3:30 am and I'm still awake. I'm dying. Dying. What's going to happen to me now? I've watched those cancer videos in Wellness class as freshman. Usually they start out fine you know, doing those cancer walk things, going to do chemo once a week, and living a normal life. And then by the end of the movie they're sitting bald, I repeat bald, in a hospital bed with an IV in their arm and they know they're dying. Any minute now and they pass from one world to the next. Parents are crying holding their hands. Friends are standing around the bed with their shoulders slumped and their heads in their hands. Crying, saying their last goodbyes. Is that going to happen to me? I don't want to die that way. I don't want a stupid disease to kill me. I'll die before my parents. What are they going to do without me? My mom already looked pretty destroyed after just hearing the news.

Am I going to die without a fight? I mean I'm no expert, but one cannot simply fight with cancer and expect to win. Will Sasuke beat me after all? He's always beat me in grades and physical activities. In popularity, well just in everything. Will he beat me in living? Once I die will he win over Hinata and they'll just forget about me? Will that be my mark? Will I get the time to make a mark? I've always wanted to go sky diving, explore the world, get married, for goodness sakes get through sophomore year! Will I even live to my next birthday?

I barely get any sleep that night.

Seriously 7 am? My dad couldn't have booked an earlier appointment? My breakfast consists of a granola bar being shoved down my throat while running to the car because knowing my dad he'll find the one crumb that'll fall and I won't hear the end of it.

I walk into an elaborate hospital waiting room and choose a seat closest to the TV. My dad follows. The room is sickening white. I'm not really a morning person so when I hear the birds chirping, I slouch. I hear my stomach grumble and look down. Wait. Are those crumbs on my shirt? They are! I lick my fingers and start to gather all the delicious strawberry granola bar crumbs off my shirt.

"Naruto don't lick your fingers you'll get sick."

Really?

"Dad I'm dying anyways what will a little germ do?" I mumble as I make a dramatic display of licking my fingers.

My dad's face turns into the color of my mom's hair. Shoot I've really done it now. He sits a little straighter and leans into my face.

"Listen here Naru-"

The door opens, saving me from a scolding.

"Good morning! Umm, Naruto Uzumaki. Right this way!"

I don't like her. When you're that happy at seven in the morning, there is definitely something wrong with you.

I make my way into the brightly lit hallway and start to follow the doctor.

"I'm doctor Tsunade," she explains,"but patients call me Lady Tsunade."

"Will Granny do?"

There's that vein pop.

"Naruto please." My dad interjects.

"Just trying to lighten the mood. Sheesh dad."

We walk into another room and I make my way towards the bed. As I sit down, Granny positions herself in between my dad and me. She takes a deep breath starts explaining all this gibberish. I really wasn't paying attention but I heard something along the lines of Acute Leukemia, Chemo Therapy, and free snacks in the lunch room.

"That's about all you need to kn-"

"How long do I have?"

All eyes turn on me.

"Naru-"

"No dad. I want to know. How long Granny?"

She turns over the slip of paper she's holding and then scans the paper.

"Well, we aren't sure how long you will live, but no worries Naruto. I am sure the Chemo Therapy will do you wonders."

She smiles at me and looks back at my father.

"We will see you bright and early Friday morning for the Chemo treatment."

"What about school?! You can't just stop me from going?"

No way. I have to go to school. I want to have a life.

"Well, if need be we can schedule a later appointment. It would be best to start sooner than later Naruto. You see, Acute Leukemia is rapid. The growth of cancer cells is quick meaning that if we don't do something soon you'll die within six weeks. And so we want to start the treatment as fast as possible. You know, you're lucky you got diagnosed so quickly, wait another week and there might have been no hope for you."

No hope for me?

I can't feel my legs and suddenly my breathing quickens. No Hope.

"Naruto? Naruto!"

It's all blur from there.

I never liked history, can't say that I hate it, it just doesn't interest me. But history with Kakashi Hatake is a living nightmare. He's just so boring. The way he talks puts me to sleep.

"Naruto, pay attention. Now, would you like to answer my question?"

It was more of a command then a question.

"Um, what was the question?"

I see Sasuke's hand shoot up.

"Exactly." Kakashi scans the room, "Hm how about you Sasuke?"

I grit my teeth. Of course Sasuke has the answer.

"Well, since I was paying attention it's an easy answer. World War II started in 1939."

He smirks and looks over at me.

"But Naruto wouldn't know that, would you?"

My classmates snicker and laugh at me. He always does this, waiting for an opportunity to embarrass me. And in front of Hinata too? Give me a break.

