Red Alert/Red Notice (The "Super Jerk" Prequel)

22 - Innocence and Science

^^Above, chapter title credit: Song by Spandau Ballet.^^

Oh no, we got a big piece of news coming, hold on to your hats...

{Raina}

I give Geoff some space after news of his dad's illness. El says that's probably the best thing I can do right now, only because it's hard to tell how long he'll take to process it.

"Grandma died of throat cancer," she tells me later, sitting in the common area and working on our homework. "It took forever for Mom to recover. I was about six, seven at the time. She doesn't really talk about it, either."

"I can't possibly imagine what he's going through right now." I run both hands over my face, and then push them through my hair.

"Neither can I, but I'll tell you one thing I do know. As long as he's got the right support, he'll pull through. Cancer might take people from us, but it can also strengthen relationships."

I nod, but say nothing. The interactions between Geoff and his dad were chilly at best, but now that he knows they've only got borrowed time, maybe they'll make amends. I doubted it would ever be the same with my parents — they weren't getting back together, and neither of them seemed particularly invested in reconnecting with me — but Geoff is different. He's probably already handling the situation better than I would.

"Rains, look." El lays her hand on top of mine. "Things might be bad now, and who knows. They might get worse before getting better. But they will. It'll get better."

"Thanks, El." I turn my hand over and squeeze hers, hoping that she's right. I want to believe her, because there's hope there. It's the hope that maybe we'll finally be happy someday. But as with everything, I had no idea it'd be so hard to find.

≈

Valentine's Day is nearly on us by the time we start talking again. Ridley seems to have backed off for the time being, but that can only mean one thing: a calm before the storm. I know he's somewhere nearby, plotting. Something's going to happen, and this time I get the feeling that it's going to affect more than just us. Probably even more than just the school.

"Dad's started his chemo," Geoff tells me while we're at lunch one day. "He says he'll probably have to get all his hair shaved off."

"Are you worried about him?" I ask, pushing my food around on my plate, but not eating it. I've been feeling increasingly queasy in the last few days. Sometimes I can't even look at the food.

"He was always tough, you know. Always had to be the macho man."

"Yeah, I figured." Somebody passes behind me with a hamburger, and the smell makes my stomach churn. I set down my fork and press my hand against my ribs until it passes, and Geoff notices.

"You okay?" His brow furrows, one eyebrow raised.

"I'm just..." I take a deep breath. Don't throw up. "I'm not very hungry."

"Yeah, me neither." He sits back in his chair and pushes his plate away. "Wanna get out of here?"

I nod. Geoff stands up, taking his plate and mine to the tray return. I stand up, instantly hit with another wave of dizziness. It makes sense, though, considering I haven't been eating. But I still have to grip the back of the chair until I can walk straight.

"Hey, whoa, steady," Geoff says, his voice sounding echoey and far away. "You're not looking so good."

"Just tired, I think." I rub both my eyes, thinking I might have to splash some cold water on my face if I want to stay awake.