You have cancer.
Because that is what everyone wants to hear when they go to the doctor's for what you thought was a minor cold. Nope. Instead, you are hit with news that you have stage three malignant, non-small cell lung cancer. Not once in my life have I smoked, but I still ended up getting cancer before my friend Rinako who smoked three packs a day. I was always wary and stayed away when he decided to light up.
I trudged home, dragging my feet behind me, prescription slips in my hands. It was bright and warm out. The birds were singing a happy melody, and kids were running around the park. I hardly took any notice of it. My mind was plagued with the words of the doctor.
"Stage three lung cancer...maybe a year left...chemotherapy...radiation..."
I had always thought that I would live a fairly long and healthy life. I would someday get my dream job, find the perfect man, marry him, have a couple of kids, win a couple of awards for work, grow old with my man by my side as we watched our grandkids grow up. Now, that would never happen. Twenty-one and my life was already over.
I came up on the pharmacy and walked in to fill my prescriptions. A little while later, I walked out, bags in hand. I kept walking.
"Aneko, hey!" I looked up to see Rinako running up to me.
"Oh, hey, Rinako. What's up?" I asked, plastering a fake smile to my face and enthusiasm in my voice.
"Not much. A couple of us are heading out to the bar later. I know you've been feeling sick lately, but if you feel up to it, you are welcome to join us."
"Oh, um." I thought about it for a moment. On one hand, I knew I wasn't supposed to drink and take my medications at the same time, but on the other hand, I've got one year to live. Might as well live life to the fullest. "Yeah. Sure, I'll come."
"Great! We're all meeting up at Hinari's at ten."
"All right. I'll definitely be there."
He flashed me a grin before taking off. I gave a small sigh to myself. How was I ever going to tell them?
Later that evening, around nine o'clock, I stood there staring into my closet, not having a clue what to wear. Should I wear a cocktail dress? No. Seems a little classy, and I wasn't looking to pick up anyone tonight. Band t-shirt and some jeans? A little underdressed. After racking my brain for a while, I just decided on some dark wash jeans and a flowy, electric blue, spaghetti strap crop top.
I then went into the bathroom. I was disgusted by the creature in the mirror. She had dark bags under her eyes, messy hair, and chapped lips. Had I looked like this all day? I brushed my long, black hair and straightened it out. I washed my face with some apricot scrub and then applied a little foundation under my eyes so that I didn't look like a raccoon. And to complete the look, a swish of lip gloss. There. Now, at least I looked presentable.
I looked at the clock. 9:47. I needed to go! I quickly slipped on a pair of black ankle boots and rushed out the door. I fast walked to the bar which was about fifteen blocks down from my apartment. I needed to hustle, and man, did I hustle! I had made it there in twelve minutes. Ha! One minute early!
I walked into the bar. Loud pop music played from the overhead speakers, and the smell of alcohol was definitely present. Sitting over by the barstools was Rinako, Hal, and Mei. I walked up next to them and ordered a whiskey neat.
"So, looks like we all got here early, eh?" I asked them.
"Looks like," Mei said chirpily.
That then started off the night. After a couple of whiskeys, the world started spinning. I didn't let that slow me down, though. I kept throwing them back like it was nobody's business.
"Might want to slow down there, Aneko," Hal said.
"Shut up and let me drink," I slurred, pointing a not so steady finger at him.
"All right. Let's get you home," said Rinako as he slung one arm around my waist and put one of my arms over his shoulder.
"But I don't wanna~" I whined. "You're ruining all of my fun, Rinny."
"Fun time is over for now, okay? We'll be able to do it again sometime soon." He dragged me out into the brisk night.
"No, we won't. I don't have much time left."
"What do you mean, An?"
"Shhh. I can't tell you. It's a secret."
"What's a secret?"
Before I could answer him, I saw a really cute guy walking down the street.
"Hey, cutie!" I yelled before lifting up my top.
The next thing I knew, I was in a holding cell. Apparently, that cute guy walking down the street? Yeah. He was a cop.
"One call," a different police man said, handing me a phone.
So, I called the one person I knew would get me out. On the fifth ring, he picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Itachi," I said, trying not to slur my words to much. I failed.
"Aneko? Are you drunk?"
"I need you to bail me out of jail."
"What did you do this time?" He sounded annoyed.
"I may or may not have flashed a cop."
"Dammit, Aneko," he groaned. He sighed. "You know what, since you didn't learn your lesson the last five times, maybe leaving you there overnight might make you think before you go get hammered and do something stupid again."
"But, Itachi~ it stinks in here."
"You did it to yourself, An. I'll come get you in the morning." And with that, the line went dead.
Of course, the one time I need you, Itachi, you fail to show up. I thought twins were supposed to stick together. What a wonderful brother you are, I thought angrily.
A/N: Hey, guys! This is my first fanfiction, so please don't go easy on me! Tell me what you think with your brutal, honest words. Anyhoooo. Thank you for checking this out! Much appreciated!
