Disclaimer: I do not own She's the Man
Hmmm... I was a bit disappointed with my work in chapter16. It's good to know you guys weren't! This chapter is gonna be full of drama! I'm determined to keep it one chapter! So it'll be long! Wow that's alot to do! Good thing I got a lot of determination! LOL! I guess you could say we're halfway through the story. I'm deciding where to end it. I have a list of possible ending places. I've been thinking of a sequel. What do you think? Maybe not... Hmm... depends if you like it...a lot to do, so little time!
My alpologies to Sophia-Chad, not Sophie-Chad.
THANKS to all of those who reviewed!
Sorry nikkitan89, Abigail is very important in my story. Don't worry though, I'll make sure her life is destroyed and not Viola's!
GilbertDrone328, Viola does trust her friends... she was just really insecure and didn't feel like they could be truste with something as big as that, do you get my drift? And don't worry about Abigail! She's gonna get it. But not yet! Surprise! Better read to find out!!
The summer was going to be great. Olivia, Kia and Yvonne were all going to stick together, the whole summer! They planned to stay at each other's houses in a group. Viola was first. They decided to do that so they could get over the whole Sebastian/Olivia thing. Sebastian complained that they were stealing his girlfriend away. Viola put her thoughts about Duke aside to have some fun with her friends. When they were at the beach they decided on two-a-side soccer. Kia and Yvonne paired up.
"I've never played soccer," Olivia complained.
"Don't worry. You have Viola on your team," Kia and Yvonne reassured her. It was too bad they didn't know Olivia was just about as good at soccer as Sebastian. In the end even though Kia and Yvonne won, they were all laughing. They all had fun running and kicking the soccer ball around in the sand. It was like the summers in high school. On the beach playing soccer.
They would stay up late all night talking about soccer, boys, college. They would eat junk food and hang out like real friends. It was hard to when they were spread across all going to different colleges. One day when they were at Kia's house, Olivia spoke up.
"Guys. I have plans tonight. They were very last minute and I just couldn't decline the offer."
"Well what is it?" they demanded.
"A date."
Viola rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me it's with Sebastian."
"It is. But I promise to return!" They laughed and they helped Olivia look extra special for her date. The rest of the summer went by quite quickly. Kia, Yvonne, Olivia and Yvonne spent as much time together as they could. They visited Paul and all got their hair done. It was a lot of work for him but he had to admit he had a blast.
Sadly the summer ended once again and it was back to college. Viola wasn't to thrilled to go back. She was reconsidering the idea of liking Duke. It was she hated him, liked him, hated him, liked him. When was it going to end once and for all? For Abigail summer vacation was terrible. She recently found out that Duke and Viola lived in the same town. That was not good. She would make Duke like her no matter what it took. Abigail was certain this time and more determined than ever.
Everything settled back in again and everything was running smoothly. Viola and Duke were both named captains of their soccer teams after the two helped their teams win the national finals, twice. Justin was disappointed to here Duke made captain. It was a big boost to his popularity, like he needed it. Justin just stayed in his goalpost. It was hard being on the same team as your sworn enemy.
Sebastian was going great. His relationship with Olivia was sky-high. It was like they were meant for each other. They were meant for each other. But best of all, Sebastian and his band were playing one night when they were confronted by J. T. Nelson. Jeremy Thomas Nelson was a big time music producer and the owner of J. T. Nelson Records. He could take a band that was good and make them into the best band of all time. Sebastian and his band were thrilled to hear they were being offered a record deal. After all those high school years of skipping school and running off secretly to London payed off.
However, there was the problem of college. He debated if he should drop out of college to start his music career professionally or stick in school, something that Sebastian rarely did in high school. The rest of the band was stuck in the same situation. They talked to Mr Nelson and were given the choice of recording one CD during the summer, see how people liked it, graduate and start recording. They took that option and when they told their friends and family they were all thrilled. Olivia was glad that Sebastian was going to stick in school and not have the image of 'college drop-out'. Sebastian told her that it was rare for him to want to stay in school.
While life was going great for them, Michael was struggling. During the summer he found out something that killed him. He had cancer. A very rare cancer but a killer. The doctor who told him, Dr Meyer didn't want to tell him that 98 percent of patients diagnosed with the type of cancer survived. That left a 2 percent chance that he would survive. Michael left the medical clinic that day with his parents he felt as if everything he hoped for, everything he believed him went against him.
Michael and his family kept the news to themselves. The only people that knew were Michael, his parents and sisters. Michael just couldn't get himself to tell Viola. To him, it was sadder that he couldn't tell Viola than the fact he would have to quit soccer. He felt ashamed. Ashamed that he couldn't be a role model. Ashamed that he wasn't strong enough to tell the person that had shared all her secrets and problems with.
It was second week of school and Viola felt as if the world could not get any better. Michael on the other hand was suffering. He had to get chemotherapy twice a week and afterwards, it felt as if all the energy he had left drained. It was around the third week he noticed some of his hair was falling out. After researching he found out what the doctors had a hard time telling him. He read how he would loose all his hair and how there was a 2 chance that he would successfully defeat the cancer. It only made him feel weaker and more helpless than ever.
For Duke everything was fine as well. Abigail was ever so persistent, but Duke didn't let that get in the way. He and Viola put their feelings for each other aside to focus on other things. Soccer was huge now and there were more important things. Viola would talk to Michael on a weekly basis and found nothing wrong with him. She believed he was healthy and well.
