Oblivion

seven

School. 

A place I hate with a passion and hate the fact I have to attend it - but it can't be helped. 

I was having a pretty okay day until I had an encounter with Queen Bitch who insists on having my attention. Ever since then my moods have taken a whole 360. But one thing I was looking forward to - was the last bell. I was counting it down in my head, and it was about to ring.

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 

And all hell broke loose. 

I quickly gathered my things and basically made a run for it. I hate when the streets get filled up with students, so I like to quickly be the first one out. The stroll was going okay until an obnoxious ring started going off in the air - my cellphone. I grabbed it and answered with annoyance evident in my tone.

"Hello?"

"Hi, you must be the cousin of Zayden Stone. Would you please hurry up to the hospital, your cousin is in critical condition."

Before I could say anything the lady ended the call, with a childish stomp of my foot I made a run to the hospital. I hate Zayden Stone, it's official.

Once I reached it I was basically about to die, Thank god I'm by a hospital.

I entered and made a straight walk towards the counter.

"Zayden Stone." If the lady was weirded out by my out of breath answer - she didn't show it.

"Room 36B."

I didn't question the fact she didn't ask my relation to him or ask to see my ID. I quickly went to the room she was talking about.

By the way, I slammed the door open I'm surprised it didn't break off. I marched in, looking around to see Zayden connected to IV's and drinking a glass of water.

"Zayden fucking Stone," I growled out, marching towards him I sat down by a chair close to him in a huff.

"What brings you here, Jamie Heart?" He knew why.

"Oy my bad, don't you know we're cousins?" 

He gave me a sarcastic lopsided grin, "I recently found out."

"Surprise, me too."

He didn't reply after that and chugged down the glass of water in his hands.

"Are you going to ask?"

"Zayden, I don't need to ask. You need to tell me."

He gave me a glance before looking at the white wall ahead of him.

"I have cancer."

I was shocked - to say the least. But I didn't show it, before I could stop myself the word slipped out of my mouth, "Cool." Shit.

He let out a genuine, sober laugh. Before settling back into the silence we had before.

"Thank you."

"I didn't do anything."

"For not treating me as if I'm about to die right now."

"Are you?" He let out a chuckle before breaking into a coughing fit. He quickly grabbed the napkin by him as I rushed towards his side and started patting his back. He brought the napkin into his hands folding it in half, probably trying to hide the blood that covered it - but I saw it.

"Zayden..." There was worry laced into my tone.

"Don't."

With a sigh, "I won't."

In time the door opened and in walked a doctor.

He glanced up and extended his hand out once he saw me. 

"Hello, you must be Zayden's cousin." I awkwardly shook it and gave a nod. I had no idea what to do in this situation. But thankfully he turned back to Zayden.

"Zayden your condition is getting worse."

Zayden just gave a nod in response.

"We can start with the chemo again if-"

"No."

"Zayden."

"Doc, I won't." 

"This is your decision." With a defeated sigh, the doctor walked out with a goodbye.

"So what now?"

"We wait."

"For what?"

"To get my clear to leave."

"Okay."

"I'm hungry."

"Hold up." I went to my bag, and rummaged through it - and pulled out my PB&J.

I went to him and handed it to him. He grabbed it and started eating it - closing his eyes as if he was in bliss.

"So you have a fucked up life."

"You're observant."

"You're unbelievably sarcastic."

"I know."

"Jamie Heart."

"Yea?"

"Thank you."

"I didn't do anything."

"You need to give yourself some credit."

"It's not like I'm curing your cancer."

"You're doing something far better than that."

"What's that?"

"You're saving me from myself, Jamie Heart."

"You're wrong. There's one thing you can't run away from - and that's yourself, Zayden Stone."