I do not own 10 Things I Hate about You.

This is my first fan-fiction so I hope you enjoy. Please review also. Thank You.

DAY 1

"Cancer". That's what the doctor said. As the tears fell down my face I couldn't help but let gravity take a hold on my head as I looked towards the floor. I'd spent most of my life working towards the future and now it looks as if it had all been for nothing.

"The tumour has spread over your heart and I'm afraid this type of cancer is untreatable. Within forty days your heart will be entirely covered with the tumour. If you would like a personal counsellor whilst you are undergoing this please do not hesitate to contact me".

I nodded and tried to put a smile on my face; but it was no use. I was going to die. Everything that I had loved would be nothing but an object on this planet.

I was heart-broken, (excuse the pun).

Driving in my car on the way to Patrick's house made me cry even more. My eyes were beginning to blur and so I pulled over to the side of the road. I let any emotion within me pour out of me in the form of tears. I had to tell him. I didn't know what he was going to do. Would he want nothing to do with me or would he do something stupid and blame it all on himself? He was the love of my life and soon to be the love of my death.

After about twenty minutes I turned back onto the road and headed straight to Pat's house with blotchy eyes and a blocked nose.

I rang the bell and waited for the door to open. My heart was racing like no other and my head was filled with opening sentences.

"Hey honey, I've just stopped by to say, I have cancer, see you later."

"Oh, nice hair cut, oh and by the way, I have forty days to live."

"Yeah, I hope you kept the receipt for my commitment ring, I'm not going to be alive to wear it."

I couldn't do this to him. After everything we've been through. Like last year when he spent every day sending me song lyrics when I was away at Sarah Lawrence. And when I came back he sat there and played them all into a song. It was the sweetest thing ever and just reminded me why my heart always belonged to him.

It's funny how the tumour had to spread on my heart. The one organ I hadn't used to its full potential until Patrick showed me how. I was born a rock and I'll die a lover. I don't care what happens to me within these forty days, I spending my time with Patrick and if he doesn't want me then I'll sit at home and wait for destiny to take toll. Without him, my life has no meaning.

Whilst I was rambling on in my head the door opened nearly giving me a heart attack. I was instantaneously lost in that mane of hair and those eyes with a hint of green in them. His Ramones T-shirt was worn out but complemented his faded out skinny jeans and bare feet. He looked so natural and so beautiful. It was hard to believe that our inner most affection intertwined with each other.

"Hey there Girl-y". His accent never failed to make me flutter on the inside; one of his many features that I would miss. He moved closer towards me and wrapped his arms around my waist inviting me into his house.

I loved his house. It was so comforting. All around the room were pictures of rock legends and old concerts that he had never been to. The smell of cinnamon and beer filled the room. It used to smell of cigarettes but when we were first acquainted he stopped for me.

He swiftly turns around and drags my hand in the direction of the stairs towards his bedroom. The memories of this are still so fresh. I remember the day he bought me a Fender Strat. Our first proper kiss, where we were equals. He took me to his bedroom and we just stared at each other as if the most beautiful and rarest star had just crossed our eyes and we didn't want to let go of the image. I'd miss those moments.

Thinking of all this made me cry again. When I was in his room I went straight to his bed and let my tears stain his pillow.

"Kat, I know my room isn't the most tidiest of places but you don't need to cry over it." Such a charmer.

"No seriously Kat, what's wrong?"

I lay on his bed frozen. I couldn't tell him. Every urge of me willed my mouth to speak but I just couldn't do it. Eventually I muffled into his pillow in-between strolling tears and nose sniffles.

"You're making me nervous. Please tell me what's wrong. Has someone hurt you? I swear to God if it's that Joey kid…"

"No! It's nothing to do with him." I bolted upright at his name. The pain was too much to let Joey interfere with my life, let alone Patrick's feelings.

"Oh. Then what is it then?" He gave me that look. Where his eyes light up into huge ovals and his mouth is put into a small pucker. Like a puppy dog, only cuter.

