"Catlynn! Do you want cereal?" Elle called from the kitchen. I stumbled out of bed and ran to the kitchen, where Elle was cooking breakfast.

"So, you're making sausage and didn't offer me any. Rude." I said, laughing. Elle grabbed a plate and put a sausage link on it and handed it to me. "Jess! Do you wanna share?" I asked, and I saw Jessica excitedly nod.

She was getting stronger. Which I was so grateful for.

After I wolfed down my cereal and sausage, I ran to my room to get ready for school. Elle grabbed my arm and stopped me.

"What's going on?" I asked nervously. Elle sighed and said, "We need to talk to you."

"Elle, I have school." I said. Anything to get out of this conversation.

"So, um...I've known about this for a while now...you need to go to the hospital today. I'm so sorry, Sunshine." Elle said, hugging me.

I was numb, I was in shock. What was going on? Why did I need to go?

"No..." I said.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, baby." Elle said. "I didn't want to worry you."

"What is going on?" I cried, running to my room and slamming the door. I shakily grabbed my phone, I needed to talk to someone.

Alice or Evan. They're the only people who understand.

"Call Alice Lee..." I said into Siri. The phone rang for a bit, then I heard Alice say "Hello?"

"Alice...it's me. Cat. Elle...Elle just told me I'm going to the hospital...I don't know why but I'm scared and freaking out." I said. Alice sighed, and said, "It's going to be okay, Sunshine. I know it. Call me if you need to. I love you."

"I love you too." I said, about to cry. Elle opened the door and said, "Hey, Sunshine, I need to talk to you."

"If it's about the hospital, I don't want to hear it." I said.

"Your doctor told me this the last time you were in the hospital. Apparently, you have some sort of blood deficiency that makes your body create too little iron." Elle said.

I had a chronic illness. I went numb, realizing that no one had ever bothered to tell me until 13 years after the fact.

"Then why didn't I know?" I snapped.

"It must've been one of your dad's sick jokes. I thought you did know, otherwise I would've told you sooner." Elle said, stroking my hair.

"What's going on? Why do I have to go in the hospital? I'm scared and I'm freaking out." I said, about to panic. Elle hugged me tight and said, "We need iron to survive so all that needs to happen is a transfusion. They'll sit you in a chair and hook you up to a bag of blood and we'll just hang out until your body has taken in all the blood. I'll be there the whole time and it'll only be a few hours. It'll be just like a dentist appointment."

"I'm scared." I said.

"I know, me too." Elle said, which didn't help at all. I started crying and Elle hugged me.

"I can't do this..." I said, then Elle said, "You can, kiddo. You are the strongest person I know."

"I'm scared it's going to hurt." I sighed.

"Have you ever gotten a shot?" Elle asked, and I shook my head.

"Oh, I know, do you remember when the nurse put in that IV last time you were in the hospital?" Elle asked. I nodded, and said, "Yeah, I hated that. The only reason I didn't freak out was because Jessica was there."

"I know, but that is what it'll be like and we can definitely bring Jess with us. I'm sorry, Sunshine." Elle said.

I started freaking out, and Elle said, "What would help you feel better?"

"Just not going...but if I have to, I want someone to hold my hand." I said.

"How about I do you one better - I'll sit in the chair with you?" Elle said, and I lit up. "You mean I can sit on your lap?" I asked, and Elle nodded.

"Can Jessica come? She knows what it's like to be in the hospital." I said.

"I'd like to see you try and keep me away!" Jessica said, standing in the doorway. I squealed a little and Elle looked like she wanted to punch Jess.

"Jessica Keenan Wynn! You know better than to be walking around without your crutches!" Elle snapped.

"Yes, mom." Jess said, rolling her eyes.

________________

I was walking in the hospital, squeezing Elle's hand with all of my strength.

"I'm nervous." I said.

"I'm right here, kiddo." Elle said, kissing me on the head.

"Catlynn McLemore?" a nurse said. I looked at Elle and she ruffled my hair. The nurse handed Elle some paperwork and Jessica handed me a package of Sour Patch Kids.

"Here. Don't tell your mom." Jessica said, and I sighed. I started to subtly cry, and I reached for Jessica's hand.

"Catlynn, your chart says that this is your first time getting a transfusion since you were a toddler so we're putting you into a private area. I know this is scary." the nurse said. Elle said, "Thank you." and smiled at me.

I couldn't take it anymore. I started to run to the bathroom, and I heard Jessica say, "I got her."

I locked the door of a stall and sunk to the floor, crying. I heard a knock, then I heard, "Cat? It's Jess. Can I come in?"

"Sure..." I said, shaking and crying. I opened the door and Jessica knelt down next to me.

"Can you tell me what exactly scaring you?" Jessica asked. I started to sob, and said, "I hate needles...I know it's wimpy."

"It's definitely not wimpy. It's a legitimate phobia. It's called trypanophobia." Jessica said.

"I'm scared, Jessica. This is the scariest thing ever for me. I just found out I have a chronic illness 13 years after the fact." I said, crying. Jessica took my hand and said, "I can only imagine what you're going through, Cat, and I am so sorry that this is how you found out."

