AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Professor Reyes told me I could think about it, but I have to let her know soon. The current exhibition is coming to an end, and she wants to place my photos next.”
“So you didn’t tell her no,” Grace states.
“I didn’t tell her no.”
Pulling my hand back, I grab my cup and take a sip of the coffee.
Saying no was a gut reaction. Professor Reyes knew it too, so she stopped me before I could even open my mouth, telling me I should take some time, and then she proceeded to persuade me, pointing out how my photos could be useful to other people going through something similar.
I knew she was right.
But that didn’t mean I was ready.
Thankfully Grace lets the topic drop and changes the subject. “You look better.”
“It’s the wig. I guess it makes me seem… normal?”
“Nah, that’s not it.” She leans in her chair, her eyes taking me in. “You seem more relaxed, I guess. More like you.”
I twist the strand of my hair around my finger. Today I’ve settled on a shoulder-length, dark purple wig. It’s cute. I could see the point in what Grace told me a few weeks back, although I don’t think I’d ever consider coloring it that way. Too much work.
“My next session isn’t until tomorrow afternoon, so I finally feel half-human.”
The last round of chemo was harsh. I was in bed for close to a week, and those first few days were so bad that I had to throw up in a bucket. My body was so weak I could barely stand on my feet, and being cold constantly didn’t help. I tug the sleeves of my sweater over my fingers. Even now, my hands were still cold. I’ve read somewhere that, for some people, it never goes away, and just the idea of it had a shudder running through me. So like all the other things I didn’t want to deal with, I pushed it to the back of my mind.
“Right,” Grace nods, her fingers curling around the cup. “How much longer?”
“Two more rounds.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “And that’s it?”
“Then that’s it,” I whisper.
“It feels so…fast.”
It was hard to believe. When this whole thing started a few months back, it felt never-ending. It still does. The first few days after the chemo, when the pain is so strong, I’d rather die than deal with any of it for a second longer. But I push through. One foot in front of the other. One second, minute, hour, and day at a time.
Her eyes meet mine, and she gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I know for you it certainly wasn’t fast, but…”
“Some days, it feels fast, others slow,” I shrug. “It’s just different now, that’s it.”
“Then what? When will you know if it worked?”
“After the last round, we’ll do some tests. If they’re good, I’ll go back every six months for check-ups, if not, we’ll have to continue with the treatment.”
Grace’s hand covers mine over the table. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Well, let’s hope so. Anyhow…” I smile, changing the subject. “I’m excited for Rei. Did you get a chance to chat with her?”
It was mind-blowing thinking how much Rei’s accomplished in the last few years and now the Winter Games. The crown of her career. The team won a silver medal, and she smashed her short program, and now it was the hardest part, the long program and landing the quad Axel. The jump that was never performed in a competition before and never successfully landed, and she’s been working on it for the past year. ‘Cause, of course, she couldn’t settle for simply winning.
“We have to throw her a party when she returns.”
“Zane and I are already on it. He mentioned he wanted to do something special but was worried since he’s over there with her, so I suggested I’d deal with the logistics as long as he takes care of her.”
I snort. “As if that was ever in question.”
The guy was so hopelessly in love with her it was hard to watch. But Rei definitely couldn’t have picked a better guy for herself. Zane was strong and reliable, and he had zero issues standing behind her and letting her do her thing as he cheered her on from the sidelines.
