In The End

22: NO ONE CAN GROUND THE DESTROYER!!!

Two months later:
 
   "Sebastian, I swear, give me back my hat!"
    "Remington, catch!"
    "What the hell, dude! Don't gang up on me! I just want my hat!"
    "Sebs, go long!"
  Amused out of my mind, I watch Emerson scramble from brother back to the other, trying to grab his hat while Remington and Sebastian basically play frisbee with it. I laugh, continuing to braid Steph's hair while we FaceTime all the girls, who're currently at BVB's.
"So B-Bear, when's the next appointment? I wanna know if my niece or nephew is a she or a him," Canon asks.
"Yeah, we can't keep calling him a shim," Cybil adds from my phone. Cybil went to live with Oli in Sheffield, Yorkshire. We all miss her like crazy, but she comes down to get piercings and tattoos every once in a while. What? Once you find a good piercer or tattooist, it's hard to find another, so heck yeah people would travel across oceans to get them done by their own artists or piercers.
    I snort. "It's this weekend. You really don't have to come. I can send you guys your pictures of the ultrasound--"
"WE ARE MOST DEFINITELY COMING, BLADEY POO!" CC calls from the background, making Steph and I crack up.
"I thought Kaylee grounded you!" I shout back, making Sebastian and Remington pause slightly in their game, but quickly continue when they see Emerson dangerously close to snatching back his treasure.
"NO ONE CAN GROUND THE DESTROYER!!! that and she ungrounded me," he mumbles the last part, causing Canon to snort, but then turns her gaze to me.
   "Speaking of Kaylee, have--" my smile instantly drops.
   "No."
   "Come on, B! You've gotta talk to her sometime. I get she didn't tell you--"
  "Whatever, Canon. Let's not forget that you knew too. I gotta go."
   "But--" she's cut off my me reaching down and pushing the 'End Call' button on Steph's iPad, which switches from a frozen pic of Canon and Juju to a pic of Sebastian playing guitar.
   Why am I mad? Let's go back to the last day of warped.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

