blue

XX

Ashton's POV

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I saw Melia yesterday and it made all my worries go away. I decided to stay overnight at the hospital to let her know I'm not leaving her.  The hospital she was in reminded me that I need to get a health check. I had been so busy with Melia, gang tasks and dealing with addictions that I hadn't really thought of actually taking care of my health. I told Melia that I was just getting some air because god forbid I actually show her that I care about myself.

I walked to the walk-in clinic that was attached to the hospital. This was going to take awhile because the chance of me actually having my medical records and ID available is non existing.

I entered the automatic doors and was greeted by the smell of old people and rubber gloves but they were at least accompanied by welcoming smiles, despite the terrible smells.

I signed my name and sat down in one of their creaky, uncomfortable waiting chairs. My ass would most definitely be broken by the end of this and then I'll have to stay at the hospital with Melia. I guess I wouldn't mind that, though.

After almost an hour they finally called my name.

I had to pay with the little money I have since I didn't have a health card. When you're living on the streets your main concern definitely isn't health plans.

They asked me exactly which tests I think I need the most. I didn't have anywhere else to go other than to see Melia, and that was only going to be depressing so I told her to do any tests that she can do in the time we have.

We started with blood tests and throat checks; everything imaginable. My second last test was an STD test. I haven't had one since I met Melia. I used to be the kind of guy who would sleep around with almost every girl he spoke too but ever since Melia waltzed into my life I've felt this stunning need to be pure; to save myself for her and only her. If she somehow makes it out of that hospital with everything in tact I will make her mine. If these tests come back negative who knows how much time I'll have left with her; I have to love her now or never. And I choose now.

I spent most of the rest of my day waiting for results back. Without even realizing it they apparently even did cancer tests; the whole shebang.

The results finally came back in and I prayed that this wouldn't be the last time I came to a walk in clinic opposed to a hospital where I was on the verge of death.

"Ashton?" the doctor called my name from the front desk and I walked quickly over to her, eager for the results.

"Every single one of your tests came back perfectly positive and healthy-" my face lit up as she paused. I'm not even religious but I continued to pray that there wasn't going to be a 'but.'

"Except one."
And there it was. The words I was so used to hearing - the 'but' of every good sentence.

The last thing I thought before she told me the worst news of my entire life was 'just please let it be one of the throats checks that went wrong - just let it be a cold.'

But it wasn't. Because immediately after I begged for that to be the truth she told me this:

"Ashton Blue, you have just been diagnosed with a terminal cancer."