Palindrome

Fifty-Five

Chapter 55

"Rohi, let go."

"No, I'll die if I let go."

Shaking my head, I keep holding onto Paxton's arms. He's walked me through a few beginner motions. I'm already not dressed for the occasion as is and now he's trying to convince me to skate on my own. Pressing two hands to the side of my face he forces me to look at him.

"Just channel your inner Addison Rae."

"Yes, very helpful advice," I deadpan slightly unnerved by how close his face is. My gaze ends up lingering a second too long on his lips and he notices it smirking. Then he closes the distance between us, kissing me senseless so that my arms turn limp around his own. Before I can say something after he pulls back, Paxton pushes me gently toward the front holding a hand up in farewell.

"Enjoy the ride."

"Paxton!" I shriek forced to straighten my posture and strike a balance, so I don't fall. A bit too late now as I've gotten to traverse to the end of the pathway at least before I can stop. The wind whips in my air and all my nervous energy from before feels like it's transformed into something else. I get why Paxton, Trevor, and everyone over here look like they get a high out of this. I scream from the thrill of it, laughter peeling out of me even though I'm not doing anything insane.

"Was that so bad?" Paxton asks once I'm back next to him.

Instead of answering, I yank him by the collar, throwing my arms around him and he laughs picking me up from the ground and spinning me around. Trevor lets out a whistle and I feel my cheeks turn red once I break apart from Paxton's embrace.

"You go hard," he says appreciatively as I hand him his skateboard back. "Jessica just sat to the side when I brought her here."

"Thank you," I reply shyly.

"Anytime," Trevor says with a smile.

He twirls his skateboard with his hands turning to Paxton this time. "Do you want to take it for another spin?"

"Nah, I shouldn't," Paxton tells him, and I suddenly notice the wavering look behind his eyes. His grip on my hand isn't as strong anymore. All that physical exertion is taking a toll on him, he's not going to admit that though.

"We should get going, I've got to get home soon," I remind him instead.

Paxton blinks, a moment of haziness taking on his expression before he nods. "Right that....."

He forgot.

I can't stop myself from running over the symptoms for brain tumors. An endless list varying from headaches, seizures, nausea, confusion, personality changes, vision problems, hearing loss and weak muscles. A series of conditions that worsened if the meds didn't take care of the tumor.

There's already been moments where he spaces out when I'm talking to him or needs me to read something at a distance because he's nearsighted. Just the other day he ended up snapping at Nagi for bringing up this inside joke about Tik Tok that they had going on. Ella's told me that there are moments when he'll shut himself off in his room when the pain gets unbearable.

Which could only mean....

That the meds-

Aren't working.

Trevor's voice snaps me out of my own daze. "I'll see you two around then."

"See ya," I say waving while Paxton and they do this random handshake that they have together. When they're done I reach out for his hand and he stares down at it briefly surprised since he's usually the one to imitate any for of touch. I need this right now, some reassurance that he's real and here for me.