Title of the Story: Second Chance in Disguise-Chapter 10
Author's Penname: Alyssa Smith
E-mail: If you want to know when I update, and get special exclusive summaries of the next chapters, leave your e-mail addy with your review along with something along the lines of "i want you to contact me when you update".
Disclaimer: Fanfic writers don't own the things they write about. I'm a fanfic writer, I'm writing about AWTR, therefore I don't own AWTR or any of its characters. Its simple logic.
Author's Note: This chapter is what I'm calling a "super edition" chapter. Meaning, its long and contains more than my usually 1,000 words per chapter. I apologize for the lateness of chapter 9 but I finished it at 2:30PM yesterday, and I went to go upload it but the document manager at fanfic.net was down until this morning.
Over the next few weeks, Jamie(the living one) didn't get much of a chance to think about her feelings for Landon. She was working non-stop on the play. Every day after school they were called in for rehearsals, when they went home they did their homework and practiced some more. It ate up all of the actor's free time. They barely had time to sleep with all their preparation. It seemed like it would be forever before opening night would come. It came and went, and finally the last night had arrived.
"Ok, tonight's the night to give your very best. Now remember if you're nervous, that's perfectly normal. But, you don't have to worry about embarrasment. Hide behind your character, if you forget your lines don't freak out, think of something that your character would say in this situation. If you find some other actor did the same, try to go with the flow, while still heading in the same direction as the original lines were in. Oh, you know this, you don't need me reminding you. So, I'm just going to leave you with 5 words. Have fun and good luck!" Miss Garber said. "
"So this is the night huh? After this there will be no more rehearals. No more practicing lines together after school," Jamie said to Landon.
"Yeah, I'm going to miss that. But, I still intend to hang out after school with you," Landon whispered before walking onto stage. Time passed during the play, and finally it was time for Jamie and Landon's moment together onstage. 'Ok, Carter. Here's your chance to let her know how you feel.' Jamie sang her song and when she sat down he leaned over and kissed her. Unlike the first time, instead of just being surprised, Jamie deepened it.
'What am I doing? I barely know him. Well, ok I've known him for all the years I've been in school, but I haven't really known him until around now. I'm not even dating him. What about Belinda? Oh what the heck, we'll pretend this is for the play.' Jamie
'She kissed back. Did she kiss back last time? No, she didn't. Now what's this supposed to mean? 'Landon
But, Jamie and Landon were not the only ones whose thoughts were occupied by the kiss. Many eyes were focused on them, including the eyes of Jamie's father and Belinda, both of whom had seen previous shows and knew it wasn't part of the script. The curtain closed and the kiss ended. "I love you," Landon whispered to Jamie.
Jamie looked up and whispered back softly "I told you not to fall in love with me."
"I told you I couldn't promise that," Landon replied but before he could say anything else they were interrupted by the appearance of other cast members.
"Landon! What a great addition to the final scene, perfect for the finale. Good thinking!" Miss Garber gushed.
"Yeah, thanks," Landon said glancing over at Jamie, but she was gone.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yo Landon! That was excellent man, that was great. We saw you get a little bit o'lip action with the Virgin Mary. I don't seem to remember that from last night," Eric said putting his arm around Landon.
"Umm yeah. Have any of you seen Jamie?" Landon said, distracted and not really in the mood to hang out.
" She must've enjoyed that, kissing you huh Landon. You know I never thought she'd try to steal my boyfriend, but obviously she doesn't want her namesake. Who cares where that slut ran off to," Belinda retorted.
"Her name is Jamie Sullivan and I care where she ran off to. Get it through your thick head Belinda, I'm not your boyfriend and I never will be your boyfriend again. I didn't break up with you because of some other girl, I broke up with you because of you. So, leave Jamie alone. If you really were my friend, and really cared, you'd understand that," Landon burst out. All of his anger and frustration in life came out at Belinda. Landon could see the tears forming in Belinda's eyes, and he knew he shouldn't have been so harsh. He had also joined Belinda in the teasing before, he hadn't really given her warning that he didn't want to tolerate it. "Oh, Belinda, I didn't mean for it to come out like that. No, Belinda," Landon said and tried to apologize but she ran off. He ran after her.
"Belinda, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Landon said grabbing Belinda and pulling her into a hug to comfort her. Just then, Jamie appeared and saw the two hugging. Belinda wriggled out of Landon's grasp and left.
