Adopted and Dying // Adopted By Dan and Phil

✧ Chapter Nine ✧

short chapter, currently writing a new one, i haven't forgotten about this book yet and if you need confirmation Kass500  can tell you if i'm dead or not if i haven't updated in a while

Stepping out of the shower, I grab a towel and begin to dry off. The mirror's all fogged up, but whilst in the shower, I'd watched as more hair fell out, so I don't need to look to know the balding's gotten worse. Running my hand over my head confirms what I already knew and I grab my clothes to put them on.

By the time I'm dressed, I'm somewhat visible in the mirror and see the few tufts of hair I have left. Sighing, I go through the cupboards looking for scissors or a razor, Not able to find a razor, I see a small pair of scissors at the back of a cupboard. I begin to cut off the remainder of my hair, my hands shaking. A few minutes later, I'm done and bald and realise there's no hiding anymore.

Taking my time to walk around the house, I find Dan and Phil sitting in the lounge, talking quietly. I clear my throat slightly, to make my voice noticed. Immediately, they look up and smile slightly at me. "Mase, sit down and tell us what's up," Dan says a little forcefully. Nodding, I sit.

"I, um, uh, I-" I hesitate.

"Oh come on Mason, just spit it out!"

"Dan.." Phil says sternly, grabbing his arm.

I quickly dart my eyes around the room, trying to look at anything but their faces as I'm about to come clean.

"I have acute myelogenous leukemia!" I say quickly, my eyes focusing on a flashing light in the corner.

Silence.

"G-guys?"

"Oh, Mason.." Phil's lip trembles.

"No." Dan says.

"No what?" Phil asks.

"No!"

"No, what?!"

"No, I didn't sign up for this!" Dan exclaims, standing up.

"What, and I did?" I mumble.

"Mason Lester-Howell, how have you been living in this house for what, two weeks, and not have even accidentally told one of us?"

"Oh, come on, it's not like I signed up for this either, but you're overreacting, Dan!" Phil fires at Dan. "Can't we just deal with this and move on? Ask the questions we need to ask, see the people we need to see-"

"Oh, I've been told to self medicate, actually.. I'll need to restock on meds in about two months," I quickly add in.

"Oh so you've been self medicating as well?! What's next, you're a lesbian?"

"Oh my god, no, are you?! Dan, you're gay!"

Dan glares at me. "I'm bisexual and this isn't the time to be discussing my sexual preferences! Now listen, when I gave you my name, I didn't exactly want to be giving my name away to some sick kid, I wanted to give it to someone special!"

"Oh, so now he's not special?" Phil asks, glaring.

"That's not what I meant!"

I look at him, bewildered. "Then what did you mean?!"

"Maybe I didn't want you as a son!"

"Dan!" Phil turns to him.

"Well maybe I didn't want you as a Dad!" I yell back, standing up.

"Mason!"

"Don't act like it isn't true Phil."

"DAN!! GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT!"

I open my mouth, about to argue against Dan again, but begin to become slightly lightheaded. My vision starts to go slightly as I look at Phil.

"A-Are you ok?" Phil looks at me concerned.

"J-just need to sit, just need to, down, sit, sit down," I mumble, stuffing up my speech.

"Symptom?" Phil asks raising and eyebrow.

I nod.

"I need a drink," Dan grunts, lifting up his jacket and putting it on.

"Don't you dare come back to this house drunk, Daniel, or you're going to have to find somewhere else to stay," Phil says frustratedly.

"You don't own me b*tch," Dan says sassily, flicking his hands off his chest.

"Wow, ok, just- wow, get out, Dan, don't come back, stay at Pj and Chris's or something, I don't want to see you until you've calmed down and sober," Phil begins to yell.

"Bye!" The front door slams.

"Sweet Jesus," Phil runs his hands through his hair.

We sit in silence for a few minutes whilst Phil composes himself. He looks up at me and sighs. "You, um, you start school on Wednesday.. wanna go out and get supplies? You up for it?"

I nod and attempt a grin as I stand up slowly. After Phil grabs his phone, keys and wallet, we head out the door, Phil calling for a taxi.