Josh comes into the room feeling a little less dreary about the whole situation, but when he sees Tyler, it rises up again like the tide.

Tyler's just laying there, staring straight at the ceiling, not saying a word. His eyes aren't glazed, and he doesn't look obviously sick, but Josh knows. It's much different from yesterday, and he can sense the dark mood in the room.

"I didn't tell them I used your charger," Tyler says, not looking at Josh as he sits in the plastic chair and takes Tyler's hand. "But it's the only reason I'd be sick like this. They know." He closes his eyes. "I'm diagnosed."

Josh feels a lump in his throat. "I'm sorry."

He half hopes the other boy will reassure him, but Tyler says nothing. They just stay there, one healthy boy and one sick, holding hands, until a nurse comes in and shoos Josh out.

Tyler just goes back to staring at the ceiling again.

A/N: I should warn you that this fic only gets sadder from here