It was the beginning of October and Viola was in her room at her desk, studying when something slipped from under the door. It was a magazine. Attached was a note. Turn to page 64. Viola did as the note said and her heart crumpled as she read a mini article. It was about Michael and it was all but good.
Rising Soccer Star, Michael Johanson Admitted to North Carolina Private Hospital for Cancer and Diagnosed with Cancer.
All Viola needed to do was read the headline. She didn't have the heart to read the rest of the article. Viola grabbed her hoodie and phone and she ran outside. She had no idea where the hospital was but she needed to find it, fast. She was running when she bumped into Sarah. Sarah saw her friend rushing somewhere with sadness in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Sarah asked.
"Michael-hospital-now!" Viola could barely get the words out.
"Woah, breath Vi. In, out. In, out."
"Michael's in hospital. I need to get there." Sarah saw the pleading in her eyes. "Do you know where North Carolina Private Hospital for Cancer is?"
"Yeah, Vi. Do you want me to take you there?" Viola nodded. Sarah grabbed her hand and took her to her car. She drove as fast as the speed limit allowed her to.
"You didn't know?" Viola shook her head. She had just told Viola what happened. They pulled in and Viola quickly ran in. Sienna ran after her and they were both out of breath when they reached the front desk. A secretary there looked up from her computer. She stopped typing.
"Yes. How may I help you?"
Viola struggled to talk again. "Michael- Johanson- here- cancer!"
Sienna helped her out. "What she's trying to say is, "Is there a Michael Johanson here who's been admitted and diagnosed with cancer?"
"All the patients here are diagnosed with cancer. Yes, there is a Michael Johanson but I'm afraid you can't go see him. At the moment only family members of the patient are allowed to visit."
"Please, you have no idea who I am," Viola pleaded.
"I'm sorry but it says on the compu-" the secretary was cut off.
"It's okay. She's a very close family friend," a voice said. Viola, Sarah and the secretary turned to see Mrs Johanson.
"Mrs Johanson!" Viola said. She walked over. She had bags under eyes, they were all red and puffy from crying and she looked a mess. She wasn't the other one suffering.
"And you are?" the secretary asked, annoyed now.
"I'm Mrs Johanson. Viola here is allowed to visit Michael."
The secretary waved them off and Mrs Johanson started leading the way. Viola stopped. "Sarah, you can go if you want to. I hate to spoil your Friday. I can find my own way back."
Sarah being a loyal friend shook her head. "It's alright. I'll wait out here. I have no plans anyway. You go take your time." Sarah also knew what it was like to know someone close that had cancer. Her father had it when she was only twelve. It was a rough two months but unfortunately, his fight against it wasn't enough to defeat it.
Mrs Johanson took Viola up to the third floor and they walked down the hallway together. They didn't say anything until they reached his room. The door was closed.
"He's been sleeping for quite some time. They're having trouble waking him up. You can go in, but I doubt he'll wake up." Viola looked in through the small window just above the door number painted on. Michael was in bed, sleeping. Almost all his hair was gone. Only a little, making it fuzzy on the top. Mrs Johanson left Viola to go in. Viola entered the room and took a seat, one that was placed next to his bed. There were other chairs, placed around the room. There were about a billion machines that he was hooked up to. They were monitoring his heart beat, blood pressure, all sorts of things.
"Hey Michael," Viola whispered. Viola bit her lip. She tried to stop the tears from coming. She had to act normal for him, he must've been suffering through all the treatment. He would need someone to treat normally, like nothing was wrong. Viola could have sworn that she saw his eyelids flutter a bit. Her eyes grew wide when they opened and closed slightly once again.
"Viola?" Michael asked weakly as he opened his eyes. Sure enough there was Viola sitting next to him. "How are you?" he asked casually.
"How am I?" Viola said whispering. A tear rolled down and she looked away to wipe it from her face. "Well, I just found out one of my closest friends, heck my closest and most trusted friend has cancer. But that's not what makes feel bad. It's terrible but what's worse is that he didn't even tell me."
Michael was pained to see Viola crying. He wiped away a tear or two of his own. "I really wanted to tell you it's just I, I, I-" he couldn't come to say it.
"Why didn't you tell me Michael? You can trust me."
"I was ashamed!" He blurted out.
"Ashamed of what?" Viola didn't know what he meant.
Michael's voice went all quiet again. "Ashamed that I couldn't be someone to be looked up at. I couldn't be a role model because here I am, on my death bed. I was ashamed that I couldn't bring myself to telling you."
"So you kept it a secret all this time? Since when?"
"The middle of August." Viola gasped.
"You kept it since then! But when I talked to you, you seemed fine!" Viola was shocked. After seeing the pained look on his face, she softened. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. You are looked up. Even here. And you're not on your death bed. You're going to fight the cancer, you're going to make it out alive. And when you do you'll be the best role model I've ever had. Hundreds of people will look up to you."
"Viola, do you know exactly how many people survive the type of cancer I have?" Viola shook her head. She didn't want to know. "2percent. 2 percent of all the people that have the same cancer of me actually live. That means 98 percent of the people die. How do you know I'll be that 2 percent? How Viola, huh? How do you know I'll be a failure and be in that 98 percent who slowly wither away?" He wiped away a few more tears.
