HEY! so my mock went ok and i've been able to write this chapter for you xx But next week i have an actual GCSE (Astronomy) so yeah that'll be fun, not. Anyway sorry if i don't update till end of next week cuz i'll be busy :( Wish me and my friend, L, luck xxxxxx and R+R plz x . . . .

Shane's POV:

"You're what?"

"Shhh!" Eve hissed at me as she,Michael and I stood in the kitchen. "Claire could walk in at any moment."

"I'm sorry, but why didnt you inform me of this earlier?" I asked with a snap of my mouth.

"Because we know you Shane." Michael began.

"And no way would you be able to keep it a secret." Eve finished. "Especially from Claire."

"But she is my girlfriend!" I exclaimed. "I think I should have been asked about this before now!"

"Bloody hell Shane, we are throwing her a surprise party not giving her up for adoption!"

"Whose being given up for adoption?" Asked Claire who had just entered the kitchen. I panicked. I think the guys are right, I'd never be able to keep the party a secret.

Luckily enough, Eve had quick reflex and answered: "It was in the newspaper. Not enough people adopting."

"Oh." Said a confused Claire. "Must have missed that bit."

"Very small article." I added. "Like four words long." Eve shot me a warning glare, her extra sharp goth make up making her look even more evil today.

Claire didn't seem to notice, or if she did, she didn't care. She went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of mineral water. She used it to take a few pills that I hadn't noticed were in her hand. She must have seen us staring because she sighed and said "Its just what the doctor told me to take, don't panic."

She came towards the kitchen table where I was sat and I motioned for to sit on my lap, which she did. She was so light . . . I wrapped my arms around her waist and she leaned back so that her head was on my shoulder.

"You alright Claire?" Michael asked. Over Claire's shoulder I could see him frown.

"I wish people would stop asking me that." She replied grumpily. "You always get the same answer"

"Claire . . ." Michael said in a warning tone. One symptom of Craniopharingioma was a personality change, and where as Claire used to go with pretty everything and relax a little now she is sometimes uptight and moody. Michael is generally the only one who can snap her out of it.

"Sorry." Claire pouted. I brushed a hand over here forehead where hair was hanging over her face.
"You look pale." I observed.

Claire sighed and said "Yeah I guess I feel pale too. Tired."

I kissed her temple and whispered, "Go lie down upstairs. I'll come up and cuddle you in a minute." She giggled sightly and agreed. I could hear her footsteps going up the stairs and when I heard the soft click of her bedroom door, I turned to Michael and Eve. "Okay spill. What ass backward plan have you guys made this time?"

"What do you mean this time?"

"Your kidding me, Eve. You not telling me that you've already forgotten about my eighteenth surprise birthday party, are you?"

"Oh. . ." Eve mumbled in a small voice.

"Yeah that's right, the one where you thought it would be an amazing idea to buy pre-blown up birthday balloons with confetti in from a strange man who was probably a drug dealer."

"Oh yeah I remember that was so funny dude!" Michael laughed.

"No, the fact that the balloons where filled with eggs and feathers was not funny!" I shot back. Obviously trying not to pee their pants, Eve and Michael managed suppress their giggles long enough to form actual words.

"Look, we said we were sorry." Eve said. "But this will be different. No weird druggie guys I promise. I'll blow all my own balloons up."

"Ok, here's the thing." I began, leaning forward so that my voice was slightly more hushed. "I agree, throwing a party for Claire's eighteenth is a really good idea, but will she want it? She isn't exactly full of energy right now is she? She might take it the wrong was too. "Hey Claire, Happy You've Got A Brain Tumour Day! Make a wish!"

"Shane come on man. A party is what everyone needs right now. We need to keep things positive for Claire." Michael reasoned.

"And it's her eighteenth! We can't let Claire's illness stop us from celebrating that!" Eve said, jumping up and down. I could see the look on her face, nothing was going to change her mind about this. If i said no she'd go and do it anyway, with or without my help. Eve had a serious party problem, and I couldn't help but find it amusing how every time she heard the word 'party', her face was on sudden alert, like a mother at Christmas time.

"Fine." I said "Lets make this a birthday she'll never forget."

"Yay!"

"But no feathers . . ."

Upstairs in her room, Claire was already passed out. It had become a sort of tradition these last few days that when Claire was ready to hti the deck for the night, we would come up and cuddle, and talk about the future, the things we were going to do.

"When we get our own house, out of Morganville, can we buy a touch lamp?" Claire asked a few nights ago.

"Why?"

"I dunno," She shrugged, looking up at the ceiling. "I've always thought they were cool. And I want a purple one."

"When we get our own place, we can get lots of touch lamps, each one a different colour of the rainbow." I had promised as I had snuggled my head into her shoulder length hair.

I walked over the my girlfriend, who was still as beautiful as ever, and quietly got into bed next to her. She looked like she was smiling, and I knew where ever she was, she was peaceful.

Then the lyrics to a song came into my head, and without even thinking about it I began to quietly sing the words to her as I stroked her hair.

"When you're weak, i'll be strong.

When you let go, I'll hold on.

And when you need to cry I swear that I'll be there to dry your eyes.

When you feel lost and scared to death.

Like you can't take one more breath.

Just take my hand and together we can do it.

I'm gonna love you through it."

And with tears in my eyes I whispered. "I'm going to love you through it."