Sickness And In Love

Halloween

JUGHEAD POV

At last, Halloween was here. There's a fun trick or treating the little kids do and get candy. I just plan on staying in my room and doing nothing. Betty hasn't been coming to my room much lately, probably because I was less fun. I was getting lung scans all the time, more pills, more oxygen therapy, less time with friends, healthy food only, and Nurse Jolene thinks that I should stay away from Betty. Falling for someone is the worst thing to do for someone like me.

I sat in my room and wrote in my journal about my day. My therapist says that writing in a journal would be best for me. I guess if I die, then people can read my stuff. I thought about how I wasn't even doing anything with my life. I decided to go to the gym and do some cardio...Emphysema isn't one to let you stay active.

I walked to the gym and started to stretch. I then heard laughter behind me. I turned around and saw Betty in her gym clothes, which meant she was going to be a pain in here as well.

"Hey Jughead."

"Hey."

"This is a little awkward...for the fact that you've been avoiding me." Betty scoffed.

"I haven't been avoiding you." I shook my head

"Come on! You have!" Betty nodded.

"Have not!"

"Have too!"

"Have not!"

"Have too!"

"I'm not listening to you! ABCD!" I yelled plugging my ears and singing my ABC's. Betty was yelling at me and this went on for quite some time.

"Ok! Ok!" I yelled. I unplugged my ears and she was glaring at me. I got on the treadmill and she got on the one next to me.

"Jughead...Happy Halloween."

"Happy Halloween. Aren't you supposed to be with the sick kids or with your family or something?"

"Are you kidding? And miss out on going to the gym with you? Also, who would want to miss out on lots of sweat?" Betty giggled and I smiled.

"Really though? Why are you here at the gym?"

"My mom...doesn't want me to come home. It gives her more time to herself and with my siblings and their families living with her...it's really tough. Have you seen your parents lately?"

"Yeah, just to check on me-" I said. I started to cough again and I stopped the treadmill. I was getting ready to puke. Betty came to my side.

"Juggie! What's going on?" Betty cried out. My throat was being clenched and my chest. It was hard for it to come up and there were no trashcans near by...so I had to use my hands. I puked a lot of mucus into my hands and Betty took me to a sink so I can wash my hands. I looked at my reflection...and hardly even noticed myself. I then puked more mucus into the sink and I started to cry. It was embarrassing to cry. The fact I'm going to die...I can handle that part, but the pain is the thing that is hard to deal with.

"Jughead, should I call Dr. Miller?"

"No...this is Stage 3 for you. This is normal."

"I've never seen so much mucus come out of you before. I'm concerned."

"Don't be, this is fine. Look at my fingers." I said. I held my hands up and she took my hands and looked at the fact they were blue. She put my hands together and kissed them. I looked at her and she looked at me...my goodness, she was absolutely stunning. I put my hands on her face and then...we kissed. It was nice and then we stopped. I looked at her for one second and then I puked more mucus in the sink. I banged my fist on the sink and broke into sobs. Betty rubbed my back and rubbed my head.

"Betty...the pain is so miserable. I can't take it. It feels like something is trying to stab and squeeze my lungs and chest. I know I say I don't care...but I want new lungs. I want lungs, Betty!" I sobbed and then we hugged. We went back to my room and she prepared me. She made me take a hot shower and then made me do a breathing treatment and take my pills before bed. I then drank some hot tea and laid down to go to sleep. I had my heavy oxygen mask on and she rubbed my head.

"Stay calm and try to get some sleep. Meet me tomorrow morning for breakfast at 9AM." Betty said. She kissed my forehead and then left the room. I drifted off into a better sleep.