Chapter 6

Two months later

"We won, you lost! Take that suckers!" Kate waved her arms wildly, and danced around her front yard.

Stacie laughed, and her eyes twinkled.

Candy, Mia and I stood there with our palms on our knees, wondering how they could have played a thirty minute game of soccer and not be tired.

"I—It was on purpose," I wheezed. "As if we'd lose to the two of you."

Kate grinned. "Oh? Do you want a rematch then?"

"No! No, no rematch!" yelled Mia. "I am still recovering from the first one."

"I still don't get how you guys lost. There are three of you, and two of us. And one of us is nine--"

"And eleven twelfths," added Stacie.

"And eleven twelfths," amended Kate. "How can you not win?"

Candy glared at her, her left eye twitching. "Some of us don't have mad soccer skills, hon."

"Maybe you'd have 'mad soccer skills', as you so eloquently put it, if you actually ate something instead of grass. Though I do appreciate the compliment," Kate teased, with a spark in her eyes.

"I'd chase you," said Candy, collapsing onto the grass, "but I am too tired to do so."

"Or you're just afraid that you can't catch me."

"Nope, still not going to fall for it."

"Chicken."

Candy's cheeks flushed red in anger, and she squeezed her water bottle.

"What. Did. You. Just. Say?" she said, through gritted teeth.

"You heard me. Buck. Buck. Chicken." Kate flapped her arms like the farm animal she spoke of, and Candice stood.

"Oh, it's on." She started to chase Kate around the large yard whilst the rest of us looked on and laughed. My friends were crazy, but when it came down to it, they would stick by me no matter what.

"Dinner's ready!" yelled Stacy from the patio and everyone quickly scurried inside. She had taken us all over to visit Kate's mother and coincidentally, Candy and Mia had come over. Meal time at the Myers' household was something of a battle. It ran purely on the basis of 'first come, first serve,' especially since Kate had three brothers who ate like pigs; her words not mine.

Stacy had set aside a plate of food for Stacie,  who was laughing at something James, Kate's eldest brother, had said. Times like these almost made me forget that she had cancer. Almost. The thought was always there, niggling at the back of my mind, dampening my mood. I fussed over her like a mother hen, and even Stacy had told me to tone it down a little.

I couldn't help it. I just wanted her to feel normal, to feel loved. To feel free of cancer. She had been in and out of the hospital constantly, skipping class for appointments. Of late, she'd been feeling better, although the cancerous tissue was still there. Still looming overhead, ready to strike at any moment...

"Ash!" yelled Candy. "Earth to Ashley!" I blinked twice.

"Huh?" I said. Candy rolled her eyes.

"You spaced out. Again." She spoke accusingly, until she saw where my attention was. Her eyes softened. "Oh Ash." She held out her arms to me, and I walked into them, hot tears spilling over and onto my cheeks.

"I just want her to be okay. I want all this to be over. I want her to be okay."

"Hey, hey Ash. Look at me." I wiped my snot covered nose on her shirt and she didn't even flinch. That was just the kind of friend she was. I looked up into her concerned blue eyes.

"Ash, I know you're worried. Believe me, we all are. Just remember that we're here for you no matter what." She hugged me

"Yeah, we are," said a voice behind me. Kate. She draped an arm over my shoulder.

"No matter what," said Mia firmly, appearing out of nowhere and joined in the hug.

"We're best friends forever, Ash. Even when we're old, and our dentures keep falling out--" started Candy.

"And you, Candice Waters, are living alone with itchy sweaters and twenty seven cats for company. Because that's what best friends do."

"Yeah," sighed Candice. "Hey! Wait! Kate..." She trailed off, glaring at Kate menacingly.

"Hey! You guys! Hurry up, Mom won't let us get seconds until you eat! Enough with the mushy lovey-dovey stuff!" yelled Kate's youngest brother, Mark.

"Don't you dare touch my chicken wings Mark!" yelled Kate, running into the kitchen.

"I'd better go and check on her," sighed Mia, following Kate.

"Don't forget that we're always here Ash," whispered Candy, before following our two friends into the kitchen.

I stood there smiling contentedly. No matter what storms I would go through, I had three friends going through them with me.

~|~|~

"Stacie!" I yelled, as I dropped my bag onto one of the sofas. I frowned when I didn't get a response. Odd.

"Tom! Jerry!" I called out. No one responded, and I started to panic. I ran into the kitchen, ignoring the looks I got from a maid I'd pushed.

"Marie, where's everyone?" I asked the cook. She turned to me, and I saw that she had been crying.

"Ashley, Stacie had an attack not too long ago," she said. "The ambulance came for them. She—she didn't look good."

I blinked once. Twice. Thrice. The information finally got to my brain.

"No. No, no, no, no..." I fell to my knees, and banged on the ground with my fists. "This can't be happening. We played football two days ago, she can't be sick, it's not fair."

