Not Much Time

Party

January 18th

When I arrive at the house there are several cars parked on either side of the road, filling our driveway, even one parked on the lawn. I pull as close to the house as I can manage. Gathering my backpack and textbooks I head inside. Upon opening the door I am met with loud chatter that goes silent almost instantly. Everyone is inside, my parents and sisters, grandparents, cousins, friends and even a few teachers that I had grown close to over the last few years. They all turn and look at me.

"Hi! How was your day?" I am met by several questions and hugs. The books almost fall out of my arms as I attempt to hug people back.

"It was good, what are you all doing here?"

"Well, your mom called us a few days ago and said we were gonna have a surprise party," Daniella explains.

"Oh, well as you can tell I am very surprised. I should go put these away," I motion to the books, "But then I'll be right back."

I quickly climb the stairs and slip into my room, shutting and locking the door behind me. I toss my books and bag onto my bed. A small piece of paper sits on the nightstand with a glass of water and some pill bottles. Don't forget to take these ~Mom. I shake the pills out of each container, 2 of one kind and 1 of another. I swallow them with half the glass of water.

I walk over and pull open my closet and I survey my options for an outfit. A black dress catches my eye. It's a new one, the tags still hang from the side of it. A little note attached to the hanger. Thought you might like this one :) ~Mom

I slip on the dress, it fits perfectly. I let my hair out of the bun and it rolls down onto my shoulder. I fluff it and spray in some dry shampoo so it doesn't look so flat. I exit my room and when I get to the stairs I see Cody leaning against the railing. I freeze in my tracks. He has on a black jean jacket and a hat, his usual attire. I hadn't seen him in months. I rush down and tap him on the shoulder.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Oh hey Sarah, Your mom invited me."

"Why would she do that?"

"I'm not sure, she said it would be good for you if I came, even though I thought she hated me."

"Huh." I hug him tightly. "Well, I'm glad you are here."

"Are you okay? I mean it's really unusual of your mom to want us talking muchless anywhere near each other."

"Can we go somewhere else to talk?" I say glancing at everyone who is turned to us, nosing into our conversation.

"Sure, want to go for a walk?" Cody nods at the front door.

"That would be good."

We walk in silence for a few minutes. I can feel Cody's eyes studying me the whole way. Heading down the road we match each others pace. Once we are a good distance from the house I stop. Cody stops just a step later. He turns and faces me.

"So what's going on?"

"I have something I need to tell you, but I don't know how to say it." my voice is a little shaky.

"Just say it, I won't judge, you know that." a smile spreads across his face. He grabs my hands and stares at me patiently.

"Okay," I hear my voice crack a little. Standing up straighter I wrap my arms around him in a hug, "I got diagnosed with something...and...and...I only have a few months."

"What? You're joking right? Cause that's not funny." his tone changes.

"No I'm not, that's what this whole party is about, my mom wants me to be with friends and family, and she wants everyone to know about it...but I don't, I just want to be left alone and tell the people I want to tell about this. I don't want to be the center of attention, I never have."

"You are serious."

"Why would I not be?"

"I just..." He stops, "I'm so sorry." His voice cracks and he hugs me tighter. I can feel the tears form in my eyes.

"When did you find out?"

"A week ago...I was just trying to not think about it... you know? Leave it alone. I think I wanted it to be just another bad dream that I needed to wake up from." I wipe a tear off my cheek.

"Yeah, but why wouldn't you find a way to tell me?"

"I don't know, I think a part of me didn't want you knowing. I don't ever want to hurt you and I made a promise to myself that I never would hurt you."

"Does anyone else know why they are here? Does Daniella?" He looks back towards the house.

"I'm not sure what my mom told them...and no I haven't told Daniella, not Axel, Damon or even Lucas, you are the first person I told..."

"How long did they say? Is there anything they can do?"

"6 months at best, probably less. They say they don't know how long exactly, cause we caught it in a late stage...there is no real cure for it...radiotherapy and neurosurgery is not an option.." I look away from him, I hate hurting him with this.

"Well, let's make it the best six months ever." he cups my face in his hands and gently kisses me.

I missed this feeling, the happiness and ability to forget all the bad in the world, to enjoy being with the person I love but am banned from seeing. Like a cheap version of Romeo and Juliet. I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer, his hands move from my face to my back. A chill creeps down my spine. I don't know how long we stand in the middle of the street held tightly in each other's embrace. It feels like forever, it feels like I am living in a dream.

A car horn honks as it approaches, we break apart. In the driver's seat is my sister, Amelia. Of course.

"What are you two love birds up to? Other than grossing out the entire neighborhood?"

"Very clever." Cody says.

"Want a lift back to the house?" she asks pulling closer.

"Nah, we would like to make it there alive." I joke.

"Well, it wouldn't be cutting you too short." We both chuckle.

"See you at the house, we will be right up," Cody says.

"K" Amelia speeds past.
Cody turns back to face me. "So what exactly is it you have?"

"It's called DIPG. It's cancer that grows on my brainstem, which makes it inoperable and very hard to treat."

"I'm so sorry. It always seems like the good people get these shitty diseases."

"It's okay. I have kinda come to terms a little with it. I just don't want sympathy or attention from everyone, and that is exactly what this party is doing. My mom will tell everyone then I will not be allowed to breathe without someone asking if I'm okay. I haven't told anyone for that specific reason."

"Then why did you tell me? You know I care a lot about you, I can handle these type of things, but why wouldn't you tell anyone else?"

"Cause I know you will respect me enough to not treat me any different or watch me like I am a wounded puppy or something," I stare into his brown eyes, I can feel myself shaking, "I told you Cody because I really care about you, and I wanted to tell you cause we made a promise to be honest to each other no matter what."