Bex

Chapter 37:

  I quickly snatched my hair out of his hand and stuffed it under my pillow before anyone else could see it. I was on the verge of tears, but I took two deep breathes to calm me.

  "Oh God, Bex. I'm so sorry! I was just-"

  "It's fine," I hurriedly cut Axel off. "I just need a minute."

  I felt like I was going to be sick. It was only a matter of time before my hair would start falling out, but it was still so surreal. Sure I didn't have the longest hair in the world- my chocolate waves only came down to about my collar bones- but it was still my hair. I loved my hair. I was not ready to lose it yet. I started to reach up to touch it, but I stopped myself, scared more would fall out in the process.

  "Hey, guys?" I called out to everyone. "I'm getting a little tired."

  "Oh, okay, dear; we'll go and let you rest." Jenny smiled, starting to guide her kids out the door.

  Ben stayed behind though, looking at me curiously. His BFF ESP was going off. He called out to his mom that he would come home soon. Axel's mom and Riley said their goodbyes, and I had a nurse come by to take Hope to her room.

"What's going on?" Ben sat down at the foot of my bed; his hazel eyes alight with worry.

I pulled the strand of hair out from under my pillow to show him. I held it out silently, trying to hold back the tears.

"Oh..."

"Will one of you ask a nurse to page Dr. Jackson for me?" My words passed through numb lips.

"I'll go ask." Ben gave my leg a squeeze before walking out the door.

"I really am sorry, Angel Eyes. I had no idea that I would-"

"Axel," I grabbed his face between my hands. "It's not your fault. Okay? This was going to happen eventually. Now, please stop saying you're sorry because if you don't I might start bawling."

"Okay, and I will."

A gave him a quick peck on the lips before letting go of his face. I sighed and began gnawing on my bottom lip nervously. Axel wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head.

After a few minutes, Ben walked in with a very concerned Dr. Jackson.

"What's wrong?" He glanced between the three of us.

I held out my shaking hand so he could see what was wrong.

"M-my hair..."

The tears didn't have time to pool in my eyes; they cascaded down my cheeks without warning. Dr. Jackson walked towards me with an air of sorrow. He closed my hand into a fist around my brown locks.

"I'm so sorry, Bex. What comes next will probably be one of the most difficult parts of this whole process. But you mustn't lose hope." He said gently yet firmly.

His kind eyes that bored into mine searched for my determination, my stubborn will to live, my hope.

  I turned slightly to look into the eyes of my hope. A weak smile crawled it's way onto my lips, and Axel smiled back. I looked back to Dr. Jackson and give him a small nod.

  "I can do this." I set my jaw stubbornly.

******
  "I was on my way here when I got your call." Tyler rushed into my room. "I came as fast as I could, pipsqueak."
He placed a kiss to my temple.

  "Thanks, Ty. I really need you here for this."

  I gave his hand a tight squeeze and involuntarily glanced at the electric razor sitting on the table next to my bed. Dr. Jackson had got it for me, and he told me to take as much time as I needed before I would have to.... I shook the thought away and went back to focusing on my brother.