Popular Freak

Chapter 15

I wake up sometime after my surgery. I realize that my arms are gone and I'm not allowed to talk because of the trach. I see Nik resting his head against my shoulder. I'm moan. He looks up at me with a smile. "Where's the doctor? I have a problem?"

"You aren't supposed to talk brat." He says with a smile.

I look at him like he's crazy. "Now that's the problem isn't it."

"I will go get him." Aaron says. He walks out the door.

"How long was I out this time?"

"After they brought you back from surgery? Just 30 mins."

"I told you I would come back. I always keep my promise."

"Yes you do. That's one of many reasons I love you." He kisses me.

The doctor walks in. "You woke up faster than ever this time Riley. I heard there is a little problem. What is it?"

I look at him like he's an idiot. "Really? We didn't really think this through. How can I communicate if I have no arms to sign and I'm not supposed to talk?"

"Yeah I thought about that during your surgery. Its seems like you are talking around the trach nicely so just talk."

"Thank you. Sorry I was calling you an idiot in my head then."

He laughs "Its quite alright. How are you feeling?"

"Surprisingly, I'm feeling really good."

"Good. We can do your first round of chemo right now then you go home."

"Are you serious? I get to go home today?"

"Yes. We will do 3 rounds of chemo which will take 1 week, then the transplant will happen the following week and 2 weeks after that will be the bionics surgery. So in 4 weeks you will have all your limbs."

"Sweet, but I have two more questions. Will I be able to cheer again? Also what about the skin for the limbs?"

"Yes you will be able to cheer again." I look to Ashley and Brittany and smile wide. "As for the skin. We will not need donors for them. That is actually what we have been working on. We took some samples from Nikoli the first time and we basically have been growing our own skin."

"Wait, what?" Nik says

"It's a very complicated procedure and really hard to explain. But basically we replicated the skin cells and put them into an incubator to grow into skin."

"Holy cow. That's incredible." I say. The doctor leaves the room. I look to everyone and I smile wide. "I get to go home today."

The nurses come in and set me up for chemo and it lasts for about 2 hours. Then I finally get released to go home. Nik picks me up out of bed and carries me to my chair. Before he sits me down he kisses me tenderly. "I have something for you." He sits me down, then pulls out a chain with my engagement ring on it. He puts it around my neck. "That way you can still wear it."

"Nik it's perfect. Now kiss me." He kisses me again. He wheels me outside to the van where our family waits.

"Ashley, Brittany, Michael , and Brent already went to the house with Aaron." Steven says.

"How are you feeling sweetie?" My mom asks.

"I'm actually feeling pretty good. I know it wont last but this time feels different. A good different." I say with a smile.

Nik helps me into the van and puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him. I rest my head against him as my dad drives us home. We get to the house and everyone heads inside. "Nik wait." He looks at me. "I just want to sit here with you alone for a minute."