Hey, this is A.A.V. here! This fic is going to be way more somber then the rest of my work. Okay, it's Aang-centric and it's going to be on the lines of tragedy/angst/drama. In the story, Aang is just a regular teenager, dealing with school and friends and relationships. But in this story, Aang has Acute lymphocytic leukemia, and he's trying to cope with the fact that…he might not pull through. It's really hard on his friends, whom you'll see later in the story. I don't own Avatar, 'cause if I did, there wouldn't be any long ass waits for new episodes.
Flashback: 4 years ago, age twelve
"Aang, I have to tell you something very important, so listen carefully so you understand." This is so boring. I can be outside hanging out with my friends and having fun right now. But no, I have to go to a doctor's appointment to talk about something I don't even know what we're talking about. My doctor is so boring. His name is Iroh Charu, I think. I don't like using his whole last name so I just call him Dr. C sometimes
"What am I here for? I already had a check up about two weeks ago." I'm starting to lose my patience. I mean, what's so important that I have to go to my doctor and wait for God knows how long in a funky smelling old waiting room.
" Aang, that is why you're here. Because of that check up…In your bloodstream, we found something…unsettling", Dr. C explained, trying to find the right words. He looked sweaty and uncomfortable, like he almost got shot or something. I'm starting to hear the urgency in his voice.
"…Exactly what did you find", I ask, starting to get concerned. Somehow, I don't know if I really want to know what is going on…I'm afraid of what's he's going to say next.
" Aang, what we found, after we did some bloodworks, was something you will be startled to hear." I noticed that he said will, not might. My stomach's hurting with all the waiting. "What did you find", I said with demanding authority, trying to cut to the chase.
Dr. Charu is very silent and somber for what felt like ten minutes.
"…We found a… cancerous cell in your bloodstream. It had been unnoticed for what seemed like a few weeks, but in reality, almost four months." He is filled with great grief and guilt. "I am so sorry", he says with pure sorrow.
Silence.
"…What", I ask, not sure if I had heard him correctly.
"What you have is called Acute lymphocytic leukemia. It is treatable, but since it has gone unnoticed for so long, it had traveled throughout your body and will be difficult to get rid of." He stopped to make sure I understand…I'm not even listening at this point. "There are some options. There is chemotherapy…"
Realization hit me.
Cancer.
He just said I have cancer. Leukemia.
No.
It's not true, he's lying.
He's lying.
He's lying!
HE'S LYING!
" Why are you lying to me?! STOP LYING TO ME!!" I am completely filled with so much anger that I forget where I am and start destroying anything I get my hands on. I threw a vase at the window and topped over the chair I was sitting in only a moment ago.
"Aang, please stop!" Dr. C was concerned for his and my safety, but I didn't care. "STOP LYING! STOP!!" I was about to throw a lamp at the wall when I realized I was acting ridiculous. This isn't helping me cope. "I don't have cancer, I don't have cancer, I don't have cancer," I repeated it to myself, thinking if I said it a lot, it would true. "…I have cancer." I dropped the lamp and started to sob. Dr. Charu kneeled next to me and hugged me. I hate crying in front of people, especially in front of adults, but I don't care. I don't care what anyone thinks… I can't believe it. "What's happening to me?", I silently ask myself. I started shaking. I have cancer. I'm not supposed to get cancer. I'm supposed to get a broken arm or leg, not a frickin' disease. I'm supposed to get first car, not my first chemotherapy session. I'm supposed to live, not…die.
I have cancer.
I have leukemia.
I'm going to die.
