Two weeks after Gus's funeral, and I still hadn't recovered at all. I slept a lot and threw up a lot. But these were normal side effects of cancer, so I wasn't too worried.

But then I realized that I hadn't gotten my period for almost two months. This wasn't unusual- the Phalanxifor messed with my body chemistry a lot. Still, a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach forced me to lug my body and oxygen tank out into the car.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Mom said, standing up from where she had been pouring mulch onto her flowerbed. "It's almost eight already, Hazel. Where do you think you're going?"

I spewed some bullshit excuse about how I needed to clear my head, and that I'd be back by ten. "I just need some time, Mom."

She leaned in through the window, dropping a light kiss onto my forehead. "Drive save, honey."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. Then I carefully backed the car down the driveway. As soon as I was out of sight, I floored it, heading for the nearest pharmacy.

Staring at the neat row of pregnancy tests, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If Kaitlin was here, she would know what to do- God knows she's had her fair share of experience with this kind of thing. But she wasn't here, and I was alone.

Finally, I chose a box from the middle and took it up to the register, where I tried not to make eye contact with the cashier, a gangly guy about my age.

"Here you go, ma'am," he ducked his head, blushing as I pushed a few wrinkled bills across the counter. "Have a nice night, now."

"You, too," I muttered, just wanting to get the hell out of there. As soon as I was back in the car, I dialed Isaac's number. "I'm on my way over," I warned him as soon as I heard his voice on the other end. Then I hung up, again willing myself not to cry.

It'll be okay, Hazel Grace. Okay? Okay.

Gus's voice, again. After the funeral, I had started hearing his voice in my head. I didn't know if it was his idea of a sick joke from the afterlife, or if I was just going insane. Probably the latter.

"I need to use your bathroom," I told Isaac. "I'm sorry. I couldn't do this at home."

"Is everything okay?" Isaac's voice was concerned, and he reached out to grab my shoulder.

"It's fine, Isaac. Just fine. I just need to use the goddamn bathroom." My voice was tight and on the edge of hysteria as I pushed past him.

My hands trembled as I pulled the test out of the box. I peed on the stupid stick and knelt on the cool tile, trying to catch my breath.

Five minutes ticked by. Surely the test was done now, but I was terrified.

Get it over with, Hazel Grace.

Cursing Gus under my breath, I turned and grabbed the stick. Two little pink lines.

"Fuck." I said it out loud this time. I was pissed- pissed at Gus for doing this and then abandoning me. Pissed at myself for being so stupid. Pissed at the world. Pissed at the cancer. "Fuck."

I could feel a full on breakdown coming, so I quickly stuffed the test back into the box and burst out of the bathroom. "Hazel?"

"Isaac, now's not a really good time. I'll explain later." I slammed the front door just because it felt good.

I drove aimlessly for a while. Somehow I ended up at Funky Bones, the night dark and quiet all around me. Without really thinking, I pawed through the trunk to unearth the old picnic blanket. It was a short walk to the sculpture, which was completely deserted.

My sobs couldn't be held anymore. Collapsing on the ground, my entire body shook. "Augustus, what the hell?"

Of course, there was no answer.

Just an idea I had! If I get a positive response, I'll continue, so let me know if you liked it!