This One Life (previously Dont Forget Me Please)

Chapter 2

The next day we all woke up in my living room. The group woke up two hours before me. I wondered if it was just a normal cancer thing or a dying cancer thing. Whatever it was I shook it off. It took me a minute to realize where I was. Then I heard everyone talking.
"So to be clear we are not going to school," Darius said.
"No!" Everyone yelled annoyingly at him.
"Good morning babe," Jerome looked over at me. I was lying next to him on the couch. He gave me a good morning kiss, and I got up to go brush my teeth.
I could hear them all from up stairs. They were talking about what we're going to do today. I honestly didn't feel like doing much, but I just woke up so maybe when I'm more awake or when I get my daily dose of caffeine I'll be set to go.
I put the toothpaste on my brush and started brushing my teeth. I was watching myself in the mirror and I thought about how I hope nobody ever sees me doing this. Normally I look quite attractive and I think I rock the whole short hair thing now that it is hovering just above my shoulders. I haven't been in treatment for a while, but my curls make it look shorter than it is.Anyway, I think look weird brushing my teeth. I would assume everyone does. Anyone who doesn't must be some mythical creature sent from god.
When I was looking in the mirror I noticed my toothpaste turning pink. I spit it out and I saw the blood. My gums were bleeding. That is so gross. I sat there until it stopped. I don't want anyone to see me with bloody gums. Even if I did grow up with them and they have seen me look way worse. I wouldn't do that to them though. For the most part they are good, but I can see how it hurts them when I bring it up or when they see a cancer related symptom show.
When it was finished I rinsed out my mouth and I went downstairs to join the group. Kristina and Darius had made breakfast. They had made us all breakfast sandwiches and coffee, and we all sat in the living room watching Spongebob. We were a group of 16 year old teenagers watching Spongebob. Lovely.
"So are we going to go to the park or what?" Kristina asked.
"Yeah, it's such a nice day outside, there is no way in hell we are staying inside the whole day." Sophia said.
"So it's settled. Darius go grab the food and put it in the cooler." Jerome said.
"Where is it?"
"It's in the garage," I told him. I looked over at Jerome and said, "You guys can go on without me. I think I'm gonna stay here."
"Nonsense! You are coming with us and getting out of this house whether you like it or not. I don't care if we have to shove you in a bag and kidnap you, you are going to get out of this house."
"I just don't really feel in the mood," I said softly.
He looked down and looked back at me and said quietly so the others won't hear, especially Kristina, "You have to. I mean, you don't even really know how much... time... is left. Please, come?" He begged me. I agreed because he was right. I had to get out and I really don't know how much time I have left. So I went upstairs and got changed and ready to go.
We loaded up Jerome's old used vista cruiser with the cooler and blankets and our bags and we drove to the park. I sat next to him in the passenger seat. It really was a nice day out. The sun was shining so bright I had to squint my eyes, and the sky was so clear with only a few white fluffy clouds that formed into different shapes. I kinda saw a rabbit, and people and other shapes I couldn't make out. The sun was warm on my skin and there was a warm breeze in the air.
As we drove I laid my head on Jerome's arm. The others were all laughing and talking in the back but I was just relaxing and trying to make out the shapes of the clouds. Being here with my friends in this car on one of our mini road trips felt good. The best I've felt in a long time. I'm glad Jerome convinced me to get out.
When we arrived at the park everyone jumped out of the cramped car, glad to stretch their legs. Jerome helped Darius with the cooler and me Kristina, and Sophia found a spot and laid out the blanket.
After a while of eating, running around, talking and laughing it was night. The stars lit the sky and twinkled, calling for my attention. We lied down on the blanket looking up at their beauty.
Sophia broke the silence. In the quietest tone she has ever taken she said, "Daya, do you think you'll turn into a star?" She sounded almost child like. It was the softest she'd ever been, and a tear came to my eye.
Nobody said anything. They waited for my response to see if I was okay with the question. "I think so. That's what they say happens in all the movies."
"Do you think we will be able to know which one is you?" Kristina said. I was a little shocked she was engaging in this conversation. Normally she would get upset and leave. I'm glad she didn't.
"Yeah," I replied in a whisper. I was fighting back my tears.
Darius distracted me when he said, "After my mom and dad's crash, there were two new stars in the sky that night. I know you'll turn into a star."
I couldn't hold it back. The tears came running down my face. I made no noise. Just the tears. They couldn't know I was crying. It would set off a chain reaction. I don't want to see them hurting.
I love them so much. How can I leave them behind? They don't deserve this. Everyone of us has had such tough times. Kristina's family change, Darius' parents, Jerome has had his fair share of blows too, and Sophia. Sophia. She is so much more fragile than she lets off. She feels things deeper than she wants to admit. How can I do this to them. Why would god allow this to happen to them. This isn't fair.