Troubled But Strong

Time to Catch Up

  Day 6 of Chemo:

Y/N's E/C eyes fluttered open. Realizing her talk with Rin last night, a weight was heavy on her chest.
'It's been so long since we really hung out...' Y/N thought to herself.
Suddenly, Y/N's phone buzzed.

From: Shark Week
Hey! I'll be over around 12:00. I'm getting my work from my classes, and heading out early. Now before you say how stupid that is, and to put school before you. Shut up. I have many questions, and we really need to talk. See you in a couple hours.

To: Shark Week
I'll make myself look presentable! And Rin..Thanks for coming today. I can't wait to see you.

From: Shark Week
Me too. Anyways, it's no problem really. I have to go, but I'll be there in a few hours. Talk to you in a bit.

Y/N laid back in her bed and sighed, smiling to herself.
"I've seen that look before. Is another boy coming?" Hanako smirked, helping Y/N get up.
"Can you help me look..presentable?" Y/N asked, hope gleaming in her eyes.
"Of course dear, but why? Is this boy someone special?"
Y/N blushed, and looked to the side, "He means a lot to me, but he hasn't really seen me in this state."
Hanako's eyes softened, but she smiled kindheartedly at the teen.
"Well," She started, earning Y/N's attention, "We won't get anywhere with that attitude now will we. Get up. I have the perfect thing for you to wear."
Y/N stood up, following Hanako, and she pulled out an edgy outfit that represented Y/N perfectly.
Y/N put on her outfit, with the help of Hanako, and got all prettied up for the swimmer. ( )
Her makeup made her E/C eyes pop, and one look in the mirror, her mouth nearly dropped.
"I-I look..amazing. It's like I'm not even sick."
"That's because on the outside you're not sick. Only on the inside is where the real battle is happening."
"But...More of my hair fell out. I think I'm going to ask him to shave my head. I want to get it done all at once now." Y/N said, determination glowing in her eyes.
"Alright," Hanako saw the maroon hair from down the hall, "Is that him?" she whispered to Y/N, causing her to nod. Y/N jumped back into bed, and Rin entered the room, sanitizing, because doctor's orders.
"Hey," Y/N said, smiling.
Rin's cheeks blushed slightly, and he coughed to the side, "Hey...You look great for someone with cancer."
Y/N chuckled, "If you only saw what I really looked like under the 8 pounds of makeup I have on right now."
Rin's smile faded, "You're in the hospital, making yourself all worried just to impress me? If I knew any better I'd say you had a crush on me," Rin smirked, causing Y/N's S/C cheeks to blush.
"S-Shut up....I don't even know who I like, or whatever. I'm more focused on getting better, and not failing high school." Y/N said looking down.
Rin looked around the room, then found some makeup wipes in Y/N's side drawer. Taking one, he placed two fingers under her chin, making her look at him, and gently wiped the makeup off of her face.
"You're sick, and you need rest. You don't need to hide what you really look like from me. I'm here for you throughout all of this...."
Y/N closed her eyes as Rin wiped off the last of her mask, and smiled.
"Well, this is what I look like now." Y/N's dark circles under her eyes were revealed, and her skin wasn't as bright as it used to be. Her face just looked lifeless. Everything, but her eyes. Just like the guys noticed yesterday, her eyes can still light up the room.
"You still...look beautiful..." Rin said blushing.
"I should probably get changed," Y/N got up, grabbing some sweatpants, and a T-shirt. Rin noticed the bruises all up and down her arms as she took her jacket off. Then it hit him, 'She's getting changed in front of me?!?'
"U-Uh Y/N...Do you want me to leave? U-Until you finish getting changed?" Rin's face matched his hair, his eyes focused on the, now very interesting, window.
"Rin I don't care. You've seen me in a bathing suit. How is this any different?"
Rin was silent, but he kept his eyes focused on the wall, catching glances of Y/N's still fairly toned body.

