Given A Chance

2

I laid uncomfortably in the hospital bed. It was ten p.m. and I had taken several tests, I didn't even know what they were for. Some were CAT scans, some were blood tests, I even had a urine test. I don't think all of them were testing for the same thing.

I was tired, but I couldn't sleep. What if I had this disease? What was it, lymphoma? Would I die? There were so many things that I haven't gotten to do yet!

"Robyn, you should get some sleep. " Dr. Hermioner said as he walked in.

"I can't sleep."

"And why not?"

"I'm scared. And kinda hungry."

He laughed. "I'll bring food for you. And as for being scared Robyn, there's no reason to be. You are in good hands, and you know I will never let anything happen to you, you are like a daughter to me." I smiled at him as he walked out.

He was right, I shouldn't be scared. I trusted him. I always have. And as for the food, I hadn't eaten all day, what with the drama and tests. I was starving.

I sniffed the air. It was all right, not like mamas cooking, but it was edible. It was brown rice, chicken, mashed potatoes, water with ice, and a fruit cup. Of course it being me, I ate the chicken. It was gone in a few minutes. The rest was left in the plate. I drank the ice cold water, and it felt heavenly sliding down my dry throat. Dr. Hermioner said the results wouldn't be in tomorrow, it would take at least three days. So I still had to go to school. Great.

~~~

"Hey Robyn." Cheryl said cheerfully as she danced down the hall.

"Hey Cheryl." I smiled at her, no matter how bad I felt, she always managed to make me smile.

It was Monday. Before I left home today, I took a shitload of medication for pain, and also drank an energy drink. I needed as much caffeine to get me through the day as normally as possible. No one knew about my sickness, because even I didn't know. I hoped no one would find out.

"What are you doing later?"

"I don't know, why?"

"Just asking, we haven't had time to hang out lately." She looked at me expectantly.

"I don't know, I'll have to ask my parents."

"All right. I'll see you later!" She hugged me and hopped down the hall to class.

First class of the day, math. It goes by fast. It's not my favorite one, but it's easy. I slept threw most of it. And thankfully the teacher said nothing about it. The day went on slowly. I fell asleep in all my classes, I can't say that I cared. I didn't try to stay awake, it would be worthless.

~~~
THREE DAYS LATER

"Hey." Cheryl showed up at my door, my bedroom door. She had a sad smile, and something told me mother had already told her that I was sick.

"Hey."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Her eyes filled with tears.

I sat up, and instantly my eyes watered too. I had gotten the results today. Positive. I had lymphoma. I had cancer. I would have to start getting treated. And stop going to school for the first bit of it. Cheryl walked over and hugged me.

"I'm sorry, I just- I was scared." I confessed.

"It's okey, just go to sleep. I'll stay with you, I'll skip school tomorrow."

"You can't! Cheryl, you need to go to school." She looked at me madly.

"One day Robyn. Just one. It's not gonna affect me! Plus, it's for you. Your my only friend, and I can't lose you. Promise me you won't leave." I can't answer that. Our tears were shed, and they splattered all over us.

"Cheryl, remember how I had a crush on Dave?"

"Yea, and you said you were over it?" She jumped smiled and looked at me with big eyes. "Oh my fuck! You lied, you still like him! You have to tell him!"

My cheeks flooded red, I knew I had too. I just couldn't. I didn't know how. Yet I didn't want to lose my only chance.

"How? Cheryl, I'm practically dying and you want me to tell a guy that I like him!"

"Yes. You have too," she looked at me seriously, "it's okey, take your time. But you have to. Robyn you know you want to."

"Yes, I do. But I don't want him to pretend to like me back just because of this stupid disease!" I threw my arms in the air, I didn't want pitiful  kindness from him. I wanted to know what he truly felt. She looked at me with sad eyes.

"Well, then I bet we'll find a way. But you have to tell him Robyn! And soon." I sighed, I was tired as hell. I wanted nothing more than to sleep, but I wanted to talk to Cheryl.

"I know, I will. I just don't know how or when. And I'm gonna need your help." I smiled at her  wickedly at that last part. There was a cure for the sickness, but I didn't want to take chances.

~~~

Cheryl and I where at the town café. She drove, even though it would've just been a ten minute walk. She insisted. I sat there drinking my latte, while she was in the ladies room.

Then the door opened. And the last person I actually wanted to see right now walked through. And while I didn't want to see him, I couldn't help the little jump of joy, and the butterflies in my stomach.

He walked to the counter and made his order. A French vanilla cappuccino. As he got his drink, he turned around searching for a place to sit. The place was packed, what with it being the only café in town. Of course it would be. I ducked down, and tried to hide my face. But what's the point? I had to tell him. It was now, or never.

I sat up and looked over at him, he spotted me. I waved at him and he started walking over.

"Hey Ryn." He smiled at me.

"Hi Dave." I tried smiling back, but I'm pretty sure it was just a shaky thin lipped smile.

"So, why haven't you been in school?" I was surprised that he noticed. He was a senior with only half a days worth of classes. Afterwards he a few things here and there as a TA or helping with the gardens out front. So the possibility of him noticing: slim to none.

I took a deep breath, here goes nothing. "Yea, I uh- I actually wanted to talk to you. But err- it's. . . Do you want to go for a walk, so we can talk?"

Concern marked his face. But he agreed non the less. I excused myself to the ladies room before we left.

I opened the door and knocked Cheryl to the ground. We shrieked before realizing who it was. "Shit Cheryl! What are you doing behind the door?" I questioned as I helped her up.

"Oi you know what I was doing!! Ahhhh! O-m-g girl go get it!" She squealed.

I punched her arm, "Shut up Cheryl, don't make me get my hopes up. Who knows what could happen." I instantly regretted saying it.

Her eyes saddened. She stayed over last night, and we talked about all the great moments we ever had, all the funny, embarrassing, moments of our lives. What made us, us. At the end we were crying our eyes out. What if something went wrong? What if the treatment didn't work on me? What if it got worse? Our heads were full with what ifs. The worst one, the one we didn't want to talk about: What if I died? What would Cheryl's life be like? Me and her had been best friends since she moved here in fifth grade. Just the two of us. In a way we were sisters. We never had anyone else, no one wanted to talk to the dorks. I was worried, and sad, I didn't want to leave my sister.

**TA-Teachers Assistant