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

Chapter 8

Jess's POV:

I wake up the next morning a little disoriented and then remember that I'm still at Gus's. I look over at my phone just as my alarm goes off. It wakes up Augustus.

"Sorry Gus. I'll just go out the window. Thanks for letting me stay over." I say with a sleepy smile.

"It's no problem, I'll see you in a bit." He says rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

I climb out the window and down the tree and I walk into my house. I quick throw on a pair of white shorts, grey converse, and a lime green tribal print tank. I quick straighten my hair and throw on some powder and mascara.

I grab a banana and my bag and head out the door. I wonder when my mom will be home tonight?

"Hey, ready?" I ask Gus as he walks down his driveway.

"Yep!" he replies.

And so the school day runs on as normal and unexciting as ever. I didn't even see any site of Dan until we both sat in detention together later that afternoon.

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Detention was awful and I hope I never have to go back there. All we did was sit and do homework and I had to deal with Dan staring daggers into my back for an hour. I practically ran out of the room as soon as time was up. I don't even know how some kids sit in there on a regular basis. Things only got interesting when a tall, blonde boy approached me out of nowhere.

"Hey, your ummm, Jess? Right?" he asks.

"Yes, yes I am, and you are?" I ask looking up from my bag.

"Josh. You know, you seem pretty cool. My friends and I are having a party tonight, and I wanted to see if you could come. Everyone's coming." He smirks.

"Maybe, I'm not much of a party person. If I do go, can I bring a person or two with me?" I ask thinking of Gus or maybe even Adelyn.

"Sure, why not. See you tonight, maybe." He says walking out of the room.

I wonder to myself for what reason he was in detention. That whole conversation was just unexpected all together.

As soon as I get out of the school I see Augustus waiting for me on a bench.

"Why are you still here? You didn't have to wait, but i appreciate that you did." I say.

"It's cool, how was detention? Fun I'm sure." He says joking around.

"Oh yeah it was a blast." I say rolling my eyes not telling him about the party invite.

"So why did you decide to come and have a sleepover at my house last night?" Gus asks me as we walk down the sidewalk toward our houses.

"I don't know, I was lonely I guess. I know I've only been here a short time, but it feels like my mom has been working harder than ever lately. She gets home from the office late, goes in early. She hardly has any time to herself." I say.

"Maybe it's just a busy time right now. Hopefully it gets better soon." He says nudging my shoulder.

"I hope so." I say my voice trailing off. We walked in silence for the next few minutes before I hear a crinkling next to me.

I look up and see the one thing that I'd never think that I would see Augustus Waters doing.

I stop dead and look up at him with disbelieving eyes. That tingling feeling that I get when I'm around him suddenly fizzled out for a moment.

"What is that?" I ask quietly. "I can't believe you smoke! You have Cancer Gus, that is going to hurt you even more!" I say sadness welling into my stomach. How could he do this to himself?