"You can look now," Y/N smiled, sporting her sweatpants, and a maroon T-Shirt ( ).
"That's better," Rin smiled, "Now. Can I ask my questions yet?"
Y/N nodded, snuggling under her blankets.
"Okay so question 1.) Why are you in the hospital?"
"Unlike other types of cancers, leukemia is required to do chemo in the hospital, and locked away from the outside world. If I were to catch a cold, or be exposed to bacteria I can break out into a rash, and maybe even die."
Rin paused, and thought hard before asking his next question, "Okay...2.) Will you ever be able to swim again?"
"I think so? It might be awhile. I can easily have shortness of breath, or even be exposed to bacteria. By the time finals come around, I'll be there supporting my team, and you, but...I won't look the same."
"What do you mean 'Won't look the same'?"
Y/N sighed deeply, "Rin....chemo causes me to lose my hair, and makes my brain, and memory all fuzzy. I'll remember everyone, but significant events will be difficult to remember."
"Oh..." Rin said sadly, looking to the side.
"You're the only one that knows this, but I'm already losing my hair. I just want to get it over with...Rin...Will you shave my head?"
His red eyes nearly popped out of his head, "W-What!?! Are you sure about this?"
"I'm as sure as ever. Please Rin..."
Rin slowly nodded, and found the already prepared scissors and razor. Y/N put her H/L H/C hair is a low pony tail, and Rin cut right after the elastic band, laying it on the table beside him. Y/N giggled, excited and scared that she's going through with this. Slowly, he shaved the sides of her head, the the top, and finally cleaning up some spots.
"There...all done."
Y/N looked in the mirror, and gasped, but started laughing.
"I can't believe I went through with this."
'I can't believe I just cut..no shaved, Y/N's hair off...'
"Hey Rin? Can you hand me the beanie on my desk?"
Rin nodded, handing her the hat, as she slipped it onto her head.
"Don't you have to leave for the preliminaries tomorrow?" Y/N asked, laying back onto her bed.
"Yeah...I missed practice today for you, just means I'll have to work even harder tomorrow."
"I know you'll do great." Y/N said, grabbing his hand, that was so warm compared to hers.
A knock on the door was heard, and there stood Hanako, camera in hand.
"Rin was it? Sit next to Y/N please?"
Rin blinked, but did as the nurse told him to do. He sat next to Y/N, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"We've been making memories with her friends, as well as the staff here."
"I have a giant scrapbook to fill up. I can't wait to see the finished product when I'm out of here."
"Okay you two. Smile" Hanako cheered.
The two took a normal picture, then one with funny faces, then Y/N placed her head on Rin's shoulder. The last one surprised Rin, and even Hanako. Y/N took off her beanie, and placed it on Rin's head. Hanako was just about to take a picture, until Y/N stopped her. Y/N quickly placed her lips on rin's cheek, his eyes widened at the sudden contact. Hanako caught the reaction just in time, and ended their little photo session, giggling at the sight of Rin's face.
"Y/N...." Rin said, still confused.
"Yeah Shark Week?"
"Why did you kiss me?"
"It's my token of good luck for you tomorrow," She giggled.
Rin smiled as she laughed.
'Even when she's going through her lowest point in life right now...she can still manage to smile. Hm if I could've only done that when I was in Australia....'
"Rin...You better win tomorrow. Make it to finals for me okay? I want to see a sight I've never seen before by the time I can go to finals."
"I'll win for you...I feel like you'd be swimming at finals, too."
"Since my cancer progressed, I needed to go on chemo. So, it's either my life, or my swimming dream. My dream can always wait."
"I'd like to have you around awhile longer. So, it's best that you chose your life. You'll make it through this," he hugged her close, the scent of chlorine radiating off of him.
"Thank you. For coming today. After Prelims...come back please? You can sleep over if you want. Samezuka isn't that far away from here," tears pricked her E/C eyes.
"The day I come back from the competition...I'll stay here....with you."
Y/N pecked his cheek. This time she really meant it. There was actual emotion, and feeling in that small kiss. Rin's red eyes stared into her E/C ones. He tilted her chin up, and kissed her gently. Tears slowly falling down his cheeks.
'If I lose her...I don't know what I'd do.' Rin thought to himself, breaking away from Y/N.
"R-Rin..." Y/N said looking up at him, a slight smile on her face, "Good luck tomorrow," she placed a kiss on his cheek, and Rin got up, ready to leave.
"I better get back before it gets dark. I have homework to finish before the competition," Rin said, red dusting his cheeks for like the billionth time.
"Bye Jaws 3D," Y/N giggled, earning a laugh from Rin.
"Bye Tater Tot," Rin said, leaving the hospital. So many questions answered, and so many feelings blooming.

After Rin left, Hanako came into the room with the pictures of Rin, and herself. She carefully placed them in her scrapbook, adding the date, and some decoration.
"There," Y/N said, Hanako looking over her shoulder.
"He's cute. I can tell he really likes you, too"
"Really?!" Y/N yelled, her E/C eyes widening.
Hanako nodded, but looked at the clock, "It's time for dinner, then you should get some rest."
"Okay. I hope it's good," Y/N said, worried that she could possibly get food poisoning.
"Don't worry, it'll be good. I promise," Hanako reassured.
Y/N sighed in relief, but couldn't stop thinking about the competition approaching.
'Good luck guys..I'm cheering you on. Just a few miles away that's all.'

Later that night, Y/N fell asleep, dreaming about swimming again. The thing she misses the most, and as soon as she gets better, the first thing she'll be doing again.