Bipolar much?

“You ready?”

“Yeah” I replied as I and my mom made our way towards the doctor’s office.

“Hello Tessy, how are you feeling today?”

“Just tired Doc”.

“Well, that’s to be expected, you will be starting chemotherapy today, hope you are taking the medications?”

“Yes I’m, can I ask for something?”

“Yes”

“I want to get rid of the hair here, I don’t want to go to a barber shop due to some reasons”

“No problem, I understand, I will assign a nurse to get that done”.

My hair has gotten worse so far luckily school is under construction due to the fire and I have been avoiding Tyler and Cherry ever since but I have been talking to them on the phone. Been walking around with a beanie, so no one will notice my scanty hair, before coming to the hospital we had gotten a wig the exact color of my hair, which will have to do. We were called into a room, I got dressed into hospital scrubs, sitting down, I watched with teary eyes as chunks of my long hair fell all over my body, the nurse shaving it off kept comforting me. I finally broke down completely when she was done. I looked at myself in the mirror I was given, with my hair all gone, my big blue eyes stood out.

“You look beautiful baby” my mom said bringing me out of my thoughts. She came closer and pulled me into a hug.

“I’m scared” I said hugging her back, heavy sobs that I couldn’t control escaped from my throat. The weight I feel on my chest is so heavy, I can barely breathe.

“Look at me, I gave birth to a strong girl, we are going to get through this together, fight it Tessy, you’re stronger than this stupid cancer, you’re a fighter, I’m sorry I haven’t been spending enough time with you but I’m here now and I will make up for it” bringing her hands behind my neck she rested her forehead against mine.

“I love you mom”

“I love you too sweetie” she said with a kiss on my forehead.

“Let’s get you started” The doctor stood by the doorway waiting for me. I followed him.

As I lay on the hospital bed I watched as an IV was injected into me by the doctor.

“We are going to be starting with the induction therapy. Its goal is to kill as many leukemia cells as possible in the blood and bone marrow to achieve remission. It usually last four to six weeks”.

“Four to six weeks?”

“Yes, treatment will also be directed towards the brain and spinal cord”.

“I will inform your school so they won’t reprimand you when you miss classes” my mom added.

“Alright mom”.

Apparently, school will be resuming next week. I pray I will get discharge soon because I miss my friends.

So basically, spent a month in this Godforsaken hospital, I will be discharged today, I feel like crap, but the good thing is that I get to see my friends again.

I picked up a blue jogger with a white t shirt. I think that will do. I did my morning routine, got dressed and paired my outfit with a pair of white sneakers. Taking a look at myself in the mirror, I almost busted into another round of tears, I was the exact replica of a skeletal frame, with my once fresh skin now pale like a white chalkboard, with hollow eyes and sunken cheeks. Even with the big clothes I was wearing, you could see how skinny I have gotten. I adjusted my new wig and wore a blue beanie on it just to be safe.

It’s time for school.

“I love you”

“Love you too” I responded to my mom as she dropped me off.

I looked at the entrance of the school and made my way in.

Keeping my eyes down and walking through the passage scattered with students, I felt lots of eyes on me as I made my way towards my locker.

Then boom.

God I just had to bump into someone didn’t I?

Picking up my scattered books on the floor I got up.

“I’m so sor….” Nicholas!

It had to be him of all people.

Shit.

I know he is a twin but he is so perfect, with his sharp jawline, well defined and those stormy grey eyes of his. I just want to run my hands through his hair, I bet it’s going to be soft.

“Move” was the first thing that came of his gorgeous mouth, that’s when I realized I have been staring.

But why is he so mean all of a sudden?

“What crawled up your ass?”

“You. You’re in my way”

“Nick! Tessy how are you? I’m sorry about him? You look…. sick. are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine”

“You don’t look fine” Skylar added much to my surprise.

I need to get away from this people.

“I got to go” I said making my way around them.

Rushing towards my locker I started shoving my books in them.

“Tessy!”

My breath was knocked right out of me as I was tackled to the floor. I missed the crazy brat.

“Elsie, I…. can’t…breathe” I managed to get out, I was being squeezed to death.

“Oh shit…I’m sorry” she said releasing me.

I was once again brought into another embrace. Tyler.

“We missed you” he mumbled against my neck.

I really did miss them.

The two of them took a little step back and looked at me.

“You look different” Elsie stated.

“What happened?” Tyler asked.

I kept cancelling out on our plans to hangout because of my treatment, I gave them the excuse that I and my mom needed some bonding moments.

“Just been a bit stressed that is all” stressed and dying I thought.

“What’s stressing you out? Thought you and your mom were on a vacay or something?”

I need to come up with a better lie.

“Yeah, we were, it’s just that I have been having trouble sleeping for a while”.

“Why you having trouble sleeping? Is something bothering you?” Tyler asked looking at me.

RRRRRRRRRIIINNNNGGGGGG!!!

Saved by the bell people!

“Whoops, there goes the bell, we should hurry, we don’t want to be late now do we?” I said walking really fast towards the classroom.

I know they don’t believe me. I really need to come up with a better lie.

“How was school today sweetie?”

“It was alright mom” I plumped myself beside her on the couch.

“What’s wrong”

“Why do you ask?”

“There is a crease on your forehead sweetie”

“I want to keep this sickness a secret”

“From your friends?”

I nodded.

“But you do know sooner or later they are going to find out and they are going to be hurt that you kept such a thing from them?”

“I know mom, I just…I just don’t want them to worry about me, I don’t want anyone’s pity, I will tell them eventually but not now, I just need more time”.

“Alright dear, go take a shower, we will go get lunch before heading to the hospital”.

I made my way towards my room, freshened up and waltzed downstairs. My mom was already in the car.