Joe-
I pushed the guy out of the way. He protested. Ignoring him, I knocked.
"Cora", I said.
With that, the door opened and she hugged me.
"What happened?", I asked.
"He wouldn't leave me alone. He kept trying to touch me. I told him to stop and I said no", she said in between sobs.
"Who?", I asked.
She looked at the guy who was banging on the door. I moved her behind me. The guy I recognized, he was a senior. I went closer to him and shoved him hard.
"What the fuck is your problem? She's fifteen and she said no", I said through gritted teeth.
"She wants it", he said smirking.
I punched him.
"Stay away from my sister in law, got it", I yelled.
"Joe, lets go. I want to go home please", Cora cried.
She was pulling on my arm. Getting in the car I looked over at her.
"Did he hurt you?", I asked.
She shook her head no. I nodded.
"How about we stop and get something to eat", I said.
She nodded. Getting home, Cora ran to Chris and hugged her crying.
"Its ok", Chris said, holding Cora close.
I smiled, setting the bag of food down. Till I heard voices in the kitchen. I looked at Chris.
"Your dad home?", I asked.
"Oh um", she stopped.
I looked towards the kitchen to see my cousins coming out. Laughing.
"What the hell", I said.
"Whats up cousin, just came to visit our girlfriend", Jon said.
"Your what?", I asked.
"Our girlfriend, yeah we decided to share her", Josh said nodding.
They finally noticed Cora crying.
"Whats wrong?", Jon asked.
I looked at Chris.
"Some guy at the party was giving her a hard time. I took care of it", I said.
"He punched him", Cora said, wiping her cheeks.
Chris nodded.
"Lets go get you changed and cleaned up Cora", Chris said.
She took her to her room. I looked at my cousins. My hands on my hips. They smiled.
"She is my girl", I said.
"We know, we just like messing with you", Josh said.
"It's funny how mad you get", Jon laughed.
I shook my head at them.
"What are you really doing here?", I asked.
"We came to hang. We went over to your house, but your mom said you were here", Jon said.
"We brought food", Josh said.
I nodded. Chris and Cora came out. Cora went and sat on the couch, my cousins joined her. Chris took my hand. She looked up at me.
"Thank you", she said, kissing me.
"Anytime. She's family", I hugged her.
We all sat and ate, watching movies.
Christina-
I had another chemo visit, my dad bringing me. It was November now and Mrs. Jones was keeping me company. Telling me about her husband, her kids, and grandkids. Joe showed up after his afternoon game.
"I told your dad I could pick you up", he said.
He looked over to Mrs. Jones and smiled.
"Hello Mrs. Jones. It's nice to see you again", he said.
"Joe", she gave him a smile and nod.
He kissed me and sat down next to me.
"How was your game?", I asked.
"We lost. Its ok though, we didn't lose by much", he said shrugging.
I brushed my hand down his cheek. He took my hand and kissed the top of it. His eyes watching my hand like he was examining it. He looked sad now.
"Whats wrong Joe?", I asked.
"Nothing", he said softly.
I dropped it. Getting to the car, I looked back at him.
"Joe, you want me to talk to you then you need to talk to me too", I said.
"It's just hard seeing you like this. You're so skinny and I'm scared to hold you because I feel like I'm going to break you", he said.
I laughed.
"It's not funny", he said angry.
I sighed.
"Baby you're not going to break me", I said.
He smiled at me. I felt like there was more he wanted to say. He wasn't ready to talk about it. I decided to change the subject.
"I'm feeling much better now. Maybe I can go to your next game if my doctor clears me", I said.
He looked over at me.
"As much as I want to see you there, I don't want you to force it. Even if he says yes, if you aren't feeling good, stay home", he said.
I nodded and he squeezed my hand.
"When's your next appointment?", he asked.
"Radiation is next, so in two weeks", I said.
"Your staying in the hospital again?", he asked.
I nodded.
"Four days this time", I said.
"I'll pack for that then", he said.
"No, my mom's staying with me", I said.
I saw him grip the steering wheel. He didn't trust my mom around me without supervision.
"She's my mom", I said softly.
"I know, but I don't like the fact that she drinks when she's around you. It scares me. What if something happens to you and she can't think straight because she's drunk", he said.
"She's been going to meetings, my dad goes with her. She's two weeks sober", he stopped me.
"She can stay with you during the day, but at night its my time. Don't argue with me about it either", he said.
I knew there was no arguing with that. I just nodded.
"Whatever you say baby", I said.
He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
'Hungry? I'm starving", he said.
"Yes please", I said.
He smiled and nodded.
"So how's school? Anything good happen?", I asked.
"Not missing much. Same old boring thing. Still miss you", he said.
I laughed softly.
"You see me every day after school", I said.
"But not all day", he said.
I leaned over and kissed his cheek.