Their Little Princess

Chapter 11

I slowly opened my eyes to only be met with bright, blinding light. I tried to lift my hand to shield my eyes but there seemed to be a heavyweight pulling it down.

"I think she is waking up." I heard someone say but it was too muffled for me to tell who said it. I groaned and wiggled under the weight. The weight on my arm was lifted and my arm felt free. I lifted my arm and shielded the light that assaulted my eyes.

"Bri, Can you hear me?" I just groaned in response. I felt people standing all around me. I felt the lights dim and I slowly opened my eyes. I saw all of the boys around me, even James. I tried to get up but was gently pushed back.

"No, no, no Bri. Stay down. You need to rest." I looked at James as he spoke to me. His eyes were filled with concern and love.

"W-W-Water?" I croaked out to no one in particular. I turned my head to see John holding out a cup of water. I shakily lifted my hands to the cup. I grabbed it and gulped it down as fast as I could. He took the cup back and left the room. I grabbed my head and slowly blinked. "W-W-What happened?" They all looked at each other.

"You passed out from your illness, and we had to take you here," Grayson said while getting upset at the end. Ethan patted his back while Grayson cleared his throat. James dragged up a chair and sat next to me. He grabbed my hand and I looked at him.

"Bug, Ethan told us about your immune disease. While you were out, we took some blood and had the doctors run some tests." He paused and looked at Ethan. Ethan had tears in his eyes and he was looking right at me. James cleared his throat and looked me right in the eyes. "They found out that you have a form of cancer." My eyes widened and my heart dropped.

"W-W-What?" I looked at Ethan and saw tears coming down his face. I moved over a little on the bed and tapped the side. He hesitated but came over and sat next to me. He held me in his arms and let out a sob. "Can everyone give us a minute?" I whispered out while looking at Ethan. They all nodded and left the room. Ethan kept his head stuffed in my shoulder.

"I-I-I can't lose y-y-you Bri." He let out another sob and I held him tighter. "You're a-a-all I have l-l-left."

"I'm not going anywhere." He took some deep breaths but kept his head tucked away. "Did they say how bad it is?" He nodded and mumbled something in my hair. "You have to speak up."

"They said they don't know until they do a bone marrow test." I lifted his arm from me and made him look at me.

"Hey, look, it could be very treatable. I will be okay." He gave me a small smile and kissed my head. He hugged me again and I rested my head on his chest this time.

"I should be the one comforting you silly," Ethan said while playing with my hair. I laughed a little and snuggled into him. I heard the door open a few minutes later. I turned my head to see who it was but didn't lift it off of Ethan's chest. All of the guys had teary eyes but wouldn't let them spill. James came right back over and sat next to me again. Grayson raced Trevor to get the seat next to me and won. He grumbled and stood as close to me as he could. The others followed until they all surrounded me.

"I am okay, everyone. Please stop this. This is all so much and-" I cut myself off and cleared my throat. Tears made their way to my eyes but I couldn't show them. I need to be strong for them. I blinked away my tears as best I could. I smiled as best as I could and put my head back in Ethan's chest.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry. Somehow me chanting this made it even harder not to cry. I felt hands rub my back and Ethan's hands played with my hair.

"Bri, it's okay to be upset," Brandon said while coming closer than he already was. I shake my head "no" and continue to try not to cry. He sighed and so did the others.