A/N Hey everyone. I decided to post early for once. Thanks for reviewing. I didn't get one Flame!!! I'm in a good mood for now. The Vikings are winning so far. Cheer for them because if they loose then I just might make you wait for two weeks before the next chapter, or I might just kill someone in my next story. (I can too you know.) My congratulations to Lilyangel and Reagan Pasternak also Michelle Drake. They guessed what would happen right. Momo Claus got part of it. And sorry Ray, isn't gonna happen. Try reading Collage, Graduation, and Reunion if you want that to happen. Never mind I lied, I decided not to post early, The Vikings lost. So if you want the chapters early, you better cheer for the Vikings. Just to make a few points clear, It is Tyler who had a secret, I'm not sure but I think the whole arm bad thing comes out in the sequel. He He. Also please forgive a few parts in the third chapter for being a little bit weird, I think I rewrote parts of it eight time or more. Now I think I have the longest Authors Note.
Disclaimer- I just realized that I've forgotten to do these things. I think they're pointless but I don't want to get sued (I've got a can of pop, deodorant, and a sock) Well I own everything you don't recognize. It's fanfiction, does anyone own anything? Fan implies that you're just a fan and it's not yours.
Chapter Two
The doctor didn't call until two days after school ended. Doctor Markstone called Val, her parents, and Brooke in for a meeting.
"We believe we have a diagnosis." Started Doctor Markstone. "Let me ask a few questions first. Have you had any unexplained bruises show up on your arms or legs? Have you felt tired all the time recently?"
"Yes for both." Doctor Markstone's face turned into one of sorrow and dread. Almost as if she didn't want say what was wrong with Val, that she almost felt sorry for her.
"Val, signs pointed to the fact that you have Leukemia. The spinal tap and bone marrow aspiration confirmed it."
* * *
Leukemia' The word kept echoing in Val's head four hours later. Val had called Caitie. "Caitie, I need to talk to you. Can you come over?" Caitie had been there in five minutes. That shocked Val because Caitie lived ten minutes away by car and Val had called their home line. Val told Caitie what was wrong. And they just sat there talking about everything. Until Caitie's mom called her and told her to come home, saying that if she wasn't there in fifteen minutes she shouldn't bother coming to dinner.
Caitie left, but she didn't go home. She waited until she was in Jamie's arms before she broke down crying.
Val flashed back to why Brooke was there. They said that she would get conventional chemotherapy treatments, but if that didn't work she would need a bone marrow transplant and the best donor was a brother or sister. Both her parents and Brooke took the blood test to see if they were compatible donors, they would all be entered into the donor registry so they could still help someone, if not Val. Val didn't think Brooke had ever stopped crying, she had locked herself in the bathroom as soon as they got home.
Val went to her room and packed a bag of things she would bring with her to the hospital. The first thing she did was call her cheerleading coach and try to quit the team.
"Nope, you're one of the few seniors left on the squad. And one light enough to be a flyer. I won't let you quit. I'll let you take a break and excuse you from camp, you've got enough experience, but we need you on the team. We'll hold your spot." Said her coach when she called her. For some reason that made her feel better because she wasn't allowed to quit the team.
Cheerleading was only a small part of her life, the hardest part was quitting the squad. That took up half her life. It ranked just a little lower than telling Tyler. If one thing was sure, she knew she'd be back.
* * *
Jamie got to the station early Monday morning. "Who the hell is crazy enough to be here this early?" Wondered Jamie when he saw a light on in an office. He knocked quietly on the half open door.
"Come in." said a choked voice trying to hold back a sob.
"Brooke? What's wrong? Asked Jamie coming in and sitting next to her, even though he knew what it was.
"It's Val. She's quitting the squad because she. . . She." Brooke couldn't force herself to say it. Jamie swiftly walked over to Brooke and gave her a hug.
"I know." He whispered. Part of the reason he was here so early was because he wasn't able to sleep at all the night before. He was surprised how much the news about Val upset him. "Caitie told me." Said Jamie answering the questioning look on Brooke's face. He and Caitie had both cried over the news. He assumed that Tyler would take it the worst, he was in love with her. He also assumed Tyler didn't know yet.
"Thanks Jamie."
"For what?"
"I'm not sure. Just thanks. I won't tell anyone how sensitive you can be."
"Brooke, I've been in your place before. I know how hard it is."
"What? How?"
"My dad. Haven't you ever wonder why I've never once mentioned him in the year that you've known me?"
