Jude was sweating but she was shivering. I put a blanket on her. She was burning up. I managed to slip a thermometer in her mouth without her waking up. It was 102.4. I know I run pretty high fevers when I'm sick so I didn't worry about it. She moved and then opened her eyes. She moved her arm and I saw a big bruise right where her head had been lying.
"Jude what happened to your arm" I asked.
She looked at it.
"I don't know was it there before I fell asleep" she said sleepily.
"I don't think so" I said.
She looked at the thermometer in my hand.
"Were you planning on stealing the thermometer" she asked.
"No I took you're temperature 102.4" I said "do you usually run high fevers."
"No" she replied.
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He looks worried should I be worried. What's wrong with me?
I scratched a mosquito bite and I started bleeding. Now I'm worried.
"Jude here let me get you um uh where are the band..."
"Bathroom medicine cabinet." I said. He went to get me a band-aid. When he came back and saw that I was still bleeding he looked horrified. That's when I started to worry a lot.
He knows something. He suspects something.
"What's wrong" I asked hoping he'd give me an honest answer.
"Jude I think we should go" he said while putting the band-aid on my arm. I knew exactly what he meant.
"Dr. Holden it's about fifteen minutes away" I said pointing to the list of numbers and addresses on the fridge.
They're doing tests. That can't be good. I agree.
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The tests came back and confirmed what I had expected Jude had leukemia. She started crying and the doctor left us alone.
"Jude it'll be OK" I comforted her.
"Tommy how am I supposed to record or perform if I'm sick" she cried.
"Don't worry about that" I said "I'm going to call your mom OK."
Jude nodded and took out my phone.
"567-0098" she said.
I dialed the number.
"Hello Mrs. Harrison this is Tommy ummm Jude is ummm sick" I said not really knowing what else to say.
"Where are you" she asked.
"Her doctor's office."
"Let me speak to him."
"Ummm ok."
Just then the doctor walked in.
"Um her mother wants to speak with you" I said to the doctor. He nodded and I handed him the phone.
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"Yes."
"No."
"Leukemia."
"I know ma'am."
"Yes."
"Your very welcome" the doctor said "Jude she wants to speak to you."
I hate doctors they're so unfeeling.
Jude: (into the phone) what
Mrs. Harrison: (on other line) Jude I'm going to Rome for six months.
Jude: I heard you I just can't believe you'd do this.
Mrs. Harrison: Jude I have to it's a great opportunity
Jude: Mom I'm sick I need you here not in Rome
Tommy heard me say this and took the phone from me.
Tommy: Mrs. Harrison I really think you should come home
Mrs. Harrison: Tommy you have to understand I have to go I won't be able to pay for treatments without this extra money
Tommy: G major could probably help and if not I would I just really think she needs you
Mrs. Harrison: I know she needs me but I don't think I could stand seeing her like that
Tommy: she needs you and if you can't just suck it up and come help her than you obviously don't care much about her
Mrs. Harrison: Tommy please try to understand I can't see my strong daughter weak and sick
Tommy: Well she needs you she's strong and she'll get through it but not without support from her friends and most importantly her family
Mrs. Harrison: I have to go my flight is leaving tell Jude I love her and six months isn't that long
Tommy: You have to realize she may not be here when you get back
Mrs. Harrison: No she'll make it
Tommy: Oh I know I wasn't talking about that god bye Mrs. Harrison
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Jude started crying when I hung up the phone.
Jude: Why is she doing this to me?
Tommy: Jude it's ok
Jude: It's not ok Tommy it never will be
When we got back to my house I saw Sadie leaning against the door frame with suitcases at her side.
"I'm going with mom" she said. She ran away from the house into her car before I could even say anything. I fell to the floor and sobbed.
"Jude..." Tommy started.
'Why aren't you running like everyone else" I asked.
"I'm here Jude and there is no way I'm leaving" he said before pulling me up and bringing me into a comforting hug.
"I love you" I said.
"I love you too" he replied kissing my head.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and he looked down at me. He pulled me closer until we were so close not even a bomb going off at our feet could break us apart and kissed me. I let go of him with one hand and opened the door. I walked in and he followed me in.
I stood by the wall and waited for him to close the door. I pinned him against the wall.
"Didn't happen" I said.
"What didn't happen" he asked.
"The kiss or any of it" I said letting him go.
"I thought you were done getting me back for that" he asked.
"I am that's not why it didn't happen it didn't happen because we can't be together if I might not be here tomorrow" I explained. Tommy shook his head.
"You can't think like that Jude you're going to be fine and if you're not which I doubt you need to live your life in the time you have" he said caringly.
I started crying and he pulled me into another hug. He leaned down and I leaned up and our lips met halfway. We walked over to the couch without breaking apart.
After awhile the phone rang. Tommy groaned as I picked it up.
"Hello" I said.
"Hey Jude it's Georgia your mother called and told me about uh well how are you feeling" Georgia said nervously.
"I'm sick and my mom and sister left me to deal all by myself" I said "life's peachy."