Always and Forever (4 page)

“Great! Hey, did you and my brother have a fight or something? He's been really upset ever since he got home last night.”

“Danna,” Mrs. Patel cut in warningly. I caught her shaking her head at her youngest from the corner of my eye.

I cringed inwardly. I should've never told Kal, especially since everything was fine. That other doctor would tell us the truth. So, why'd I spill the beans so early? Why did I hurt my best friend so unnecessarily?

Danna was looking at me expectantly, waiting for an answer. I pasted my brightest smile across my face. “I told him his shoes were ugly.” At her giggle, I shrugged. “You know how sensitive Kal can be. I really hurt his feelings.” Behind me, Mrs. Patel sighed in relief. “I probably shouldn't have said anything, even if they are hideous,” I added in a conspiratorial whisper that had Danna rolling with laughter. I turned to Mrs. Patel. “Where is he, anyway?”

She shoved the plate she'd filled for me at Danna and pushed the girl toward the table to eat. Wiping her hands on her apron, more from habit than because they were dirty, she nodded toward the hall. “He's in the study with his father. Why don't you go get them? Breakfast is ready, and we don't want it getting cold while we wait for them.”

I nodded and exited the kitchen, making my way slowly down the hall. Kal's house was laid out almost exactly the same as mine, the only difference being that all the bedrooms were on the second floor here. In the spot where the master bedroom was at my house, Kal's home held a huge room that housed a spectacular library, overflowing with a diverse collection of books, both old and new. I loved to spend hours in that room, flipping through books, fingering the spines, taking in the scents and textures of the well-worn, leather-bound first editions that Dr. Patel prized above all else. Kal often teased me about my love of this room, saying that I never would've befriended him in the first place if it weren't for the Patel library.

I wasn't purposefully trying to eavesdrop on their conversation, but the closer I got to the study, the clearer their words became, and my feet ground to a halt of their own volition.

“…talked to her father last night. It doesn't look good, son,” Dr. Patel was saying. “You have to prepare yourself for the worst.”

“I just don't understand how this could happen to her, of all people. How is it possible for someone to beat cancer once, only to have another kind come along and kill her? How could she have leukemia and brain cancer, too? I don't—she's so good and kind, Dad. Why did this happen to her? Why?” Kal wailed, great painful keens that reached out and choked me with icy fingers of guilt. I'd done this to him. Again.

“It's not common,” his father replied carefully. “But it does happen. There are cases where people survive one cancer only to battle another years down the line. No one really knows why, but it does happen.”

“She's only sixteen!”

“I know, son. I know.” More sobs followed by quiet reassurances from Dr. Patel.

“They could be wrong, though. Right?” Kal asked, hopefully. “I mean, Dr. Lambert could've made a mistake. The tests were mixed up, and this was all just a mistake. Right?”

Dr. Patel heaved out a mournful sigh. No parent wanted to give his child this kind of terrible news, and he was no exception. “It's a possibility. Hospitals and labs can and do make mistakes,” he acquiesced. “But it's not likely.”

“There's got to be something we can do, Dad,” Kal sobbed brokenly. “Some treatment. Something. Anything. We have to help her. We can't just sit around and wait for her to die. I won't do that. Not again.”

“I've already called Dr. Bernstein. He's the best neurologist around. He'll be meeting with Dr. Shreve today, and both doctors will see Mia and her parents on Monday. I've already set it up, but that's about all I can do for her. I wish it was more, son. I really do.”

“Thanks, Dad.” He sucked in a ragged breath, sniffled.

“You have to be strong for her now, more than ever, Kal. Mia will have a lot on her plate with all this. She can't stay strong if you crumble. You need to prepare yourself for the worst now. That way you'll be there for her when she needs support, and she will need it, son. She will need you to be there for her. No matter what.”

I couldn't take any more of this. Kal was still sniffling quietly, but his pleas to his father for help on my behalf had ended. I charged forward, hoping to interrupt before my friend could open his mouth again and rip my heart to shreds. A brisk knock and I cleared my throat.

“Dr. Patel?” I asked through the door. “Is Kal in there with you? Mrs. Patel wanted me to tell him breakfast was ready.” Was it me, or did my voice sound just as cracked and broken as Kal's had?

