Caden and I didn’t speak the entire way to the fast food joint, the radio filling in for the silence. Caden nodded his head to the beat with songs that I wasn’t familiar with. I didn’t object, though I didn’t care for the music playing.

                I would’ve preferred silence, but I knew Caden was happier this way. For whatever reason, I didn’t want to start an argument between us. I didn’t have the energy anymore.

                Caden pulled into the parking lot, turning the car off. I got out quickly, waiting for him at the trunk. He locked the doors before leading the way into the restaurant. My arms were crossed from the cold, goose bumps hidden by my clothing.

                “What do you want?” He asked, standing a few feet back from the register.

                “I’m fine” I mumbled, staring at the ground.

                “Come on, Pumpkin, at least get something to drink” He pushed.

                I shrugged, not answering. Caden sighed, walking forward to order food. I left him to grab a few napkins and take a seat at a booth in the back. I rested my forearms on the table, hands clasped together. Fighting back the urge to cry, I replayed the scene in my head.

                Chase said it so calmly. It was like he didn’t care. Was he just being strong for me? Or did he truly not care that he was going to die so soon?

                It was immature of me to just run out like that. I needed to remember who was actually suffering. I had to stay strong for Chase. I was embarrassed at my reaction to the news.

                And Caden didn’t ask what was wrong. He hasn’t questioned me about anything that happened. Yet, he was more than willing to comfort me. I appreciated that.

                Caden set a tray down in front of me. I glanced up, watching as he took a seat across from me. Caden reached over and grabbed at the container of French fries between us. He picked up a cup, setting it before me.

                “Thank you” I mumbled, taking a sip.

                “Anytime” Caden said “You can have some fries too, if you’d like”

                I shook my head, content with the drink. He shrugged and took a sip out of his cup. It was silent. I didn’t know if Caden would ask about what Chase said, but I was sure he could figure it out. It didn’t take a genius to realize that my father had given me his death date.

                “If you want I could take you to your boyfriend’s” Caden said with malice in his voice.

                I smiled gently at the table “Mom would kill you if you did”

                “I figure he’s probably better with comforting you than I will be” Caden shrugged “And it doesn’t seem like your mom would be too good either”

                “Thank you, Caden” I whispered. I knew he didn’t really like Jason, so this was a lot for him to offer that “But I think I really just need to be alone tonight”

                “We didn’t have to come here if you didn’t want—”

                I cut him off, “Its fine, really”

                “You, uh, don’t have to go to Jackson’s party this Friday if you really don’t want to” Caden tagged on “I didn’t realize what you’re going through”

                “I think a party would be nice. It would take my mind off of everything”

                Caden smirked at me “Alright, we’ll still go.”

                I took a sip of my soda “Thanks”

                “Of course, I invited you after all”
                “Not that,” I shook my head “I mean thank you for not bugging me about what Chase told me and why I cried”

                He shrugged “I figured if you wanted to tell me you would”

                I paused, taking in a deep breath

                “The doctor says he only has two months to live”

                Caden raised an eyebrow “Oh wow”

                I nodded.

                “I’m really sorry, Pumpkin”

                I snorted, wiping away a stray tear “Are you kidding me? I just told you my dad is dying and you’re still going to call me Pumpkin?”

                He smirked “Sure as hell am”

                “You’re unbelievable”

                He laughed, finishing off the fries. I sucked a little more of my soda, watching as Caden stood up and threw our trash away.

                He pushed me in, sitting on the same side as me. Caden wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close to him.

                “It’ll get better” Caden leaned down to whisper in my ear “You’re father’s a strong man, he’s going to beat the odds.”

                “And if he doesn’t?” I asked, looking up at him.

                “You don’t have to worry about that” He smiled down at me. I returned the smile, laying my head on his shoulder.

                ~*~

                “Hey bitch” Kasey said, the next day after third period “You ok?”

                I nodded “Yeah I’m fine. I’m just a little out of it today”

                “I’ve noticed” She snorted “Did Caden do something this weekend?”

                I bit my lip. “Yes and no”

                She raised an eyebrow, waiting for more

                “I uh…I got upset while he was there and he just kind of comforted me” I shrugged “I’m waiting for him to say something about it today”

                Kasey nodded, not bugging about what ‘upset’ meant. She assumed it involved my mother and I wasn’t in the mood to correct her. “I don’t know if he’s even in school”

                “Why do you say that?”