"I'm so scared..." I said, hugging Jessica tightly and sobbing.

"That's understandable. Frankly, I'd be more worried if you weren't scared." Jessica said, giggling a bit.

"Can...can you be there with me?" I asked.

"Where else would I be? Elle and I are both going to be there." Jessica said.

"I'm so nervous...can I have a hug? Can you just tell me it'll be alright?" I asked. Jessica hugged me tightly and said, "The doctors who are doing this, they've done this a million times before. They know what they're doing. You're going to be perfectly fine."

"Can I just get this over with?" I asked. Jessica took my hand and said, "You ready to go back?"

___________

"I'm so proud of you, my brave girl." Elle said, kissing my head.

"Alright, Catlynn. Are you ready?" the nurse asked. I looked at Elle and nodded, and the nurse said, "Okay. Have a seat there." and pointed to a chair.

I got on Elle's lap, sighed, and reached over for Jessica's hand.

"Three...two..." the nurse said. I took one look at the needle and jumped off of Elle's lap.

"I can't do this!" I cried, running to the bathroom.

"Sunshine!" Jess said, chasing after me. "That's okay. It's healthy to be scared. That's what bravery and courage is - being scared and doing it anyway because you know it will help."

I started to sob, and said, "Do I have to do this? I'm scared of the needle."

Jessica sighed, and said, "I know, sunshine. Fear is one of our most powerful emotions, but you know what? So is love."

"I don't want to do this..." I said.

"I know. Listen to me, Cat - is this is too much right now, we can come back another time." Jessica said.

"If I have to do this, I will, but I'm super scared...I've never done this before." I said. Jessica smiled, and said, "New things are always scary, but that's life. And you'll feel so proud of yourself afterward."

"I'm scared of the needle, Jess...that's the only thing I'm scared of." I said. Jessica smiled, and said, "I have an idea, do you trust me?" I reluctantly said, "Yeah." then Jess took my hand and said, "Okay, let's go back."

___________

"I can't do this." I said, starting to panic. Jessica put her hands on my shoulders and said, "Hey, Cat, look at me, look at me." and I looked at her. "I'm right here, Elle is right here, and we're not going anywhere, okay?" I nodded, and got myself mentally prepared.

"I'm scared...I can't do this..." I said, my knees knocking.

"Come here, Cat, give me a hug." Elle said, and I hugged her tight. Elle rocked me back and forth and kissed my head.

"Can someone hold my hand?" I asked. Elle looked at Jessica and said, "Of course. Jess and I will both hold your hand."

"I guess I'm ready...I'm still scared though..." I said. The nurse looked at us and said, "Tons of kids are scared of needles. It's perfectly okay. We can take as long as you need."

I got on Elle's lap, and she put her arms around my waist. I reached over for Jessica's hand and she squeezed it tightly.

"Are you ready, Catlynn?" the nurse asked, and I nodded. She turned to Elle and said, "Mom, are you ready?" Elle smiled at me, nodded, then kissed my cheek.

"I'm nervous." I said to Jessica.

"We got you. Here we go...deep breath..." Jessica said softly. I said, "No..." then Jessica said, "Hey Cat. Look at me." as she stood up.

I started to feel the pinch, but got distracted by Jessica kissing my nose.

"Ow!" I yelled, and Elle cuddled me. "You did it, Sunshine." Elle said.

"Yeah...I did. Thanks Jessica." I said.

"I'll check back in on you in about half an hour. You did great, Catlynn. Want a lollipop?" the nurse said. I smiled, and the nurse handed me a lollipop.

"How long do I have to be here?" I said to Elle. Elle looked at the bag of blood and said, "When that is empty."

"How often do I have to do this?" I asked.

"The doctors say every ten years, but if you get injured and there is a lot of blood, it'll be sooner." Elle said. I looked at my arm and said, "That actually really hurt." I then snuggled into Elle and said, "I'm tired."

"You can sleep, if you want. Jess and I will be here the entire time." Elle said, hugging me.

"You know I get scared to sleep sometimes." I said, and Elle said, "I know."

"I'm tired, but I'm scared to sleep!" I said.

"That's okay. You don't need to sleep, only if you want to." Elle repositioned me so I was curled up in her lap, my head on her chest. "Just relax. If your body wants to sleep, you will." she said.

"I'm sorry...for being so scared of a little needle." I said, and Elle stroked my hair.

"You don't have to apologize. We know that you haven't had good experiences with needles before." Elle said.

"I'm tired, but I'm too scared to sleep." I said, yawning.

"Why don't I sing?" Elle asked, and I nodded. Jess lifted me into Elle's lap and I curled up on her chest.

Elle sung Kindergarten Boyfriend over and over, and I snuggled with her and eventually fell asleep.

AN: Distinguished guests, the moment you've all been waiting for: CAT HAS A CHRONIC ILLNESS! No one sue me, please and thank you. Hope you enjoyed! Catch ya later!