A muted shuffling, and then the door opened. Dr. Patel smiled that slight quirk of the lips I'd always been certain he used on patients after they'd come out of surgery. The overly-sweet one that fairly screamed,
You're going to be just fine
. My own mouth tilted up at the corners in response. Neither of our smiles reached our eyes, and both of us saw it.

“It's good to see you again, Mia,” he told me. “Now, don't distract my son too much. He needs to eat his breakfast, and then you both need to get to school. On time.”

I ducked my head in a quick nod. “Yes, sir.”

I marched into the room, forcing a confidence that I did not feel into my every step. Kal—his eyes red-rimmed and puffy—watched me silently, not moving from his perch on the couch in the middle of the room.

“Your sister has just informed me that our ‘little’ shopping trip tomorrow is now an all-day extravaganza that includes three different malls.” My face twisted up into a scowl.

He choked out a surprised laugh, shook his head, and patted the cushion beside him. When I was settled in place, his arm slid around me, and I dropped my head onto his shoulder. “You knew that would happen when you made the plans,” he said softly in my ear.

“Come with us,” I begged. “Save me from having a complete nervous breakdown that spending all day with a gaggle of twelve-year-old girls is bound to incite.”

“Um…must I remind you that you were once a twelve-year-old girl?”

“I was never so shrill,” I pointed out.

“Maybe not,” he agreed. “But you were a giggler.” His hands slid down to my sides, his fingers scratching playfully. Of course, I started giggling. “And you still are, I might add.”

I slammed my elbow into his ribs, which had him howling. With laughter.

“Okay, okay. I give up.” He groaned. “I'll go shopping with you girls tomorrow.”

I squealed excitedly and threw my arms around him. “Thanks, Kallie! You're the best,” I breathed against his neck. Before he could respond to that, my stomach roared, startling us both.

One of his brows shot up in question. “No Pop-Tarts this morning?”

“We were out,” I lied.

He shoved up to his feet, grabbing my hand to pull me up, too. “Well, I'm starved, too,” he said. “Let's get some grub, and then get going. We've got to hand those papers into Mr. Wilson.”

F
IVE

“SO, KAL TOLD ME YOU ROPED HIM
into going shopping with you tomorrow,” Ricki said as she dropped down into the seat next mine. “God, I hate Biology.” She scowled at her book before turning back to me and more important topics of conversation. “Anyway, so I told Adam that since Kal was going, he had to come, too. And, Adam told me to tell Kal that he needs to stop being so whipped. He's setting the boyfriend bar way too high.” She ended that remark with a giggle.

“Naturally, you decided to tell me all this instead of Kal, especially considering that he's not my boyfriend, and you and Adam both know this. Hell,
everyone
knows it.”

“No, Mia.” She rolled her eyes as if she couldn't believe I could be so dim-witted. “Everyone knows that you two should be a couple. You're always together. You practically live in each other's pockets. It's like you two are one person. You even finish each other's sentences.”

“We do not.”

“Do, too. And, it's always been that way. You should've been dating by now. Really, you're already like an old married couple.” At my derisive snort, she shoved forward. “It's borderline disgusting, watching you two. You have your own little inside jokes. Stories that no one else was there for. You live in this bubble where it's just the two of you. All the time. The Kal and Mia Show.”

“He's my best friend! Oh…er…well, he's one of my best friends,” I amended when her face screwed up into a pained frown. “Besides,
we've known each other for years. He's my neighbor, for crying out loud. Of course, we've spent a lot of time together.”

“Okay, okay.” She threw up her hands in resignation. “I'm just saying, is all.” Her eyes sparkled and she threw a sly grin my way. “But that boy is totally hot.” Her eyes went dreamy. “I definitely wouldn't kick him out of bed. Hmm…no, I'd probably tie him to it, actually.”

A loud groan jumped out of me. “You did not just say that, Ricki. I really didn't need that image seared into my brain for the rest of my life.”

“You'll be thanking me later,” she predicted. “When he finally does get up the nerve to ask you out, you'll know exactly what to do with him. You're welcome.”

“You're welcome for what?” Kal asked as he and Adam slid into the seats behind us.

Ricki's face flushed instantly, and suddenly, her Biology book was extremely interesting. But I just couldn't help myself, so I turned around in my seat, intending to give Kal a detailed account of the conversation that he'd missed. Ricki jumped in first, cutting me off.

