maeve rojas-one of us is dying

Bronwyn

I sit with my legs dangling over the edge of the pool, smiling at Nate.
"So, how's Maeve doing with computer forensics?" He asks
"Yeah, I think she's really enjoying it. I actually can't stay that late tonight I need to meet maeve later" I smile, remembering how she had immediately starting texting Luis as I left. They're so perfect for each other.
"Well, we better use our time wisely then, shouldn't we?"
Nate leans in to kiss me and I close the gap, my tongue searching his mouth as he climbs on top of me and we topple backward onto the ground,hands fumbling,buttons ripping.

-

I reach for the polished white wood of the windowsill and haul myself over the edge into the room. As I get up, pulling my boots off, maeve, lying on my bed, looks up, and I stop short.
"Maeve-" I start, but she interrupts.
"Bronwyn, can you pass me a tissue, the window's been open so much my damn allergies are playing up" Maeve holds a hand up to her nose.
I pass her the tissue but say, my voice wobbling, "Maeve, it's not allergies, your nose is bleeding."
"Shit." She says quietly, staring at the bright red stain on the tissue.
Wordlessly, I cross the floor and sit down in the bed, wrapping my arms around her from behind.
"It's gonna be okay," I whisper, not really believing it. " It might be nothing, remember last time? It was nothing. I can tell mom and dad for you and you call your oncologist. I'm here for you Maeve."
She says nothing, but grips me tighter as a tear rolls down her cheek.
"I thought I was fine. I actually let myself believe I was fine, that I could be normal, have a relationship, go to college, but of course I can't." Her voice breaks and she sobs harder as we sit there, holding each other, as the moon disappears, the sun rises, and her cries finally stop.

-

"Okay, I'm okay, you're right, it could be nothing, we just need to check it out."
Maeve is standing in my en suite, scrubbing the dried blood off her upper lip and I try and nod reassuringly at her, even though it feels fake. "You can do this." I need to be strong for her. " I'll see you later, okay? My appointment is at 3, so I'll swing by café Contigo and see you after that. I love you Bronwyn"
"Love you Maeve"
I stare at the empty space where she just stood, hoping against hope that she stands there again and again for years to come. I can hardly do this, but it's worse for her, I need to be strong for her. I have no idea how lonely she must feel right now.