Timeless

Chapter 2

25th October 2012

Lisa finished work at five, so she signed me out then. So for half an hour I sit and wait at the bus terminal out the front of the hospital. It's close to the patient set down and pick up area, so I should be able to see  Julian when he arrives. At 5.30 a red car pulls up, and Julian jumps out, jogging over to me.

"Hey!" he greets me with a smile, and I can't help but return the gesture. "You ready?"

I nod enthusiastically, and then let him lead me to the car. He opens the back door and I slide in while he runs around to the other side and jumps in next to me. Zach is driving, and Jayden's in the passenger seat. I greet them both, and I introduce myself properly.

"The girl who loves us," Zach says with a huge grin.

"Jemma's an unreliable source," I say seriously. "She got her information mixed up."

"So you don't watch X Factor?" Jayden asks.

"I do, like I told Julian today, all I do is watch crappy reality TV." I stick my tongue out, but end up in fits of giggles as the boys all start picking on me. We muck about for the rest of the drive, until we pull into the parking lot for an Italian restaurant. Trent and Will are already there, and they've brought Nathaniel and Bella too. I'm introduced to them both, and then we head in. Everyone nags Julian, asking about what's the best since he's Italian - something I didn't know. Though with a name like Julian De Vizio, it's kind of obvious now. First thing I do is head to the bathroom, then back to the table, where I'm sitting between Jayden and Julian. We're brought menus, and I do turn to Julian for some help.

"So what is good?" I ask, looking over all the dishes. I'm such a boring eater, I think I'll just go with lasagne or spaghetti Bolognese.

Julian points out some variety, and then convinces me on a seafood dish. The waiter comes around to take our orders, and then I go to excuse myself again.

"Are you ok?" Julian asks, his face filled with concern.

I look around awkwardly, thankful that no one else is paying us attention. "Uh, yeah, I'll explain when I get back." I slip out and go to the bathroom. As I'm washing my hands, I splash my face with water. What the hell am I supposed to tell him? I sigh, roll my eyes and then head back out.

I stop dead when I see Julian leaning by the wall, his eyes focusing on me the second I walk out. He strolls up casually, hands in his pocket.

"You want to go outside and talk?" he asks.

I don't even know. Do I? "Ok."

We wander outside and head for a tree to stand under, not like it's sunny or anything though.

"So... explanation?" Julian sticks his hands back in his pocket and kicks the ground with his shoe.

"I have to pee all the time," I blurt out, and then realise that's something most people would find embarrassing. Not me, but Julian goes a little wide eyed. "It's just the cancer, don't worry. I don't have some weird bladder disease," I joke.

"Are you ever serious?" Julian asks me with a calculating look. "About your cancer?" He seems to stumble over the C word.

"No," I say seriously. "But then again this cancer isn't serious about me. We just can't commit to one another."

"Avery," Julian says, and his tone reminds me of Lisa.

I laugh. "Relax, I'm trying to tell you good news." I stop for a second. "I think." I sigh. "The cancer isn't terrible. I mean it's cancer, so it's not fantastic. But a little operation, some chemo and it'll be gone." He goes deep in thought for a moment.