Hey everyone! Now, I should probably warn you now that this is going to be pretty short. I'm starting to run out of ideas for this story! So, if you got any, PLEASE OH PLEASE let me know!

Disclaimer: No, no, I don't own BTR.

The party was a huge hit. Chips, cake, presents… It was all there! And for those few hours, everyone forgot what had happened the last seven months. It was like they went back in time, back to the time where everything seemed perfect. That party wasn't just another birthday party for anyone who attended. It was a shelter, a haven, something that protected them from all the horrible things in life. They didn't think about death or sickness or pain. They celebrated another year of James, another year of life.

It was past midnight by the time everyone left. James collapsed on the couch, a huge smile plastered on his face.

"You guys… rock," he said simply.

Carlos collapsed next to him. "We know."

James chuckled as Logan and Kendall joined them. "No, I'm serious. This party? It was the best night of my entire life! It was perfect."

"Well, I'm glad we could make it so great," Logan said.

"Yeah, you deserve it, James," Kendall said. "We all know how hard everything's been. You deserve a night that just… forgets about all that."

James smiled. "Well, I'm going to head off to bed. Mom, Dad, and Nick are taking me to lunch tomorrow and I really don't feel like falling asleep in my food."

"Alright, man, see you tomorrow," Kendall said. "Happy birthday."

James smiled. "Thanks, dude. You guys are the best, you know that?"

Carlos rolled his eyes. "I thought we've been over this! We know!"

The next day, James spent it with his family. Unfortunately, they had to go back to Minnesota the next day, so James tried to make the most of it. They picked him up at eleven am, went to lunch at a local burger joint, got some ice cream, and caught a movie together. Then James took him back to the apartment, and all the residents of 2J and James' family had supper together.

It wasn't much, but it meant the world to James. Ever since his diagnosis, James has learned to appreciate the little things in life. People say that you don't know what you have until it's gone, and while that is true, it can also apply to when you almost lose it. James knows how close he came to losing it all, he probably knows that better than anyone. Since that first chemo session, James has appreciated what really matters in this life. He stopped caring so much for his appearance and more for the people he loves.

They say every cloud has a silver lining. James has found his in his cancer. He has grown so much closer to his family and friends. He's really opened his eyes to what's around him and expanded his horizons on so many different things. Was he upset about what happened with him? Was he scared? Of course he was, who wouldn't be? But at the end of the day when he looked at his life, he was happy at where he was. He proud of how far he'd come and determined to get through the rest of the way. He wouldn't change what had happened. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? James now knows how strong he really is because you never know how strong you can be until being strong is the only option you have.

"JAMES!" Carlos yelled in James' ear the morning after his family left. "You gotta get up! You have to be at the L.A.C.C. in half an hour!"

James groaned. He did not want to get up just to go to a chemo session. Why couldn't Carlos just leave him alone? Mentally sighing, James pushed himself up. He threw on a T-shirt and some basketball pants and slipped on tennis shoes. He never dressed for style on the days he had chemo. He dressed for comfort.

James walked out of his room into the dining room. He sat down at the table where his friends where already sitting, enjoying their breakfasts, but James didn't grab anything. He was NOT making that mistake again.

Before he could get a word out to his friends though, Mrs. Knight pulled him up and walked him out of the apartment. Kendall, Carlos, and Logan shook their heads and snickered. They were meeting up with James at the Cancer Center in about an hour.

After finishing their breakfasts, the three boys went to their separate rooms to get dressed and ready. Kendall walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt, but looking over at James' bed, he saw something peeking out from underneath James' pillow.

Curious, Kendall walked over to it and pulled it out. It was sealed envelope, addressed to Kendall, Carlos, and Logan. Kendall felt his stomach drop as he called for Carlos and Logan.

I'm so ashamed at how short this is. I am so sorry, but I'm running out of ideas! I'm pretty sure this chapter is the beginning of the end for this story if I can't get more inspiration or ideas. As sad as I am to say this, no story can go on forever. But don't worry, the end won't be happening for a while just yet.