Make a Wish || Rhett and Link

Chapter 64 - School

"One week." I whispered. "One week today."

Rhett sighed and put his arm around me as we stared at the calendar. "We've got a few more things to tick off your list."

"Mmm..."

He pulled it up. "What's left... hmm... so we did the concert, the leaving the state, the skating ones, so that leaves three. The gun, the roller-skating, and the school..."

"Right..."

"You still want to do them?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Alright. I'll see what I can do."

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"And you've got your lunch, and your medication, and all your books, and everything?"

I nodded. "I'm all set Jessie."

She smiled. "Alright honey. You have a good day. If at any point you want to come home, just call me, okay?"

I nodded. "Of course. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. It's just high school."

She chuckled slightly. "See you this afternoon."

I climbed out of the car and fixed my hair up slightly, before adjusting my backpack straps and walking towards the school building. It felt so surreal to be back here, I hadn't been to school in about six months.

And as expected, people were staring at me. People were pointing, staring with this mix of confusion, wonder, disgust, and mostly just surprised that the kid with brain cancer was walking through the halls. I think they all figured I was never coming back.

I got to my old locker and twisted in my combination. Sure enough, all my stuff was still in here. Old pictures of me with my friends, old timetables, and an old drawing of Rhett and Link. I giggled slightly and slipped it in my bag. I'd show that to Rhett when I got home. I honestly had no idea what we were learning in class, but I figured most of my teachers wouldn't go too hard on me. Judging by how they acted around me once I was first diagnosed, today was going to be a piece of cake.

After collecting my books for first period, I walked over to my homeroom.

And then I saw Abby.

My best friend. For 10 years. She was sitting and talking with some other old friends of mine, ones who hadn't stuck around. Part of me was screaming to run and hide, but for some absurd reason, I walked over and plopped myself down in the spare chair.

For at least a minute, none of them spoke. They all just kind of gaped at me, like I was an alien species.

So I smiled. "I'm not dead."

"Cooper!" Abby squealed, wrapping me in a hug. "When did you get out of hospital!?"

"About... 5 weeks ago now." I shrugged. "Anyway, how are you guys?"

Abby, Kailey and Anne just stared at me.

I chuckled awkwardly. "You guys look like you've seen a ghost..."

"We have." Anne stammered. "You're..."

"Here. Alive. Not dying. Well, yes, but not, hmmm..." I took a moment to figure out how to phrase it. "Not undergoing chemo at the moment. Living life."

"Why did you quit?!"

"Shh, calm down. I didn't quit. I'm on a break. Calm down."

"Oh, good." Kailey took a deep breath.

"So... how's life been over the past 6 months?"

"Awful." Anne stated. Then she paused. "Well... probably not as bad as you..."