"Patrick, I have something really important to tell you. I'm just not sure how to tell you. As you know I'm hardly ever lost for words but on this occasion I'm hoping you can make an exception…"

"Kat, whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll understand"

"Patrick, I … I have… I have cancer and only forty more days to live."

Once again I let gravity win; except this time I let it take over my whole body. My eyes began to prickle as my ears waited attentively to hear what he had to say. I wasn't sure what he was going to do. This was news to both of us and I'm sure he would take it differently to I would.

In that moment, I felt his hand come up to my face and brush away the strands that were covering my face. He loved my hair, so he said. I think he loved it because on a bad day it was almost as curly as his. He gently tugged my shoulder and pushed me over so that I was facing the ceiling as he obscured my view with his face. He drew closer to me and I felt his lips move against mine in a brush. He cupped my face and looked into my eyes. I'm not sure but it seemed as if he had tears in his. I was proved spot on as one landed on my cheek and rolled into my ear. He moved in closer again and kissed my lips whilst his hand was cupping my face. His lips softly moved in rhythm with mine for what seemed a life time and unwillingly he drew away from me. Moving towards my ear he whispered

"These are going to be the best forty days and nights of you life. Just you wait. "

He grasped my hand and lay down next to me, both of us staring at the ceiling filled with my drawings and pictures of us together. He told me that the pictures always gave him a bright start to the day and reminded him why he was alive. Alive. This word means more to me now than it ever did.

With our fingers locked together on his bed we stayed silent sharing this moment, waiting as the sun faded down and made way for the moon. As the chalky light entered his room, I slowly sat up and proceeded to go home. A sharp jolt pulled me down again.

"Jesus Patrick, you scared the living Zeus out of me"

"I'm sorry. I just don't want you to leave. It makes me regretful and selfish. Like it's my fault you have to endure this and I can't do anything to help. I feel useless."

"Please, stop. Pat this was never your fault. Please do not tell yourself that. And yes you're right, there's nothing you can do about it, except support me the best you can. I don't want to leave you either, but absence makes the heart grow fonder."

I felt his smile bore through me as he slowly moved to hover over me with his puppy dog eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"You will always be my Mrs. Verona."; touching the ring he gave me as a token of his love.

And with that his eyes began to close as his head moved closer towards me. I tilted my head to meet his and our lips locked as if we would never get the chance to do this again. I grabbed his hair as his hands moved along my neck. Embracing him made me feel much closer to him. It was like electricity had jolted through me and he was the source.

We eventually drew it to a close and smiled at each other for reasons beyond our understanding. He moved away from me and took up my hand leading me downstairs towards my car.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm driving you home. I want to spend every second that I'm allowed to be with you, plus you look pretty tired."

"Okay then. Just drive slowly."

This reminded me of the time when he drove me home from Bogey Lowenstein's party. I was pretty intoxicated and he took me under his wing. I leaned in to kiss him because for the first time in ages, I was giving into what my heart wanted. He refused me and that made me hurt so much. I'd finally let myself go only to be reined in again. Like an elastic band that slaps you in the face when you were targeting someone else.

We arrived at my house in quick timing, even though Pat had only been doing 10 miles an hour. I hated leaving him. I felt like an incomplete puzzle and he was the last remaining piece to complete me.

"How are you going to get home?" Suddenly realising that we were in my car and his car was at home.

"I'll walk. I need some time to clear my head."

"Are you sure? You can always take my car. I won't need it much longer."

Silence. I hated silences between us. It made me cringe.

"With you, I'm always sure. I'll see you tomorrow. Day 2 is going to blow you away. Goodnight my love." He left my car, leaving the smell of cinnamon and beer behind him. I too left the car and headed for my bed. My sanctuary filled to the brim with song quotes and photos that reminded me that I had the rest and last days of my life to look ahead too. Cancer or no cancer, these were going to be the best forty (technically thirty-nine days) of my life. All because of Patrick.

What do you think? Please review. Just to let you know. I write the chapters ahead of time so try to avoid telling me about future plots you would like to see. Most grateful. xoxo

Wolf Hands. (Candice)