Surviving Cancer

Wednesday, November 22

So sorry if you all got notifications yesterday that this chapter was up. I posted it then realized I made a big mistake. No one goes to school on thanksgiving. So I had to completely rewrite Levi's part. Anyway here it is. ENJOY -DBR

MACI POV

I took one last look in the car mirror, pulling the gray beanie farther down on my head. Underneath my coat I had on a pair of black leggings, a royal blue sweater that hung passed my butt, a pair of duck boots and a colorful pair of socks. I grabbed the handle on my oxygen, dragging it behind me.

"Ready to show off our new hair?" I asked Levi.

He was still rocking the navy blue beanie but hadn't gone through as much effort to make it look apart of his outfit. He had on a pair of gray pants, a black shirt, and a multi-colored flannel. It didn't necessarily look bad but he definitely hadn't thought about it.

"Yup." Levi said, readjusting our bags on his shoulder. "You?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "As ready as I'm going to be."

I was ready for some stares for sure. I was most nervous what my friends would say though. I didn't have the guts to send anyone a picture last night let alone give them a heads up.

"Did you tell anyone?" I asked Levi.

"Tell what?" He glanced at me as I pointed to my head. "Nah, just Mitch."

We walked the rest of the way into school in silence. At some point my hand found Levi's. We pushed through the doors, warm air rushing over us. I was extremely aware of anyone that even so much as glanced our way. I wasn't sure why I felt so self conscious. I didn't really expect anyone to be rude, by now it seemed like the whole school knew I had cancer and if they didn't my oxygen tank and shaved head would probably tip them off.

Levi squeezed my hand as we neared our lockers. I glanced up at him and he nodded forward. Jared was waiting for me.

"Want me to give you a minute?" Levi asked.

I wasn't sure what I wanted. Having Levi beside me made me feel less insecure. But I wasn't sure if I wanted him there.

"Sure." I heard myself saying.

"Alright, I'll go find Emma."  He said as we reached our lockers. "Hey Jared."

Jared said 'hey' back. If he had noticed Levi's bald head he didn't mention it. Instead he waited until Levi was a few feet down the hall before he turned his attention to me.

"Good morning." He said, that easy smile falling across his face.

"Morning." My voice came out quieter than I had intended.

"Everything okay?" Jared was studying my face.

Did he not notice? Or did he just not care? Or was he afraid to bring it up?

"I shaved my head." I blurted. "It was falling out anyway."

Jared just watched me, his face unchanging.

"That's why I'm wearing this stupid hat." I couldn't stop myself from rambling. "My ears stick out without it." Why wasn't he talking? "My head gets cold too." I just wanted him to say something so I could stop talking. Instead he just continued to watch me. "Levi shaved his too." Say something. "I know I look awful, I was just sick of it."

"Maci." Jared finally said, he reached for my hand and I let him take it. "You look beautiful as always."

I dropped my eyes to the ground, my cheeks turning red from his compliment. I didn't even mean to but I felt my head shaking back in forth, disagreeing with his statement.