An Abundance of White Blood Cells // [WATTYS 2017]

THIRTEEN

It had taken me until four in the afternoon that day to make my list of things I was going to do. For something that took so long, it was so short! There were seven things on the list, but I wasn't even sure I wanted to do one of them. It was so god damn daunting. I wiggled my pencil between my fingers as I thought about whether or not I should show my parents or not. One of my things, I'd need the genies for, luckily I hadn't used my wish yet.

The Genies/Make a wish foundation were kinda...well, Genies. They granted the 'wishes' of the sick children of America. Most of the time kids wasted their wishes on Disney land or something childish the minute they got their wish. Funnily enough, I wanted to waste mine on Disney, but my parents convinced me to wait awhile, I'm pretty sure that's when they had hope.

If you're wondering what one I'm a bit hesitant on, it's number seven. When I got downstairs I was greeted with a mauling of a hug from Rose and Lena. They were both babbling a mile a minute, I could barley understand them. So, I just awkwardly patted their backs. Once they let go, I scratched my head and said "What?"

They laughed and Lena explained. "We're just happy to see you, and we want you to know that we love you."

"I love you guys too." I giggled, they seemed a bit out of breath.

I glanced over their shoulders and saw Nate sitting on the couch talking to my parents. After we'd gotten my results back and I'd made my little deal with Dr. Welsh, Nate had gone home to change and talk to his parents about me. He'd come back around three. He seemed distant, though, I can understand why. I was still waiting for him to go back on what he said and leave.

I waved my piece of paper and got everyone's attention. "I finished my list!"

Lena and Rose joined Nate and my parents on the couch. They all shared the same distant and sullen faces. I held my paper in front of me, wanting to read what it said. But I had to say something to them first.

"Okay. Just because I'm sick doesn't mean that happy behavior is forbidden. You know you guys can smile," I paused for a second. "You just...you guys shouldn't be focusing about what could happen, you should be focusing on right now."

That seemed to change their disposition. They perked up a little and I continued onto my list. "So, I have six things on here," I said, leaving the seventh out. I didn't think Nate would appreciate the awkwardness it would brings. "Three of them have to do with being a normal teenager. I wanna go to a party, like a rager or something." Lena and Rose got mischievous grins on they faces. I could tell the gears in their heads were turning.

"I wanna go to a dance too," I glanced at Nate. "And I wanna go dress shopping with you, Mom." I smiled at Mom, who looked happier at that comment. I continued. "If it's okay with you guys, baptizing a car is on my list." That was basically driving a car over one hundred miles and hour. My face burned with embarrassment when I read the next one. "I want to meet Colton Steele."