Short explanation; life and work.
I do love you all for the continued support even with my lack of updates.
To Chloe, smile my cute lil sister. Thank you for helping to inspire and remind me. I love you.
January 12th
As we progressed into January, the days seemed to ease by. Of course I was getting sick of the treatment, but my last round was the week before my birthday. And so when they did all the tests, it was something good.
"So Charlia." Doctor Robertson came to where I'd settled myself with Alex. His nerves were setting mine off and twice I'd slapped his thigh to stop him from bouncing his foot.
It was winding me up.
"So Doctor." I grinned at her and she laughed.
"Good news and bad news."
"Give me the bad news first." I cut her off before she could even ask the question and she nodded her head.
"Okay, so bad news is that you're going to have to undergo more chemo after this six week-"
"Hold on, I thought I had eight weeks?" I couldn't help but cut her off again. Alex nudged my side. "Sorry." I muttered and she smiled.
"No, we did say eight weeks originally. But with how you've reacted to the drug itself, we felt that six weeks would be better to gauge instead of eight. By eight weeks, your body would be completely free of the toxins and that's the last thing we want at this moment, you understand, right?" I nodded my head slowly, taking in the information.
Alex huffed.
"You were saying?" He prompted and she nodded again.
"You'll need to go for more chemo after six weeks due to the size and the amount of tumours." I felt my stomach twist. I'd avoided asking the information about it, because I didn't want to know.
"The good news?" I asked hesitantly and she grinned.
"Well, not only are you free to go for the next six weeks," My grin was biggest of the three. "We've also seen a good change. Two of the three have shrunk considerable. The third one is the reason why you're getting more chemo. But with that progress, we're hoping that by June the very earliest, we can operate to remove the three tumours."
"Are you serious?" The question fell from my lips before my brain had even processed it. The look of excitement said it all.
"Deadly. No pun intended." And I couldn't help but laugh.
By June there was the best possibility that I could have this disease out of me.
Once we were home, it really sunk in and before I knew it the pair of us were jumping and dancing shouting 'it's worked, it's worked!'
"Hey kiddo, seeing as we've got a break before we start touring, how does using that week pass to Disney?"
I did a double take.
"Are you serious?" Alex grinned.
"Of course. You take Disney so seriously, if it weren't for the fact that you weren't Mickey Mouse obsessed, I'd have thought you were related to Flyzik." He teased and I stuck my tongue out at him childishly.
"But really, a full week at Disney? What about school?" As much as I hated to say it, the last thing I wanted was to fall behind, even with my friends help.
"I'll talk to them, I'm due a progress report. So it all depends." I scowled. "Hey, you've done brilliantly for someone whose attendance is really slacking." He nudged me and I laughed.
"Alright. I'm still struggling with my art though. Do you think you and the guys will help me?" He raised an eyebrow. "This is the one that is basically our whole grade for the year. Everything in between is kind of mandatory."
"Do I get to see what you've done so far?" I shook my head. "Can I see the work you've done in between?" I hesitated before nodded and I went to grab my art folder. Alex looked at me in shock.
"You carry that massive thing around? Charlia it's nearly bigger than you." I laughed.
"This is nothing compared to the folders I carried back in England. I had three extra subjects which preferred folders to books, and some clever ass decided to timetable all three classes on the same day." He looked horrified as I laughed. "Seriously Alex, s'fine. Anyway, I've already given you my list for what I want for my birthday."
"So that's what that message was?" I nodded my head.
"I don't want to get spoilt. I just want stuff that I kind of need but also I'd appreciate to have." I shrugged and he grinned.
I kind of understood why Alex was so shocked at the size of the folder. When I started doing art when I was younger, Rosie helped me when I worked on big pieces and scoured to find a folder large enough. The biggest one stood at almost four feet.
Despite being roughly 5'5, the folder made me seem tiny in comparison.
Opening it carefully, I made sure not to show any of my sketches that I'd been testing out for the project and I pulled out the smaller sketches that I'd done. Some of animals, others were just doodles.
"Wow, Charlia these are incredible." I shrugged. I'd never been confident in my artwork, but I accepted the compliment anyway.
"Some of them are just sketches, but thanks." I mumbled and Alex looked at me incredulously.
"Just, just sketches? Jesus Charlia, you really are talented." I flushed.
"Okay, so can we go back to the Disneyland talk?" He laughed before handing me back my work and I set my folder in the hall, ready to take upstairs with me.
"Okay, so who do you want to come with us?" I paused.
"Cassadee." I nodded my head and he grinned. "Does that mean Rian will come as well?" The smirk that Alex had answered my question and I shrugged. "That's okay by me."
"What about the others?"
"Well if one's coming, might as well invite them."
