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

Chapter 5

Augustus's POV:

"Hey are you okay?" Asked Jess on the walk home from school.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I confusedly asked her.

"Well, you did get into a bit of a situation this morning with those football players. Why do they tease you?"

I sighed heavily and looked to meet her eyes. I wanted to be completely honest with her because she is the best friend I have right now.

"They tease me because I used to be on the basketball team, but when I was diagnosed with cancer, I had to quit. It wasn't to long after I quit that Hazel made her way into my life. My friend Isaac introduced me to her at support group one day. Once I met her, I wasn't some hard core athlete any more, I didn't go to parties with the guys, I started to become less popular. I started spending all my time with her, I loved to read and do other things that I guess just didn't interest them. They started to tease me about becoming soft, and it got worse when Hazel wasn't there to help me. That is part of the reason I stopped going to school, because of the constant picking and teasing. I'd just had enough. I laid in bed all the time, became depressed, and had no friends for about a month. That's when you came along." I finished my story and picked my head up to look at her. I didn't realize I was staring at the ground until now.

"I want to thank you for standing up for me today at school, that was very brave. But I know I need to start defending myself." I said with a slight chuckle.

She just looked over at me with sad eyes before she stopped walking and turned to face me. I wasn't expecting it, but she flung her arms around my middle and squeezed me into a hug. I stumbled back slightly before wrapping my arms around her back and resting my chin on her head. She leaned her head back and stared up at me.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea any of this happened to you. I will stand up for you, because that is what friends do. I'm glad I found you Augustus Waters, and I promise to help you through this." She said quietly.

She detached her arms from around my back and we walked the rest of the way back to her house in a

comfortable silence.

Jess's POV:

I have so many emotions concerning Gus right now. I feel so bad for him that he recently lost his girlfriend, that he loved more than anything I might add, to Cancer and that he himself has it to. What makes me feel even worse is that there are boys that are teasing him about it. I want to be there to help him through this all because I know he needs a friend to lean on. I've decided to try and take his mind off of the whole situation As best as I could. He needs to move on, and If anyone tries to hurt him, I won't let it happen.

I suddenly get an Idea that I think will make him feel better.

"Hold on, I'll be right back." I say biting my lip in thought and running into the house.

I instantly sprint up the steps and change into a pair of black athletic shorts, a blue t-shirt, and my black Nikes. I whip my hair into a pony tail and grab my basketball from the back of my bedroom. I run back down the steps and take notice to the fact that my mother isn't home from work yet. I just shrug and head out the garage door.

I dribble the ball right up in front of Gus.

"I know what will make you feel better." I say with a smile. "How about a little basketball?"

"Oh you're on!" He says with a laugh.

He immediately tries to steal the ball from me at the top of the 3 point arch, but I dart past him with a layup. We both irrupt into a fit of laughs, and we shoot around for probably close to an hour. We played horse and knockout and just shot around for a while.

"Well that was fun." I say leaning down and putting my hands on my knees to catch my breath. Man it was hot out today!

"Oh come on, you can't be tired already!" he complains.

"Oh obviously not! I mean we've only been out in the 90 degree weather running around for an hour." I say sarcastically still doubled over.

"Haha, very funny. One more time, I want to see if I can catch you finally before you get to the hoop."

"Fine, give me the ball." I say opening my hands so he can throw it to me.

He checks the ball to me at the top of the key and I fake left and drive right. I didn't get very far because I felt two arms wrap around my stomach and pull me backwards.

"Augustus!" I shout

"I want the ball." He says.

"No way!" I laugh.

"Are you ticklish?" He asks with a small smile.

Still struggling to get out of his grasp, I look up at him.

"You wouldn't dare!" I say loudly.

"I guess I've got my answer." he starts tickling me and I instantly go limp and drop the ball. I land on the ground laughing as he grabs my sides making me squeal.

"Stop Gus! Stop!" I wheeze.

He finally let's go and goes to grab the ball from the end of the drive way.

"Thank you!" He says bouncing the ball in front of my face. He offers a hand for me to get up. I stand up and try to keep a straight face as I cross my arms over my chest.

"That wasn't funny." I say trying not to smile.

I finally crack and we both start laughing. I hear a car behind us as my mom pulls into the drive way. I wave to her as she comes over to where we are standing.

"You must be Augustus from next door right?" my mom asks Gus.

"Yes Mam, I am." He replies politely.

"Well it's nice to meet you, and Im glad that you two have made friends." She says with a smile. "Jess, why don't you come inside, I'm sure you have homework, and I'm going to be making dinner soon. Sorry I'm home a little bit later than normal, I had some extra work to take care of in at the office."

"It's cool mom, I'll be in in a minute." I say to her.

I turn back to Gus.

"I guess that's my queue." I say. "I'll see you tomorrow morning for school. Come over and I'll ride the bus with you."

"Alrighty, thanks for everything today. I actually had a lot of fun playing basketball, I forgot how much I missed it." He said walking backwards down the drive way.

"No problem." I say waving to him and heading inside.

I think Gus and I are going to be very good friends, I think to myself as I head up to my room to get started on my homework.