The Fault In My Star ~ One shot short story

I've felt like a waste of space my whole life until I met Augustus. He showed me what it's like to live again. But now it's been about a year and a half since he's died. Cancer beat him. And now, cancer is beating me.

I would've been more than happy to spend my days sitting on the couch and watch America's Next Top Model, or rereading An Imperial Affliction for the millionth time. And if I was feeling really adventurous, I could swing on the lonely pedophilic swing set, that is if Gus hadn't of persuaded me into selling it. Honestly, my life wouldn't have had a different outcome if I did. It still would've ended this way.

The truth is, I knew I was going to die from the very beginning when I found out that I had cancer. My stupid Stage four Thyroid cancer and metastasis growing in my stupid lungs. Thanks to my little friend Phillip and Phalanxifor, I'm still here today.

My parents have always been concerned about my health. I don't think they've ever realized that I know that I'm going to die. I mean, I have cancer. The doctors have only given me six more months to live. One day they're going to wake up and I'm not going to be there. That day is today, though right now they're with me in my tiny little hospital room. The room I hate. With all the beeping and tubes and everything smelling like hand sanitizer. Being in the hospital makes me feel ten times worse than I really am.

But here my parents stand beside me, my father holding my hand, my mom lying down on my bed beside me. I lay my head on her shoulder as she strokes me cheek. "It's okay, Hazel." My mom smiles.

"We're proud of you, Hazel." Dad smiles and he strokes my hand with his thumb.

"Thanks, dad." I smile, a tear runs down my cheek.

"You've been such a fighter. You've come so far. I'm so proud of you." My mom says. The tears flood from my eyes. My parents, I'm going to miss them so much. They've always been trying to do whatever they can to help me through this roller coaster ride. I just don't want to say goodbye. And this is when my mom breaks down, tears spilling everywhere. I never thought I'd see my mother like this, broken and sad.

"Mom, please, don't cry." I say shakily, patting her arm. My mom grimaces.

"You know Hazel, maybe it's time to surrender, or just let go." My dad says shakily, trying not to burst into tears.

"You're right. It'll be a lot less painful." I say. You can sense the awkwardness, no one wants to say goodbye.

My mother and father give me one last group hug, squeezing on to my skinny body extra tight. I've lost a lot of weight from all my treatments in the past year, but now I wonder, was it really worth it? Was it worth being put on life support, or having the doctors rush and do whatever it takes to keep me alive? If I had died at the age of thirteen, it would've been a lot less painful. Though, I'd never have met Gus, my inspiration to live my life.

"I love you." I say with a smile, this is how I want them to remember me by. A smile, trying to be happy. Not cripple like.

"Love you, too." My mom says trying her best to smile while wiping away the waterfall of tears.

"Love you, Hazel." Dad says. They both take one last glance at me, waving goodbye. I wave back. Then my dad places his hand on the small of my mother's back, signalling that it's time to go.

I don't want to shut my eyes, because then I'll be gone for good. What if Gus isn't there, healthy and all, greeting me into the afterlife? He must, he has to be.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

A bright, white light flashes and there he is, arms open wide, pulling me into an embrace. He looks healthy, happy and excited. "Welcome, Hazel Grace to the world of second chances." He smiles.

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Okay guys, so those of you who've read my other stories, you'll know that this is a very different type of story for me to write. I usually do hunger games fanfics, but I decided to tackle on the great Hazel Grace :) i just love TFIOS and Gus :)

-madison xxoo