Bex

Chapter 19:

  Most normal teenage girls can be found laying in their comfy beds, scrolling though whatever social media app on a Saturday morning. Me, on the other hand, was wondering how in the world I got dragged to a cancer support meeting.

  I had- stupidly- let Dr. Jackson cajole me into coming.

So here I was, on a Saturday morning, at the hospital for a group session. Everyone in the room was at least five years older than me or more. I was sat in a metal chair slouched back, wishing I was anywhere but here. Everyone else was walking around the room mingling with one another or grabbing a cookie or something to drink from a table at the other side of the room.

When Dr. Jackson showed up all of the other adults took their seats in the metal chairs that was forming a circle in the middle of the room. A bald guy in a blue sweatshirt and jeans sat to my right and Dr. Jackson to my left. I was shocked to see him in a T-shirt and jeans instead of his doctors coat and tie.

  "I'm glad to see everyone today." He smiled, and his eyes lingered on me for a minute as he said this. His smile was returned by all seven others faces- not including me. "We have a new member with us today. Why don't you start off the meeting by introducing yourself, Bex."

  "Pass," I sighed.

  "I think it would be good for you to open up to people who are going through what you are." His eyes were kind but demanding. I sighed and sat up in my chair.

  "I don't know what to say."

  "Just tell us a little about yourself." Dr. Jackson gave me a reassuring nod of his head.

  "Okay, um,"

  I was a little anxious looking at the seven other people in the room. All of them looked so different except for their bald heads, or the scarves and hats hiding their naked heads. The fleeting thought that my hair will fall out was like a slap across the face. I wrinkled my forehead and continued.

  "I'm Bex Woods. I'm eighteen-" At least that's what Dr. Jackson thinks. "I have leukemia, two workaholic parents, an older brother, my best friend Ben, and a fake relationship with the biggest player in my school. Oh, and I'm an Aquarius who thinks cancer sucks." I smiled sarcastically.

  The guy next to me chuckled, but I could tell Dr. Jackson, as patient as he is, was hoping for a different answer.

  "Well that was... progress." He shook his head. "Speaking of the people closest to you, have you told them yet?"

  "No." I leaned back in my seat, and crossed my arms across my chest.

  "Your parents?"

  "I tried once, but my mother made it very clear that her business call was more important than anything I had to say." I heard the acid in my own tone, but I couldn't tell if it was towards my absent mother or pushy doctor.

  "What about your brother?"

  "No,"

  "Your best friend?" His voice was growing more insistent, and it grated against my nerves.

  "No." I glared at him. "Why are you pushing this?"

"Because you need to stop pushing people away. You may think you can do this on your own, but you need to open up to someone."