"Yeah, I didn't want to ask about him though, I figured he left."
"He left alright. But not by his choice. He died two years ago. It sucks. A lot." Replied Jamie. "You're the only person besides Caitie I've told this to."
"Thanks, it helps to hear that I'm not alone." Val walked into the office following the sound of their voices.
"Brooke I'm a fighter. I'm not quitting the squad, just taking an extended leave of absence. Just like I did with cheerleading. Only then I didn't have a choice about quitting. I wasn't allowed to. Jamie, I'm sorry about your dad."
"Thanks, don't focus on bad. See the good." Jamie gave her a quick hug before her left to do inventory, letting a wave of memories wash over him, both good and bad.
Alex had been very understanding, letting her leave for as long as she needed. Letting her keep her spot. As soon as Hank walked into the office he stopped whistling, he could just tell that something was wrong by stepping into the station. He could almost see it in the air.
"What's wrong?"
"Today's my last day on the squad for awhile, a long while." Said Val. Each word causing her emotional pain. She had only had to tell two people so far.
"What did I miss?" asked Hank sitting down on a sofa.
"I have cancer, Leukemia." Val forced each word past her lips. She thought that saying it more would make it easier, but it didn't, it just made it more real.
"Does Tyler know?"
"No, not yet."
"Does Tyler know what?" asked Tyler at the same time as Val said no.
"Come on, Tyler. We need to have a heart to heart talk." Said Val trying to lighten the dark mood that was quickly spreading around the whole room.
When they were outside Tyler asked. "Val, are you breaking up with me? Cheating?"
"Never. Why would I cheat, I'm in love with you. The test results came back."
"What is it?" asked Tyler instantly worried.
"I, I have to quit the squad for awhile. It wasn't easy telling Caitie, or Hank or Alex. But it's ten times as bad telling you."
"What?" asked Tyler quietly. "It can't be that bad, can it?"
"Yes it can. Tyler I have Leukemia." Val let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. She didn't know what she expected from Tyler, maybe for him to back away from her, afraid. But she didn't expect a single tear to roll down his cheek. He just reached out to hold her. Wrapping his arms around her waist. She was crying too. She wasn't actually sure who started first, herself or Tyler.
"You'll beat this." Whispered Tyler. They just stood there like that, holding each other, neither knew for how long. "I'll be here with you."
* * *
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Said Val, coming down the stairs, she had a single bag packed to take with her. It contained her favorite pairs of pajama pants, a few of her favorite T-shirts, a portable CD player, all her CD's, a few of her books, and a few
make-up items, and a hair brush. Val's parents helped her into the car where Brooke was waiting.
Brooke had tears in her eyes. "Brooke, don't cry. I'll be fine." Said Val with more confidence than she felt.
"Sorry." Sniffled Brooke. "I just can't believe it still."
"I'll beat it. You tell the squad to come and visit me tomorrow morning."
They were just about to pull out of the driveway when Tyler rode up on his bike. Val's dad stopped the car and let Val get out to talk to him. He kissed her as soon as she climbed out.
"I thought I told you not to come." Said Val, Pleased that he hadn't listened.
"I still did, I'm sorry, I couldn't help it." Said Tyler giving her another kiss.
"No, I'm glad you did. Come on get it." Brooke moved over in the backseat so Val and Tyler could sit next to each other. Val's parents didn't object, they were basically letting her do anything she wanted to do.
"Why'd you tell me not to come?" asked Tyler when they had pulled out of the driveway.
"I think it was a test, I'm not sure. Maybe I wasn't sure I could handle seeing you right now. I'm glad you came anyway though." It was a short drive to the hospital, maybe ten minutes at the most.
"It feels weird, normally I'm the person bringing in the patient. Now I'm the patient." Said Val when a nurse made her sit in a wheelchair and be taken to her room. Val said she could walk, but she knew it was useless. She knew that it was hospital policy that every patient ride.
"What?" Asked the nurse, Val would later learn that her name was Lauren and that she worked the afternoon shift.
"I am, was and EMT." Corrected Val. "I guess I still am, but I'm on a very long leave of absence from the squad."
"Well here we are, your roommate is really nice, her name's Marcy. If you wanna know more you'll have to ask her, she's probably down in chemo right now though. She's already got half the male patients above the age of twelve and all our volunteers after her." Replied Lauren. Val shot Tyler a look that clearly said he's better not get any ideas. "If you need anything just push the call button anytime." Lauren hurried out of the room.
