Chapter 10
Monday 5:20 p.m.
Parker
I pull my car into an empty space, park it, and get out. I walk to the grassy area near the playground, sit down on a bench, and look around.
"Hello.", I hear someone say from behind me.
"Hey Shelby.", I reply. She sits down next to me and grabs my hand.
"So, um, I have something to tell you. I don't know how you're going to react to this. I am just praying it won't be negative. You have the right to hate me, or break up with me, or whatever is going to run through your mind. I just don't want your pity. I don't need pity.", she says.
"Shelby you're scaring me! What is it that you need to tell me?", I ask.
"I um...I have lung cancer."
*
"I have lung cancer.", I say grimly. I watch the emotions in his face change, upset, then slightly mad, then sad, then confused.
"But I don't understand! You look so healthy!", Parker exclaims.
"I'm flattered. But this is my world. Doctors appointments, no physical activities whatsoever, not being able to breathe, I could go on and on. I get out of breath from walking down the stairs Parker!", I say.
"I...so...you didn't really throw up and faint because you hadn't eaten.", he says.
"Nope."
"And that's why you came to school a day late.", he adds.
"Yeah, I was waiting to be cleared."
"A lot of things make sense now.", he says, putting the pieces together.
"And my parents didn't really kidnap me for family fun time. They took me to see a doctor. A one different from the millions of other doctors I've seen.", I explain.
"I feel like my brain's been shaken, my heart stabbed, and my stomach punched all at once.", he says.
"Yeah that's usually how it is. You have no idea how scared I was to tell you! It took me half an hour just to work up the courage to send the text asking you here!", I exclaim.
"Who knows besides me and your parents?", he asks.
"Jess. I just came from telling her. You can also tell Liam and Zach if you wish. I trust them not to tell anyone else.", I reply.
"Ok.", he says.
"You know earlier today we told Liam and Zach and Jess about us? Well, Zach caught up with me on my way to Math Class. He told me about before, with your old girlfriend, and how happy I made you, and all these positive things. But it only made me feel worse. What happens when things get bad? Like death bad. I don't want you to go back to that dark place!", I exclaim.
"Why in the world are you worrying about me? It's you we should be focusing on!", he says.
"Parker, I already said I didn't want your pity...", I start.
"And I'm not giving it to you! I'm here 100%.", he interrupts.
"Good. I don't think I could take the pain of losing you.", I say and hug him.
"Don't you worry, I'm not going anywhere."
*
I take two steps in the front door and feel wet stuff fall down my face. "Liam, Zach, I'm here.", I call out, my voice breaking.
"Hey Par....what happened? What's wrong?", Liam asks, worried. I feel my tears fall more prominently.
"Shelby, she's....she's sick. Lung cancer.", I manage to choke out before crumbling in a ball on the floor.
"Hey hey it's ok. It's ok.", Liam and Zach sit next to me and comfort me as I sob into my hands.
"I shouldn't be crying. This has been happening to her for over three years. I need to toughen up and be there for her.", I say, drying my tears.
"You have a right to be upset.", Zach says.
"I know. I'm just gonna take my right to be upset somewhere she can't see.", I say.
"How bad is it?", Liam asks.
"Death bad. About as bad as it gets.", I reply miserably.
"Ok. And she's been dealing with this for over three years!?", Liam exclaims.
"Since she was fourteen.", I say.
"Wow. She's tough.", Zach says.
"Yeah she is. And Shelby doesn't want anyone to know. Other than us and Jess, this stays secret ok?", I ask.
"Aye aye capitan."
"Yup."
"Ok good.", I say relieved. I can always count on my friends when I need them.
"Ok, let's get our minds off this. How about some Xbox and pizza?", I ask, standing up.
"You just described my perfect weekend!", Zach says, already calling the nearest pizza place. I laugh and smile. I don't know where I would be without these two goofballs by my side.
*
I grab my books as the bell rings and walk out of the language arts classroom with Parker and Liam.
"You guys need a ship name.", Liam says suddenly.
"Wow. Ok, what do you got?", I ask.
"Sharker or Pelby?", Liam asks.
"Neither! Those sound awful!", Parker exclaims, as we walk into the cafeteria.
"I don't know. Pelby sounds ok.", I say.
"She's the boss.", Parker says.
"Pelby it is.", Liam says. I spot Jess, Zach, and Stacy sitting at a table and walk in their direction.
"Hey guys.", I say, sitting down next to Jess.
"Hey. Oh Shelby! I almost forgot! I'm having a sleepover at my house Saturday night, and I would love it if you came! I'll text you all the information later.", Stacy says.
"I'll have to check with my parents, but I'm almost positive I can come.", I reply.
"Yay. I'm inviting a few other girls from school, including Jess, and I'm really excited!", Stacy says.
"We're getting food, are you coming with us?", Liam asks. Everyone but me stands up.
"I'm good. You guys go.", I say.
"I'll stay with you. I'm not that hungry anyway.", Parker says, sitting back down.
"Are you sure?", I ask.
"Yeah. You guys go.", Parker replies. Everyone walks away and I grab Parker's hand.
"I had given up.", I say suddenly.
"What?", he asks.
"I had given up. I didn't want to live. The doctors told me I was going to die. I was prepared to die. And then I met you...", I say.
"And then you met me?", Parker says, confused.
"And then I met you, and you made me want to live. You made me want to try."
(I'm crying.)
YOU ARE READING
Hello! A Pubble FanFiction
Fanfiction=+Completed+= Shelby is the mayor's daughter and has always been in the public eye whether it be meetings, speeches, or anything in between, she is always there supporting her father. Parker, on the other hand, is a gamer with the most loyal(and so...
