The Fight For Life

Chapter 1

When I first got the call about my ex-best friend Paige I knew that this wouldn't be good. If she was in the ER than it was serious. Here's the thing about Paige, she doesn't cry and she definitely doesn't go to the ER unless well something serious happened. Like today, I guess. Paige and I used to be bff's from preschool until about eighth grade. I don't know what happened. One day I did something mean to Paige. I shut her out from my life. I was jealous if that's the word. She was so lucky to have everything. Paige was always tanner against my pale, olive skin. She had long wavy blond hair and crystal blue eyes. I was stuck with thick brown stick-straight tangled hair and brown plain eyes. Everyone liked her because she was a kind, daring, spiritual, big hearted girl. I was not. It was like when someone was talking to Paige and I came by they didn't want to be around anymore. I was the opposite of Paige. What can I say? Opposites attract. For some people. Not for me. I was sick of always being hated. Hanging out with Paige wasn't very fun. It wasn't Paige, but I was mad at Paige because everyone liked her and no one cared for me. Paige never did anything. Not one thing. I still thought it was all her fault.

By the time we got to middle school it was bigger. There were more groups to hang out with and more people who I didn't know. I stayed with Paige for two more years before I made a break away. I hung around this outsider group. They weren't pretty, but they sure were better. I still didn't feel right but at the time I didn't care. I couldn't stand being friends with Paige. They smoked behind teachers and skipped classes. I was in a lot of detentions that year. Part of me wished I could go back to being friends with Paige.

In eighth grade Paige asked me why I wasn't sitting with her. Here's what I said.

"Because you're so ugly and I can't stand to be in the same room with a girl so self centered. Go away and get out of my life loser."

When those horrible words left my mouth I knew they were wrong. I tasted that bitter soap taste from when my parents used to put soap in my mouth after I said something bad. I can't even describe Paige's face after I said that. It was sadness, disbelief, and hurt.

"What did I do Mia?" She asked her throat choking up with tears.

"You...you... you have always been horrible now get out of my life!" I screamed. My voice was shaky and I felt like I was going to cry also.

Her eyes got all watery and her cheeks got red. I had never seen Paige like this before. Not in all of our years together had I ever seen her cry. Now she was about to because of something she never did.

"What happened to you Mia?" She asked me. "What happened?" Then she walked away.

I didn't feel any better after what I did. Paige would never hurt a fly. She never would've hurt me or anyone. I hung out with the outsiders for the rest of the year. Finally ninth grade came and it was even bigger than it was in middle school. I asked my dad not to car pool with Paige anymore. He asked why and I said we just didn't hang out as much. I haven't really worried about Paige because she has a lot of friends and she's very popular. I'm sure she has been worrying about me though. I had decided over the summer I didn't want to hang out with the outsiders. The thought of smoke choking up my throat again didn't seem very appealing. Also I knew my dad really wanted me to get good grades. He's suffered to much, after we lost mom and he had to start working full shifts, the least I could do was pay attention in school. The trouble was finding a new group.

When I walked into the second week of the new school year I had already had my classes planned out and I even made a few new friends. It was a girl and a boy and they were twins. Kevin and Erica. They were nice and both of them were in some of my classes. I saw Paige only a few times in the first week of school. Of course she looked amazing with her long blond hair. I didn't know I'd be seeing Paige only in a few hours.

When I got the call it was right after lunch on Wednesday. I was probably in Mr. Brown's math class boring my eye sockets off while Paige was suffering. I didn't get the chance to look at my phone until after school which was about three hours later. It was a call from my dad which I had no idea was about Paige. I only had one class with Paige and that was in the morning. I grabbed my bag from my locker as I dialed my dad's number. He answered on the third ring and I could tell something was wrong right from the start. His voice was shaky and he talked faster. It was like he was hurrying to get through the conversation.

"Hey dad,"

"Honey, I'm picking you up today."

"Ok what's up?"

"I'll explain when I get there, it's about Paige."

My peppy attitude slowed at her name, "Ok."

"See you soon."

"Bye."

I was happy enough that dad was going to pick me up, but what was wrong with Paige?
He sounded so worried I just wish he would explain more. I walk over to where my father's ford pulled up.

I got in the car and swung my bag over my shoulder. Dad quickly pulled out of the school parking lot and onto the road. He kept his hazel eyes on the road fully alerted.

"Um dad where are we going?" I ask when he takes a left instead of a right to our house.

"We are going to the hospital, Paige has brain cancer and it's serious." He says.

Paige? The most healthy girl I know? She has brain cancer?

"She was tested for brain cancer a few months ago and the tests came out positive but it wasn't bad. She was on medication."

"But she's been at school and she doesn't look much different."

"She went to the ER today and now she's in a coma," dad says as we slowly pull into the ER parking lot.

"What? She was in class today!" This is unbelievable. Paige, ER, brain cancer. Why wasn't I notified earlier. Ok yes I was super horrible to Paige, but my dad is super close to her parents. This isn't possible. It can't be possible.