Chapter 1

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1 Year.

That's all I had left.

It was scary to think once my life was perfect and I used to take advantage of things I now wish I hadn't. 1 year. A very short time that I now had left.

I had been diagnosed with leukaemia just under 6 months ago and now I didn't have much of a life left ahead of me. My whole world had come to a stop when the doctor said those few words that changed me whole life. I couldn't believe what he was saying was true. Me, Onika Maraj, diagnosed with leukaemia.

Since that day everything had changed. The way people treat me is different. I get treated like I'm special and that's the one way I don't want to be treated. The only people that knew were my family my two bestfriends and Aubrey. Everyone was nice to me and constantly being protective. I hated it. There was only one person who treated me like I didn't have anything wrong and made sure I was happy and had fun. Aubrey. He would always be the one to help me forget that I didn't have much of my life left. Whether I was having a bad day or if I just didn't want to see anyone, he would always know how to lighten my mood.

We had been friends since we were nine and were still friends now. Tomorrow is the 9th year anniversary since we became best friends. He was like an older brother to me and I was like his little sister.

He didnt know that I only had a year left and I didn't want to tell him because I knew it would crush him if he found out that he had even less time with me.

Another day was gonna go by and I was just one day closer to the end of my story...


I woke up and looked at the clock on my bedside table. 6:03am. I had been waking up really early recently and I didn't understand why. I got up and put of bed. I went into my en suite bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I decided to get in the shower. I turned it on and waited for the right temperature before stepping in...

...

I had just finished getting dressed. I was in a pair of black leggings a white vest top and a drawstring hoody. I had my hair tied back and my glasses on. Was sat reading 'The Fallen Star'. I had started reading it yesterday and I was already almost past half way. I seemed to read a lot nowadays. It seemed to take me away from reality and put me in my own little bubble. I looked at the time it was now 7:32am. I decided to text Aubrey as I knew he would be awake.

Hey!😋xxx -MyLittleNic

Sup✋xxx -BigBroskie

Nothing much really just reading and yourself ?😶xxx -MyLittleNic

Just Chillin I guess. Not much else to do 😐 xxx -BigBroskie

True. So you up to much today ?xxx -MyLittleNic

Nope. You ?xxx -BigBroskie

No. Can we go somewhere ?😐xxx -MyLittleNic

Sure. What do you have in mind xxx -BigBroskie

Hmm... Zoo 🙉🐷🐴🐒xxx-MyLittleNic

Zoo it is then 🐒xxx -BigBroskie

I smiled to myself.

What time ?xxx -MyLittleNic

Whenever suits you ?xxx -BigBroskie

Well the nurse is coming over at 10 so how about 11 ?xxx -MyLittleNic

Sure. I'll see you then 😏xxx -BigBroskie

See ya 💋 xxx -MyLittleNic

I went back to reading my book after ending the conversation with Aubrey.

...

I was sat watching TV in my room when I heard my mother call me from downstairs. I knew why. It was because the nurse was here to see me again. I hated these daily visits. I went downstairs and sat opposite her on the table. I put on a fake small smile and answered all of her questions. By 10:30 she was gone. I was back up in my room preparing for my day out with brey. My mum watched me as I brushed my hair and put my shoes on.

Carol: how are you feeling today

Nicki: I'm fine

Carol: can I help you with anything

Nicki: no

Carol: do you want me to take you anywhere.

Nicki: no

Carol: you can't keep blocking me out like this nicki. I do care as well

Nicki: but that's the problem. Everyone cares too much. I don't get treated normally anymore. All I ever get from people is sympathy and I hate it. Why can't you just treat me normally like there's nothing wrong.

Carol: it's not that easy Onika

Nicki: well how do you think I feel constantly being reminded that there is something wrong with me. No matter how had you try to ignore it you always have someone telling you that it's still there. And I absolutely hate it.

Carol: nicki I-

Nicki: no ma. Just try to picture life from my point of view.

We heard a knock on the door and I knew it was Aubrey.

Nicki: I'll see you later

I walked past my mother and down the stairs. I opened the door to find Aubrey stood there with his hands in his pockets. A smiled instantly formed on my face when I saw him.

Nicki: brey

Aubrey: hey you alright

Nicki: yeah and yourself

Aubrey: not too bad

I gave him a hug and he returned it.

Aubrey: you ready to go

Nicki: yup

We walked out to his car and both got in...

...

Drake: aww look at this little monkey nic. It's cute and small like you

I laughed.

Nicki: and so it is

We walked along and went to see the apes.

Nicki: if I'm the cute monkey then you're my protective ape

Drake: I can live with that

We stood and watched as the apes climbed the trees.

Nicki: let's go and see the sealife

Drake: let's

We walked indoors to where all the sea animals were. We went to see the coral reef fishes first. There was so many different colours an types of fish.

Nicki: look at how they all swim in big groups

Aubrey: yeah so they can all look out for each other

Nicki: like me and you

Aubrey: yeah like me and you

I took his hand into mine. They fit together like perfect fitting jigsaw pieces as our fingers interlocked. He walked with me as we went to find another sealife section to look at...

...

We were now in the gift shop looking at the teddies. I was trying to decide on which one i wanted.

Aubrey: how about the ape. So that whenever you're scared or miss me you can have that as you're protector.

This is what I loved about Aubrey he always knew what I wanted.

Nicki: you're a genius.

He smiled.

Nicki: and I'll call it Aubrey. Aubrey the ape.

Aubrey: Aubrey the ape.

We looked around the shop for a little longer and he also got me flashing pen and journal to go with my ape.

It was 2:30 when we got out of the zoo.

Drake: so where would you like to go and eat

Nicki: I want a McDonald's

Drake: that can be arranged

I chuckled. He started the car and began our drive to McDonalds.

When we got to McDonald's we found our own little table in the corner. Aubs went and got our food whilst I sat waiting by the table. I received a text from Lauren during my wait.

Hey bew how are you ?X -Lauren

Hey, I'm good and you ?X -Nicki

Good thanks. Where you at ?X -Lauren

Somewhere. Why ? -Nicki

Can I not know where my bezzie is now ? -Lauren

Don't lie to me Lauren -Nicki

Okay fine your mother wants to know -Lauren

URGH ! Typical -Nicki

I put my phone down on the table and ran my fingers through my hair. What was it with people. Aubs got back and placed our food on the table before taking my hands into his.

Aubrey: what's up

Nicki: everything

Aubrey: hey look at me

I looked up and into his eyes.

Aubrey: smile. Not because you have to but because you deserve to. Don't let anyone ruin day or bring you down. You understand

Nicki: yeah

He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

Drake: now where's that smile I love

I flashed him a smile that I couldn't hide.

Drake: that better. Now I dunno about you but I'm hungry so

He took a bite out of his burger and I laughed at his silliness. I also then took one of my chicken nuggets and started eating.

Moments like this were what I wanted to be my last. I didn't want to spend my last year with arguments and sympathy from everyone. I wanted to be able to have a laugh and to have fun, not to spend my time feeling sorry for myself.

So that's what I was going to do. Smile , laugh and forget about reality. 1 day gone 364 to go ....

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There's the first official chapter. Chapter two will be coming along soon Hope you like it and make sure to comment and vote. Oh and also spread the word to other dricki readers

Much Appreciated

_PaintedPyramids X

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