                “I usually see him in the hallways when I head to English, but he wasn’t there today”

                “You could’ve just missed him” I mumbled

                She shrugged “Yeah, but doesn’t he drive you to school now? And he’s always hanging out with you before first period”

                “Maybe he’s finally realized what losers we actually are” I joked. My monotone voice ruined the mood, seeming to annoy Kasey instead.

                “Are you sure nothing happened between you two?”

                “Yes” I growled, irritated

                She held her hands up innocently “Fine, whatever you say, Joey. I’m just worried for you”

                When I didn’t answer, Kasey decided to change the subject.

                “Isn’t Mason’s birthday tomorrow?”

                I nodded “Good memory”

                She smirked “I made sure not to repeat last year”

                I laughed “A whole week before, Kasey, that’s bad”

                “Whatever, Joey” She shoved me gently “Am I invited?”

                “You’ve been invited every day since he was born, Kase, what do you think?” I asked “Of course you can.”

                “Is your lover going to be there?”
                “If you mean Jason, then yes”

                “Well, I meant Caden”

                “No”

                “Damn, oh well”

                I rolled my eyes, stopping in front of my classroom “Goodbye Kasey”

                She smirked at me “See you later, Joey”

                I walked in, taking my normal seat. I wasn’t friends with anyone in this class so I refrained from talking for the most part.

                It was helpful today. The teacher knew not to call on me because of my quietness, which gave me all the time to think.

                I couldn’t stop replaying yesterday in my head.

                Mom’s news.

                Chase’s news.

                My reaction.

                Caden’s reaction.

                Again and again. The scenes played in my head like a movie. I hadn’t spoken to my mother since yesterday, not caring to hear about her new boyfriend. She spent the evening taking care of Mason while boasting to my grandmother about him.

                Chase… it was hard not to cry when I thought of him. He was going to die in two weeks. It was a horrifying thought. I refused to let myself get caught up in Caden’s words. If I let myself seek comfort in them… what would happen when he turned out to be wrong?

                Caden had surprised me. I didn’t think he would be as sweet as he was. I’d always assumed he’d been playing with me but yesterday sitting in McDonald’s changed my thoughts. I felt like for a moment I had actually met the real Caden and not the mask he hid behind.

                Caden stayed with me for as long as I needed, not rushing me. I didn’t cry, didn’t talk; just sat there. And he let me, without any fight.

                I was also surprised that he didn’t make fun of me for crying.

                I was so caught up in my thoughts that I nearly missed the bell, signaling the end of the period. I pushed my books into my bag, standing up quickly. A few people pushed past me on the way out, in a rush to be reunited with their friends.

                I shrugged my bag over my shoulder, walking slowly.

                I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out, checking it quickly. Jason had sent me a message.

                Got something special for tonight. You coming over?

                I felt a smile creep across my face as I replied with a yes. I didn’t have to ask to know Jason was referring to the weed he had gotten just for me.

                I could really use a hit right now.

                ~*~

The rest of the day passed slowly. I could feel every minute ticking by slowly. I felt a strange buzz as the day went on, anticipation for later on. It had been a while since I’d gotten high with Jason and now that we were in a relationship, I had to wonder if it would be different.

                I took the bus home, assuming the Caden was indeed sick today. As I got off, I gave Jason a call.

                “Hey beautiful” He said, answering on the second ring. I smiled to myself as I opened the door to an empty house “What’s up?”

                “Can you pick me up tonight?” I asked “I just realized I don’t have a ride to your house”

                “Sure thing, Cody wants you and Mason to come over anyways”

                “Perfect, I’ll just leave a note for Mom letting her know” I sighed, knowing she’d be upset regardless. “What time are you getting us?”

                “Uh… I can be there in thirty minutes” He said hesitantly

                “Alright, we have to get Mase from daycare then”

                “We will, don’t worry”

                “Good”

                “Alright, I’ll see you soon, baby. Bye”

                “Bye” I giggled, hanging up.

                He was so good to me. 

****Thanks guys for all the comments. I love them.(: ******