Fall For Me

Chapter 5

Natalie's P.O.V.-

It was 10:30 when I woke up. My mom was obviously cooking something downstairs because it smelled delicious. I rolled over and checked my phone to see one new text from Austin.

Hang out today? It said. I replied back yes, after my appointment. 

Getting up, I walked downstairs and saw my mom humming to herself and serving the food on the plates.

"Morning mom." I greeted her with a smile. She looked up, startled. "Morning Nat! Hope you're hungry."

I sat down, and a plate piled with eggs, bacon, veggies, and a side of yogurt sat in front of me. My mouth instantly started watering. I scarfed down the food, then went back upstairs to get ready for my appointment.

I pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater, wearing only light makeup, and checked the time. 11:30. The hospital was about a 20 minute drive away so I figured we better head out.

Walking down the stairs, I saw my mom talking on the phone but didn't get a chance to see what she was talking about due to the fact I felt all the food I just ate coming back up. I ran to the nearest bathroom and just made it to the toilet in time.

My mom ran in, eyes worried. I reassured her with a smile. "It's probably just because I ate fast." She nodded but still looked worried. "Alright, well, we better go. Are you okay?" She asked.

I nodded, even though I still felt nauseous. We got in the car and started driving. I rolled down the window to get some fresh air, and to clear my head.

We pulled up to the hospital 23 minutes later. I was feeling a bit better but my head still hurt. My mom and I walked into the waiting room and told the secretary that we were here.

I closed my eyes and sat down on a chair, but it was just moments later that a man walked out and called my name. I got up and told my mom to stay here. She nodded and continued looking at her magazine.

"Hello Natalie." The nurse greeted me. "I'm Dr. Jackson. Could you just step on this scale for me?" I did as I was told and he took my blood pressure. He then led me into a room where he started asking me questions about the bump on my arm.

"When did you start noticing it?" He asked.

"About a month ago." I replied.

"Does it hurt?" 

"Uh, yeah. Especially when something touches it."

"Can I see it?" He asked as he stood up. I rolled up my sleeve and turned my arm so he could see it. He nodded and said, "Okay, well I'll go get your doctor and show him your answers."

"Okay, thanks." I answered as he walked out the door and shut it behind him. I looked around the small room. There were posters of how much to eat, and how to take care of your body and what to do if you have a bladder infection. There were pictures on the desk of a family, and the doctor's children.

The door opened and a man walked in. He was probably in his 30's and was balding. He introduced himself as Dr. Monroe. "So you've got a bump on your arm?" He asked.

I nodded and he said, "Alright we're gonna take a blood test, okay?" He stuck a needle in my arm and I felt myself getting pale, feeling nauseous again. "Your mother told me you vomited this morning." I nodded and closed my eyes. "Okay, I'm just gonna go run some tests. Stay put." Then he walked out the door.

Austin's P.O.V.-

Julia and I were watching a movie at her house when my phone rang. Natalie. I got up and when Julia pouted at me, I turned away and walked into another room.

"Hello?" I answered softly.

"Austin." Natalie whispered. She sounded as though she was crying. "Austin." She kept repeating, louder and louder until she just started sobbing.

"Where are you?" I asked her. "What's wrong?" I heard someone talking in the background. 

"Can you come over?" She asked me. I looked out the door into the living room where Julia was, and then said, "Right now?" 

"As soon as possible." She kept crying. 

"Okay, I'll be there soon." I told her.

"Julia, I have to go." I told my girlfriend.

"To see Natalie." She stated without looking at me. 

"Yeah, she needs me." I said quietly.

"Of course she does." Julia said angrily. I could hear the hurt in her voice and was secretly glad she didn't look at me, so I didn't have to see the hurt in her eyes.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. She didn't respond so I grabbed my coat and walked out the door.

It was a short drive to Natalie's house, and when I got there I walked right up and rang the doorbell. Natalies mom answered. I almost gasped when I saw her face. It was puffy and red, covered in tear stains along with her shirt. Her hair was mess on top of her head. As soon as she saw me, she started crying again and pulled me in for a hug. "I'm so sorry Austin. I'm so sorry." She said. "Natalie's upstairs in her room." She told me when she let me go.

Confused as to what was going on, I walked upstairs to see Natalie's door closed. I pushed it open to see Natalie sitting on her window sill and staring outside. "Nat." I said. She turned her head slowly and her face shocked me even more than her mother's. Her eyes were angry and her mouth was pressed into a firm line. It was obvious she had just gotten done crying. Her hair was down and messy. She got up and came over to me and hugged me harder than I've ever been hugged. Her whole body was shaking as I rubbed her back and helped her sit on her bed.

I kept one arm around her as she looked at her hands that she kept in her lap. "Natalie, what happened? What's going on?" I asked softly, not wanting to upset her anymore.

She slowly looked up at me and said something I will never, ever forget. "Austin, I..I have cancer. And its incurable. I'm gonna die." Her voice broke as she said the last few words.

My head started spinning. I couldn't have heard her correctly. There was no way. Natalie was the strongest person I know. I shook my head. "What? No." I said. "No, no, no." I kept repeating.

I stood up and Natalie grabbed my hand and pulled me back down next to her. She kept her hand on mine as she took deep breaths. "The doctor told me I only have six months."