Just Another Girl

Chapter 17

  I ran into the living room, trying to find Joey. I hoped nothing was wrong, but I had to be sure. Wouldn't it totally suck if I find someone to love and trust, who is dying? Exactly the sort of thing that would kill me... 

  Joey wasn't in the living room though. Or the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or anywhere in the house. 

  His mom was in the kitchen, making breakfast though. I could ask her... Although that was still scary, I knew she was nice and even after she'd helped me talk to Joey about the Chloe incident, I was still scared of her. 

  I made myself walk into the kitchen, with a smile, anyway. "Morning. Where's Joey?" I said politely as I could. 

  She looked tired and a little ruffled up. "He won't be home today Nicky." She replied. 

  "Why not?" I asked, my heart sinking. 

  "He's busy." She said evasively. 

  "Busy with what?" I asked, worry overriding my fear of her.

  "Stuff." 

  I had to get clearer answers  than this... Ok, direct approach. 

  "Is he in the hospital with a maybe deadly sickness and neither of you want to tell me because you're worried I'll try to die again?" I blurted out. 

  She stiffened and turned towards me. "How did you-?" She asked. 

  "Clues. Songs Joey added to my playlist..." I muttered, sad that I was right. 

   "Should've known he'd try to give you hints somehow..." She whispered, then added a bit louder, "Well, you want to see him then?" 

  "Yes, please." I agreed. 

..................................................................................................................

  I walked into the room that Joey was in. He looked more pale than usual, but other than that he looked fine. 

  He looked both happy and sad to see me. "Hey Nicky." He greeted me. 

  "Joey, what... What's going on?" I asked, trying to steady my voice. Was this how he'd felt when I was in here? 

  "Well... I'm kinda sick?" He said awkwardly. 

  "Well duh. Come on, tell me please. I'll ask the doctors if I have to." I threatened. 

  "Nah," Joey grinned, "You wouldn't, I know you. You'd try but end up right back here knowing no more than when you left." 

  I couldn't help but smile, he was right. I couldn't ask without landing myself in a hospital bed because of a panic-attack or something of the sort. 

  "Okay you're right. Please tell me?" I begged. 

  He sighed and looked down. "Okay Nicky... Well I've got cancer... They gave me a few more days to live. I feel fine now but they say I'm quickly going downhill..." 

  "So... That's why your mom lets you do almost whatever you want and why you said two weeks to change how I felt about life? That's how long you had?" I asked, tearing up again. 

  "Yeah, Mom said to have fun with life while I could. I decided that meant being with you... And saving you if I could. I- Maybe I shouldn't have even talked to you... I don't wanna hurt you... I just hoped that maybe if you saw that it's possible for people to be nice and loving you'd be willing to stay alive to find someone else." Tears streamed down Joey's face as he said this, and I couldn't help but hug him and start sobbing. 

  "I-I don't even know what to say." I admitted, still holding onto him tightly. 

  "Just promise me you won't die. Please Nicole." He begged. 

  "I promise." I whispered, and I meant it. This boy had willingly used his last days to help me until I knew there was a point to life. I couldn't waste his effort even if I still wanted to die.