"You're strong Michael. I promise that you'll put up a good fight and even though it may seem bad at times, I know you'll fight past the difficulties and get through it. I'm not the only one who believes in you! Your family, all your friends, everyone wants you to fight! And just think, when you leave this hospital not from now all healthy you could be thinking, "I survived. I fought and I beat the cancer, it didn't beat me. Can you just imagine yourself on the soccer field again, in a game the commenter going, "It's Michael Johanson back on the field after being in hospital with cancer. And yes, he's here in the flesh playing tonight as healthy as a person could get!" Just remember to never give up."
Michael looked away to stop Viola from seeing him crying. He hated being on that bed, sick with doctors and nurses always making sure everything was alright. He hated having his little energy drained after chemotherapy. He hated everything about being stuck there. But somehow, he knew with Viola there, by his side, he would be able to put up a better fight towards living. He felt that with Viola by his side, although everything felt bad and miserable, he knew he was doing everything for her. He knew he that he was fighting for his health, soccer, his life and family but Viola was just another great reason to thank God that even though he might be on his death bed, it was all worth while. They didn't talk after that. They just enjoyed each other's prescence.
Mrs Johanson returned shortly after Viola and Michael finished talking. She was shocked but happy to see Michael was awake. She got her husband and children who were in the visitor's room for the 3rd floor. It was a room where friends and family visiting patients could relax. There was a sink, table for eating, microwave, water boiler, couch, tv, videos and a collection of books and magazines for the visitors to use. The Johansons were there doing various things with a blank expression on their faces. All they wanted was for Michael to wake up so they knew he was alright.
Viola and Michael looked up to see the door opening and the five Johansons entering. His mother started asking a billion questions all at once.
"Mom. MOM!" Mrs Johanson looked up. She had been fluffing his pillow for the eight time. "I'm fine." Mrs Johanson let out a sigh of relief.
"Just making sure."
"I was only asleep for a few hours."
"Just like your mother said, we were just making sure you were alright." Mr Johanson said. Viola realized she left Sarah downstairs. She excused herself politely and headed down. Back in the lobby area, Sarah was sitting talking to an old lady. The old lady seemed to be having quite a nice time.
"I'm so sorry!" Viola breathed. "I lost track of time."
Sarah smiled. "It's alright, Vi. I was having a nice talk with Mrs Woodsburst." Mrs Woodsburst smiled.
"I better be going to check on Ronald now. It was lovely meeting you, Sarah!" Mrs Woodsburst got up slowly and using her cane, hobbled towards the elevator.
"That was nice of you," Viola said.
"What? Oh, I was just talking. I like talking to older people. They tell the best stories, don't you agree?" Sarah laughed. She loved hearing about other people's experiences.
"Sarah, you can go back now, if you want. I'm fine getting my own way back."
"Are you sure? It's going to be dark soon and I hate to think you wandering around unfamiliar streets."
"I'll be fine. I'm positive." Sarah shrugged.
"If you're sure. But if you need a lift, just call."
"Okay. Thanks again." Viola headed back up to Michael's room. Michael's family was still in there. There was a doctor as well with a clipboard. He had two nurses assisting him. There were nine people in there, excluding Michael but luckily the room was fairly large.
"Oh, don't mind them. They're just checking up on Michael." Amy smiled. Viola took an empty seat and sat down quietly.
Finally when the doctor and nurses were finished and had left, Michael spoke up. "Can I speak to Viola, in private?"
They quickly left. If it was something Michael wanted, they would give it to him. Especially if it made it happier. When they had left, Viola moved to a seat closer to the bed.
"Apparently you want to speak to me," Viola said. She wondered what he wanted. When Michael didn't say anything she asked him, "Do you need anything? Are you okay? Do you want something?"
Michael gave out a sigh in fustration. "That's exactly what I mean. I'm sorry Vi, I didn't mean to sound mean or angry, it's not your fault. I'm just upset that everyone keeps making sure I'm alright. They treat me so differently now. They're always making sure that everything is perfect for me. They treat me as if I'm a completely different person. Ever since I got sick. They've all been so nice. I know it's nice to be treated like someone special on like your birthday or something but none of them, not anybody I've talked to has treated me the same way. I just want someone who doesn't see me as sick, and will put all that talk aside and be normal around me. They try, but my mom's always teary, my sisters are so nice and my dad just can't bring himself to talk to me normally or directly in any case."
"It's alright Michael. When I'm around we don't need to talk about you being sick. We can talk normally. I don't see you any different than usual. You're still the same person."
"Thanks Vi. I can always count on you."
"Good. I can count on you all the time as well." Viola was quite good at changing the subject quite quickly. "So did you see that one game? Between France and Spain? Can you believe it? Scurlos had the ball then Endo just came and smack!" She smacked her hands together to demonstrate.
"Yeah." Michael smiled. He hadn't talked to anyone like this for weeks. It was good to be able to talk about soccer or anything else normally to another person.
"In MY opinion Scurlos should've gotten more than just a penalty kick. Endo just slammed in from underneath. If you see the replay, Endo actually slams his knee a bit."
Michael nodded. "Yeah, I agree." They talked on and on about soccer until Mrs Johanson just had to burst in. Michael and Viola were laughing. Mrs Johanson saw that Michael was smiling. He hadn't smiled for weeks now. Well she hadn't seen him smile. She was happy his son knew someone like Viola, so happy and carefree.
After a while, Viola decided it was time to head back. "I better get going. I mean I just came, kinda barged in-"
"It's alright. It was nice of you to stop by." Mr Johanson was smiling.
