Till Death Do Us Part

Chapter 1

"Quinn. Quinn?" I snap out of my haze. I look back at the doctor, dreading the words he might say.

"Sorry." I mutter and fold my hands in my lap.

"So, we have your results. The results came up positive. Quinn, you have a rare type of leukemia." The doctor concludes. I hear the small cry that escapes my mother's lips. She tightens her grip on my hand that she holds firmly.

"Please, don't cry." I beg and hug her. "And the treatment?" She speaks.

"Ah, yes, the treatment. Quinn needs to come to the cancer part of the hospital every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school. She needs to come tomorrow for her first treatment."

"No! Mom! I'm supposed to go to the movies with Jason, Marissa, and Michael! I have to go with them!" I cry.

"Quinn, don't be silly. You need your treatment. You can go to the movies with them sometime else." Mom rubs my back, trying to comfort me.

"No!" I cry.

"Quinn, calm down." Mom mutters.

"How the hell am I supposed to calm down! I just got diagnosed with freaking cancer!" I yell and stuff my face in my hands. Loud whispering follows for a minute from mom and the doctor. I was so excited for the movies.

"Come on, sweetie." Moms comforting voice rings and I stand up. I stare at the big vanilla packet mom carries in her hands.

Apparently according to the packet, i have a rare type of leukemia and my lungs gave up on me. Obviously, the chemotherapy (my treatment) would make my hair fall out. I hate life.

The car ride was silent. Except for the buzzing noises coming from my phone and mom's sighs. I had many text messages from Marissa and Jason. Of course I didn't want to answer. I don't want to talk to anyone.

"Quinn, sweetie. Wake up." I peel my eyes open. "We're home. You fell asleep in the car."

I get out and wait at the front door for mom to unlock it. "I feel so tired." I groan and plop down on the couch. "Yeah, yeah. I know. It's cause I have cancer." My phone buzzes in my hands again.

"Quinn, whoever that is you need to answer them. It's not fair to them for you to ignore them." Mom calls from the kitchen.

"It's not fair to me that I have freaking cancer." I mutter to myself. "Your right, it's not fair to them."

My phone screen comes alive from the ON button being pressed. 6 New Messages

3 from Marissa and 3 from Jason. Buzz. One from Sarah. Marissa knew I had my appointment today. She probably told Jason. I don't want Jason to know. I don't want anyone to know I have cancer. But what will people think when I come to school without hair?

Marissa: Are you back yet

Marissa: what's the results

Marissa: answer me

Me: hi

Marissa: Quinn! What's the results

Me: ... um. Can you just come over?

Marissa: of course. Be there soon.

How do you tell your best friend you have cancer?

Marissa sits in front of me on the couch. I have my legs curled up and a blanket draped over me. "So what happened?"

Silence follows for a moment. "Marissa, i have cancer." I mutter. What more does she need to know? A cry escapes her lips.

"Is it like lung cancer or what?"

"Um, well. The doctor said that's its a rare type of leukemia and it includes my lungs giving up on me." a single tear drops from her cheek. "I-i can't go to the movies tomorrow with you guys."

"What! We planned this for so long! Why not?" Marissa yells.

"I have my first chemotherapy treatment tomorrow." I mutter.

"Oh, Quinn." she cries and wraps her arms around me. This is why I don't want to tell anyone I have cancer.

"You can't tell anyone. Especially Jason." I mutter. She lets go of me.

"But what do I tell him when you can't come to the movies tomorrow?"

"Say I am grounded."

"Quinn, you know he won't believe that."

"I know, i know. I will figure something out." I hug her one last time.

Tell me this is just a dream.