=Hunter's POV=
(Tuesday, 5/2/2018-7:20 am)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Berkian Academy)
I was convinced that Keith was some kind of witch doctor because the tea on the 28th that he gave me…It worked wonders. I spent the rest of Saturday in my room between sleeping, using the restroom, one shower around 7 pm. I was back to bed the rest of the night after 9 pm. I even managed to eat something light for dinner, it was just soup broth and bread, but I kept it down. And had crackers before dinner, just to see if I'd be able to eat at all. After having the tea, the nausea had lightened considerably, and thankfully; I didn't throw up anymore. My fever dropped to 99.8 by dinner time and let Keith know that I felt a lot better in a text; I also told Nicole. Keith told me what he put in my drink, an all-natural fever reducer mixed with the ginger. There was some stuff in there for pain, headaches, and boosting the immune system as well. Keith informed that he left all the things he used with the ginger tea, so that I could use it as needed or reference the items to pick up more. I seriously owed this man my life, literally. I made the tea again that night, about an hour before I decided to go to sleep; I was out all night and woke up with a normal temperature, no headache, stomachache, or nausea.
I felt great, even the tumor symptoms seemed to be staying down. I drank the tea again an hour before the game, and let coach know I was good to go to play as I only had a twenty-four hour thing. It was funny because when I got there at 8 am, Dimitri had his medics check me out to make sure I wasn't just saying I was okay to be able to take part in the game. I got to play, and we won too. I felt amazing on the 29th, and took Nicole out for lunch, just the two of us and promised my friends and family that if we won the championship; I'd personally take everyone out to dinner, on me as my treat. It made no sense just to celebrate the playoff wins because any one of them could be one we lost and didn't make it to the big game. So probably in the first week of June, pending the actual win; I was taking everyone out. It'd be a nice get together for after final exams, before prom, and what not to hang out before I got surgery and would spend the summer recovering. Also, it might be bad of me, but I've been using the tea to get through my days, and help from the medications Keith prescribed.
It helped when the two were used together; it kept my symptoms low and manageable, but did not stop them as I expected they would not. I'm supposed to have another appointment with Keith on Friday, but I was kind of scared to go. I didn't want to be told the tumor was worse and have it ruin all my newly made plans. It was my fear every time I sat in that chair across from Keith's desk and waited for him to give me the results of my tests. I missed the appointment on the 27th due to being sick, but I really wanted to try and get out of this one too. I only had about a month and two weeks to go. Six weeks until surgery. I probably couldn't put them all off, but maybe just through the playoffs. Most of the other teams were eliminated already, there were only four teams and in about a week or two; it would come down to the final two for the championship.
Unfortunately, as great as all this was that I found a way to make things easier for me to manage symptoms, and that we were doing really good in the playoffs…An event taking place in just a couple weeks has me down. It was the one year anniversary of my mother passing away. It happened just five days after her birthday, on May 19th, 2017. Mom's birthday was the 14th. I knew I'd be miserable; my dad and I planned to go to the ceremony, maybe look at some pictures or things we didn't feel ready to do right after mom's death; it'd fall on a Saturday and as long as nothing went wrong with the playoff schedule, I wouldn't have a game that day either. Even if something changed; I'd let coach know that it's a game I'd miss. I knew we weren't supposed to, especially playoff stuff, but they all knew how I was last year and understood. I rarely missed practices or games, so for something like this; they knew it was big and I would be excused for it. I'm already started to feel the sadness; I feel like my friends have taken notice and just won't say anything.
"Hunter, hello? You there?" Shane waved his hand in front of my face.
I snapped out of my thoughts and blinked. "Huh? What? Sorry…" I said.
"You okay?" Heather asked. "It just took us like, three minutes to get your attention."
"I'm fine, still waking up." I smiled.
No need to draw attention to what was wrong, I feel like Addilyn and Shane already knew what I said was bullshit. The others sort of glanced to Shane and Addilyn as they gave a motion to just leave it alone this time. I caught they were trying to make sure no one brought it up, and I guess I was grateful for it. I just wanted this whole month to go by fast, honestly. I wanted playoffs and championship done. I wanted finals done. I wanted the one year to pass and hopefully I wouldn't break down. I knew it was hopeless to hope I wouldn't; it was inevitable. I took a month off school year because I didn't want to face anyone. June seemed a little more promising. The end of high school events; senior prom and graduation. I looked forward to those. And then I didn't quite look forward to the surgery on June 18th, but I knew it was necessary, and once I got it done; I'd never have to worry again. I'd be safe, healthy, and symptom free with it removed. I just needed to survive the next six weeks.