Viola had opened the door when she heard a voice. It was Michael's younger sister, Fran. She looked like the oldest out of the three girls. "Do you need a lift back? I could take you. I know where it is and everything."
Viola smiled, "No, I'm fine."
"Viola, it's dark outside and you barely know the area." Michael and his family were from North Carolina, the area where the college was and everything. They were all familiar with the place.
"Thanks." Viola and Fran headed out together. Fran drove silently back to school.
"Thanks Fran. It was nice of you. You really didn't need to."
Fran smiled. "It's fine. It's good to see my brother smile."
Viola headed back to her dorm. She enjoyed being with Michael's family. She had only met them twice but they were so friendly. Viola grabbed a bite to eat, then went to bed because she was tired. She sent Sarah a text telling her thanking her for driving her to the hospital. Viola fell asleep easily, thinking about Saturday, a free day and to see all the surprises it had in hand for her.
Viola woke up very early, she wasn't tired, after all she went to bed pretty early. Viola checked bus times and found if she took the bus to stop 24, 8 stops away from school, she would be about a block away from the hospital. She could then walk! Viola quickly showered and got dressed. She didn't know when the visiting hours were and when she checked, they were from 7am-10pm. Viola wondered how that was. Especially when it seemed some people practically lived at the hospital, looking after loved ones. There must be exceptions for family or something. She thought as she tied her shoes. She lounged around, flipping through magazines, checking her emails. When it was 7:30 Viola went out. She walked to the bus station which was only a few minutes away, stopping at a coffee shop to buy coffee for Mr and Mrs Johanson, Fran, Amy and herself. She also bought an orange juice for Casey and some bagels and three cinnamon scrolls.
Viola put the bag of food in her tote along with the OJ, sugar sachets and little, individual cups of milk for the coffee. Viola held the tray of coffee while sipping her own. She arrived at the hospital and the secretary from yesterday smiled at her. She nodded as if to tell Viola, "You can go through." Viola was walking to the elevator when she saw a gift shop. She went in and saw cards, flowers, teddy bears, flowers, a cooler with drinks and a lot of other things. She told herself she would come back later to buy some flowers. She went up and tried to knock on the door, which was hard. They saw her and opened the door.
"Hi!" Viola said cheerfully. "Sorry if I came to early. I didn't know."
"Oh no, you're fine." Mrs Johanson said. Viola set down the tray of coffee on a small table in a corner. She also produced the bag of still warm bagels and cinnamon scrolls.
"I didn't know if you guys ate yet, but I brought coffee, OJ for Casey and some breakfast.
Casey smiled, "Thanks!"
"You didn't have to," Mr Johanson said.
"But I wanted to and I did. So you better eat it!" Viola joked. They all laughed, including Michael.
"Hey Vi."
"Hey Michael." It seemed he was eating his own breakfast. He had just peeled a banana and from nowhere Viola remembered an odd fact.
"Reindeers like bananas!" Viola blurted out.
"Thanks Vi. I didn't know that." Michael said with a laugh. He took a big bit from his banana.
Casey's eyes grew big as the older ones were sipping coffee. Casey had been going through the bag of food when her eyes grew big. She had found the cinnamon scrolls.
"Cinnamon scrolls?" she asked excitedly. "I agree with Michael. Why didn't we get a sister like you?" She took a big bite and chewed it with pure delight and Viola just had to smile.
When they had finished eating, all of them, the Johansons and Viola talked. Viola started the conversation by asking about how Michael was when he was younger. The Johanson's laughed.
"Michael was well, Michael. He was crazy in his own way."
"Oh mom, tell them about the soccer ball incident!" Casey said.
"Well, if I remember correctly, you weren't born!"
"I've heard it enough times! Besides it's my favorite."
"Now, it was after Michael's first day after Little League Under 9's soccer practice. We had just come home and Michael was kicking the soccer ball around the backyard. I was watching him teach all that he had learnt to Fran. It was quite cute. Michael demostrated kicking but he kicked a little too hard. It went straight through the neighbour's window. Luckily no one was hurt but Fran was excited like it was meant to happen. She said, "Wow Mike! You're GOOD!" She cheered Michael on but Michael was in tears." Viola laughed along with everyone else.
"You were quite a trouble maker, weren't you son?" Mr Johanson said to Michael. He had looked him in the eye, laughing and Michael couldn't believe it. For weeks, his father couldn't speak normally or directly to him. But now, he was laughing and joking. Viola sure was amazing. When the doctor and nurses came in to check on him, Viola slipped outside and down to the gift shop. She couldn't find a big bunch of flowers so she bought two little ones. The girl working there smiled while she scanned the flowers.
The first bouquet were pretty blue tulips, Viola knew Michael liked blue. The second small bouquet were big, pretty sunflowers. Viola quickly went upstairs. Viola ran into a familiar face. Mrs Woodsburst.
"Hello!" She said recognizing Viola. "Your little friend not here, I see."
Viola laughed, "No just me today."
"Well tell Sarah I said hi. Visiting someone?"
"Yes. A good friend. I'm just buying some flowers."
"How sweet of you. I was just on my way to buy my husband some flowers as well."
"Mr Woodsburst? I'm sure if he's anything like you, Sarah would be delighted to meet him. You better watch out!" Viola gave Mrs Woodsburst a playful wink. Mrs Woodsburst laughed.
