Auggie's POV
It's been 11 days since I was diagnosed with Lupus. My symptoms are slowly going away. It's really hard to live with this. I went to school with Ava today. She brought the homework to me everyday and took it back for me. Everyone wondered how I was doing. I explained to them all that I could, even though Ava said I didn't need or have to. She's been doing her best to help me through this. Even though people may believe I'm too young to know this, I love her. She makes me better, and I've made her better. We care about each other more than anything. We're there for each other through everything we can be. If that's not love, I don't know what is.
Maya's POV
Riley and I went to school without KC today. She said she was coming with Derrick. I got out of Art class and went to meet Riley before her dad's class.
"Hey Riles," I said.
"Hey Maya," she said.
"Have you seen KC around? She didn't show up to Art class."
"Nope."
We got to Matthews' class. KC came in right as the bell rang. She looked like she was tired, which was weird because she was wide awake before I left to meet Riley. She apologized after she snapped at me the week before last but hasn't talked to me much since then. I'm starting to worry about her. She hasn't been acting like herself lately. I keep thinking maybe she's just stressed, but I honestly don't know.
"Hey you okay?" I asked KC after class.
"Yeah, why?" She asked.
"Why weren't you in class earlier?"
"I didn't realize the time," she said. Something told me she wasn't being completely honest.
"You look tired too, why is that?" I asked. "You were fine this morning."
"Don't worry about it," she said.
"You know you can talk to me, or Marley, about anything, right?"
"Yeah, I know," KC said.
"You wanna go to Topanga's after school?" I asked. "There's open mics now."
"I can't," she said. "I um, I'm meeting Derrick after school."
"KC," I said. "I know he's your boyfriend, but you need to spend time with us too. And with your son. When's the last time you've spent the whole day with Aaron?"
"Don't you dare bring him into this," she said. "This has nothing to do with him."
"Really?" I asked in disbelief. "When's the last time you've tucked him in? Huh? Every time mom or I do, he asks where you are." She looked down.
"I can't remember," she admitted.
"It's been over a week, KC," I said. "You were neglected as a kid, don't do it to him."
"I'm not neglecting him," KC said. "I'm not trying to. And I'm sorry that I haven't been spending time with you and the others. I have plans today, but I promise I'll be there to tuck Lucas Aaron in tonight. I'm trying."
"Okay," I said. "Try to hang out tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay."
"And at least tell me why you look tired," I said.
"I can't," she said. "I'm sorry." She walked away to head to our next class.
Ava's POV
At recess, Auggie, Dewey (pronounced Doy), and I were swinging on the swings. Frankie "Big Hands" started walking up to us.
"Auggie," I said worried. "You might want to run." Doy jumped out of his swing and ran.
"Hey guys," Frankie said.
"Hey," Auggie said.
I got out of my swing and stood in front of Auggie. "If you want to beat him up, you'll have to go through me first."
"I wasn't planning to," Frankie said. "And I would never hit a girl."
"Oh," I said moving from in front of Auggie.
"I'm sorry I bullied you August," he said. "I was going through things, but I know that's not an excuse."
"I forgive you," Auggie said. "I'm sorry I dressed up like my mom to avoid it."
"Yeah, that was really weird," Frankie said with a laugh.
"Yeah, I'm never doing that again."
"So, why did you come over here?" I asked.
"Well, I wanted to say: August, you're really brave," Frankie said. "My sister has Lupus too. You have to have courage to deal with it and fight it."
"Thank you. I owe it to God, my family, and Ava. They help me be brave."
"I'm glad you have people like that," Frankie said.
"Me too."
"So, are we good?"
"Yeah, sure Frankie," Auggie said. "We are good."
Lucas' POV
I saw KC leave with her boyfriend again. I hope he's treating her right. Riley, Maya, Farkle, and I went to Topanga's. Maya signed up to perform at the open mic. Maya was nervous, but Riley assured her that she'd do great. Maya's turn came up and she started playing her guitar. She did great. Everyone in Topanga's applauded for her.
Marley's POV
KC texted me and told me that she would try to hang out tomorrow and that she was really sorry. I told her it was fine. Sometimes he needs to come before me, I let her know I understand that.
Me: So, how's it been with Derrick?
KC: Fine
Me: We don't really talk about stuff anymore.
KC: ik, I'm sorry.
KC: I g2g, we're going to a movie.
Me: Ok. Ttyl.
Maya's POV
KC got home around 6pm. We had dinner as a family, and then she played with Aaron for a bit before tucking him into bed. I was about to go in to tell him goodnight, when I heard her crying.
"I'm so sorry, buddy," she said through sobs. "I haven't been around. I promise you, I'm going to be around more. I'll try my best to be here to tuck you in and be here with you. It's just really, really hard."
"It okay, mama," I heard Aaron say. "Don' cry. I wuv you."
"I love you too, buddy," she said. "I'll be a better mommy."
After a few moments she came out.
"You okay, KC?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said. "I'm just a little tired. I'm going to bed." I watched as she went to our room. Then I went in to Aaron's bedroom to tell him goodnight. He fell asleep right after.
