrong way. Is there a chance of the cancer coming back?" I asked Juliette.

"Of course. But no more than anyone else since I have been in remission for over 10 years. But does it scare me? One hundred percent." Juliette nodded.

"I know you're going to be okay," I said to Juliette. I liked seeing this more human side of her. Not just a loud, attention-loving, center-of-the-room girl. An actual person was underneath that.

Juliette flashed me a smile. Then she said, "Not meaning to change the subject. Well, actually I kind of am because talking about cancer becomes too much for my brain after a bit. But what's going on with you and Melina?"