"If you just want Rian and Cass, then that's okay. I'm pretty sure Jack would love to disappear to LA for a week without checking in." He teased and I laughed. "Is there anyone else?"
There was one person, but I didn't want Alex to have to help him get over here so that I could see my best friend.
My cheeks must have given away my thoughts.
"Jake?"
"I don't want to ask if it's too much." I muttered, my eyes dropping to the floor and he laughed. I felt myself feel more embarrassed a he carried on laughing before he realised.
"Charlia, look at me?" I did as I was told. "If you want your best friend there, then your best friend can come. Maybe invite some of the group if you want?" I shook my head.
"I love them, but I kind of want it to be family." I mumbled and he grinned.
"How about we go so it's just before your birthday. That way, Jake can stay and your friends can celebrate your birthday with you?"
I thought my heart was going to burst from my chest as my lips split into the widest grin.
The thought of seeing my best friend lifted my spirits considerably.
January 15th
I was stupidly excited today. Even though I had to go to school. Alex laughed when I literally crashed into his room and resorted to stealing one of his beanies again. As much as the wig suited me, I preferred having a hat on.
Students still teased me, but it wasn't the brutal stuff that I got back in England. It was just a few names here and there, but most times, especially after the guys had beaten up one of the football players for hurting me, people left me alone.
Even though he was still in bed, half asleep, he pointed to his cheek and I grinned as I reached over and kissed it.
"You're picking me up after, right?" He gave a muffled yes and I laughed before bolting it down the stairs to where Callie was waiting in her car.
"You're chirpy for Monday morning." She muttered and I grinned.
"Well, I'm travelling to Disney tomorrow, my best friend is travelling over from England and some of my tumours have shrunk."
Callie did a double take at this and let out a cheer, and even though she was driving, we high fived before she tuned onto Fletch's street.
Blaring her horn as we drove past his house, she turned the car around at the end of his road and drove back up and he was emerging from his home, bag thrown over his shoulder. Once he'd clambered in behind me, Callie was off once more.
"Homedawgs, whatzzup?!" Both Callie and I shared a look before we started laughing.
"'Homedawgs'? Seriously Fletch, come up with a new greeting, please." Callie snorted and I grinned.
"Chizzle loves me greetings though." I snorted again.
"No, I really don't. And don't ever call me Chizzle again you dork." The three of us laughed as Callie pulled up to the school.
The rest of the group converged around Callie's car.
"So how was your weekends then?" It was always Sean's question first thing Monday morning if we didn't spend it with any of the group.
"It wasn't too bad, but my dad turned into a total ass to my little sister so there may have been words exchanged." Rae shrugged and we all held varying degrees of worry.
It was nice to see that Sean was the first to give her a hug and after a minute, I squirmed between them deliberately, pushing Sean away so I could hug her instead.
Everyone laughed, including Sean.
"Dammit Charlee." He groaned and I simply giggled.
"You gonna tell them, alien?" Callie asked once I'd released Rae who Sean was quick to take his place and stand next to her again. I smirked at him before shooting a playful glare at Callie.
"I was gonna throw a party. You have to ruin everything, god you awful human." The grins we shared made the words harmless.
Because of my bald head, I was the alien, so I referred to her as my human. This offered much entertainments if we had what our group called our 'domestics'.
"Tells us what?" Emma piped in and I grinned.
"You're all meeting Jake tonight. I'm leaving you all tomorrow to go to Disney but you guys are celebrating my birthday with me no matter what. Oh and some of the tumours have shrunk. They're hoping to operate by June."
Their reactions made me appreciate the friends that I'd made here. You would've thought that our school team had won the season or something if you happened to stumble across the cheering.
By the time we were in our classes, I couldn't help but look at the time every now and then. I knew that Jake would be on the plane by now and I was excited to see him again.
"Psst, C-dwarf." I rolled my eyes.
"I'm not a dwarf, you're a giant." I shot back to Fletcher who grinned.
"I was thinking, can we like, talk away from the group at break?"
"Sure." I grinned at him before our attention returned to the teacher.
I couldn't think of any reasons as to why Fletch wanted to talk to me away from the group, but I felt my stomach twist at the thought of spending some time alone with Fletch.
It took me a second to realise that it was excitement.
When break rolled around, I found myself almost itching to get out of class. I knew that Fletch would meet me outside the classroom, so I forced myself to take my time.
Callie knew something was up the second that I told her that I'd catch up.
Fletch was there, waiting and we walked to the quad, moving to the spot where Callie had first introduced herself to me.
I wasn't sure if he realised this or not, but I couldn't help but smile.
