Surviving Cancer

Wednesday, January 17 & Thursday, January 18

MACI POV

"I feel like it's my birthday or something." Jared said.

He was stretched out on my hospital bed.

"Why?"

I was sitting cross legged down by his legs. He reached his hand out for mine and I gave it quickly.

"I got to see you twice in three days and this time I didn't even have to sneak in." He said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I laughed. "Yeah it is nice."

"Have they said when you can come home yet?" He asked.

"Not yet but I'm crossing my fingers for Sunday. That's the 30 day mark."

I couldn't help the bubble of happiness that formed in my chest when I thought about going home. I just hoped that it actually happened. I was ready to get back to some normalcy and have the comforts of my home around me.

"Have you talked to Skylar?" I asked.

He had responded to my texts up until yesterday.

"Yeah, earlier today." Jared said. "What's up?"

I shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure he was okay, you know, with everything. I haven't heard from him since yesterday."

"He had therapy today." He glanced at the clock. "He might still be there."

I nodded my head. "He's doing okay though?"

Jared's blue eyes met mine. He squeezed my hand. I wanted to kiss him so bad.

"As good as he can."

"What about you?" I asked, my voice was soft.

Every time I had tried getting Jared to talk about this week, ask how he was doing, he told me 'lets talk about something else'.

"Let's talk about something else." He said.

This time was no different apparently. I wanted to press the issue so bad but I also knew he would only tell me when he was ready. I blew out a breath.

"Like what?"

"Well." He started and I instantly felt nerves prick my spin. "I read your speech."

My eyes widened slightly. I knew he was going to hear it on Friday. But I hadn't expected Levi to pass it around.

"You have." I stated, taken aback.

"Yeah." He said. "It's good."

He said 'it's good' like he was going to say more but held back. So I urged him on.

"But.." I said, raising my eyebrows.

He let out a sigh, running his hand through his messy blond hair. He propped himself up in his elbow.

"Aren't you a little worried about Levi?" He asked.

I bit my lip. Sure, I knew Levi would probably cry while he read it. And I knew he'd take a couple things I said a little too hard. But I couldn't see anyone else reading it.

"All I'm saying is he hasn't even read it yet. He's too scared to." Jared added.

"I love Levi obviously." I said. "And I know he's going to hate every second of it."

I stopped, trying to collect my thoughts. I wasn't trying to punish Levi. But I also felt like I had to be honest with him. Or else the truth would always haunt us.

"But I think he needs to hear it."

"I get that but I just think making him read it might really...I don't know. Affect him." Jared said.