Daybreak
It was dark out. I could just see the orange tint of daylight.
Dawn was my favourite part of the day. The birds were up, singing. Just the birds. People didn't come out till later. It was my time. My sanctuary.
I had been feeling really crappy lately. My head hurt all the time, my eyes constantly stung, I was getting so pale and thin and was constantly tired.
Today I was going to see the doctor. I was feed up of feeling this way. No one knew just how ruff I felt, it was scary. I had no idea what was wrong with me, or whether it was serious.
I pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a black tank top, and walked out into the new day, the new dawn.
"Maria Deluca" A slim nurse called.
"The Doctor will see you now, if you'll come this way please"
Shaking slightly, my legs like jelly I followed her into the small brightly lit room.
A friendly man stared back at me. The room decorated in cool blues, maybe to calm the patients?
"Take a seat, what seems to be the problem"
As I sat describing my symptoms the doctor nodded and took some notes.
"Okay it sound like you've been in a lot of pain, well today well take a urine sample and a blood test. When we have your results we'll know more"
As I left I felt relieved whatever was wrong would be okay, everything would be okay.
"Maria!" Liz screamed "Table four has been waiting, now would be good!" She smiled.
The Crashdown was buzzing with people, everyone was in town for the up coming festival.
As I ran in from the kitchen to tables, kitchen to tables my head pounded, my eyes became to sting, not again.
"Are you okay?" Liz asked concerned.
"Yeah I'm fine just a little tired is all"
"Hey!" I said looking behind me.
"Max is staring at you again"
"No he isn't" Liz giggled subtly turning to look.
"He sooo is!" As I walked out to another table I noticed two big guy arguing by the door. This better not get ugly I though!
Then I saw a guy somebody had a gun!
"LIZ!" I screamed ducking.
I heard the gun go off, sending a painful jolt down my spine, the noise so loud to my already delicate ears. I turned quickly to Liz, she was lying on the floor.
"Oh my god Liz!" I screamed running towards her.
Max ran towards us.
"Call 911" he shouted.
I ran towards the phone my breath catching, I always seemed to be short of breath a lot these days.
As I turned back Liz stood up.
"Liz oh god are you okay?" I ran and hugged my best friend my heart beating so fast.
"Im fine Ria, I just... I'm fine"
"Liz you can't avoid me forever!" I shouted "What is going on"
"Nothing Maria just leave me alone"
Ever since that day in the crash down Liz had been ignoring me. She was spending so much time with Max and his friends.
"Yeah whatever, I cant be bothered anymore." I screamed back.
The phone was ringing.
"Hello?" I said.
"Ms Maria Deluca?" The voice replied.
"Yeah"
"This is Roswell Memorial we have tour test results are you free for a consultation"
"When"
"Tomorrow at noon"
"Yeah that's fine"
"Okay we'll see you then"
My results were back. I hasn't told anyone. Not even Liz. She never had time for me anymore.
Later that night as I lay in bed I couldn't help worrying. I had no one to talk to, no one in the whole world.
"Maria!" Liz shouted the next day at school.
"Can we talk"
"No sorry Liz I have something to do"
"What"
"I have an appointment with the doctor"
Liz face feel, she turned pale.
"Are you okay"
"Im fine I've just been feeling tired and stuff, I'm going to get my test results"
Liz was still Liz. Concerned for my well being, she insisted on coming with me, even if it did mean missing school!
"Good afternoon Ms Deluca. Its good to see you again." The doctor smiled.
"We have your results back and I'm afraid its not good news"
I tightened my grip on Liz's hand.
"Please just tell me"
" Maria I'm afraid you have acute lymphocytic leukaemia. It's caused by a change in the cells in the bone marrow. It's very treatable, but worsens very quickly. We need to send you for more extensive tests and get a treatment plan organised for you. This isn't my specialist subject so the consultant will be able to tell you a lot more. Most likely you will need chemo. Please try not to worry."
I was in denial, how was I to deal with this? How was I to cope?
Would I die? It was time to tell my mum, everything.