Bring Me Back To 5SOS {Book 2}

7- Treatment and New Relationships

Maya's POV

Rebecca and I were in the waiting room at the hospital. I was having my first round of chemo today. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I was terrified.

The doctor called me in, and we waited some more. I changed into the hospital gown and sat on the bed. The oncologist came in and went over the procedure.

"It'll only hurt for a moment," she said and stuck the needle in my arm.

I groaned and squeeze Rebecca's hand as the chemicals were released into my bloodstream.

"This is going to take a while," she told me.

"Can I do anything while I wait? Or do I have to just sit here?" I asked

She chuckled and patted my hand. "Save your strength."

*~*

I collapsed as soon as we got in the car after the appointment. I felt exhausted from the medication. I 'saved my strength' by lying in a hospital bed for six hours and I could barely keep my eyes open.

Matthew had to pick me up in the car and carry me to the apartment. They didn't push me to eat anything. I lay down on my bed and fell asleep.

*~*

It was around nine at night when I finally woke up. I was wide awake since I slept the whole day. I was about to Facetime my friends when Noah walked in.

"Can I talk to you?" He asked.

"Depends. Are you going to hurt me again?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," he said and sat on the end of my bed. "I'm sorry for what I did to you. I really am. It was because- well, you know why. But that's not all of it."

He put his head down, and I shifted on the mattress. I put a hand on his shoulder.

"You can tell me," I assured him, and he looked up to give me a grateful smile.

"A few years ago, I got into some trouble. I started doing drugs and went to parties almost every night. I was arrested a few times. My grades dropped, and I got suspended constantly. I- something bad happened and I was sent away for six months. I felt like it was the only way to get my parent's attention. They were still heartbroken over Isabella, and I felt like they never noticed me. But I got better. I stopped doing drugs and going to parties. My grades went up. I joined the lacrosse team when I got into college. It felt good to know they were proud of me. I just don't want to be forgotten again," he said.

I moved to sit next to him and put my hand on his knee.

"Your parents aren't going to forget you, Noah. They love you a lot. I can see how proud they are of you. I'm not trying to take them away. Honestly, I don't even want to be here. I'm grateful for what they've done, but this isn't my home. Can we just try to get along?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'd like that. I'm sorry this happened to you, Maya. It's upsetting to see someone else go through it," he said.

"Yeah, it's a lot to take in."

He was about to say something, but my phone went off. I hit the answer button, and Thomas's face appeared on the screen.

"Maya, what the hell is going on?" He asked harshly.

His expression was grim. Leila's was almost the same when she popped up next to him.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Your dad is at my house. He's talking to my parents downstairs. What is he doing here?"

"I'm just gonna go," Noah said.

"No. Stay. It's fine," I said. He sat down next to me, and I introduced him.

"Can we get to the point, please? Why is your dad at my house?" Thomas said.

"He didn't tell you?"

"Tell us what?" Leila asked.

I looked at Noah for help. He just shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to say. I sighed and faced my two best friends.

"I have stage three brain cancer. I started chemo today. I also might have to do radiation therapy."

Leila gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth. Thomas was silent.

"Oh, my god! Maya, I- oh, my god."

"I found out yesterday. I have a fifty-five percent chance of living for the next year. After that...it depends on how well the treatment works," I said.

I wasn't going to sugarcoat it. This was a matter of life or death, literally. I couldn't hold anything back. Leila would be pissed if she found out I hadn't told her everything.

"You said you would come home. You promised," Thomas said.

"It's not my fault I have cancer. I want to be home more than anything, but right now-" I paused. "I just want to live. Would you rather have me come home in a box?"

"I know it's not your fault. It's just-" His head turned as his door opened. "Bye, Maya."

He hung up before I could say anything, leaving me to stare at the blank screen.

"You should get some sleep. I'll be in my room if you need me," Noah said and stood up.

He went to walk away, but I grabbed his hand.

"Wait. Can you stay with me?" I asked.

He smiled, and I felt myself blush from embarrassment. We only just agreed to get along five minutes ago and I was already asking him to cuddle with me like he was my brother.

"Of course."

I lay down with him next to me and snuggled up next to him like I used to with Luke. It wasn't the same as lying down next to the blonde, but I felt protected again. I felt safe.