"So, I know that Spring Formal is still like, a month away. But, well I guess, what I'm asking is would you like to go to the dance with me?" Nerves exploded in my stomach.
"Uh, sure. Can I just ask, why me?" At this, Fletch grinned.
"You know Callie is gonna ask the geek because she finds him hilarious. And well, I find you hilarious, but also you are hot, with and without hair. So yeah."
I was pretty sure my face was burning up.
"You know that you're an irritating brat, right?" Was the first question to escape my lips and he laughed.
"Good to see that we're on the same page. So, Spring Formal then?" I nodded my head. "Cool. And I guess I'll give you something to look forward to..." He trailed off and before I fully realised, he was kissing me.
But before I could react, he'd pulled away and grinned at me.
Despite being lost for words, I simply rolled my eyes and returned the grin as we made our way to the canteen.
School had finished and Alex was waiting for me. I'd never run so fast, even if it winded me, making Alex half laugh, half shout at me for being so daft.
In response, I flipped him the bird and he settled on just laughing before pulling away from the school and heading to the airport.
"Okay so Spring Formal is around the corner and Fletch asked me to be his date." I blurted out once Alex had told me about his day.
"As in the guy who tells those stupid jokes?"
"Hey, they're not stupid! They're bad enough that they're good."
"I've heard the 'how many ears does Spock have?' joke so many times Charlia." I grinned.
"Changing the subject back."
"Did you say yes?"
"Duh."
"Then it's settled. I'm not gonna go overprotective asshole unless he dates you. And by that, I mean if you're his girlfriend, not just a date for a high school dance." I stared at him in shock before laughing.
"That's fine by me." I shrugged.
When we'd arrived at the airport, I spotted my best friend waiting on the sidewalk. As we pulled up to him, I launched myself from the car and straight at him.
"Jake!"
"Hey kiddo." His arms engulfed me in a hug for a few minutes before letting me go and greeting Alex.
"You really didn't have to-" He started but Alex cut him off.
"It's for her birthday. I couldn't make you not eat for several months just to pay for a ticket." He grinned and Jake grinned back.
I was back in shotgun and Jake was sat in the middle in the back.
"So tell me, what have I missed?"
"Charlia has a date." Alex sang and I scowled.
"Shut up friendless." I shot back and a look of hurt cross his features. I knew him better though.
"Just because you made more friends with me on your first day does not make me friendless, alien." I groaned.
Callie had used that nickname so often around Alex, he'd picked it up. Jake laughed.
"As long as said date doesn't need his ass kicked for hurting you, we're all good."
"My words exactly!"
"Not exactly." I pointed out.
"Close enough." He admitted with a shrug and Jake laughed again.
"Okay so are you still up for meeting my friends or do you wanna rest?"
He shrugged before yawning. The yawn set me off and Alex laughed.
"You two need as much rest as possible. Long road trip ahead of us." I pouted before pulling my phone out, sending a text to Callie.
'Looks like you guys won't be meeting Jake tonight afterall. But you'll meet him when we get back, I promise!'
The response came back pretty fast.
'No problems alien. Have an ace time and please, make a wish for me.' I rolled my eyes before turning my attention back to Jake.
"So, you excited for the next week?"
"Damn, Mollie hasn't shut up about it. I swear she was gonna swap names on the ticket or something. Which reminds me, she's saving up to come and visit you. Her and her girlfriend have finally settled any and all disputes." I rolled my eyes before shrugging.
"It'd be nice to see her again. Any er, news?"
Jake knew what I was asking about.
"The girls? Nothing, they've kept their heads down. Him? He's been fucking relentless. The fact that there has been no set destination posted online about you, he can't try and find you. After you left, he was furious with Rosie. I've never seen a braver woman when he came storming in the house."
"HE DID WHAT?" Alex jumped from how loud my voice went and I shot him an apologetic look, he returned it with a scowl.
"He stormed in, I had stayed over to help her settle in some new kids and he came in all guns blazing, not literally of course! But man, Rosie refused to let the kids go to school and called the police."
"Fucking psycho." Alex muttered darkly, and I couldn't help but agree. "So, how's Uni going, Jake?"
He steered the conversation to something that wouldn't send me into a fit of anger. And it worked. By the time we'd gotten back to his and I'd curled myself next to Jake on the sofa, the three of us were laughing and teasing each other.
And even though both of us were falling asleep, I felt as relaxed with him as I was with Alex.
So this is the first chapter I've gotten out. I made more of an effort and I'm sorry I've been MIA the past few months. There is a possibility of another chapter this month, but I'm still working on that. But at least now I've started writing inbetween working!
Also, the video to the side, well it's your very own tiger getting pulled up on stage for Time Bomb. Had the absolute time of my life thanks to those four dweebs.