How to Survive Death

Part 1

   The first thought that came to my mind was how am I going to tell him? Not even, oh my God I'm sick or I'm going to lose all my hair. What scared me the most was seeing his reaction. I am sick. I am sick. How can I tell him that after knowing each other for 12 years, I only have 80 days to live, 80 orange sunsets, 80 starry nights left?

Going home was hard. Seeing everything again and knowing that this will only be mine for a little longer. I'm running out of time.

I made my way up to my room, but the squeaking fourth step vibrated through my body, and I paused, taking it all in, before continuing on.

I rested on my bed and realized that my head was pounding. No matter what I tried, nothing could shake the awful feeling that soon took over my entire body. I had to tell my best friend that I was going to die. How pleasant.

"Ava, Cole is here to see you." Well, you know what they say, no time like the present. A small knock sounded on my door.

"Ava, can I come in?" His voice is soft, scared almost.

"Um, ya. Sure." I mumbled. The doorknob turns and clicks, but it takes a second for it to open fully. The sight that follows tears my ailing heart from my chest. The boy in front of me looks broken; dark circles under his eyes and blonde hair in disarray. I caused this. Me and my stupid cancer. He made his way over to my bed and sat down hesitantly, as if I would break if he made any sudden movements.

"So um, w-what's wrong with you. What h-happened?" his eyes didn't dare to meet mine as his words fell lifelessly to the floor.

"Stage 3 mesothelioma cancer." I saw the light in his eyes flicker, if just for a moment. "I have cancer, Cole."

   A lonely tear fell from his eye, and I knew that this was going to hurt more than any treatment the world could offer. "That's not the worst part." it came out in only a whisper, but his head shot up and the sheer worry in his eyes made my stomach tighten. "Cole," my shaking hand reaches for his, searching for the comfort I needed. "I only have 80 more days." I blurted out, a slight feeling of relief entered my clouded mind, but was ripped away when my eyes met the ones of the boy in front of me. His entire body lurched forwards as he was hit with the first wave of desperate sobs. I was soon to follow. We laid in each other's arms for what seemed like the shortest forever in history. Our only interruption was the repetitive buzzing of Cole's phone. Red-eyed and sniffling, he sat up slowly and dug his phone out of his pocket.

"It's my mum. She wants me to come home." he stated blankly.

"It's alright, I'll live." a forced chuckle escaped my lips at my weak effort at lightening the mood, but only ended up bringing an uncomfortable silence before Cole spoke up, barely.

"Bye Ava." he made his way to the door, but stopped to pick up a fallen paper. He placed it on my desk, but not before wiping away a few more tears. I stood from my seated position and walked over to the table. I recognized the paper Cole had picked up, but only vaguely.

It was a bucket list.

-

"No, Cole, you don't understand, I could do all of these things! They're simple things, like writing a poem, or taking a hike. It'll keep me busy, and take my mind off of treatment. Please, will you help me?"

After a slight pause, I heard him give off a weak laugh.

"Of course I'll help you. Anything for you." by the sound of his voice, I could tell he was smiling slightly.

"Perfect. Well, there's 79 things to do, 80 days to do it. My guess is, 'past me' wanted 100 thing for 'future me' to do, and now 'future me' is 'present me', and I got 79 things to do." I knew I was rambling and probably didn't make much sense, but I couldn't help it. "So, starting tomorrow, we're gonna have some fun."

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I'm really excited for this book, even though not many people will even read it...😁😁

-Megan