Chasing Life.

Chapter One:

Ryland sat across from her best friend Nikki Bella; her leg shook nervously as Nikki took a drink of her water.

"are you okay, Ry? You seem nervous." she asked; Ryland took a deep breath,

"I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I was wondering if you would come with me?" Nikki looked at her friend concerned; had it been just a normal check up; Ryland would not have asked Nikki to come,

"are you okay?" she asked; Ryland frowned and shook her head.

"i found a lump, in my left breast." she whispered; Nikki gasped; as tears filled the redhead eyes as she continued. "I had tests done and the doctor called me today to have me come in to see the results, and I want, no I need someone to come with me. I don't want to ask Jon until I know for sure."

Nikki frowned, stood up and pulled her best friend into a hug.

"of course I'll go with you, Ry, you don't even have to ask." Ryland smiled and hugged Nikki before the two go back to their salads.

-the next day-

Nikki and Ryland sat nervously in the chairs across from the doctor; awaiting Ryland's results. The doctor entered and Nikki took Ryland's hand.

"Miss Stan we have looked at your scans and there is a 6cm Tumor in your left breast; we are going to have to remove it to determine what stage it is and then we will discuss treatments and such. I am very sorry this has happened to you Miss Stan but I assure you that we will take very good care of you." Dr. Evans said frowning; Nikki frowned as her friend broke down; Dr. Evans grabbed a box of Kleenex and handed them to Nikki; "I'll give you girls a moment before we discuss dates."

Nikki nodded as she handed Ryland some tissues. She couldn't believe what was happening, why Ryland, Why now.

"Ryland it isn't the end of the world sweetie, you will get through this. You are the strongest woman I know." Ryland doesn't say anything but hugs Nikki, it took a few minutes before Ryland was calm enough to have the doctor talk to her. They decided she would be doing the surgery a week from thursday so Nikki could be there for the surgery.

"are you sure you don't want to have Jon be here with you?" Nikki asked; Ryland shook her head and told Nikki she would call him later.

That night Ryland laid on her bed trying to figure out what to do with Jon, she loved him too much to make him put up with her being sick. Her phone rand waking her up from her deep thought. *My unstable lover* stared her in her face as she sighed and answered.

"hey babe." Jon said; Ryland smiled but tears filled her eyes as he talked about a movie deal, she had made her decision. "how was your day?"

"Jon, I can't do this anymore." she whispered; she heard Jon take a deep breath.

"do what?" he asked; Ryland let out a shaky breath before continuing,

"us, I can't do this anymore Jon, you deserve more." she said;

"what are you talking about Ryland? I barely deserve you, what's going on baby just talk to me."

"I just need space Jon! Please just leave me alone." she said quickly before hanging up; she curled up into a ball and cried.

When it was finally the day of the surgery, Nikki stood next Ryland's parents as she laid in the hospital bed waiting for the nurses to take her to the operation room. Ryland had made Nikki promise that she would be the only one who knew, Nikki didn't like it but it was Ryland's choice. Marie, Ryland's mother, took Nikki's hand as the nurses carted off to the operation,

"I will go get some coffee." Ryland's Father Jensen said, his German accent flaring up with the worry for his only child.

They sat there for two hours before a nurse walked out and led them to a small room where the doctor would tell them the diagnosis. Dr. Evans walked in, a frown on his face.

"it was a stage 2B breast cancer, which means in her case, The tumor is larger than five centimeters, but has not spread to any axillary lymph nodes. But I do what to have her got thought three rounds of chemo just to make sure the cancer didn't spread."

Nikki frowned as Marie began to cry,

"I would like to start her on chemo in two weeks." Dr. Evans said sadly; Nikki nodded sat down next to Marie and held her as she cried.

I am working on chapter two, that will take place about two months after this one. I hope you like it!

VRS