. . .
(Friday, 5/11/2018-5:15 pm)
(Berkian Academy; Student Lot)
I've managed to through last week, and this one. Next week, though; I didn't have high hopes. I was already miserable, and fully dreading what next Saturday was. I missed my appointment on the 4th, but not my fault this time. Keith cancelled it because of an emergency surgery in Berserker; they called him away Friday afternoon while I was still in school and he was gone all weekend. He apologized and said he'd refer me to a colleague, but I declined and said everything was fine, no changes at all and felt great. It seemed to be enough as he let things go. I still haven't had a chance to talk to him about Nicole and I having sex in June; I know I needed to for us to keep to our plan of making love on prom night. In lighter and happier news; the Berk Hooligans of Berkian Academy were in the championship. We won the playoffs, but it had not been decided who we'd be against as the game to determine the second team going to the championship had to be postponed due to something happening at the school. The game would be held sometime this week; it was Murderous versus Hunters. So one of those two would be our opponent; I'm not sure who I'd prefer because we're the top three teams in the high school league.
Practice just let out, we're trying to get ready for whoever we face. We're trying to make sure the championship gets held before the week of the 21st, as that's make up work week; the last chance to get credit for late or missed assignments. The week of the 28th is final exam week. The week of the 4th is getting graduation status, cap and gown fittings. Saturday the 8th is senior prom. The week of the 11th was graduation day preparations. And finally…The 16th, a Saturday, was high school graduation. My surgery was on the 18th. So June was going to be very busy, but I couldn't wait. I'd have the summer to recover and hang with friends, if they weren't ridiculously pissed off that I hid the tumor from them. And in September, it would be off to college for Engineer and hopefully, on a basketball scholarship. I had everything set for my future, which I hoped would include Nicole too. We've had some fun in foreplay when the chances were there that we were aroused and alone. Everything is perfect.
Reaching my jeep in the lot after exiting practice; I unlocked the door and scooted in. I buckled up and slid the keys into the ignition; I turned it and my jeep didn't start up. "Ut oh…" I tried again, and again, but I got nothing. I unbuckled and got out to check under to hood; I didn't see anything wrong, but clearly there had to be or the jeep would start. I'd have to get it into Glenn's shop to get a good look. It was already dark out, but thankfully not overly cold. "Fuck…" I checked the time; it was already 5:25 pm. I'd have to call the shop for a tow, but I should call Keith first to let him know that I'm not gonna make it there because of my jeep not starting. I sighed, getting my phone after shutting the hood and getting back into the driver's seat; I dialed the shop first.
"Glenn's Auto."Answered on the second ring.
"Hey, it's Hunter."I said.
"Hunter! How are you, laddie?" Glenn's voice came in now. Whoever answered must have informed him that I was calling.
"Uh, having a problem at the moment. I just got out of practice and my jeep won't start. There's power to the vehicle, but it won't start at all. I don't see anything wrong under the hood, but that's just a flashlight look over. Think you can send a truck to grab me and the jeep, so I can get it on the lift and see what's up?" I explained and asked quickly.
"I'll send someone right now, lad. You're still at school, right?. Have you tried to jump it?" Glenn wondered.
"No, everyone has left. I'm in the student lot, by myself." I mentioned.
"Alright, don't worry now. Just sit tight, I'll get someone to you in the next fifteen to twenty minutes, okay?" Glenn stated.
"Thanks, Uncle Glenn. I owe you." I told him, sighing with some relief.
"No trouble, kiddo. See you soon, love you." Glenn replied.
"Love you too!" I said as the call ended. I found Keith's number next, and dialed him. On the fourth ring, there was a pickup.
"You're late, Hunter." Keith laughed a little. "Are you on your way?"
"Hey, Keith,"I began, finally have permission to use Keith and Ella's names as they were instead of the formal ways I had been the last four and a half months. "Unfortunately, and I know you're gonna remind me that these appointments are imperative, but I won't be getting there at all. This one isn't my fault. My car isn't starting, I'm currently still stuck at school, waiting on a tow truck that my godfather is sending to get me and the jeep, then bring us to the shop so I can see what's wrong with my vehicle."