"You're like your friend. So cheerful and carefree. Reminds me of myself when I was younger."
"Sarah told me you were quite the doll to be around, with your stories! I'll have to bring Sarah one day with me, so you and her can have a little chat!"
"Yes you will have to!"
"Well, I better go. Here take a sunflower. From me and Sarah."
"Thank you. You're so sweet." Viola gave Mrs Woodsburst a little wave before heading off. She walked towards many closed doors with patients with loved ones at their bedside. She walked past a room where the door was wide open and an old man was there, fiddling with a Rubix Cube. She asked a passing nurse, "That man, in there," Viola gestured the man in the room with the Rubix Cube. "Doesn't he have any visitors?"
The nurse looked at Viola with a pained smile, "Not many. Mr Bonds over there has only ever gotten one visitor. His daugter, Leanna came one day. I think it was the day he was admitted to the hosptial. Since then, no one."
"Not one person? That's terrible." The nurse nodded. "Is it all right if I went in just to say hi? Be a visitor?"
The nurse smiled at how thoughtful Viola was. "You can, but after his daughter visited, he's been hoping for her to come again. When she didn't, he turned very sour and upset." Viola frowned and decided that the man needed cheering up. The nurse moved on leaving Viola. She walked slowly to the room where she knocked gently on the door.
Mr Bonds didn't look up. He was still trying to figure out his Rubix Cube. He put it on his bedside table, giving out a small sigh of fustration and anger. "The color in the center can't change. Move the squares accordingly." Viola said softly. She learned a lot of tricks and hints on games from her father. Mr Bonds finally looked up.
"Who are you and what do you want?" He asked crankily. "And don't tell me my pudding is on the way because I've had five nurses already tell me it's coming and IT'S NOT COMING!"
"I'm sorry Mr Bonds. My name is Viola and no, I don't have your pudding and I'm not here to tell you that it's coming. I'm here to visit you."
"I don't get visitors." He mumbled something afterwards that Viola couldn't hear.
"Well I'm sorry to hear that Mr Bonds. That's why I'm going to be your visitor."
"Oh please. Leanna said that too but she hasn't been here since July!"
"Maybe she wants to come. Maybe she's busy."
"Sure. All she ever does in when I call is go "Rah, rah, rah. First I have to pay for your medical bills and now my wretched phone bill?" I don't get any visitors and I never will."
"Well you just got a visitor. She walked in. She took a seat near his bed. "Listen Mr Bonds. I didn't mean to interupt you. I just thought I'd stop by. Be a visitor. And I understand that you have no idea who I and may not want me here but I just wanted to know that everyone deserves a visitor. And so I understand that you might not want me here so I'll leave now." She got up to leave. She stopped and walked back. She took the biggest sunflower in the bunch and placed it down on the table next to the Rubix Cube. "Here. Have a flower. A flower from a visitor who came to see you." And with that, Viola walked out.
She headed back into Michael's room. She handed him the tulips. She put the sunflowers down on a chair where her bag was. "Sorry there was nothing bigger. And I'm also sorry that the sunflowers are not for you. They're for another friend here. But don't worry, I'll buy you a balloon and teddy bear if that'll make you feel better."
Michael laughed. He tooked the flowers gratefully. He handed them to his mom. "Mom? Can you do me a favor? Can you put them in some water?" Mrs Johanson smiled and took the flowers from him. She took the plastic wrapping off and placed the tulips in the water. She set the vase on his bedside table. Doctors came in and Mrs Johanson went, "Time already? Sorry Viola. Michael's going to be a bit busy for a while." Viola just took that as he was getting medicine or something. But she knew it was her cue to leave.
Meanwhile, a nurse had gone into Mr Bonds room. He was still on his Rubix Cube but now he was smiling. He had taken Viola's advice and was getting somewhere now that he knew a trick. He looked up and smiled, something he hadn't done for quite some time. "Ahh. Nurse Susie. Never mind, I don't need any pudding. But could you put this flower in some water? It would horrible if it died." Nurse Susie took the flower wondering who it was from. She put it in water and set it back on the table. He smiled happily.
"It's lovely to get flowers, isn't it?" She asked.
"Yes, yes it is." Mr Bonds said, now focused on his Rubix Cube.
"Who they from?"
Mr Bonds looked up. "A girl called Viola. She said everyone deserved a visitor."
Nurse Susie smiled. Viola must've been the girl with the flowers asking who he was a few minutes before. "Kind girl," Nurse Susie said.
Mr Bonds nodded. He put the Rubix Cube on the table. "I think I might take a nap now." Mr Bonds found that if you said you were going to sleep, they left the room and left you sleep. Usually they closed the door, leaving you to do what you pleased without them bothering you. Nurse Susie was about to close the door when he called out, "Would you please leave the door open? It tends to get stuffy in here with the door closed." Nurse Susie nodded, not suspicious at all. She thought it was a good thing Mr Bonds was somewhat happy. After all he was smiling awfully a lot.
Mr Bonds had put his head on his pillow and closed his eyes. He hoped Viola came back again. He occasionally opened an eye to check if Viola was lurking around the halls. On the 14th he opened an eye, he saw Viola.
"Viola!" he whispered as loudly as he could while still keeping it in a whisper. Viola walked over to the door and he beckoned her in.
"Mr Bonds. How have you been?"
"It's been a very lonely 12 minutes without you." Viola smiled. "Please stay. I'm sorry I was so nasty to you previously. I'm not used to getting visitors. But the flower was very kind. Thank you."
