New beginnings.

I always loved the idea of them. Starting fresh, no one knowing who you are. The idea fascinated me and still continued to do so until this day. I always wanted to start fresh and not be known as "poor Avery Jameson." One of the things I hated most in life was when people felt sorry for me, so this year I was determined to start fresh. No one would know who I was and what I've gone through. They would just know me as Avery Jameson and hopefully nothing more.

Many people find it hard to hide a part of themselves to the whole world but I find it exciting. I like to think of it as being an undercover agent, no one knows the full you. You get a thrill in that, because you can be whoever you want. And that's what I was determined to do.

Getting up from my bed, after snoozing the alarm clock at least two times, I went over and started to get ready. School started today and I was determined to make the most of it.

I looked at the selection of wigs in my room and settled for a medium length brown haired wig with purple highlights. It wasn't the one I usually wore but I was feeling extra confident today. Looking at the mirror, I ran my hand through my shaven head but refused to feel sadness. The day when I cut it was unfortunate but it had to be done. Carefully placing the wig on my head and brushing it, I picked my outfit for the day.

It was the first day of school after all and I had to look my absolute best. There wasn't much in my closet since shopping hasn't been my priority lately but I settled on a cute floral printed dress. Deciding that I was finally ready to venture onto school I grabbed my bag and headed down stairs. In the kitchen my brother Lee was furiously eating his cereal while my mother was patiently waiting for me.

"You look beautiful Avery." My mother said as she grabbed a banana and handed it to me.

"Thank you mother, I tried." I responded cheekily while I took the banana and started to peel it. Bananas were the only thing I can tolerate eating after my treatments and I soon learned that after I spent a whole day in the bathroom vomiting when I ate a bowl of mac and cheese.

"I still think you should go bald," My brother began, "with the time you have left, you should take risks. If you're up for it we could still graffiti the wall I showed you." Lee uttered before drowning the last of his cereal.

I sent him a glare to which he responded by putting his hand up in the air in surrender. I didn't really mind when Lee joked about my condition since I have grown to accept the time I have left but my mom was still sensitive to the subject.

"That wasn't funny Lee." Was all my mom could say before I saw faint traces of tears on her eyes.

"Now look at what you've done." I said to my brother as I handed my mom a tissue.

"Hey, I was just trying to joke around."

"I'm sorry. I know that crying about it annoys you but I still can't believe this is happening." My mother wiped the tears from eyes before throwing the tissue into the bin.

"I know mom. But it is going to happen. I just have to learn to accept it."

This only made my mom sadder but she let out a small smile before giving me a hug.

I've learned not to let it annoy me anymore and just let it pass. I couldn't imagine having to accept the fact that your daughter is going to die in less than a year and there is nothing you could do about it.

I let the hug linger for a moment longer before I let go and grabbed the car keys.

"I have to go or else I'll be late mom. Come on Lee, get your ass off of that chair or else I'm leaving you."

Not wanting to see if my threat was empty, he grabbed his bag and said a quick goodbye to mom before heading over to the car.

Lee was obviously upset when he found out the news but he manages to hide it well since I haven't seen a frown on his face since that day. Instead he likes to crack jokes, and I can't help but feel like that's his only way of coping with what is about to happen.

"Are you sure you want to go to school today sis? You look really tired especially with your che-"

"I'm fine." I responded sternly. Knowing that he was only asking because of concern I added gently, "I can't miss the first day of senior year. That's like social suicide."

"Whatever you say Avery. I'm sure you'll love North Shore High. There are definitely less snobs than the old school you used to attend."

My mind wandered to the school that I attended a year prior. I loved the school and all my friends in it but after the discovery, I decided that I needed a fresh start, even if it wouldn't last forever.

"I sure hope so." Was the only thing I said to my brother before I started the ignition and drove off.

__________________________________________

The drive to school was a mere fifteen minutes and I soon found myself in front of the lively building known as North Shore High. Students were chatting by the parking lot and there were even more sitting in the courtyard. Out of habit, I stroked my hair, only to feel the synthetic machine strands of my wig.

