I go back to school the next day with a fresh new haircut. The first person to greet me is Rain, giving my right side a soft hug.

"I'm alright," I offer a grin.

Xe points to the left side of xeir head, I give a small nod.

"It's okay, I'm used to it. What did I miss yesterday?"

"Jack asked us where you were, we didn't tell him," Rain smiles sadly. "But you didn't miss much; thankfully."

"Thanks for not giving me away," I joke while grabbing Tim and Rain. "I'm yours for today, Jack is not going to push me around today. I'm keeping in charge," I whisper as I drag them inside.

—

"Where were you yesterday, I needed you," Jack whispers to me.

"You don't need to know that. I'm here now, so it doesn't matter. I'll join your table today, we'll put on our normal act," I wave to my group and head towards his.

He tries to sit down at my left, so I stand and walk around him so he's at my right side. He gives a raised eyebrow, but I shake my head with a smile. I greet the boys in front of me while leaning on Jack. His cheek is stubbled like he hasn't shaved in 3 days.

"Put your hand around my waist," I whisper into his ear, and he does.

"Ya know, I never expected Jack to get with a guy. You swing a different way now?"

Jack eyes them, then grins. "It doesn't matter, I got a new thang. That's what counts," he finished speaking; I feel gross.

His friends chuckled, and then Lucas looked at me. "So what's this guy like," he swings his Pepsi can between his thumb and pointer, listening to the carbonation.

"He's okay," I shrug, then decide I'm going to embarrass him. "He's a little small for my taste, but still okay."

His friends found that hilarious, and so did I. Jack's mouth dropped open and he pinched my side. It was a light pinch. I laughed.

"We meant his personality."

"Oh, got ya. Still okay. Not much there."

"Then why be with him?"

"Because I feel like he can get there with a little help."

"So, are you in it for a long run?"

"Don't know yet," I look up at him, he's staring at me too. "We'll have to see."

—

"Y'all wanna come to mine for dinner?" Emilia asks.

"I can't tonight, Mom and I gotta go back to the doc."

"More? You just did yesterday," Sara shrieks in anger.

"No. For more pods, because I drained two today, and, like, four yesterday. It's only going to be a 30-minute thing, but still. Mom will probably want to monitor over me."

"Your mom can come too, it's been a while. Actually, how about everyone comes?"

"A dinner party last minute? You'll have to ask." Tim says but he looks excited.

So am I, and everyone else. We haven't done that since before my life became shit 2 years ago. So, she starts asking, and all of us do too. We really do want to do this. Then I get a text from Jack.

"Yo the guys and I are going out and want you to come to."

When will he ever learn to use proper grammar?

He never answered after I told him to fuck off, I'm glad too. That means I won that argument. But, I decide to answer him even though I don't want to talk to him outside school hours.

"If you would like to" he sends when I start typing back.

He's been nicer since I told him to fuck off, well nicer only through texting. Sometimes I wonder if it's still the same demanding tone just worded differently to buddy-buddy with me. There will be no buddy buddying.

"Can't," I reply. "I got stuff to do today."

Jackass: "When will you have time?"

Emilia jumps in joy. "My parents said it was a great idea!"

"No clue," I text Jack, "I'll get back to you later with that."

"Emilia is suggesting we go to hers for a dinner party, tonight. I know it's last minute but her parents said sure," I sent it to my parents.

My mom texted back right away. "Of course! I'd love that, are you feeling well enough though?"

I tell her I am. I chat with the gang before my father responds with a weak, and I know depressing, "I'll try to make it, even if I'm only there for 10 minutes. I'm working a double shift, I'm sorry."

"That's okay Dad, just don't overwork yourself."

I feel guilty because I'm the reason he works double shifts now, and I'm the reason he's trying so hard for a promotion.

"So, are you okay to go?" Sara asks me.

"Yeah, Mom and I can, and Dad will try to pop in but he's stuck at work. What time Em?"

"5:30 to 6:00 is what my mom said but if y'all want, you can just come right over."

I give a grin. "Right after we get my pods we'll be there."

----

"I've got some good news for you," my mother says when I get in the car. "After your next screening, if everything appears okay... you'll only have 2 more appointments!"

I grin, I want to cry in excitement.

"Really," she reaches over and plants a kiss on my forehead. "Only two more then you'll be free."

I do cry. Tears slip from my eyes as the grin slips into a small smile. I lean my head back, I can't imagine a life without these appointments. I'll probably be much happier, and stronger. She holds my hand as we head to my doctor, I get out my phone and text the news to the group chat.

"After my appointment next week, if everything looks alright, I'LL ONLY HAVE TWO MORE APPOINTMENTS!"

"THAT'S GREAT MAC!" Rain texted back immediately.

Sara: "Hell Yeah!!"

Tim: "Well damn, goodbye pain am I right?"

"Yeah, I can't imagine. This has been my life for two years. How insane does that sound?"

Emilia: "Very, but we are happy for you"

Pat: "Well shit! look at our boy go!"

I laugh, I can't stop grinning.