I looked around at the blandly painted walls, the old magazines, and the uncomfortable chairs. I didn't want to be here, my body would be back to normal soon. I've lost 10 pounds now, and it hurts to walk, but it's just because I have a stupid cold. There's absolutely no way that there is anything wrong with me, I told myself, being stubborn.

"McDonald." the nurse with the green scrubs called my name. Mom stood up and gave me a look of understanding and helped me up too. We walked to the door and followed the lady to the very last room. She directed me to sit on the bed and ask what was wrong.

"She isn't eating, she hardly gets out of bed, and she's had 5 nosebleeds in the last two days." my mother told the who wrote this all down in a folder.

"I see." she glanced up at me, and flashed a smile.Perfect white teeth I thought and turned my head so I could roll my eyes. Oh no Derek is rubbing off on me! "Dr. Hamilton will be with you in a second." she told us as she left the room. We sat in silence until I decided I needed to find out exactly why I was here.

"Mom this is pointless, I just have a stupid cold, that's all."

"Case listen, your grandmother had these symptoms."

"And that relates to me how?" I was getting a little impatient.

"Honey she died at the age of 30 because of luekemia." my mouth dropped open. Me have luekemia? Not possible!

"Mom, there is no way that I have cancer, I'm only 18."

"I know but-" she was cut off by the doctor entering the room.

"Well hello there Casey. How are you?"

"Umm.." what was my response supposed to be perfect in every way? " Fine, I just have a cold." I glared at my mom for making me miss study time.

"Let's get you checked out." She started poking and prodding me and everything seemed to be going fine until she told me to lay down. I had a massive bruise on my butt from slipping on Derek's trap he'd set for me, and sliding down the stairs.

I started to lay back when I hit the bruise the wrong way. "Ow!" I squeaked.

"What's the problem?" she asked as she helped me back up.

"I fell down the stairs yesterday, it's just a bruise."

"Casey, I need to take some blood, and then I'll call you later today." she looked very upset. I held my arm out so she could draw the blood. I focused on the picture on the wall so I couldn't see the needle; I might faint, I hate needles. I felt the sharp end pierce my skin, and bit my lip to keep from squeaking.

Finally she was done, and I could leave, As we reached the car my mom broke down in tears, I had a feeling that the doctor hadn't given her a lot of hope that she wass wrong. "You shouldn't be driving." I took the keys from my mom's grasp and slid into the driver's seat.

The ride home was pretty quiet, my mom stopped crying, and I didn't say anything, all I had was a freaking cold, why couldn't they believe that? There is no way I could have cancer. I have to finish high school and go to college. Just thinking about this brought tears to my eyes. But there was no way that I had cancer, it was impossible, or so I hoped. My mind eventually drifted to a common topic 'Derek' we were suddenly becoming closer, we didn't fight as much, which doesn't mean we still didn't argue every once in a while. I couldn't put my finger on what was going on with us, but when around him, I got butterflies in the pit of my stomach. Even when he glanced at me, my heart would go into over time, beating double the normal rate. This was so strange, but I had to admit, he was cute, and he had matured over the last few months. I think I might have a small crush on Derek Venturi, my stepbrother.

LATER

We were all assembled around th table for our dinner when the phone rang. Of course, Derek jumped up to get it, anything to get away from his family. "Yellow." I heard him answer it from the kitchen. What a dork. He walked back to the table and handed me the phone. "For you, Space Case, although why some old lady is callin' I have no clue." Old lady, must be the doctor calling to say that I had a common cold, at worst the flu.

"This is Casey." I spoke into the receiver.

"Casey, I have your blood results back." she sounded grim. I glanced around the table, and all eyes were on me, even Derek had stopped stuffing his face long enough to find out who was calling. Mom's eyes were glazed over and George was trying to comfort her. No one else new why mom made me go to the doctors though, so they glanced back and forth between me and Mom. Dr. Hamilton continued, in her soft motherly voice "I'm sorry but I have some upsetting results. The Luekemia test came back positive." I gulped. The last thing I saw was Derek jumping up to try to keep me from hitting my head on the wood floor, as I passed out.

Thanks for reading, if you like it let me know so I can decide if it's worth continuing!!

Love

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