Stay A Little Longer: A Short Story

•Seven•

"And I can't tell Claire or Max, either," I complain to JoJo as we sit in my room, laying upside-down on my unmade bed.

"Okay, so you decided to tell me. A person who already knows and doesn't want to be reminded every two seconds," JoJo says and wipes her left eye.

"Well, I can't tell Mom, she'll shit bricks, and I can't tell Dad because he's been finding ways to avoid me until he gets his emotions under control."

She sighs. "Okay. Here's the deal. We just got a new counselor at school since the last one... you know..." she made a gesture like smoking a cigarette with one hand and made the "crazy" sign with the other.

"Uh-huh."

"So, talk to him. It's a perfect opportunity to let it all out without concerning your friends-- and better yet, it's confidential. No one will ever find out."

"That's what people usually say in books or movies before something goes terribly wrong."

"Well... this is neither a book nor a movie."

I smile at her and lay my hands over my face. I guess I might talk to the counselor once or twice. But that is all.
• • •
Week 2 of Daily Counseling I have already spilled the beans about my cancer, my bad-high percentage, and how I'm trying to make it all up to Greyson even before he finds out.

"I see your problem," Mr. Donovich, the counselor, says.

"Sure you do," I cross my arms.

"You want to make these the best days of Greyson's life before you... go. But, you want to have so much fun it should almost mean that Greyson shouldn't care about your passing."

"That makes no sense."

"Oh, but it does. Well, see you next time, Andrew."

"It's Andy," I say for about the thousandth time. He smiles and looks up from his desk.

"Sorry, it's a habit. Bye Andy."

I wave and sneakily exit the office, looking around for anyone who would ask why I was coming from the counselor's office. All clear, I rush off to my sixth period, my free period close to its end.

Like me, I think to myself. Then I immediately regret it. Why did I say that? Why am I bent on destroying my life by reminding myself of--

The bell sounds. It's just a long, steady beeping sound. I never understood why we don't have a classic bell, but I also never cared enough to ask.

"Andy!" someone yells from behind me. I turn around and find Bonnie running up behind me, her tiny cheerleader's outfit sliding up her legs.

"Oh, h-hey, Bonnie," I greet her. She stops in front of me and pulls her skirt so it covers most of her thighs.

"Uhm, you're friends with that girl Claire right?" she asks.

"Uh yea?"

"Can you... uh... can you tell her to meet me outside of the gymnasium before the pep rally starts this afternoon? It's really important."

"Yeah! Yeah, totally! I'll tell her next time I see her!"

"Okay," she smiles, kind of pathetically and apologetically, "thanks. Uh.. sorry about..." she points to her neck. I smile and wave it off.

"'Kay, bye," she waves and rushes off, her head down. I wonder what she wants Claire for-- she was sending kind of mixed signals.

I hope it's because she wants to hang out with her sometime. Claire really likes Bonnie. It'd be horrible if it DIDNT work out between those two.

Yeah, Andy, think of someone else besides yourself. Good job.

Now off to find Claire, that little gaybie.
• • •
"REALLY?!"

"Yes, Screechy McScreecherson, she told me to tell you to meet her before the pep rally today."

I had just told Claire what Bonnie said when she started fanning her face and smacking my arms. Now she's screaming in my ear. Gotta love girls.

"I KNEW IT!!"

"Woah, slow your role, missy, she could just be telling you off."

"Thanks, Danny Downer, I really needed that."

She folds her arms. After about 3 seconds she unfolds them and pouts.

"But I really like her, Andrew," she whines.

"I know, Clarissa," I say, sarcastically.

"You know my name isn't Clarissa."

"Yeah, but you guys get to call me 'Andrew' so I have to have something for you guys. Like I have something for Max, and you, and I'm working on Greyson."

"Ooh what about 'Greyson'?"

"You just said his name."

"Yeah, I know. I can't make it any longer."

I pause and look at her.

"BEYOND the point. Just meet Bonnie by the gym before the pep rally, don't be late. I'll pray for you, child."

She nods and runs off to her next class. I do the same, and meet up with Greyson on the way. He wraps his arm around me and I feel guilty.

Will this feeling EVER GO AWAY???