It's always been like this, ever since freshman year. Sasuke makes everything into a competition. We used to be the best of friends back in middle school. Always hanging out, making jokes, pulling pranks on the teacher…man it was a blast. But ever since we both hit high school, it all went downhill. He got caught up in popularity. I remember him telling me that we were going to become the "kings" of high school and by senior year everyone would bow down to us. We'd be the coolest kids in school and people would kill to be our friends. We'd be inseparable. But, by the second week of high school he did the unexpected. He knew very well that I had a huge crush on Hinata Hyuga. Ever since third grade I'd been crushing on her. I mean who wouldn't? She was pretty, smart, and probably the nicest girl in our grade. Sasuke promised me that he would hook us up in high school. We had this whole plan and everything. But what do you know. On my way to gym class during my freshman year, I saw them. Hinata pinned against the wall, Sasuke running his filthy fingers through her hair, as they were sucking on each other's faces. I remember Sasuke pulling away from her and looking at me.

"Guess I win this one Uzumaki."

That was the last time I ever talked to Sasuke Uchiha.

Riiiiinnnnggg

"Don't forget about your projects due on Monday, class."

I get out of my seat trying my best not to just give up and collapse. My head is killing me and I don't know how much longer I can last. I skipped breakfast because I'd just throw everything back up. But I'd rather vomit then have my stomach eat itself.

Shoot. It's only the end of first period and I already feel like crap. I gather my bag and sling it over my shoulder. I make my way into the hallway and try to steady my breathes. My vision feels hazy as I slowly move my head side to side, walking towards the bathroom. My breathing increases and black dots glaze over my eyes. I place a clammy hand over my right eye and quicken my pace to the restroom.

I weakly heave the door open and rush to the sink. The stickiness and clamminess of my hands washes away under the cold water. I squirt a generous amount of hand soap and sniff up the scent. It's better sniffing soap that smells like laundry detergent than…well you could imagine what a boy's school bathroom smells like.

"Hey look who it is. Naruto Uzumaki!"

I quickly get my nose out of my hands and throw them into the water that's coming from the faucet.

"Kiba? Hey long time no see man!"

Well, actually I saw him last week, but I feel like saying that was cooler.

"Yeah I guess so. Well anyways what class do you have next?"

Phew. He doesn't bother asking what I was doing. Maybe he gets it that it reeks in here. But my real concern is that does he really think I memorized my schedule? I dry my hands and rummage through my backpack to find my schedule.

"Biology. And you?"

"Cardio Fitness. Something like that."

"Cool, well I'll see you around I better get going."

"Yeah, and I'll see you at soccer tryouts. Have fun in Bio!"

I grit my teeth and head for my next class with a pounding headache. Could this day get any worse?

"Absolutely not."

Yup, it just got a whole lot worse.

"But dad!"

"Naruto listen to your father. He's right. If you were to try out for soccer you wouldn't even be able to play at your first game, let alone try out. Those drills and exercises would leave you wiped out. "

"But mom, I feel perfectly fine. At least let my tryout. If I don't feel good I won't go to the second day. Please?"

I feel bad lying, but if I don't tryout I won't hear the end of it from Sasuke and his stupid group of friends.

"Naruto, you can let go of one season of soccer and-"

"This could be my last season dad. What if I don't live til next season."

The room goes silent. My dad stops eating his dinner and my mom begins to get up. I feel like whenever I mention my death or anything to do with my cancer she leaves and doesn't want anything to do with it. Actually ever since we found out the other day my mom's been avoiding the topic. The sound of dishes being washed is the only thing that is heard at the dinner table. Once my mom retreats to her room my dad sighs.

"Are you sure you feel up to it?"

Wait, is he seriously going to let me tryout?

"Of course. Dad if I didn't feel good I wouldn't even want to tryout."

It's just a small lie. They'll never find out.

"Well, I…I guess, if you really feel up to it I won't stop you. But Naruto promise me this."

He takes a long breath and exhales almost as if he's not sure why he's doing this himself.

"If you ever feel sick, and I mean it could be just for a few seconds that your headache comes back or you begin to just…well, anything that makes you feel sick during tryouts, immediately call me and I will come pick you up. Please promise me this."

Did he seriously just agree to this?

"Of course."

"Naruto what day are tryouts?"

"Monday."

He smiles at me and stands up to go wash his plate. I follow and begin to do the same.

"It's okay. I can wash your plate. Why don't you go do your homework or get some rest?"

"Okay, thanks."

