Okay, before I get this story started, I should just make it clear: I have not gotten this disease; this story isn't about me. I just came up with this idea last week, though I suppose the plot line could be linked to an actual scenario that happened when I was younger. Also, the title of this chapter is a reference to the Charlie Brown special "Why, Charlie Brown, Why?", which follows a similar type of story. See you at the bottom of the page.


Chapter 36: Why, Ms. Toriel, Why?


Rose fastened her cap on her head and followed the other students outside for recess. Most of the students ignored her, but a few were eyeing her warily. She knew why.

Her hands moved automatically to brush at a strand of hair, but there was no hair to touch. She realized this halfway through her motion, and quickly put her hand down. She was sure someone noticed.

Rose shook her head. This was recess, the best part of the day! Or it used to be, at least. She spotted Sam tossing a basketball back and forth with Hunter, and she meandered up to them.

"Hi," she said quietly, pretending she didn't notice them flinching. "Can I play with you guys?"

Sam and Hunter looked at each other for a minute before returning their gaze to Rose. "…No, sorry," Sam said at last. "My mom says I shouldn't play with you until you get better."

"Yeah, my mom said the same thing," Hunter agreed.

Rose's shoulder's slumped. "Oh… okay."

"Feel better," Sam called as Rose walked away.

Rose noticed that the other kids were acting like they weren't looking at her, but she could tell they were looking at her from the corners of their eyes. She could also make a guess at what they were thinking:

There goes Rose, she has the C-word.

I'm glad I'm not her.

My parents know what's best, so I'll stay away from her like they told me.

Rose began to break into a run, though her energy didn't last long. She managed to slip behind a tree before the coughing began. She hunched over and coughed noisily, probably loud enough for everyone to hear her, but she was so out of breath that she couldn't care. After a minute of it, she took a few deep breaths and sat down under the tree.

"My child, are you alright?" A voice said above Rose. She looked up and saw her teacher, Ms. Toriel, standing over her with a concerned look on her face.

Without thinking, Rose grabbed Ms. Toriel's skirt and began to cry. "Why, Ms. Toriel, why?" She managed.

Ms. Toriel immediately knelt down and hugged the young human. Rose took a few deep breaths and peeked up at her teacher. "Why are you touching me?" She asked. "Aren't you worried you'll get sick?"

Ms. Toriel shook her head and smiled sadly at Rose. "My child, I know for a fact that cancer is not contagious. Dr. Alphys and Dr. Gaster have taught me that well."

Rose let go of Ms. Toriel's skirt and lightly thumped her head against the tree. "My mom thinks it is, and told everyone."

Ms. Toriel frowned. "Janice…" she muttered, before shaking her head and looking at Rose again. "My child, would you like to help me with an impromptu lesson for the class today?"

Rose looked up. "Weren't we supposed to have a test?"

"Yes, but I believe this lesson will be more important than any test I could give. Would you like to help me?"

Rose pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Very good, my child," Ms. Toriel said with a smile. "Recess is almost over. Let's go inside a bit early to prepare."

*Ten Minutes Later*

Ms. Toriel lead everyone in a single file line back into the classroom. "I hope you all had fun," she said as she stood at the front of the room. Rose was already in her seat, looking nervous. There was a murmur of kids responding to Ms. Toriel or talking amongst themselves. Once everyone was seated, she cleared her throught. "Now, everyone, I am sure you are all aware that we were supposed to have a test today…"

Everyone groaned.

"But I have decided to push it to next Monday. That will give you the whole weekend to study and prepare."

Cheers.

"So, instead of a test, we are going to have a lesson in something I think is very important to learn. Rose, if you would come up, please?"

Everyone watched as Rose stood and walked up to Ms. Toriel. She put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Hi," Rose waved shyly at the class. A few students waved back.

"I am sure some of you have guessed," Ms. Toriel began, "but today's lesson is about cancer. Rose, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?"

"…Hi…" Rose said again. "I'm Rose, and I have lung cancer."

Some of the students looked at each other and whispered. Ms. Toriel gently shushed them and gestured for Rose to go on.

"Um… I got cancer a few months back, and I'm taking a medicine thing called, um—Kee-mo-therapy?"

"Chemotherapy, yes, my child."

"And one of the side effects is that my hair falls out." Rose pulled her cap tighter on her head. "I don't have to show them, do I?"

"No, my child, if it makes you uncomfortable."

Rose sighed in relief. "So, uh, the doctors said that they caught my cancer early enough that they can get rid of it in a year or two. I should be healthy by then, but…" she began to sniffle. "I-it's just so mean that no one wants to be near me, and—and—"

Ms. Toriel gently wrapped the human girl in a hug. The students looked at each other, unsure of what to do. After Rose calmed down a bit, Sam stood up and walked up to her. "Hey, Rose," he said. "Sorry I wouldn't play with you for a while… can I give you a hug?"

Rose gasped and nodded happily. They put their arms around each other and the class applauded, Ms. Toriel included.


Head Canon I Don't Actually Think #42: Since monsters are made of dust and magic, they don't have enough physicality to get cancer. The closest thing would probably be a corruption of magic on the inside, though that rarely happens since monsters are at a relative peace with the humans at this time.


I think I could have tried to include the Head Canon I Don't Actually Think into the story, but I think this story works fine without it. What do you all think?

So, you might remember a few chapters ago I named a mother Janice, who had an unnamed daughter. That daughter is Rose. I imagine Rose to have tan skin and brown eyes, and at one point had curly black hair like her mom. Unfortunately, Janice… well, I wouldn't say she doesn't love Rose, but she sort of doesn't really treat her as a living being; more like an obligation. Janice isn't abusive, but more neglectful, but not to the point that she wouldn't let Rose get treatment for her cancer. I'm sure she cares somewhere in her heart for her daughter, but it's complicated. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

What did you think? I feel like this is an important reminder to people—including myself—that people with cancer aren't contagious and should be treated like any other person. Anyway, leave a review and check out the poll on my profile. I won't update again until after the twelfth or so, so enjoy this while it's here. Leave a review (please) and I'll see you all later. Until then!