Val quickly put her things in the drawer beside her bed. "As far as I can tell the only good thing about this is that I'm not missing any school." Said Val trying to lighten the mood. She found that her sense of humor had gotten considerably darker over the past two days. Val, Tyler, and Brooke explored the oncology wing of the hospital. Since Val was still seventeen she was still considered a patient in pediatrics. It didn't bother her that much though because pediatrics went all the was to nineteen.
They found that there was a game room with all sorts of board games, and video games, they even had playstation and Sega. There was a library that had mostly children's books, but also a small section for young adults. There was also a kitchen where a cook would always be stationed, twenty four hours a day, ready to cook anything a person wanted. There was also a play room filled with little kids with various types of cancer. Some looked as young as five, those kids were with parents. Some had IV's, other's were in wheelchairs, some bald.
"Val, this is not fair. I've been after mom to get us a Playstation2 or even just Playstation, but she says no every time. Now you get to use it whenever you want." Protested Brooke. Val had to laugh and soon all three joined in.
Nurse Lauren shooed Tyler, Brooke, and Val's parents away at five o-clock. That's when visiting hours ended. Val didn't let them leave until she made Tyler promise to be there with the squad at ten AM.
Today had been a busy day, that was for sure. Val flopped down onto her bed and sighed, when she was busy she didn't have time to think about why she was there.
"You're back. Hi I'm Marcella. Call me that and die, it's Marcy. Who was that tall, blonde and very hot guy." Said an overly perky voice.
"Hi, I'm Val. I value my life so I'll call you Marcy. My boyfriend, call him and die." Joked Val. Marcy pushed open the curtain that was dividing their room. Val saw an incredibly thin girl with dark eyes and hair. "How long have you been here?"
"One week, but I've had cancer since I was thirteen. I'm eighteen now."
"Cool, I'm seventeen. What type of cancer have you got?"
"Leukemia, you?"
"Same. Where do you live when you're not here? What do you like to do?" It was amazing, when Val first got there she didn't want to talk to anyone. Now she was eager to talk.
"I'm from Nevada. This is the closest hospital that could treat me. It's also one of the best. I like to talk on the phone, typical teenage girl stuff. You?"
"I'm from right here in Kingsport. About half the time I sleep, the other half I'm into cheerleading, studying, or saving lives."
"Sounds cool. Huh?!" Asked Marcy quickly. "Did you say saving lives?"
"Yeah, I'm an EMT. Sorta like a teenage paramedic. I hated to leave the squad." An orderly brought them their dinner trays. He also handed Val a cup with four pills in it. "Chemo." He explained.
"Yuck, I hate hospital food. How can you eat that stuff?" Complained Marcy when they had finished eating.
"It's not that bad when you have to eat it almost everyday at work. Usually we all come here and grab some food. Because we sorta work here it's free."
"Who's we? Any hot guys?"
"The squad. I'm the only girl out of four people. One is my boyfriend, the others are hot. Don't tell anyone I said that. One's taken. Though you should really meet Hank. You can meet them all tomorrow if you want."
* * *
Val was woken up by the rattling of the breakfast trays. She turned to look at her clock and it said it was nine o-clock. She quickly jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom to wash her hair and get ready for the day. The squad and Caitie would be there in an hour. When she came out of the bathroom Marcy was awake.
"Marcy?"
"Yeah."
"I've heard stories about cancer patients. Will I loose my hair?" Asked Val voicing a fear she didn't realize she had been hiding.
"Most likely, but there are some really cool wigs I have that you can borrow sometime." Marcy turned and rooted through her bedside drawer. "What do you think, neon purple, or electric blue?" asked Marcy holding up shoulder length wig in each hand.
"Purple." Said Val, thinking of Caitie. "My best friend would get a kick out of it." For the next hour Val and Marcy talked about everything they could think of, including boys and hospital food.
There was a knock on the door, Val knew it was her friends. Doctors didn't knock.
"It's open." Caitie, Jamie, Hank, and Tyler walked in. Brooke wasn't far behind.
"How you feeling?" asked Jamie.
"Who's your friend?" Asked Caitie. "I like her hair."
"You wanna come home yet?" Asked Brooke.
"I'm feeling fine right now. This my roommate, Marcy. Hell yeah." Replied Val to each person in turn. "Marcy, This is my sister Brooke. My boyfriend Tyler. You saw him leave yesterday. My best friend Caitie, her boyfriend Jamie, and Hank. Everyone but Brooke and Caitie are on the EMT squad.