Knowing that I needed to get over my fear, I shut the door and headed inside. My brother went to go off with some friends, so I found myself alone. First period was going to start soon, and not wanting to be late, I started walking to class. By the time I got there, most of the students were already there so almost all the seats were taken.

I looked around, only to find two seats left. One in the very front of the room, near where the teacher's desk was, and another next to a boy who was texting on his phone. I debated sitting next to a teacher for a moment, when I realized that I would never be able to sneak snacks in. Realizing my decision I sat next to the boy, much to his discontent.

The teacher arrived a few minutes later, she was most likely in her mid-thirties but had a fun aura around her. I already knew I was going to like this teacher.

"Welcome class to A.P English. Here we will review Shakespearean Sonnets and read various classics. Anyone who has a problem with that may leave my classroom now."

While there were a few groans around the classroom, everyone stayed in their seats.

"Good job. Now I always like to start my class on a fun note. Well it might not be fun for you but it definitely is for me. Everyone stand up and say one interesting fact about yourself when it's your turn. When you are done speaking you may sit down."

The person who sat closest to the teacher went first (thank the heavens I choose this seat) and continued clockwise. I was one of the last people that had to go which was great for me. Mentally debating on what to say so that wouldn't reveal too much about myself, I decided on saying a random minuscule fact.

When it was my neighbors turn, he said "I was a foster child until two years ago when I was adopted by my parents." He spoke so freely without a care in the world before sitting down. I was the last one standing, which meant everyone was looking at me, waiting to say my fact.

"My name is Avery Jameson and I'm just a regular girl with a normal life. There isn't anything interesting about me."

I wondered why I said that instead of the fact that I chose but I went with it.

"Now that's not true Ms Jameson. There's something interesting in everyone. Think of something else."

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment although I hoped no one noticed. Thinking of a random minuscule fact I said, "I like to read on Friday nights."

Sure it was boring but it was all I came up with on the spot. The teacher gave me a disappointing nod, before handing out the class contract. I sat down and slowly shrunk in my chair.

"I like to read on Friday nights? Is that the best you could come up with?" My classmate who sat next to me asked. I looked down at his folder and noted that it read Declan.

"What else was I supposed to say?"

He thought for a moment before saying "Well saying that you liked to wear wigs would've been a much more interesting fact."

My eyes widened and my hands went up to my hair for the second time today.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked.

"Not really, no." He began, "but when you have a sister as a hair stylist, you quickly learn real hair from fake."

If my cheeks didn't clear up from the embarrassment before, they certainly got a shade or two redder by now. This was only first period and I was already up to a bad start.

"Don't worry about it though. I don't think anyone could tell."

Except you.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I tried to focus on the contract for the rest of the period but couldn't. Something about Declan fascinated me, and it wasn't just the fact that his sister was a hair stylist. When class was over, I got up and followed him out the door.

"Why were you so open about saying that you were a foster child?"

I know it sounded rather blunt, but I didn't care. I wanted to know the answer.

He turned around and raised his eyebrows. "Since when were you so curious about my life?"

"I just wanted to know. You didn't seem ashamed by it or anything. You just told people about it without second thought and it didn't seem like you cared what they thought."

He stared at me for a moment before responding, "Because I don't. There's no need to hide my past, especially when it's apart of who I am. I don't need any fresh starts, I just want to live my life. There's only one me and I plan to live through all of it."

What he said left me pondering and I couldn't stop thinking about a specific part of his mini speech. I don't need any fresh starts, there only one me.

"Thanks." Before he had a chance to respond, I left the hallway in search of my English teacher.

When I finally found her I said, "I have a more interesting fact about myself I would like to say."

She glanced up from her papers and turned to look at me. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath in and prepared to let my biggest secret out. "I'm a cancer patient and I'm going to die in a few months."

So much for fresh starts.

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A/N-  Thanks for reading this short. I originally planned to make a full novel out of this but I thought it would be too similar to other side plots from my other books. I did, however, tweak the plot to create a new book. It's called Broken Heart Syndrome and it's on my profile now. If you like this story then you'll love that one. It'd be great if you checked it out. Anyway, thanks for reading and see you next time.