More Than Just Best Friends

THE PROLOGUE: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.

•AMETHYST•

"Took you two long enough," I said, rolling my eyes and locking up. Grayson hopped out of the truck to open my door for me, and I did a mock curtsy at his chivalry before entering and buckling my seatbelt. Grayson did same, and Blaze adjusted the rearview mirror to look at me before putting the truck in drive.

"Remind me where we're going again?" Blaze asked, fiddling with the stereo until some horrible rock music came blaring out of it.

"Really, Blay?" I asked, reaching over and switching between channels until I found one playing Christmas music. "Christmas is tomorrow, and you're acting like a total grinch. We're going Christmas shopping."

"What?"

"You heard me. It's not like any of us has anything else to do today."

"Says who? I could've been playing Call of Duty by now," Blaze groaned, slowing down at a red light.

I was about to retort when my phone began to buzz. I pulled it out and frowned at the caller ID.

"Mum?"

"Hi, sweetie. You home?"

"Um, no, I told you I'd be going to the mall with Blay and Gray."

"Oh, yeah. So who's driving?"

"Blay is. Is everything okay?" I asked, puzzled. My mum sounded really weird.

"Just- can I talk to him?"

I frowned and handed the phone to Blaze, who pulled over before taking it from me. Grayson gave me a glance through the passenger mirror.

"You okay there?"

"Yeah, no. My mum's acting really odd. I don't-"

I was cut off by Blaze handing the phone back to me, his expression having changed suddenly. Gareth began drilling him just as I put the phone back to my ear.

"Mum? What's going on?"

"I'm sorry, sweetie, the hospital called. Your test results are in, so they need you to come over asap."

At those words, I froze and let the phone slip from my fingers and onto my lap. Grayson and Blaze cast concerned glances at me, but I looked out of the window, unwilling to make eye contact with either of them. Blaze sighed and put the truck back in drive, making a turn in the direction of the hospital.

At the hospital, I ignored both Grayson and Blaze's attempts to talk to me, and went straight in to find my mum. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from her, telling me where to find her. Without a glance backwards or a thought for Blaze and Grayson, I made a beeline for my mum.

Once behind the door, I took a deep breath before knocking and entering. Seated by my mum was my cousin Rick, who waved me over with a bright smile. I ignored him and his hurt look, and walked straight over to the doctor's desk.

"Hi, Amy! It's so good to see you again! How have you-"

"Kindly skip the pleasantries, Dr. Braveheart, and tell me what's going on."

She rolled her eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Cerys?"

"Please just answer me. Do I have breast cancer or not?"

I heard Mum gasp, probably shocked at my bluntness, but I didn't care in that moment. If my fears were proven wrong, I'd compensate everyone appropriately on Christmas.

Doctor Cerys Braveheart sighed. "Yes you do, Amethyst. I am so sorry."

What?

What did she just say?

"Um, did we hear you right, Dr. Cerys?"

"Yes, you did. Amethyst has cancer."

I blanked out and refused to hear anything else after that.

~

"Hey, you, merry Christmas!" Sam greeted, entering the room.

"Is it really?" I asked in a monotone voice.

She sighed and sat on my bed. "Yeah, I heard. How are you holding up?"

I sniffed and sat up, pulling my blanket to my chest. She glanced at the used tissues scattered on the bed, then silently cleaned them up. When she was done, she came to sit by me and wrapped me in a hug.

We sat in silence for a while, then she said, "Don't you wanna come open your presents? It's-" she squinted at the bedside clock, "10: 12 AM, and everyone's been waiting for you."

"Who else is here?"

"Well, Blaze and Gray of course, then Hailey, Gwyneth, Prescott, Christian and a few special guests."

I sighed and rolled off the bed, in preparation to change and leave the room. Sam gave me a quick hug before leaving, and whispered into my ear before leaving, "Don't worry, we'll make this the best Christmas ever. You'll get everything you want."

"All I want for Christmas is for this not to be true."

Published at

02:00 AM
25/12/2023