There was an audible sigh on his end. "If it's any consolation, you do know exactly what I was going to say. Is there anyway you can be dropped off here by the tow truck for the tests, at least? You've missed about three appointments, son…I need to see what's going on in there. I can even bring you to the shop afterward, and we'll go over the results at another time…" Keith said.
"Keith, I gotta figure out what's up with my jeep…I just did a bunch of repairs on it before playoffs started, so there shouldn't be anything wrong. By the time the truck gets here, it's gonna be almost 6 pm, and then about 6:15 or 6:30 by the time I got there. I haven't had dinner yet, I still gotta get homework done…I can't do it tonight. I'll take a Saturday or Sunday appointment, but not tonight. I swear, everything is fine. Symptoms are hardly there, I'm full of energy, I'm good. Nothing that points to this being worse or worrisome…" I informed.
"Next Friday, I want you here, Hunter. No exceptions, no excuses…I told you that this is not the condition you wanted to play with. It can kill you at any time and we don't know if that something about to happen or not as we haven't done any tests in three weeks. I understand things come up as I had the same problem last week, but next week is not negotiable…Unless it's life of death, I will not let you miss the appointment. Is that clear?"Keith stated firmly.
"Crystal, sir." I replied.
"Good. I'll see you on the 18th then, or earlier in the week if you come over to see Nicole. Have a good night, lad."Keith said.
"You too, Keith. Bye now." I said before ending the call once he said bye. I felt bad, I did, but what could I do. I needed my jeep to get to those appointments anyway, and to school and game too. I sat back relaxing; I let my dad and Nicole know what was up; the tow truck arrived about ten minutes after all that. We got it on the bed then headed for Glenn's shop.
. . .
(8:45 pm)
(Haddock House)
I stayed late at the shop to make the necessary repairs to get the jeep up and running again. It had been some basic stuff, and a couple replacements. Thankfully, Glenn had all the parts laying around that I needed. Glenn had left at 7:30 pm, so did some others. I locked the doors and only worked in the garage until about 8:15 pm. I cleaned up my space, got the jeep out, and alarmed the building by 8:30 pm. I got home fifteen minutes later, just now. I still haven't eaten and could use a dose of what I'm calling it as; Miracle Tea. Don't see why not call it that; this stuff, with the right mix, took care of a lot of my symptoms, or at least made them bearable.
"Welcome home, son." Dad greeted me.
I yawned. "Hi, Dad…Hey, Uncle Glenn…" I waved.
"Jeep all fixed up?" Glenn wondered.
"Yeah…Oil change, some replacing and tweaking. It's good again, probably gonna need a new battery to ensure that doesn't happen again. I did charge it at the shop, but not gonna mess with it possible failing again." I informed. "I cleaned up, locked up, and alarmed the building before I left."
"I figured you would." Glenn chuckled.
"Are you hungry, Hunter?" Spencer asked.
I nodded my head. "Yeah, I could eat…I only had a soda or two and snack from the vending machine at the shop."
"Glenn and I ordered pizza when he said he'd be home by 7:30 pm. Got you a small of your favorite." Spencer smiled.
"Thanks, Dad. What do I owe you?" I asked.
"Oh, hush up. You don't have to pay me back, Hunter. You're my son, it's my job to take care of you. You don't have to return money I spent to make sure you eat tonight." Spencer laughed, I shrugged a little. "Now grab yourself some pizza and sit with your old man and godfather. I feel like it's been forever since we've seen you and want to know how things are going at school and with the games. I know we've missed a few."
I nodded to him as I went to the kitchen and got myself a couple slices of pizza from the small box; it was barbeque chicken with bacon. I warned them up on the plate before getting my tea made. Thankfully, the counter space hid from Glenn and dad what I was mixing in with the tea. Dad made a comment I was like mom since she loved tea so much and now I was drinking it at least twice a day. Not inaccurate, because I was. I joined them in the living room and sat down in my favorite chair, using a folding table to keep my food and drink on. The three of us just got to talking about how things were going; I told them how school was, and that we're in the championship for sure, but don't know who we're going against. I mentioned prom, spirit and finals week. I was also texting Nicole during all this too. Around 9:45, an hour later; I said good night to them both as I grabbed a hot shower and relaxed in bed with the TV on, still messaging Nicole afterward. By 11:30 pm, I finally crashed and fell asleep.
