A/N-So, I know I said that chapter 6 was the last chapter, but I changed my mind and decided to let T.J. live.

The sun had exploded. That was the only reason for the light shining on me to be as bright as it was. The white light was blinding. I couldn't see anything. But I could hear hushed, excited whispers.

"He's awake!"

"He's still alive!"

"We have to check his vitals!"

"Can I have a minute with him first?" Cerina's voice rang out loud and echoed. The whispers cut off immediately.

I sat bolt upright. Black spots danced around the edge of my vision, but I could see, now that my eyes were out of the path of the fluorescent light. I glanced around, taking in my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, surrounded by personnel in masks and lab coats. And Cerina sat by my bed. The doctors nodded mutely and left us alone.

She opened her mouth, but I didn't let her talk.

"No."

"No, what?"

"No, I don't want to be your boyfriend anymore. I'm sick of this. So just leave me alone."

She reeled back, shocked and furious. "You are making a horrible mistake, Tyler Kippen." She picked her jacket up from the table, shoving it on her body. "Horrible mistake!" she called over her shoulder as she stormed out of the room.

"Mr. Kippen?" A softer voice asked. A redheaded nurse stood in the doorway. I made eye contact. "You have another visitor. Should I let them in?"

Cyrus. I thought. "Absolutely."

But Amber stepped through the doorway.

"T.J.! You're okay!"

"Yeah. How are you?"

"I'm great." There was a short, awkward pause.

"So, you ended things with Cerina?"

I grinned. "Yep. Now nothing stands between me and Cyrus having a cliche, perfect relationship. Because, I honestly don't think Iris will be a problem." I let out a short laugh.

Amber's face fell as soon as I said Cyrus' name. When she noticed me staring at her, she gave an obviously forced laugh.

"Amber?"

"Yes?" Her voice is hurried, and she is scanning the room with her eyes, as though looking for an escape.

"What's wrong?"

Her voice is panicked, and loud, she is obviously desperate to get away from the topic at hand. "You like cookie dough better than mint, right? Ice cream?"

Panic is starting to bloom in my chest. "It's the other way around. And why won't you talk about Cyrus?"

"They're both good, but I like Rocky Road better."

"AMBER!" By now, I'm yelling. I'm on my feet, though I don't remember standing. "Where's Cyrus? I want to see him! Let me see Cyrus!"

"T.J. Calm down." She removed a piece of folded up paper from her pocket. "This is from Cyrus."

I unfolded the paper hurriedly.

Not-so-scary-basketball-guy:

I got a call in the middle of the night from the hospital. It was from your phone. Apparently I was your emergency contact. They said you had been in an awful car accident. So I called Amber and Cerina, because I figured you'd want them both there. Then I came myself. I sat with you for hours. You were on a path to being just fine, as soon as you woke up. And suddenly heart monitors started beeping and you stopped breathing. Your heart had crashed. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for the transplant surgery. Just so you know, I've loved you so much, and I can't imagine my life without you.

Love Always,

Underdog

(aka Cyrus Goodman)

"If you can't let me see him, can I at least call him?" I asked Amber. "I need to let him how sweet the note was."

Tears dripped silently down Amber's cheeks. "Amber?"

"No."

"Why not?"

She made eye contact for half a second, then diverted her gaze. She took a deep breath, the kind you take before you deliver bad news. "Who do you think the heart donor was?"

It took me a second to realize what she meant. When I did, my insides went numb. I couldn't breathe. It felt like I had been punched in the stomach.

Cyrus was dead.