Viola put her hand on his. "Like I said, everyone deserves a visitor and a flower!"
Mr Bonds smiled. "You know, you remind me of my wife. She was so happy, just like you."
"I'm flattered Mr Bonds. I just think that it's bad enough the people here are stuck here. They need something to make it all worth while."
"Now Viola, I don't mean to be rude or mean, but I'm quite s-s-sleepy," Mr Bonds said, yawning. "Please come visit again."
"Will do! Enjoy your beauty sleep!" Mr Bonds laughed as he took a nap for real.
Viola left and walked along the hallways. She decided to give her flowers away, to people who had none. She walked down and she met a lady. She was a single and her parents had passed away. She accepted the flower, nicely and Viola filled a cup with water and put the flower in it. The lady thanked her and Viola was out. Viola walked past many closed doors and a few open ones with empty beds. She came across an open door. An old man, most probably a grandfather was asleep. He didn't have any flowers, cards, balloons or any sort of 'get well' present. Viola slipped in quietly and placed a flower on his bedside table. Viola travelled up to the next floor.
The 4th floor had many young children. It made Viola sad to see the ill children. Viola knocked on every single one of the occupied doors. She introduced herself as the Visitor and gave each sick child a flower. By the time she was finished, she still had three flowers. She went back to the 3rd floor and gave the rest out to other lonely patients. She had a small chat with them, asking how they were, talking casually as if nothing was wrong. Viola remembered what Michael said about not being able to have a normal conversation and knew most of these lonely patients were going through the same thing but it was worse. All they had were doctors and nurses all around them. Viola returned to Michael's room who was back, sleeping.
"He's just had chemo," Mrs Johanson said in a low voice, careful not to wake Michael. Viola nodded.
"Well I better head back. Maybe I'll stop by tomorrow."
"Please do!" Casey begged. Her eyes lit up. "And bring cinnamon scrolls!" Her sister shot her a look and she apologized. "Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."
"It's alright."
"Stop by tomorrow, Michael would like that." Mr Johanson said.
Viola waved and headed down. She took the bus back and when she got back to her dorm, she realized how hungry she was. She spent most of the day at the hospital and only had the coffee in the morning. She grabbed some lunch and tackled some work. She went out onto the field around 8pm. It was dark, but the field lights lit up the field. She practiced. She let all her stress out by playing soccer.
Viola visited Michael the next day and Mr Bonds. When the weekend ended, Viola visited them as much as possible. Viola understood what Sarah meant. She listened to Mr Bonds tell stories about his father fighting in the army during World War 2. He was able to change his voice. Older people truely did have a life's worth of experiences. Michael was doing great. He and Viola were able to talk like nothing was wrong and she helped his family do the same. Michael was getting better and he started believing he would be in that top 2 percent who survived. Viola knew he was going to get out.
It had been a month and one night Michael asked if he could talk to Viola alone again.
"Vi. I'd just like to thank you. Thank you for being there. With you I could talk normally like old times and you helped my family do the same. With you there, I've felt so much stronger and thanks to you, I'm doing so much better. You're the best."
"Thanks Michael."
"I'm serious. You really are the best. You see people in ways they can't see themselves. You see all the good, bright things about them and make them feel special. Make them feel like they have a purpose in life. You can be counted on. You can act normal and you don't get fussed over things. You treat people, people who are sick like me and talk to them normally. You don't contantly ask if I need anything. You help so many people, Vi. You're so bright and you always give a 100 percent effort. You're the best. You inspire people to do their best. Your happiness and cheerfulness and effort in soccer and everything else is a message to everyone out there. Your message is "Never Give Up". You've had your weak times. But you just get back up. Even on the soccer field. Something'll might go bad but you don't let it get to you. You never give up. And because of that. Because you've been so helpful for all the years I've known you, I'm thanking you. Thanks Vi. You are the best." Michael finished his little speech and Viola was truely touched. Michael gave Viola a smile, a smile that made Viola smile after seeing it.
The next day which was Saturday, Viola stopped by the gift shop and bought a big bunch of flowers. She went upstairs but Michael's bed was empty and the Johanson's were in there all red eyed and teary. "What's wrong? Where's Michael?" Viola demanded. She was worried. Mrs Johanson's eyes filled with tears.
"Viola, Michael passed away last night." Viola was shocked. It brought tears to her eyes. She didn't want to believe it.
"No! You're lying! Michael's not dead!" Viola yelled. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Viola, we know it's hard. But with Michael's type of cancer only 2 percent of people who have it survive. With his cancer, the conditions can improve but then dramatically turn worse. Michael's body couldn't handle such change, the devices that were helping him when the condition was worse weren't there so when they did turn worse there was no support. He took a turn for the worse. This happens, Viola. Things may have seemed they were getting better but things can change. Quite quickly to. We're sorry Viola. Michael is dead." Mr Johanson said. Mrs Johanson was sobbing.
"No, it's not true," Viola said weakly before letting the flowers drop and falling to her knees. Viola found it too hard to get up. She kneeled there, on the floor crying. She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it. But it was there. Reality got in the way. It had hit her hard like a bullet piercing through her heart. Viola couldn't take it anymore. She put her face in her hands and sobbed. She didn't care about anybody or anything around her. The Johansons were mourning to. It was hard and it made them sadder to see Viola, someone who knew Michael so well have to face the fact that Michael had passed away.