The seven of them went to the game room and Brooke beat everyone at playstation. At two o-clock they were forced to leave because visiting hours were over.
"Val, I wanted to thank you." Said Jamie catching her arm before she walked back to her room.
"What for?" Val was truly puzzled.
"For giving me the guts to walk back in here." Jamie replied quietly. He turned and left. Tyler was the last one gone.
"Something's wrong." He pointed out.
"Yeah, I'm seventeen, in the hospital during summer, and basically fighting for my life."
"I'm talking beyond that. There's something bothering you."
"How could you tell?" Marcy slowly left the room to give them time together.
"I love you, I'll always know."
"It's pretty pointless to get worked up about it."
"Tell me anyway, I tell you if it's pointless."
"Will you still love me if I'm bald?"
"Val, I fell in love with you, not your hair. I don't care if the chemo makes you lose it."
"How'd you know it was the chemo?"
"I read anything I could get my hands on when I found out." Admitted Tyler
"So did I."
Tyler's beeper went off. "Caitie, getting impatient, I drove." Explained Tyler.
"Go on, I'll see you later." Said Val pushing him away.
* * *
The chemo made Val sick, she lost a lot a weight. And sores erupted on her lips, she had no appetite. One day she called Tyler in tears because in her hand she was holding a clump of her once beautiful blonde hair. The next day when the squad came to visit Val they had a surprise for her.
Tyler, Hank, and Jamie had all shaved their heads. "Why?" asked Val, shocked.
"We did it for you." Said Hank.
"Thanks, I do appreciate it. In a weird sort of way." Val quickly got up and ran to the bathroom. Tyler followed her, he figured it was okay because she left the door open. Val was leaning over the toilet, so Tyler held back what was left of her hair.
"Thanks." Val replied weakly. Tyler handed Val a glass of water that he had filled up at the sink. She took it gratefully. Val hated to have everyone see her so sick. She was feeling nauseous so she sent them to the game room with Marcy. Tyler stayed behind.
"What's wrong?" He questioned her, looking into her eyes as if they held the secrets of the world. Tyler looked concerned.
"Nothing. I just don't feel very good today." Val brushed off Tyler's concern.
"Val, You've been cutting yourself off from everyone lately. I want to know why."
"I haven't been cutting myself off. I just haven't felt good lately."
"Val, I've called you every night and we only talk for, like ten minutes. This is the first time in two weeks that you've let me come see you."
"I don't want anyone to see me when I'm so sick. Tyler I hate it. Brooke looks like she's gonna cry every time she sees me. Jamie looks like he's gonna break emotionally, Caitie cries, Hank is horrified, and you look so sad, I hate it. Some times I just wanna give up." Confessed Val.
"Val. You can't give up, and you can't cut yourself off from everyone. Yeah Val, we're all scared."
"Tyler, I'm scared too. And I'm not cutting myself off from everyone. I talk to Marcy. She understands everything I'm going through."
"Val, Caitie and Brooke love you. Hank does too. I don't think Jamie had come to terms with his dad's death yet, And Val. I love you, right now I'm more scared that we're gonna drift apart. I don't want to lose you."
"Tyler, just because I feel like giving up doesn't mean I will. I just have to think of you and what we have, and I remember why I want to fight." Promised Val.
"That means a lot. Do you want something to eat. You're looking a little skinny." Tyler subtly changed the mood of the conversation.
"Not really, everything tastes funny. That makes me lose my appetite." Said Val.
"If I cook something for you to eat, will you eat it?"
"I'm not sure if I'll want to. I'm familiar with your cooking ability."
"How about if I tell a professional cook what to make, they make, and you eat it." Compromised Tyler.
"Sure. Anything for you. Lets go to the kitchen." Agreed Val. Tyler handed Val a smoothie that the cook had made.
"What's in it?" Asked Val nervously. She took a sip and found it surprisingly good. "Yum."
"It's a smoothie with chocolate ice cream, watermelon, and pineapple. Here let me have a sip." The smoothie was Tyler's favorite food when he was younger.
"Somehow I remember it tasting better when I was younger." Said Tyler. Val was forced to laugh at the face he made.
"You wanna come back tomorrow morning?" Val had finished her smoothie and visiting hours were over.
"Yeah, I'd like to." Val and Tyler had somehow worked out their problems without saying anything, they could just look at each other and know what each other was thinking.
