Terminal

Treatment

Treatment

A knock at my bedroom door wakes me. "There's someone at the door for you" My sister informs me. I throw my hair up into a bun and pull on a pair of shorts. Confused, I walk down my steps and to the door. 'Who could be here to see me?' I pull the door open and see Josh standing there holding a bouquet of roses. "Josh, what is this?" I ask, even more confused than before. "I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm pretty sure you like me. And Olivia I am head over heels for you. There isn't a thing in this world I wouldn't do for you and I hope you know that. But I'm going on tour soon and the thought of you being with someone else pains me. And this may sound selfish, but I want you all to myself. So Olivia, will you be my girlfriend?" I choke back a few tears and nod my head. "Yes you dork" His smile makes my heart swell as he pulls me in for a hug. I know now, this is where I want to be, in his arms forever.

I smile at the memory. That was a little under a month ago which means Josh is now gone on tour. He left three days ago and I already hate it. Even though we Skype every night and text as often as possible I still miss him. During this past month, I also got really close with his best friend Tyler. "Hey baby, are you ready to go to treatment?" My mom asks from my doorway. I nod my head slowly, before closing my laptop. I was watching the most recent interview of Josh and Tyler on the road. I climb off my bed and walk downstairs. "It's a bit chilly out, you might want a jacket" I walk back upstairs and grab Josh's hoodie off my desk. I pull it over my head and make my way back downstairs.

"Okay Olivia. Your scores look good except it there seems to be an infection spreading through your blood stream." I bite my lip and watch as he looks over my papers. "It doesn't look bad but you need to take extra precautions in the next few days so it doesn't get worse. Any more strain on your body will put you in the hospital for more than just your cancer. I nod my head knowing this is a serious matter. I've grown to the fact that I have cancer but I never actually thought of dying. I mean, yeah it's obvious my chances of dying are higher because I have cancer but that doesn't mean I think about my death more often than others. "Olivia, I would advise you to stay indoors for a few days to stay out of contact with any possible virus" I nod my head in response. What is there for me to do anyway? Karlie is off doing photo shoots, Josh and Tyler are on tour, what is there for me to do? "We also are thinking about upping your chemotherapy. Since you're younger, your body is naturally stronger. And upping the therapy can help get rid of your cancer faster. But the down side to this is you will get sick. Symptoms will resemble the flu; Achiness, drowsiness, weight loss." I nod my head and look at my mom. "Is it safe?" My mom asks, nervously. "Nothing about cancer is safe. Is it dangerous to do a lot of chemo? Yes absolutely. But is having cancer dangerous? Yes. The decision is entirely up to you and your family, but I recommend it." I look towards my mom and nod my head. She gives me a sad look before answering the doctor. "We'll do it"

My mom and I went out to lunch after my doctors' visit. "I'm so scared" My mom mumble, sipping her drink. "Why?" I ask, knowing the answer. "Because It hurts to see your child sick and in pain" "But I'm not in pain I'm just sick" I say, not really helping the situation. "There's nothing you could have done differently. I was just meant to have cancer" I shrug my shoulders "How did Josh take it?" My mom says "Take what?" I push my food around with my fork, not really interested in eating. "About you being sick" I feel her eyes on my every move. "Well that's the thing" She was watching me like a hawk "I didn't tell him I was sick" She places her fork down onto her empty plate. "Liv, you have to tell him. That's not right to keep it from him. He really likes you and it will tear him apart to know you kept something from him" I nod my head "I know, I just don't know how to tell him. I can't just say 'Hey Josh, I have cancer' that won't go over well" I set my fork down and cross my arms in front of my chest. "I know. You'll figure it out. You always do. You're so smart" I bite my bottom lip as my mom pays the bill. She got the hint I didn't want to talk about this anymore so we just left.

Back at my house, I send Josh a quick text asking if he's free. I don't get a reply so I decide to take a shower. After cleaning my body, I washed my wig in the sink. I hear my phone go off so I set my wig on the counter to dry and walk to my room. I pick my phone up off my nightstand and see Josh's name pop up. 'Hey beautiful. I'm not free right now, about to perform. I will Skype you as soon as we're off that stage. I hope you're doing okay and I miss you' I type up a message quickly 'Okay, good luck tonight.. I miss you too and I can't stop thinking about you. I can't wait to see you after this tour' I set my phone down on my dresser and look at myself in my mirror. My hair was shorter than most guys due to the chemo therapy. I run my fingers through my short, thin hair before going back to the bathroom. My wig was basically dry so I put it on my head and secured it with bobby pins. Now I have to find something to do for a few hours.

My Skype call woke me up. I jump up and grab my laptopoff my desk and sit on my bed. I see Josh's name pop up and click answer. "Heybeautiful" his tired voice rings out "Hey sweaty" I rubbed my face trying towake up. "What time is it there?" he asks, sipping a Red Bull. "Two in themorning. You?" His face drops "Oh wow, I'm sorry. It's only eleven here" Icheck my phone and see two text messages. "It's okay. I've been waiting to talkto you" I smile through the camera and watch as he smiles back. "How was theshow?" I ask "It was great. We got a good reaction out of the crowd" I nod myhead, happy for him. "Okay. I have a question" He says hopefully. I bite mybottom lip before answering "I have an answer maybe" "I was talking to Tylerearlier today about Jenna staying on the road with us while we tour. I thenasked if maybe you could tour with us and he said he doesn't see why not. So Iguess what I'm asking is do you want to tour with us?" I'm overcome with somuch joy that he asked me that. Now I get to be with him all the time. "Are yousure? You don't think we're jumping into things too soon?" I say, just makingsure. "It's not like we're getting married" He mumbled something at the end butI didn't catch that. "Okay. Then yes, I'd love to come tour with you guys" Hissmile makes me almost start crying. "Okay, we can talk about it more tomorrowbut I'm just happy you said yes. I haven't been able to stop thinking aboutyou" I nod my head in agreement. "Me too"