Authors Note: Thanks to, JCreader, Loyaldeer, and SweetyKinz for your reviews. I love hearing feedback and I will answer your questions in the chapters to come.

Also I don't know much about taxes so sorry if any information is wrong.

Enjoy :)

I don't own anything but my plot and OC's.

Chapter 3

After I stopped crying, I struggled out of Paul's embrace and told him to leave the bathroom because I was going to take a shower. I swear as I saw him leave that his eyes were full of sadness at the mention of leaving me even though I was just in the next room. I guess he was hoping to see me in the shower or something because that's really the only other explanation I can give. Now I will be sure to be careful around him if my explanation is true.

I had a quick shower, changed into a pair of black yoga pants, and a large plain white tee shirt from my bag which was in the bathroom. What? You think I would actually take the chance of running into the bedroom while holding up a small towel in hopes that no unwanted eyes will see? Especially with the fact that Carly says some of the boys might stop by. This isn't some Korean drama.

Once I was done, I walked into Carly's small kitchen to find a frantic Paul opening and closing cupboards, the fridge and drawers. It was amusing to say the least as I sat down at the small four chaired table and noticed the pile of tax books. There was a sticky note on top that read, 'Hey, Serena I was wondering if you could, maybe, possibly do my taxes like old times? Huh? Pretty please? Have fun with not having to go to school. Love ya :)' I smiled softly as I finished reading knowing all too well about taxes. You see, I'm not trying to brag or anything but numbers come naturally to me, they always have, and I'm sure they always will. I was a genius in math and yet there was still so much more I wanted to learn after graduating but Gina got sick and she needed me. I always did Carly's taxes and she would always repay me with Maynard's, we had a very good business relationship along with friendship.

I put it down and looked up at where Paul was still opening and closing drawers and said, "Looking for something?"

My voice seemed to startle him as he jumped then turned around looking at me and saying, "I was going to make you breakfast."

"You don't have to and besides, I'm not hungry."

"But you have to eat."

"No, not really. Besides, I'm not hungry." I said again and I wasn't lying about it, I really am not hungry which I know probably has to do with the brain tumor as the doctor said it was a symptom. I've noticed a lot of things that have changed even before I found out about the brain tumor. Can you believe that I used to weigh 145 pounds? Well I did and now I weigh 134. Every girls dream right? Well not mine. I am perfectly happy being a little over weight and not dying, besides, I liked my weight and nothing was wrong with it to me or to anyone that I considered a friend. Now, I will keep getting skinnier and skinnier until I will cease to exist.

"Serena?" Said Paul urgently as I met his worried eyes.

"Yeah?"

"You were kind of out of it. Are you okay?"

"No, but, when are we ever." I answer truthfully which make his eyes go wide with even more concern. "Are you going to leave to so I can do these taxes in quiet or am I not going to be able to?"

He looked hurt by me practically telling him to get out but that wasn't exactly what I was trying to do. What I really wanted was quiet, not only for the taxes but also for the headache that was starting to form.

"If you want me to." He answered with his head bowed low a little before his head shot up with a look of a brilliant idea that was actually in reality probably the worst idea ever, not the best.

"Will you – I mean, would you like to go out with me?"

His grin turned into a sly one and his obvious flirtatious face just happened to appear which read something along the lines of, I'm top shit and you will say yes to me because no one can resist this. Yep. He most defiantly is a player and I somehow caught his attention, great. What kind of friends is Carly making now?

"No." I answered bluntly. "And don't ask again, please because I will say no, again and again."

His eyes were enough to hit me hard with the full force of my own words as they looked up at me with such dejection and sadness that I wanted to say it was a mistake, apologize, and say yes until I remembered my reasoning. I wasn't attracted to Paul, in anyway but I couldn't deny the connection I felt, even if he might not. So I got up off my chair and hugged his large frame which was very warm. His body stiffened but soon relaxed or more like melted into my frame.

"These hugs aren't always going to happen, you know? I hate hugs." I said seriously even though I was lying. "I won't ever date you Paul and it's not because of some selfish reason, it's just the plain fact that I am not attracted to you or any other guy for that matter. I'm a lesbian, but I can't deny the connection I feel with you even though this is only the third time I've seen you. So let's just be friends, okay?"

I took a step back, out of his embrace and looked into his eyes to see so much deep emotion there until he let out a hoarse whisper reply.

"Sure."

He took a step back from me, then another, and another, until he was out of Carly's house and away from me. Me? Why did I just think, me? Am I going straight for Paul? No. It's the connection, that's all. Even so, as I stood there and him not with his warmth gone as well, I longed to be near he and that isn't good. Because in less than ten months, maybe more, I am going to die and all that I would leave, is pain.