Viola slowly got up after what seemed like years. She was very dizzy. As she got up, she stumbled. She grabbed for a chair and a nurse helped her take a seat. The nurse gave her a cup. "Drink this," she said softly. Viola took the cup in two hands which were shaking madly and spilled some of the contents as she brought it to her lips. She took a long drink of it before putting it down. Viola was shaking. Mr Johanson couldn't let Viola stay in her condition at the hospital. He took her to his car. She was still shaking from shock and all the ride back to school, Viola's eyes were filled with tears. When they arrived, her bottom lip was tremblings, she was still shaking, her eyes were filled with tears and her face tear stained.
"Viola. We understand how hard it is for you. But let me tell you, Michael loved you. He adored you. He thanked you for everything. For treating him like nothing was wrong, believing in him when the doctors said he wouldn't live. You were a true blessing in his life." Viola gave him a shaky smile. He took her to her dorm. She got in and bed and he asked, "Will you be okay?" Viola nodded and Mr Johanson left.
Viola lay in bed there and cried. She cried and cried. Alicia didn't know what was wrong. Viola finally fell asleep. She woke up feeling terrible. She drained a bottle of water in about a minute. All that crying meant she lost a lot of body water. She felt dehydrated. The funeral for Michael was very soon. It was the upcoming Saturday. Viola didn't say much to anyone the week. Her friends noticed she was very shaky. She just pushed them away when they tried to help.
Saturday came and Viola didn't feel like waking up. She did however to attend the funeral. It was all over the news that he had died. It was quite tragic. Duke and the guys from the soccer team who knew him were paying their respect. Friends and family were all coming. They decided for Michael to be burried near his grandparents, in North Carolina. After all, Michael was born and raised in North Carolina. So Viola dressed in the respectable color of black and went to the funeral.
Justin and Duke noticed Viola at the funeral. It was no surprise she was there. What was surprising was she didn't shed a single tear the whole service. It was true. Around her many were in tears but her face stayed dry. Back at school was when Viola cried. She went to her dorm after coming back, changed into her pyjamas and got into bed. It was there where she cried. She cried for Michael, herself and everyone who was in pain from his death.
It was Sunday when she got a few visitors. She hadn't left bed to do anything. She just stayed there, crying and dozing off. She woke up to see a few guys from the soccer team there. The juniors and seniors who had known Michael. Everyone including Duke. He stayed behind, near the door.
"How ya doing Vi?" One asked. They all knew her pretty well.
"What do you think?" she snapped.
"Listen Viola, we know how you feel-" Justin started saying. He stopped as he saw Viola's eyes grow big.
"Know how I feel?" Viola said quietly. "You do not know how I feel. You Justin didn't know Michael the way I did."
"Yeah, you were a lot closer to him than most of us."
"You did not know him the way you did. None of you did. NONE of you. NONE of you saw him the way I did. How would you know how I feel, huh?"
"We know because it's hard to loose someone," Matt said.
"That doesn't mean you know how I feel. I knew him differently. Like none of you did. WHEN HE DIED, A PART OF ME DIED. A PART I WILL NEVER GET BACK." Viola nearly snapped. Her eyes filled with tears. "Please, please just leave," she said quietly. After that, she put her head back on her pillow, pulled the covers up and started crying again. The guys left, upset that they couldn't do anything to cheer her up.
After two more days of being in bed, Viola finally was feeling a bit better. She showed up to lunch and ate quite a lot. She hadn't eaten since the morning of the funeral. Saturday. It was Tuesday. The guys who came to her room on Sunday came up to her. "Feeling better?" they asked.
Viola nodded. "A bit. I'm sorry I snapped at you guys. You were just trying to help."
"It's alright." That night while Viola was in her room catching up on some work, the door swung open. It was Abigail.
"Why don't you just get over it already?"
Viola looked up. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. It's been like a week. Get over yourself."
"How would you know how I feel? I lost someone really special."
"Sure. You just need all the attention don't you?"
"NO! I'm really sad if you haven't notice because of what happened."
"GET OVER IT ALREADY!" Abigail stormed out leaving Viola weaker than ever. She crawled back into bed and started crying again. She didn't need to be reminded. During the night she had the worst dream.
"Michael?" Viola saw Michael. They were somewhere bright. She ran over and gave him hug. "Where are we?"
"I have no clue."
"How are you?"
"Very well, thank you!"
"I'm not. Everybody thinks they know how I feel. They think they know what it's like."
"Don't worry Vi. I'm here to stay." Viola gave him another hug. She stayed hugging him but soon it seemed as if he was disappearing into thin air.
"MICHAEL!" But Michael was gone. Viola then saw Abigail. "Abigail?"
"GET OVER IT VIOLA! GET OVER IT!" Abigail kept screaming.
Viola woke up with a jolt. She tried to get back to sleep but it was no use. The next day, Viola stayed in bed again. The guys from the soccer team wondered where she was at lunch.
"She seemed to be getting better yesterday when we saw her."
"Yeah." Abigail who was fixing her hair and looking into a compact mirror looked up, annoyed.
"I told her to get over it. It's about time to." She continued fussing with her hair.
"You what?"
"Told her to get over it?"
"That soon?"
"Who do you think you are?"
"Really nice," Matt said saracastically.