"So, it really was some addition for the play. Or maybe you feel like you need to toy with the emotions of girls. Yeah, that's it. You've lost a lot of your 'coolness' while hanging out with me so you figure you'd get it back by playing off two girls. You disgust me," Jamie babbled on as Landon tried to interrupt her, but every time he tried her voice rose higher and then she turned and walked away.
"No, Jamie that's not true. Jamie. No, I really do like you," Landon said trying to go after Jamie too.
"Save it, slimeball," Gina said stepping in front of Landon, blocking his way. Gina had heard Jamie and had come to her friend's aid. "You know, I really thought you might have changed. But, obviously it was just another sick plan," Gina said.
"Will you shut up and let me talk for a moment Gina. Please," Landon said finally interrupting. "Belinda dissed Jamie and I blew up at her okay. I felt really bad about just blowing up like that and even though what Belinda said was harsh, I came down harder than I should've. I went to go apologize to Belinda and hugged Belinda to comfort her crying. Jamie saw that and then got mad at me. You got to believe me Gina. Oh, and I'm sorry about the 6th grade with you. I was a jerk, an asshole and I don't deserve your help or forgiveness. But, Gina I beg of you, its the truth. I love Jamie and I need to get her back."
Gina looked up into Landon's eyes. "You're telling the truth aren't you?" she asked.
"Yes, why would I be making this up? If I actually liked Belinda, don't you think I would've run after her instead of Jamie. I care about Jamie, she's all I care about," Landon said.
"I'll talk to her," Gina said calmly.
"Thank you," Landon said, smiling.
"Your welcome," Gina said and then she went to go find Jamie.
'Geez, how many things in the world can fall apart in a matter of minutes? I gotta start being more careful about the rollercoaster emotions of women...' Landon though to himself.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day was a Saturday. Landon got up early to go to tutoring and tried to talk to Jamie, but obviously Gina hadn't yet talked to her. But, Landon watched them during the bus ride and she saw the two talking very quietly. Jamie and Gina kept looking over at him. 'I sure hope you come through for me,' Landon thought. He kept looking at them, trying to see if he had received any forgiveness. As everyone got off the bus, no words were exchanged but a smile from Jamie and a wink from Gina said more than words could. 'Note to self, get Gina a very very good present during the next time of celebration.'
On the bus ride home, Gina sat next to another friend, leaving room for Landon. "May I sit here?" Landon asked stopping next to the seat.
"Why wouldn't I let you see here?" Jamie asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because we had some miscommunication last night. Did Gina explain it to you?" Landon asked.
"Yes she did, and I'm sorry about jumping to conclusions," Jamie replied.
"Yeah, well by the way I've been treating you these past years, I'm not too surprised I guess," Landon said.
"No, that's not right. I shouldn't have judged you about your past. That's not what I believe god wanted me to do, and I shouldn't have. You really have worked to change your personality lately," Jamie said.
"It's all right. Really. You don't have to feel bad. But, if you truly want to make it up to me, I know a way you can do it," Landon said with an idea coming to mind.
"What's that?" Jamie asked.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" Landon asked. Jamie paused. The fear Landon had seen in Jamie's eyes the night before had returned to Jamie with that comment.
'I shouldn't do this to him.' Jamie thought, her leukemia coming to mind.
"And if you're not allowed to date, I can ask your father," Landon said.
"It's not that. It's..," Jamie began but stopped. She didn't really want to tell him about her leukemia, but he had said he loved her. She didn't want to just reject him, even though she really wanted to be with him.
"What? What is it Jamie. Trust me, whatever it is, I'll still want to be with you. Nothing will make me go away. Jamie I love you. I said that before, and I'm going to say it again. I know you at least have feelings for me too, or you wouldn't have deepened that kiss, and no, it wasn't for the play. I know it wasn't," Landon said desperately. He knew he was losing her to her thoughts...and if she followed her thoughts he would lose this chance. He needed her to follow her heart.
"No, Landon you don't understand. I'm sick," Jamie said.
"What do you mean by sick," Landon asked. 'Ok, I know the answer to that, but I'm not supposed to, so might as well act dumb.'
"I have leukemia. I got diagnosed with it two years ago. They don't know how long I will live," Jamie replied.