   I snap my eyes open at the sound of CC getting up, which by the way, he's friggin' loud. I sigh to myself, feeling achey all over. Thanks for knocking me up, you emo vampire. What the heck are you doing, Blade? Remington isn't even here, and even if he was, he can't here your thoughts....
Or can he? I don't know, he's a flipping emo vampire, I swear. Well, he doesn't drink blood so maybe not. He's a Nutella vampire.
    I let my mind continue the ambivalence it's having over what type of vampire Rem is while I get up, throwing on a solid black flowy crop top, along with the long flower print skirt I'd bought back at the thrift store in Phoenix. I throw my hair up in a messy high ponytail, letting some strands fall to frame my face and slip on my loose choker-necklace with a sun chain, along with the charm bracelet. I then set out to find shoes, which I settle for some black ankle boots. I quickly apply a burgundy lip stain, since I'd sweat off my lipstick before grabbing my circle sunglasses and heading off the bus.
    Canon, Juju, Jake, Jinxx, Andy, and Ashley follow close behind. I stop, and turn to look at Kaylee. "You coming, love?"
   "Nah, I'm not feelin' too hot. I'll meet y'all later. Bye love!" She says weakly to me, and I smile weakly back.
   "Bye, love," I turn to Ceece. "What about you?" He looks down.
   "I'll be out in a sec." I frown at his seriousness, but continue my way off the bus.
    We've maybe walked half way to the actual warped area when I realize I forgot my purse, and quickly call, "hey, I forgot my purse, be right back!" I notice Canon start to nod, but she freezes half way. But I'm already at the bus door.
   "No, Blade, wait!" I actually hear footsteps running, but it's too late. I've opened the door, and I hear the words.
     "--nd you're gonna have to let them know that this was your goodbye. Kaylee you're dying and it shows now. They're not blind. They'll figure out sooner of later that your cancer didn't go aw--" CC and Kaylee stop their conversation at the sight of me. I drop my sunglasses. What?
    I stand at the bus door for maybe a good three minutes before anyone really reacts. I'm first to react, quickly snatching the sunglasses from the floor and mumbling about my purse, rushing to get it so I can get the hell out of here.
   I hear CC and Kaylee call after me and ignore it, just like how I ignore the lump in my throat that physically hurts, burning to the point where I feel as if I can't speak. Once I get to the front room, everyone is back on the bus. I try to push passed them, but they won't budge.
   I hastily swipe at the tears that've escaped. "Move," I say hoarsely, no amount of joking in my voice. I'm literally ready to knee some dudes if I have to.
   "Blade, just hear her out," Andy says calmly, and I laugh bitterly in return.
   "Hear her out, huh? See, I really don't want to." He has hurt and frustration written on his face, but I'm far from done. I turn to look at Kaylee, who looks shocked, sad, and ashamed.
   "But you know, I really want one question answered: when were you planning on telling me? Apparently everyone else knows, so what's your excuse for leaving me out of something so big? What, were you planning of telling me in a little letter that also asks me to do a Eulogy?" Kaylee looks like she's been slapped, and Canon gasps.
   "Bladen, that's enough," Andy growls, and steps forward, putting his hand on my arm. I shove him away from me.
    "Don't you freaking come near me you arrogant jerk," I spit back, taking him back I small bit. I glare at all of BVB. "All of you actually stay away from me. If you really thought I was a friend, you wouldn't have kept this from me."
   "Oh that's it," Ash snaps, stepping forward. "Calm down. We didn't tell you because we wanted to protect you so you wouldn't get hurt. You didn't need to deal with this, and it's her last wish, to go on tour with us with her friends. Stop being so selfish by trying to ruin it."I huff out a laugh.
    "So many things just became clear! Like, this was a pity offer. Oh, and you didn't want me to get hurt?! Hi, I'm Bladen Anders, and MY DAD TRIED TO CRUSH MY LUNGS LIKE HE WAS SQUASHING A  BUG UNDER HIS SHOE!" I can tell my voice is rising, and Ashley rolls his eyes.
    "Okay, lose the victim act--" before he can continue, I gasp at his words, and slap him across the face, my breathing accelerating and the air seeming to thin.
    "You know what? Screw you, Purdy.  I didn't even want to tell any of you. I had to because he would've come after the people I cared for, and sorry, I'm being selfish?! Think about this: even though it was the last thing I wanted to do, I told you my secret. Not because I'm scared of death, but because it's not just my life in danger anymore. I poured my whole life's secret out to you people, and yet I can't even get the truth back?! You're cleared and good to go, Kaylee?" I snarl, tears thickening my voice. It's silent. I shake my head, gathering the things I dropped, shoving Ashley hard out of my way, along with Andy and slamming the door to the bus behind me. As I'm storming away, I hear someone come after me, and Kaylee is suddenly in front of me.
   "I was going to tell you today, I swear! I had blood work done since my meds never worked and weakness is a side affect, and it actually did beat my cancer! I was going to tell everyone today! Please, Blade, you have to believe me!" She desperately shows me the blood sample, and I just stare blankly. I glance up into her eyes.
   "I've had to come face to face with death quite s few times ever since I was thirteen. Did you really not think I could understand? And you think that now that it's cleared for real that it'll make your lie just go away?" She's silent, her eyes still pleading. I walk around her and continue to the Palaye Royale bus.
   I see Emerson smoking on the steps, and he smiles at me once he sees me. I'd thought I'd pulled myself together, but when I see one of the only people I think actually cares for me like I do them, I start to break down again. His smile immediately drops, and he puts out his cigarette, shouting out a quick, "REMINGTON!" Before he rushes to me and hugs me to him. I sob in Emerson's arms and clutch his pirate style shirt for dear life while he tries to soothe me by rubbing my back and murmuring small words to me, trying to get me to talk to him.
   Remington bursts out of the bus in a tight, collared dark brown button up shirt and tight darker brown skinny jeans, black combat boots thrown on hastily as well. His frantic eyes scan for his brother, and shows relief when he sees Emerson, but they freeze on me. He immediately rushed for me and I slightly pull back from Emerson, wiping my eyes and reaching for Remington, who quickly scoops me up into his arms bridal style when I'm in his reach. He carries me into the bus with a worried Emerson trailing him, Sebastian and Steph waiting worriedly at the door of the bus.