"Yeah. Real nice," another added on in the same tone as Matt. One by the one everyone left. All except for Duke. He gave Abigail a hard look before getting up, knocking his chair down in the process and stomping off. The next day, Viola went to class and everything. She stayed quiet. She stayed quiet the whole week and everyone left her alone. They gave her space.
It had been a week since the funeral and Viola was getting better. She was always teary. She was almost back to normal. Viola was walking around the soccer field when Abigail confronted her... again.
"What do you want Abigail?"
Abigail was fuming. "YOU JUST LOVE THE ATTENTION DON'T YOU?" She slapped Viola hard across the face. Viola let out a harsh cry. This time, instead of beating her to the ground, Abigail kept slapping her. Harder and harder each time. Viola wasn't able to do anything. All she could do was cry. She was weak as it was. She just stood there, accepting the brutal slaps, crying and shouting at Abigail to stop.
Abigail paused for a moment. She laughed cruelly. "Looks like your precious Michael won't always be there to protect you, will he?" She raised her hand to slap her once more but a hand grabbed her arm to stop her. Justin. Justin had watched Abigail go up to Viola and start viciously slapping her. Abigail's eyes grew big when she saw him.
"Are you okay?" Justin asked. Viola just turned and started to run away.
"Shit," he yelled. He let go of Abigail with such force, she stumbled back a bit. Justin started running after Viola. Viola ran and ran until she came across the a restroom. She entered a stall and locked the door. She closed the lid and sat on it, crying. Why was she letting it happen to her? Justin was pouding outside on the door. He couldn't enter the girls' restroom.
"VI! VIOLA!" Finally Viola had no choice but to go outside. She stopped and looked in the mirror. Her face was so swollen and there were long scratches on her cheeks. While Abigail was slapping her, she would sometimes dig and drag her long, polished nails across Viola's cheeks. The scratches were bleeding, not a lot but they stung like crazy. Viola stepped outside where Justin was waiting there. He saw her face and gasped.
"Damn Viola. What happened to you?"
"You saw what happened!"
"Why did you let her?"
"What could I do?" Her eyes filled with tears.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine," she sniffed. She was obviously lying.
"Do you need help or anything? The nurse? Ice?"
"I'M FINE!"
"Do you want me to get someone? Alicia? Sarah? A friend?"
Viola froze. She gently pushed Justin against a wall. "Justin," she said in a whisper so low it was hard to hear even when she was so close. "You must promise me you will not tell Duke. Or anyone. Not a single soul." Justin saw the look in her eyes. The pain, sadness, the pure desperation. They were begging him.
Justin unwillingly nodded and said, "Yes. I promise."
"I always knew there was a good person in you somewhere" And Viola ran off.
A so-so cliffhanger. I said, "They'll be wondering what Justin will do." So I thought I should end it there for a cliffhanger. It's so long because I said I would keep it one chapter and I DID!! Well I thought that was a so-so cliffhanger and plus my hands are killing me!! 8894 words. Not including this last bit. WOW! LONG chapter, eh? Sorry I couldn't update yesterday. I was still writing this. Well long. I hope you liked it. I almost cried in some bits. LOL. I'm pretty happy with this chapter. What do you think? It's not my opinion that matters. It's yours. SO REVIEW! It's so sad how Michael died. I planned if from the very beginning, ever since I created him. Well. I hope you enjoy. Below are some reviews to your reviews!
ummmhilol: Thanks for the great review! I was so thrilled to find I was a favorite author and this story was a favorite! xoxoThanks!xoxo
GilbertDrone328: Ahh. A great reader and reviewer. You've been there the whole way through and I'm so happy! You were one of the first reviewers! Yay! Thanks!! I'm also thrilled to hear this story made your favorites! xoxoThanks!xoxo
nikkitan89: Another great reader/reviewer. Sorry if my story doesn't go the way you want it, but hey! I hope you enjoy it anyways!! xoxoThanks!!xoxo
Girlz-Rule: One of the many people who've been there from the start. You and all the other reviewers are the people that make me actually continue the story! I've started many stories but deleted them, so thanks!! You were the very first person to read and review! Yay you! xoxoTHANKS!!xoxo
Sophia-Chad: Thanks for all the great reviews! And my bad! Sorry about the name!! xoxoThanksxoxo
cbarkins: I made Viola cry this time when she was jumped on! LOL. A bit happier? Do you care for this part of the story?? LOL. Thanks for you review! xoxoThanks!xoxo
pinkflamingos988: Your short comment was so touching! A new reader is always exciting! xoxoThanks!!xoxo
Aea: Thanks for being there all the way commenting!! You were another first reviewer and I'm so thankful!! xoxoThanks!!xoxo
Ashley Garla: ANOTHER great reviewer!! I've loved all your comments and support the whole way. YOU ROCK!! I'm glad to see your enjoying my work. xoxoThanks!!xoxo
navy seaside anchor: Another one who was one of the first to review!! Thanks!! I need good reviewers like you who will read my story! Then I know people are enjoying it!! xoxoTHANKS!!xoxo
Thanks to...
truelover
Lovecraft22
DreamOfMyFace
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Anyone else who has reviewed so far!!
If you wanna see your review get reviewed, REVIEW! And be a regular reader like Ashely Garla, Girlz-Rule, Aea, GilbertDrone328, navy seaside anchor just to name a few. WELL THANKS TO ALL OF YOU! IT'S YOU WHO'VE MADE UP MY 60 REVIEWS. 60!! AHH!! SO HAPPY!!