Joe-
I was at my locker grabbing the book I needed when Lucy came over. Her hand rubbed my arm. I moved away.
"I gotta go", I said.
"Joe wait ok. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make fun of her at Danny's party. Please Joe", she said.
I stopped and looked at her.
"Ok, thanks for apologizing. I'll let Chris know", I said.
"You're still with her?", she asked surpised.
I nodded.
"I love her", I said.
She sighed.
"Some how I already knew that, even before", she said.
"What are you talking about?", I asked.
"Joe, I'm not stupid. Ever since she came back to school, your eyes never left her and then when you found out you didn't have her in any of your classes, you got your last period changed to Mr. Anderson's for her", she said.
"She never noticed that", I said.
"Well maybe if you would have stopped picking on her for five seconds and told her how you felt, she would have", she giggled.
I chuckled.
"You should tell her, maybe it would help her fight a lot harder", she said.
"Yeah", I said.
"I'll see you around Joe", she waved.
Christina-
My mom was on the phone with the doctor. Joe's mom had just left. The smell of alcohol still on her. She was pacing the living room. When she hung up she looked at me.
"You have a radiation appointment Friday", she said.
"I know", I said.
"Sweetheart", she said softly, knowing I was mad.
I stopped her. Standing up.
"Take a shower because you smell. I hope those drinks were worth it", I said, going back to my room.
Laying in bed, I covered myself. My mom burst into my room.
"What makes you think you can talk to me like that? I'm your mother and I love you", she yelled.
"You lied to me. You said you stopped drinking. You were doing so good mom", I said.
"It was only a little", she said.
"It didn't look that way when Joe brought you in", I yelled.
"He, he's the one", she stopped, embarrassed.
"Yes mom, he did", I said angry.
"I can get help, I'll go to meetings again", she said.
"Why? So you could lie about going", I yelled.
I sighed.
"I can't deal with this now. I am extremely exhausted and please just get out", I said, rubbing my forehead.
"Ok", she said.
She left my room. I felt weak and my body just wanted to shut down.
Joe-
Getting to Chris's house. I knocked, her mom answered.
"Joe", she said.
I smiled at her. Granted it was a fake smile.
"In her room, she's sleeping", she said.
I nodded and was on my way to her room.
"Joe wait", she said.
I turned.
"Last night, I mean, thank you for staying with my girls, for helping me", she said, wringing her hands.
"I did it for Chris", I said.
Turning back and heading to Chris's room. I closed the door behind me and kicked my shoes off, crawling up the bed towards her.
"I'm home beautiful", I whispered and kissed her forehead.
She moaned before opening her eyes. I smiled at her.
"I missed you today", I said softly.
"I missed you too", she whispered tired.
"How are you feeling? Hungry?", I asked.
"I ate already", she said, her eyes closing again.
"What did you eat?", I asked, worried that she was lying.
She fell asleep. I pushed her softly.
"Joe, I'm tired", she mumbled.
"What did you eat today?", I asked again.
She groaned.
"Joe", she said frustrated.
I sat up.
"I ate", she said angry.
"Don't lie to me", I said.
"I'm not, ok, your mom came over and made me oatmeal. God, go ask her if you don't believe me", she yelled.
"I am. I just want to make sure you're eating. You didn't have much this morning", I said.
She looked at me. Sighing, she pulled my shirt towards her. I laid next to her.
"I'm sorry. I did eat, but if you want I'll eat again. Come on", she said.
"I don't want you to force it", I said.
"Your not, let's go", she said, slowly standing.
We went into the kitchen and I heated up her food from this morning.
"I don't think I'll be able to eat all of it, so you're gonna have to help me", she said.
I nodded. We shared the plate. She ate more than this morning. I kissed her cheek.
"Thank you", I said.
"You should get to practice", she said.
I laughed softly.
"You're gonna go back to bed aren't you?", I asked.
She laughed.
"Duh", she said.
"Can I have a kiss before I go?", I asked.
"Maybe", she sighed.
I pouted. Her lips brushed mine softly.
"I forgot to tell you, I have a radiation appointment on Friday. I have to stay at the hospital till Monday", she said sadly.
"I'm there", I said.
"No, you have a game Saturday. You're not missing it", she said.
"Then I won't, but I will be there after", I said.
"There's no arguing with that right", she said.
"Nope", I said.
"Good, cause I'm too tired to argue", she said.
I chuckled.
"Lets get you to bed", I said.
"Good idea Anoa'i", she said nodding.
I picked her up in my arms.
"You don't have to carry me", she said.
"You're tired remember. No arguing", I said smirking.
"Fine ok, I'll let you carry me", she said, rolling her eyes.
I laughed and she did too. Laying her down, I kissed her again.
"I love you. Do you want me to pick anything up to eat for you? Whatever you're craving", I said.
"Chili cheese fries", she said.
"You got it babe", I said.
Christina-
Sunday. I was in the hospital, waiting for Joe to come back. My dad was watching a football game on tv.
"Mr. Mathews, can I have a word sir?", Joe asked, walking into the room.
My dad looked at him. He got up and walked out with him to the hall. I don't know what he said to him, a few minutes later Joe came back. Joe smiled and kissed my forehead.
"Whats up?", I asked him.
"I told your dad about your mom", he said.
"Why would you do that?", I asked.
"He needs to know. Besides my mom called, she found her at a bar, completely wasted", he said.
I sighed.
"Where is she?", I asked.
"My mom picked her up, she's at your house, safe", he said.
My dad walked back into the room.
"I'm gonna go make sure your mom's ok", my dad said.
I nodded. My dad kissed my forehead before leaving.
"Call me if either of you needs anything", he said.
We nodded.
"There's something else I forgot to mention, it's about Lucy", Joe said.
I eyed him, waiting for him to continue.
"She said she was sorry about what happened at the party. I had forgotten to tell you", he said.
"Tell her its fine", I said.
He nodded.