"Leukemia. How are the treatments going. Are you still responding to them?" Landon asked hopefully. 'She wasn't last time and she won't be this time. I got a second chance to redo my actions. My actions can't affect a disease.' he thought. He knew he had to accept it. Even though he had come back, it would still be the same. In the end, he would lose her.
"Actually, I am. The doctor says I'm getting better," Jamie replied. This threw Landon totally off guard because he had just accepted her near death and now she was saying she might live.
"Look Jamie, I don't care if you might die soon. Whether all your time left is a minute, a hour, a day, a week, a month, a couple of months, a year, a couple of years, or decades, I'm always going to love you and death isn't going to change that," Landon said holding her face with his hands.
"Really?" Jamie asked.
"Really," Landon replied and he pulled her in close.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two had not been in a privacy box, although they hadn't spoken much louder than whispers, and the important segments such as 'i have leukemia' and 'i love you jamie' were not lost to nearby ears. Soon, word got out all around town and soon "Jamie Sullivan and Landon Carter are going out" and "I wonder if they'll last" were the main sentences of the town's teenagers, but "Jamie has leukemia" was something that all of the people, of all ages, in that town were uttering. At church, Jamie's father decided to confirm the rumor of Jamie's health at the end of his sermon.
"I know you have all been wondering whether the rumor that Jamie has leukemia is true. I am saddened to report it is. We've known it for over two years, and the doctors aren't sure how she will do. Now, I won't be holding you up, but I just had to settle that. Have a wonderful week everybody and I'll see you next Sunday," the reverend said quietly. But, the complete silence from the audience allowed his voice to travel throughout the church. After he got down, many people rushed to talk to Jamie. Landon stood off to the side ,waiting for the crowd to thin. Many people talked to Jamie to give their condolences and for some, to even apologize for the way they had treated her before, including Belinda.
"Jamie. I'm really sorry about all the mean things I've ever done to you. I'm also sorry about Landon. I guess I've been confused as to whose boyfriend he is. I thought he was mine when all along, fate had given him to you. I hope you're very happy together," Belinda had said before hugging Jamie.
"Thank you for your well wishes, and you know what? There's nothing to forgive," Jamie said hugging Belinda back.
When all the people finally left, Landon approached Jamie.
"Hey, you alright?" Landon asked pulling her into a hug.
"Of course, I'm with you," she replied putting her head on his chest.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time went by and weeks passed. It was almost time for graduation. As based on the first time around, Landon had expected Jamie's health to wither away, but to his surprise, she seemed to become healthier and healthier every day. Landon also seemed to get onto the Reverend's good side. Even when he was no longer required to, Landon continued tutoring. He came to church and even volunteered to help teach Sunday classes to children. Jamie's father saw Landon change and for some reason, he felt some unknown force convincing him that the two teenagers really were in love. On the Sunday right before their last week of school, both Landon and Jamie were eager to have a conversation with the other.
"I need to talk to you," the two said in unison. "You first," Jamie said.
"You sure?" Landon asked. Jamie nodded and he continued. "Look, Jamie. I know we're young but I'm sure about this. There is no one I will ever love, even after you pass away I will never love anyone more than I love you," Landon said and then got down onto one knee. 'I tested that already anyways.' "Jamie, will you marry me?"
Jamie nodded. "Oh Landon, this is perfect because I also have something big to tell you. Landon, I had an appointment with the doctor yesterday. He says I'm really improving and really responding to the treatments. I might not die that soon. He says that I may be cured someday," Jamie said excitedly.
"Are you serious?" Landon asked.
"Yes. Oh, Landon I can't believe it. Everything is perfect," Jamie said hugging Landon. "But, what about our parents?" Jamie asked.
"You have my consent," the reverend said from the doorway. "I don't know why I said that, or why I'm even agreeing. But, last night I was visited in my dreams by an angel that looked just like your mother Jamie. I can't explain it, but I felt like it was her. She as telling me how much she knew you two loved each other. She said not to worry about anything, that your love had already been tested. I don't know what she's talking about, but I'm going to take her word," the reverend said quietly.
"Thank you," Landon said and there was more than one person that was aimed towards.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jamie looked down from the heavens and closed her eyes. There were too many people and too much happiness for her to use words to express the gratitude she felt.
Author's Note: Ok, I'm not sure I can get a fanfic out tomorrow or about the time after that. I, however, will try. Don't forget to R&R! ~Alyssa