Four hours left.

We reach a little city called Spokane with a few skyscrapers here and there, a clocktower off in the distance with this weird ass net. I think it's the landmark. Anyways, it makes me smile a little because it means we're in Washington. And it means we're almost there.

Pete is currently sleeping sound in my lap, eyes shut and breaths slow and steady. His Polaroid camera is set on the floor and everything is just kind of nice and warm and fuzzy inside.

We stop for gas, Gerard paying while Patrick remains half asleep in the passenger seat and I take a break to stretch my legs, leaving the car and standing beside it, watching my brother fuel up.

"So you and Pete?"

My eyebrows rise slightly, "Me and Pete?"

He turns to look at me, "you two are adorable. You totally need to hook up or something. I can feel the romantic tension."

I raise my eyebrows skeptically, "Uh-huh, sure. I'm not... I'm not into him like that."

He raises his eyebrows right back, red hair framing his narrow face, "And I'm just supposed to think that hesitation meant nothing."

I blush a mad red, "Look even if... even if I did like him like that there's no way he'd feel the same way about me. A-and I mean it's not like I'll live long enough to see it go into fruition."

Gerard whips around a glare on his face as he stalks toward me, pinning me against the car and making my heart race, "do not talk like that. You are not going to die and the doctors don't even know if it's cancer."

"Yeah. Right. Because it's normal to get lumps in your side." I reply sarcastically.

"Stop, Mikey, it's seriously stressing everyone out. Mama cries herself to sleep, did you think about that? Do you want her to do that, Mikes? Is that it?"

I feel guilt swell in my stomach and my anger drops, "She... cries herself to sleep?"

"Yes, Mikey, are you really that fucking blind?" Gerard begs, "You aren't going to die. Not now, not in ten years. I am going to stay by your side to the end. Do you understand? I love you, man. I hate seeing you like this. We all do."

"I'm sorry."

"Damn right you should be." He growls, pulling the pump from the tank.

That's the last time I worry about the cancer aloud to Gerard.

***

Four hours pass and that's when I finally allow myself to take out my notebook after Pete takes a picture of the two of us with his camera, downtown in the background.

3. Visit Seattle