I can't even concentrate on my homework. All I can think about is how I'm going to pull off soccer tryouts with a headache like this. Scratch that. Make that a headache and an empty stomach. I hurry to the bathroom and throw up my dinner.

Friday

My second day of gym is today. The day we actually get up and move around. I'm screwed.

I strip of my school clothes and throw on a bright orange tee-shirt and black basketball shorts. As I'm tying my shoes most of the boys have already headed out of the locker room. Great, I'll be late on my first real day of gym class. I tie my shoes sloppily and rush out.

"Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Here."

"Uzumaki Naru-"

I run out onto the field panting and already feeling my stomach twist. Good thing I skipped lunch.

"Here I'm sorry for being la-."

Before I can finish I trip over my shoelaces. The impact from the fall worsens my headache and soon enough I'm panting even harder.

As usual the boys snicker and the girls all roll their eyes. The teacher doesn't even bother to look up from the clipboard as I make my way to stand near the rest of the class.

"No you made it just in time Naruto."

So, I guess today as a fun activity we're playing trust games. And guess who has no friends in that class. Me you say? Well you're a good guesser.

"I want to be with Sasuke!"

Of course Ino is the first one to shout that. She's had this stupid crush on him ever since, well birth I guess. Sasuke just does his usual grunt and walks over to his new best friend, Suigetsu.

"Ino, if you haven't noticed Sasuke has a girlfriend."

Everyone looks at Sai. He really knows how to make the situation more awkward. Ino just shuts down and waves him off.

"Yeah, I know you dimwit. But that doesn't mean I'm forbidden from being his partner."

"Well it would imply that you two like each other. Therefore wouldn't Hinata be jealous?"

Ino is beginning to turn red, and I swear there's smoke coming out of her ears.

"Shut up! I just wanted to be his partner that's it! You don't have to go off saying those things. Of course I don't like him that way. We're just…"

The whistle blows.

"Okay class. Time is up for finding a partner. Who still has no partner?"

I raise my hand and so does half of the class. Yamato Sensei sighs. In the end Ino gets paired up with Sai. Poor guy, hopefully he won't end up dead. I end up with Deidara.

"If you drop me I'll blow you into bits."

Sweet job Yamato. You paired me up with one of Sasuke's dumb friends who hates my guts. What a great way to end my school day.

"Sure."

We do the simple trust falls first. Obviously, to keep my face from being pulverized, I catch Deidara. And to my surprise he catches me. I swear if he dropped my I might have died. My headache is so bad that my vision is getting blurry.

"You're pretty heavy Uzumaki get off of me now."

I can't even talk. Everything is starting to turn black and my legs won't move.

"Hey! Did you hear me? Get off!"

He throws me off of him and I land on the ground face first with a thud. I think I don't move for a good few minutes. People begin to get worried. Shoot. I don't want to make a scene.

"Are you ok? Hn, are you dead?"

Never would I have thought that getting up would be so difficult. I manage to get up, just barely, and once I'm up I bolt for the locker room. Well, I guess my bolt was more of a walk that a drunken person would do, but it took a lot of energy so I'm going to count it as running. The best part was that I didn't even see anyone follow me or call out my name. Whatever, I don't need their help.

I splash cold water on my face and look into the mirror. Is this how I'm going to feel every day? I lean my hands on the sink and take deep breaths.

"Naruto? Are you in here?"

Oh no. If someone sees me like this, there will be questions!

"Hello?"

What do I do? What do I do?! Think fast Uzumaki!

I manage to pull myself into a stall without falling. I hear footsteps in the bathroom as I stand on the toilet literally shaking. I'm not scared, just that sudden outburst to get into the bathroom stall was a lot harder than I thought and I'm trying not to pass out.

"Darn, where the heck did he go?"

The person makes his way to the door and I hear it slam shut. I slowly get off of the toilet and collapse. I'm sweating from head to toe and panting like I just ran a marathon. Is this what dying feels like? No. I'm not going to die here over some pathetic headache. I grab the stall handle and manage to get myself up. I make my way to my backpack and grab my water. Like all those professional athletes, I pour open up my water bottle and pour it all over myself. It's a sudden relief and it gives me the strength to call my dad and get the heck out of school.

"Naruto are you ok?"

My dad's freaking out as he's trying to lug me into the car. I have no energy to even begin arguing that I feel fine. I give him a small nod before I lean my head downwards and throw up foam all over the concrete.

"We're going to the hospital right now to start your Chemo. I don't even care if your appointment is in an hour."

He gently lays me down in the back seat of the car. I hear him unzip his jacket and I'm guessing it's placed under my head. I fall asleep in a matter of seconds.