“Adam and I are going shopping with you tomorrow,” she told him.

He chuckled softly. “So, Mia recruited you guys, too, eh?” He shrugged. “The more, the merrier.”

“Dude,” Adam interrupted, flicking his hand in the air like he was cracking a whip. “You are so whipped.”

“I'm only whipped if I'm doing something I don't want to do,” Kal replied easily. “Aren't you coming, too?” He lifted his hand up to his ear in a make-shift telephone. “Hello, Kettle, this is Adam, aka the Pot. You're black.”

Ricki and I dissolved into giggles at the murderous look Adam shot Kal just as Mr. Bainbridge entered the room. The bell rang, and the volume level of the class settled to a low hum as attendance was taken. Afterward, Mr. Bainbridge handed our graded tests back and answered any questions we had. Since it was the last day before winter break commenced, he gave us the rest of the hour to do whatever we wanted, just as long as we were somewhat on the quiet side.

Ricki and I turned around to face the guys again.

“Hockey. Monday night, bro,” Adam said to Kal. “Wings are at home, and I got four tickets.”

He slid a quick glance at me, but Adam caught it.

“Of course, Mia's in,” Adam said. “She loves to watch guys beat the shit out of each other. I figure we'll leave my place around six, grab a bite on the way, and still get there with plenty of time to spare.”

“Uh…Adam?” I said, looking everywhere but at Kal. I couldn't handle looking into his eyes and seeing the agony I'd put there. “I don't think I'll be able to go this time.”

“Why not?” Ricki demanded. “Mia, you know the only reason I go to those stupid games is because you go, too.”

“I…um…” I licked my lips, searching frantically for something, anything to tell them.

“It's my fault, guys,” Kal piped in, rescuing me. “She's coming with me to visit my grandmother. It's the old gal's 90th birthday Monday, and we'll be gone most of the day. I'm not sure how late we'll be.”

“The one in the old folks' home?” Adam asked.

Kal nodded.

“Well, that's it then,” Ricki told Adam while I mouthed
thank you
to Kal. “If Mia isn't going, then neither am I.”

Adam shrugged. “Well, I could take my brothers. Cam and Todd would love it. Do you think Ben would like to go since you can't, Mia?”

I nodded quickly, grateful that they hadn't pushed any further. The conversation slid away from Monday's schedule into what we were all doing over the break. Class ended and with it the school day. As I gathered up my books to head toward my locker, Ricki exacted a promise from me to come over after dinner so we could get together, just us girls and then headed out the door with Adam.

Kal relieved me of my books, slipped his hand in mine, and walked me back to my locker. The hall was teeming with people, students and teachers alike all anxious to escape and begin their vacations. He leaned against the wall by my locker while I pulled out my bag and all my books so I could study over the break.

“Mia,” Kal sighed.

I lifted my eyes to meet his, the melted chocolate orbs dark with sadness and fear. “Ricki says that I should tie you to my bed. Naked,” I blurted out. Whoops. Hadn't meant to say that out loud.

He flinched, taken aback by the abruptness of that statement. “And…uh…” He swallowed visibly, licked his lips, and leaned in close, his warm breath fanning minty waves over my face. “What did you say to her?” he asked a bit breathlessly.

The same thing I'd felt at The Pit washed over me, then. It wasn't a quick flash, bang, sizzle that cheesy romance novels were written about. It was a slow unfurling in the pit of my stomach, a swoon-worthy bout of lightheadedness, and the absolute certainty that in his arms, nothing could go wrong. There'd be no fear, no pain, no death. No cancer. There'd only be happiness and safety, pure bliss.

“Mia?” His hands were on me, but not in the way I would've liked. They squeezed my upper arms, shaking me. “Mia, are you alright?”

His face snapped back into focus, and I just stared at him for an unending minute. He shook me again, yanking me back to myself. I shook my head. “Yeah, I'm fine,” I grunted. At his disbelieving look, I shrugged out of his hold. “I'm fine, Kal. Honest. I'm just a little tired, is all. I didn't sleep well last night.” The look in my eyes dared him to call me on that lie.

Apparently, he wasn't up for the fight because he just nodded, slid my bag over his shoulder, and slammed my locker shut. “Yeah, I know how that is,” he agreed. “Didn't sleep well last night either.”

“Maybe we should go home and go to bed,” I joked.