Popular Freak

Chapter 9

We wait in the ER for what seems like forever. They run a whole bunch of tests. Finally they take me up to my room.

"Have they said anything yet mom?" I ask her.

"No, they haven't." she says with tears in her eyes.

"Mom, it's probably nothing. They are just double checking the results."

"Your probably right. You just gave us a scare sweetie." She squeezes my hand.

"Where's is Nik?" I ask looking around the room.

"He stepped outside for a moment. Want us to get him?"

"Yes, and can we have a few moments alone?"

My parents leave the room and Nik walks in with red rimmed eyes. "Hey dork" I say with a small smile.

"Hey brat." He walks over and takes my cold hand in his warm hands. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired, cold, and nervous. How are you holding up?"

"I'm not ok. I just got you. I can't lose you."

"Hey. I'm not going anywhere. We will get through this. As long as we have each other we can get through anything. Now get up here and hold me."

"Ok, ok." He says as he climbs into bed with me. He wraps his warm arms around me and I melt into his embrace. "how can you stay so calm?"

"Well I have gone through a lot already. But to be honest I am terrified. I have never felt this way before. Something is wrong and I just have a bad feeling about it. Don't tell my parents. I have to be strong for them and for you."

"Ri... you are the one who knows your body best. You don't have to be strong for me. I'm not going anywhere. I am here for you. I love you so much."

I smile up at him. "I love you too."

He continues to hold me. Just then the door opens and I see my mom and dad crying. I look to Nik and he looks at me. He gives me a small smile and kisses my forehead. He holds me tighter as we turn to the doctor.

"What is it?" I ask. My parents rush over to my bedside. "Seriously. You are freaking me out."

"Riley. We got your test results back. I'm sorry to say this but you have Leukemia."

"Ok what is our next step?" I ask trying to fight back the tears in my eyes.

" The good news is we caught it fairly early. You will need a bone marrow transplant. We are positive after that you wont need anymore treatments. So your next step will have to be chemotherapy."

I just stare off into space tuning out what he is saying. 'How could this happen to me? Right when life was starting to turn around. I made new friends. I am with the guy I have been wanting to be with for a long time. What is going on?' Then I break down into tears.

"I'll give you all a few moments." The doctor says and then he leaves the room.

Nik pulls me close and puts my head on his chest. "Shh. Its ok Ri. We will get through this. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Shh."

I feel my parents rub my back. "Sweetie... at least they caught it early and there is a treatment. You can do this. We all are here for you." My dad says. "Come on Bridget lets go talk to the doctor." They walk out of the room.

"Why is this happening to me? Why cant I get a break from it all? I don't understand." I say crying into Nik's shirt.

"Ri I don't have those answers. All I know is that you are the bravest and strongest woman I know. You can get through this." He tilts my chin up to look into my eyes. "You will get through this and I will be here every step of they way. I promise. I love you." He kisses me deeply. "Besides, the doctor did say that after this transplant they are positive you will be in remission. So that's great news."