10 More Days With You (REWRITING)

Chapter 11: Leah Thatcher

      Leah walked through the school halls with a smile permanently plastered on her face. She didn't know what was going to happen today, but she felt safe. She wasn't constantly looking behind herself, praying that Hunter wouldn't push her to the ground or stick his foot out to trip her. She was perfectly-

      Or not.

      She had been pushed and pinned up against a locker, not by Hunter, but by one of his loser "friends". 

      "What's up, Leanne?" He said. This was probably the one that shoved a wiener up his nose.

      Leah just ignored him.

      "Hey, I'm talking to you," He said.

      "Oh!" Leah said, putting on her best surprised face. "Sorry, I couldn't tell because my name's not actually Leanne, it's Leah."

      The guy looked shocked. "I - uh - whatever. I don't care."

      "Sure you don't, honey," Leah patted his cheek.

      "I'm gonna-" 

      "What's going on, Jared?" A voice interrupted.

      Jared smiled. "Hunter! I got her for you, man. Do what you want with her."

      "Oh, I certainly will," Hunter growled, pinning Leah up against the locker in place of Jared. 

      Hunter scowled at her, filling her with fear and heartbreak. It was all a joke to him. The kiss, the confession, the apology. He never meant any of it. Leah wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Until he smiled his usual cocky smile, leaned in, and kissed her. It wasn't dirty or anything, just slow and passionate as he loosened his harsh grip on her. Hunter pulled away much too soon and looked at a gawking Jared.

      "I think you should go to class, Jared," Hunter said, the cocky smile still on his face.

      Jared nodded, dumbstruck, and speedwalked away to his class. Hunter turned his head back to Leah and kissed her forehead. 

      "You wanna go to English?" Hunter asked.

      "No, not particularly," Leah laughed. "But I suppose we have to."

      He laughed. Oh god, she loved that laugh. "Okay, let's go." 

      He took Leah's hand and they walked toward Ms. Miriam's classroom. 

      Leah started feeling uncomfortable halfway through the walk to English. Her chest tightened up and she struggled to breathe. She stopped walking. 

      "Are you okay, Leah?" Hunter looked concerned.

      Leah turned to reply but was overtaken by a wave of nausea that knocked her off balance. She fell into Hunter's arms as everything went black.

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      "Hey."

      Leah opened her eyes. She was clearly in the hospital. Hunter was leaning over her, stroking her hair.

      "Aren't you gonna ask me how I'm feeling?" Leah asked, exhausted.

      "I take it you get that question enough," Hunter half-smiled.

      Leah's mother and a female doctor entered the room.

      "Hunter, may we please speak to Leah alone?" Her mother asked impatiently.

      Hunter smiled and left the room.

      Leah's mother had clearly been crying.

      "Honey," She choked. "The doctor has some news for you."

      Leah nodded.

      "The leukemia has spread throughout your body, Leah, there is nothing else we can do," The doctor said, a look of sympathy and defeat in her eyes. "You only have ten more days to live."