Marie came round the island, and hugged me.

"You need to be strong, Ashley, ma petite. The family needs you strong."

I shakily wiped my tears away and stood determined. Still shaking, I dialled Candy's number. She answered on the first ring.

"Candy Cane here, what sugary treat do you need?" she chirped.

"Candy," I said seriously.

"Ash, what's the matter?"

"It's Stacie...she's...she's in the hospital. I need a lift." It took all I had to keep standing. As it was, I was surprised I hadn't collapsed yet.

"Say no more. I'll be there in five minutes."

She hung up, and I started crying again.

"It is okay. Cry."

When Candy got there, I was standing the gate, a grim look on my face as I opened the door. Dad wasn't even around. His two week long business trip had quickly evolved into a two month long one. Not that I was complaining. He not being here made things so much easier on the rest of us.

Candy drove like a madman, and I was surprised we got to the hospital in one piece. I got down from the car and ran into the hospital, Candy not far behind. At the entrance, I met Mia and Kate.

"Candy told us," explained Kate. I just nodded, not bothering to respond.

After a thorough inquisition from the receptionist, we made our way to Stacie's room. Stacey was pacing in front of the door, hair frazzled, pantsuit wrinkled.

"How is she?" I asked.

"It's not looking good," she responded. I sat down on a chair and stared at the door. My three best friends came to stand by me.

"We're right here," said Candy. "Our parents said we could stay, and we're not going anywhere." I nodded, but kept my gaze on the door.

"Thank you girls, but it's really not necessary," Stacy spoke for me.

"We want to stay here Mrs Dawson," said Kate.

"We want to be here, for your family," added Mia.

"Thank you. I cannot say how much this means to me," said Stacy, looking relieved.

Minutes turned into hours as I sat there and simply stared at the door. Kate, Mia and Candy went to buy snacks for us. I couldn't tear myself from that spot. How could I? Any minute now she would come out, smiling. Any minute now she would laugh and say it was just a joke, just a prank. Any minute now, she'd be healed.

That minute never came. The doctor came out, looking grim. Everyone got up, anxious.

"Is she..." started Stacy, her face pinched with worry. She couldn't say out loud, but I finished the sentence mentally? Is she dead?

The doctor shook his head. "But she's barely hanging on. She's a fighter; that I can say. She says she wants to see you all."

Mia, Kate and Candy stood back hesitantly, but Stacey pushed them in.

"You've been here all this while. You're practically family."

My eyes zoned onto the pale figure draped in thin sheets, golden hair splayed behind her. Eyes shut. I rushed to her side.

"Stacie, I'm right here. Hang on girl, we need you." A tear trickled down my cheek, and onto her hand, which was firmly clasped to mine. "I need you. If you go, who am I going to talk to? Who's going to wake me up in the middle of the night when she's had a nightmare? Whose hair am I going to brush?" I laughed slightly as the tears flowed freely.

"Who's going to kick my butt when we play soccer? Mia, Candy and I didn't actually lose on purpose you know."

"I...know," she croaked, as her blue eyes fluttered open. "You guys are terrible at soccer. And pretty much everything else." She grinned half-heartedly and struggled to sit up.

"No, no!" Stacy sat her back down. "You're not strong enough yet."

"Mom!" whined Stacey, rolling her eyes. "I'm practically ten. Double digits?"

"I know sweetie. You're ancient." Stacy laughed, but soon dissolved into tears. "My baby..." Her body was wracked with sobs as she hugged Stacie.

"Mom, please don't cry. I'm fine, honestly."

"Of course she's fine," chirped Tom.

"We need to beat up her boyfriend when she's older," added Jerry, cracking his knuckles, then wincing. I laughed. My family was crazy.

"Jesus made me fine," she said.

"Stacie, please not this Jesus stuff again..." said her mother.

"But Mom! He's going to make me whole! He loves me!" She pouted.

"Whatever you say, darling," said Stacy. Suddenly, Stacie, clasped her forehead and groaned.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"My head. It hurts, Mom, it hurts so bad! Make it go away, Mom, make the pain go away!"

Stacey ran out the door to call the doctor, who came running in, and gave her something to drink.

"Better," she sighed, shifting to get comfortable in her sheets. "So much better. Ash, I'm tired. Sing me a lullaby."

I hesitated. My voice was horrible. Stacey rolled her eyes.

"Mia, you sing. Then the rest of you join in. Sing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."

Mia opened her mouth to sing, and the notes rang clear and true.

Swing low, sweet chariot,

Coming forth to carry me home!

Swing low, sweet chariot.

Coming forth to carry me home.

Stacie's eyes fluttered shut and her breathing slowed. Then it stopped.

"Did she just..." Stacey's eyes widened. "Say it's not true."

"No...no, no, no," I wailed as I fully understood what had happened. My little sister was no more.

Stacie was gone.

Not one of my better chapters. I may re re edit it.