Mitch POV

I'm flying down to New Jersey to surprise Jerome today. I'm really excited, but I'm really nervous too.. I've got something a few very important things to tell him. I don't know how he's going to take it and it worries me. I don't want to fret over it, though. I just want to see my best friend.

TIME SKIP

Knock, knock!

I rapped twice on his wooden door, shifting from foot to foot. The wind is blowing hard and it's really cold. I can feel the fever creeping up my shoulders and neck.

"Yes?" I hear his voice as he unlocks the door. I smile softly because I know he has no clue I'm here. We really just talked last night and I told him I was going to sleep when I was really about to leave for here.

He opens the door and as his eyes land on me, his mouth drops open.

"Mitch?"

"Hey, biggums." I smile, reaching out for a hug.

He pulls me in and hugs me tightly and I bury my head in his neck, breathing in his scent. I can feel my heart beat painfully and my breathing becomes ragged.

"Hey, Jerome. I have a few things to tell you. Could we go sit down?" I ask, a little woozy from the hug.

He nods and I follow him to the living room. I pat my pocket lightly to make sure I have what I need. I can barely feel it, but I know it's there. He sits down on the couch and I sit beside him- a little closer than I normally would. I know he notices it, but he doesn't say anything.

"Would you like the good news? Or bad news first?" I ask a little breathless, my heart still pounding in my chest. It was a little painful but that was okay. It'd be over in just a few minutes, I reasoned with myself.

"Good news first, of course! Silly bacca." He jokes, smiling.

I take a deep breath and I angle myself toward him, reaching for his hand. I grab it and I hold it tightly.

"I'm in love with you, Jerome. I have been for the longest of time." I whisper and lean in closer. I kiss him fully on the lips before pulling back. I cough loudly into my hand, my lungs constricting painfully.

He looks a little stunned and his cheeks are flush with color. A smile splits his face and he grips my hand even tighter.

"Okay! I love you too, Mitch. I wondered when you'd tell me," He laughed, a small twinkle in his eyes. "Take your hand away from your mouth and tell me the bad news."

I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes and I cough again into my hand. I meet his eyes, staring straight at him and not breaking contact as I pull my hand away from my mouth slowly.

I watch as his eyes register the blood trickling out of the corner of my mouth and covering my hand. His eyes dart back up my face and I can tell he's upset. He's finally seeing what I really look like. Sunken eyes, skinny and frail. Dark bags under my eyes and sunken cheeks.

"Goodbye." I whisper, my eyes already slipping closed. I fumble for my pocket and manage to pull out the letter I wrote him weeks before when I first diagnosed with this life-eating disease. I can hear his calling my name, panic written clear in his voice. Goodbye, my sweet Jerome. My bacca with a heart of diamond.

Hey guys! Slushy here. Mitch's letter to Jerome is the next chapter.