Happier With You.

Chapter 30

!! TRIGGER WARNING, THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES SENSITIVE TOPICS, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK !!

It was one of those rare afternoons where everything felt normal. Almost too normal, as if the world hadn't flipped upside down a few weeks ago. Ryan, Cody, Sage, and I were all hanging out in my living room, laughing at some stupid movie and goofing around. I was sitting next to Cody on the couch, my hand resting lightly on his, as we shared the last of the popcorn.

Sage and Ryan were in the middle of their usual banter, tossing around silly insults, and I found myself smiling despite the weight that always seemed to be hovering around us.

"Yo, you really think you're gonna beat me at this?" Ryan challenged, tossing a playful glance at Cody.

Cody smirked, leaning back into the couch. "Dude, I don't know, but we should probably hurry up and get this over with before it's too late."

The words fell out of his mouth so casually that it took me a moment to fully process what he said. Ryan and Sage didn't seem to catch it, too caught up in their back-and-forth, but I could feel the shift in the air between me and Cody. His eyes met mine, and there was a look there-one that was almost too deep, too knowing.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice quiet but urgent.

Cody shrugged nonchalantly, but I saw through it. He was trying to play it off, trying to act like it was just another casual remark. But we both knew the truth. He had been saying things like that more often, as if he was preparing for something. And I wasn't ready for it. Not yet.

"It's just... you know." Cody said with a soft sigh, his hand tightening around mine, "it might be the last time we all get to hang out like this. Might be the last time I can do something normal with you guys."

Ryan stopped mid-sentence, catching the shift in the conversation. He looked over at Cody, confused but worried. "What are you talking about, man?" He asked, his voice suddenly quieter.

"Cody..." I started, but my voice caught in my throat. There was something about the way he said it that felt like a goodbye, even though he didn't say it outright.

"I don't know, London." Cody said, his voice low, almost defeated. "I don't know how much time I've got left to just be... normal. To just hang out like this."

The silence hung heavy in the room for a moment, and I could feel my heart breaking in that stillness. I wanted to scream, to cry, but instead, I squeezed his hand tighter, trying to hold onto whatever little peace I had left.

"You don't have to say stuff like that." I whispered, my voice trembling. "We're not... we're not losing you."

Cody met my gaze, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. But then it was gone, replaced by something I couldn't quite place. "I wish I could believe that." He said softly.

Before I could respond, Cody suddenly jolted to his feet, a pained expression crossing his face.

"Hey, are you okay?" Sage asked, her voice laced with concern.

Cody didn't answer. He staggered slightly, his hand bracing against the arm of the couch. His face was pale, and I could see the beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Hold on." I said, standing quickly. "Cody, what's wrong?"

Before any of us could react, Cody collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath, and then he pushed himself up, scrambling toward the bathroom.

"Cody!" Ryan and I rushed after him, but by the time we got to the hallway, Cody had already disappeared into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him.