* * *
" Hey. Where's Marcy?" It was two o-clock in the afternoon and Tyler had just walked into Val's room.
" She's down in chemo." Replied Val.
" Ouch." Whisper Tyler. "The worst part." Answered Tyler.
" Definitely." Agreed Val. "But it does give us a chance to be alone." Val leaned over and kissed Tyler. She immediately pulled back.
"What's wrong? I didn't bite your lip did I?"
"No, They're just chapped from the chemo." Explained Val.
"Sorry. I should have known."
"No, you couldn't. I wish you would stop beating yourself up when you don't know something about having leukemia. You can't possible know, you're not part of this world." Val said this kindly, but it still felt like she had stabbed a knife into Tyler heart.
"Val, I do know. I know more about leukemia than most second year med students." Confessed Tyler quietly.
"Tyler, you've been really sweet. And I love you, but just because you read a few books doesn't make you an expert." Val was starting to get a little ticked off.
"Val. I never said reading a few books made me an expert."
"Then what does?" Demanded Val. "You're keeping something from me, and I hate it."
"I'd rather not talk about it. It's still too hard."
"Tyler Connell, what exactly am I asking of you?"
"You're asking me to tell you what only three other people know. I've never told anyone. Someone else told my parents and William, and me."
"Tyler, I know how hard it is to tell someone something hard. I had to tell you about having cancer."
"Val, that's the ironic part. I know for a fact that you'll understand. I've been so close to telling you a hundred times before."
"Tyler, if you know I'll understand, why don't you tell me. I don't see why not."
"I'm sorry." Choked out Tyler. He was doing his best to hold back tears, he was hurting Val, and he hated to do that. "I can't."
"Tyler, if you don't trust me then you can leave." Replied Val coldly.
"What?" Asked Tyler.
"Get out, get out, get out!" Yelled Val.
AN: Sorry this part was so long. I can guarantee that you'll keep getting stories from me for a long time. I've got a list with nineteen ideas so far, plus I just keep getting more. Please feel free to E-mail me. (See my bio) also put predictions in your reviews. And sorry, I lied about how many chapters this story had, I said four, but it's really three. I've also got a sequel already finished. I'll post again on September 30, 2001. Please review. I won't post unless I get seventeen more reviews. Shouldn't be too hard though because I've already got seventeen, so everyone just has to review once.
PS I love cliffhangers, so most of my stories will have them.
PPS. I'm also under orders to post this review. Damn best friends!
I am sooooooooo smart!!!! I knew what was wrong with Val right when she had to get a physical. For all y'all who dunno what's wrong- too bad. I won't ruin it cuz I know I'm right- namely because AMY TOLD ME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahahahahahaha!!!! The perk of knowing the author!!!! I luved the part about the water running down Tyler's defined chest!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a feeling that the next part of the story is gonna make me cry!!!!Boo hoo hoo!!!! :) I love sad-angsty drama!!!!!!! After all I am the self proclaimed Queen of Angst!!!! if only I had time to post my story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm almost done . . . I know . . . I have the longest review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did that on purpose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well- I think I won the contest for the longest review- but now I need to go finish my homework, yadda yadda yadda, Blah Blah WoofWoof and Jesus Brought a Casserole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall- great story Amy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I fix a few grammar mistake????????? Sil Vous Plait??????????????????????? you know how much I LOVE to edit!!!!!!!!! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe Now I really realy really really really really really really really really really realy really really really really really really really reallyreally realy really really really really really really really
reallyreally realy really really really really really really really reallyreally realy really really really really really really really reallyreally realy really really really really really really really reallyreally realy really really really really really really really reallyreally realy really really really really really really really reallyreally realy really really really really really really really reallyreally realy really really really really really really really
reallyreally realy really really really really really really really really Got to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!C-ya tommorrow friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope the next part makes me CrY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Hehehehehehehehehehhhehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe I'm CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're going to do this to my review when I post my story- aren't you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Uh-oh!!!!!!!!!!!!! I better stop
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttttttttttttttttttt NOW!!!!!!!!!!! C-ya ole' buddy ole pal!!!!!! GREAT JOB- again!!!!!!!!
LYLAS- Hily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Sure you can fix a few grammar things. Not a bad idea for your story. I'm coming over soon to post it for you if you don't. Ouch. Whatever you do, do not kick a dictionary. It hurts!!! Bet you can't guess what Tyler's secret is.