Ethereal | TRADLEY

CHAPTER 7: "Time is a running bitch"

Brad is laying on a hospital bed in the emergency room. His mum by his side crying, hoping that her son would wake up. Suddenly Brad's hands started to move, an indication that he's awake. Brad cried in pain once again, he pulled his hair in agony as tears build up. "MAKE IT STOP PLEASE!!" The curly boy shouts over the airwaves. His back arched, head thrown backwards and then his vision went black. He's unconcious again. "Nurse??!!!! SOMEBODY?!! PLEASE HELP MY SON!!!" Brad's mum cried while shaking his son's body. Nurses came running towards Brad's bed. "Madam please calm down, Dr. Clifford will be here any minute." One of the nurses said while the others checked on Brad. Dr. Clifford arrived in the emergency room with papers and x-ray films on his hands, it looks like it's Brad's test results. "He had a seizure after he woke up earlier Doc. He passesd out again." A nurse told Dr. Clifford while Brad's mum is holding her son's hands. "Make sure the patient is stable. Please keep an eye on him until he wakes up nurse. Ms. Simspon, I have Brad's tests results delivered early. Let's go to my office for the reading shall we? The nurses will take care of Brad." Dr. Clifford said to Brad's mum, assuring her that the nurses will take care of Brad. "If anything happens please call me as soon as possible" Dr. Clifford added.

"Ms. Simspon... I'm afraid Brad's diffuse astrocytoma has gotten worse. " Dr. Clifford said while reading the results of the MRI. "It has ascent to anaplastic astrocytoma. Anaplastic astrocytoma is a rare malignant brain tumor, grade III brain cancer. Brad's tumours are reproducing rapily. Headaches, lethargy or drowsiness, vomiting, and changes in personality or mental status. In Brad's case he might experience seizures, vision problems, weakness of the arms and legs resulting in coordination difficulties. This explains why Brad had his first seizure and frequent pain attacks. Grade III brain cancer is more malignant than grade II Ms. Simpson." Dr. Clifford explains. Brad's mum didn't say anything. She cupped her hands on her mouth as tears fell from her eyes. Sometimes she asks God, why is her son experiencing this kind of disease? Why Brad? Out of all the people, he does not deserve this. "Anaplastic astrocytoma usually develops slowly over time, but may develop rapidly. Chemotherapy, radiations and surgery are the options of treatment. This requires a team of medical professionals and physicians." Dr. Clifford adds. "Let's just hope Brad will not reach grade IV. I will consult other professionals for Brad's treatment. The sooner he is treated, the bigger the chance his tumor will be extracted. I advise that he stop going to school and get rested. This is getting serious Ms. Simpson, he needs to rest."

Dr. Clifford and Brad's mum went down to the emergency room to check on Brad. When they saw Brad, a splash of vomit with reddish color is all over the bed and on the floor. One of the nurses is rubbing Brad's back for comfort. "Hey buddy... How are you feeling?" Dr. Clifford asks Brad. The curly just shakes his head in a motion that's saying no. His eyes are baggy and look tired. Dr. Clifford asked Brad to come with him in his office for his results. The nurses assisted and cleaned Brad. He walks weakly, feels like his knees are thin glass that are about to break. For about twenty minutes, Dr. Clifford explains Brad's condition to him. Those words that came out to Dr. Clifford's mouth are like knives that are puncturing Brad. "Am I going to die?" Brad asks as tries to hold back his tears. "No Brad! Ofcourse not!! We will build a team of professionals to help you win this battle! God loves you so much Brad. Stay strong" Dr. Clifford replied positively.

•••

Tristan
BRAD BRAD BRAD. Damn it! I can't get Brad off of my head. Here I am, pedaling my way home. Second day at school sucks, especially without Brad on my sight. By the way, the second day on my new school was my last school day for the year. I was not aware that tomorrow is the start of Christmas break. So I think my two days on my new school was kinda worth it, because I met Brad.

•••

As Tristan pedals his way to his apartment, he passed by Brad's house. He went to the doorstep, balled his hands and knocked on the door again, hoping that Brad would open the door. "Time is a running bitch Evans." A boy with a scottish accent, medium blonde hair, small figure like Brad, blue eyes and a nose piercing said. Tristan turned his back around, only to see a boy chewing a gum near his bike. "Who are you and how did you know my name?" Tristan asks. "Does it even matter? Kidding! I'm Connor Ball. Brad's neighbor." The small one replied. "Ya know, I've seen you yesterday with Brad and again this morning. You his boyfriend?" Connor adds. "No, I am not his boyfriend. He's my friend." Tristan replied with his arms crossed. "Well then, A medical aid and an ambulance came earlier. I think that's the reason why there is no one home..." Connor said as he continues to chew his gum. "What? Did you see Brad? And wait a second, how did you know my surname?" Tristan's brows furrowed as he steps closer to the small boy. "Nah, I didn't see him, but I think he was inside the ambulance. Duhhh you have your surname on your bicycle plate!" Connor replied as he rolls his eyes. Tristan picks up his bike and pedals quickly "Hey Evans! If I were you, I'd be Brad's boyfriend! REMEMBER, TIME IS A RUNNING BITCH!" Connor shouts while watching Tristan disappear. While pedaling towards his apartment, Connor's words are floating on Tristan's head.

"Time is a running bitch"

"If I were you I'd be Brad's boyfriend!"

Tristan's feelings are indecisive, but one thing is for sure. Tristan's feeling of protecting, caring and being with Brad are concerete and sincere. The feeling he has right now for Brad is the same feeling he felt when he was eleven years old, an eleven years old Tristan courting a boy in his school. In a short amount of time, Brad was able to captivate Tristan's heart.
Tristan arrived to his apartment. He quickly pulled out his keys, opened the door and grabbed his leather black jacket. He closes the door and pedaled his way back to Brad's house. When he arrived, Connor is still there, sitting with his ankle on his knee. "You gonna wait for Brad to return home?" Connor said while still chewing his gum. "Yes." Tristan softly replied as he sat beside Connor in the stoned staircase outside Brad's house.

I hope you all like this update guys! Oh hi Connor! A new addition to the characters!

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