A Story After a Story: A Fault In Our Stars Fanfic

Chapter 2

Augustus's POV:

"Hi Jess." I mumble.

"Hi." she says quietly with a small wave.

"Well, why don't you and Jess go for a walk to the park or something to get to know each other?" My mom suggests.

I silently groan on the inside and run a hand through my hair.

"Fine," I say rubbing my eyes "lets go Jess."

My mom catches my arm as I walk toward the door.

"Be nice Gus, I know you miss Hazel, but at least try and get to know Jess. I am not asking you to replace Hazel, you just need a friend."

"Thanks mom, I promise I will at least give it a shot." I say putting my hand on hers.

"Good, good, now you two get going." She says patting my shoulder and waking to the kitchen.

We walk down the sidewalk in front of my house and start toward the park. She is actually really pretty I notice. She has long, wavy strawberry blonde hair and dark brown eyes. It's mostly quiet for the first few minutes until I decide to take my mother's advice and try to get to know Jess.

"So Jess, tell me about yourself."

"Well, what would you like to know?" she asks.

"Umm let's start with simple questions. What is your favorite band?" I say.

"Well that's an easy one, I am in looove with Fall Out Boy! I practically have every one of their songs!" She exclaims excitedly.

"Ok then. What is your favorite song by them?" I ask.

"Well they have a lot of really good songs, so I cant just choose one. Save Rock and Roll is amazing and so is My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark. Their old stuff is good to like Sugar We're Goin Down and Thnks Fr Th Mmrs. I also like the bands Paramore and Panic! At the Disco and... I'm sorry I'm babbling." She says tucking her hair behind her ear.

"It's okay, Im learning more about you by the minute. Why don't you ask me a question now."

"Do you play any sports?" she asks.

"I play basketball."

"Really?! Me to! Thats awesome." She says with a smile.

"Well now we know that we have something in common. Ask me another question."

"Hmmm okay, what's your favorite book?" she says turning to look at me.

"Well, I really like the book An Imperial Affliction." I say.

"Oh I've heard about that book. Doesn't it follow the life of a girl who has cancer and it talks about how she has to cope with her mother and a florist who are in love and she has a hamster named, named...." she says rubbing her forehead trying to remember.

"Sisyphus is the hamster. It is a really amazing book, you should read it if you haven't already. My girlfriend had recommended it to me and we absolutely loved it. In fact, we took a trip to Amsterdam to meet the author, Peter Van Houten." I say.

"Wow that's amazing! But wait, you said you both loved it and she had recommended it. Where did she go?" She asks with a puzzled look on her face.

The one question I hoped she wouldn't ask.

"Well," I say rubbing my neck, "My girlfriend, Hazel, had Thyroid Cancer that spread to her lungs. She died about one month ago and I have missed her so much ever since."

We were just about to sit on a park bench when stops and looks at me, and I can see tears well into her eyes.

"Augustus that's awful! I'm so sorry." She says putting a hand on my shoulder.

"You know I have Cancer to. Osteosarcoma. I say, "I lost my leg to it a few years ago. It is mostly gone though, I haven't had any problems recently."

She just stares at me.

"This must be a lot for you to take in, why don't we just talk about something a little happier." I suggest sitting onto the bench.

And so we sit in the park for the rest of the afternoon talking and getting to know each other. I think a friend is just what I need right now.