Monday morning rolled around far too quickly. The weekend's excitement felt like a distant memory as Dad, Nathan and I trudged into the hospital for my chemo session. The familiar smell of disinfectant hit me as we walked through the sliding doors, and I felt my stomach clench.

"You alright, love?" Dad asked, his hand on my shoulder.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just... you know. The usual."

Nathan squeezed my hand. "We're right here with you, Beth."

As we made our way to the oncology ward, I couldn't help but think about Mum. She usually came with me to these appointments, but she had an important meeting at work she couldn't reschedule. I knew she felt guilty about it, but I'd assured her it was fine. And it was, really. But there was something comforting about her presence that I missed.

We checked in at the desk, and the nurse - Rebecca, I think her name was - smiled at us. "Hello, Beth. How are you feeling today?"

"Oh, you know," I said with a shrug. "Ready to get this over with."

She nodded sympathetically. "Well, we'll try to make it as quick and painless as possible. Your usual room is ready whenever you are."

As we walked down the corridor, I heard a familiar voice. "Beth! Beth!"

I turned to see Tommy, the little boy I'd met during my last session. He was sitting in a wheelchair, his mother beside him. His eyes, clouded and unfocused, were turned in my general direction, a big smile on his face.

"Tommy!" I said, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," he said. "Mum says I have to have more tests today. But I told her it's not so bad because I might see you!"

I felt a lump form in my throat. "Well, I'm glad I could make your day a bit better."

Tommy's mum smiled at me gratefully. "He's been talking about you non-stop since your last visit. You really made an impression."

I introduced Tommy and his mum to Dad and Nathan. "This is my dad, and this is my boyfriend, Nathan," I explained to Tommy. "And Dad, Nathan, this is Tommy and his mum, Mrs..."

"Oh, please, call me Linda," Tommy's mum said, shaking hands with Dad and Nathan.

"Nice to meet you," Dad said warmly. "Beth's told us about Tommy. He sounds like quite the brave young man."

Tommy beamed at the compliment. "I'm going to get new eyes soon," he announced proudly. "Then I can see Beth properly!"

I saw Linda's smile falter slightly, and I remembered what she'd told me last time about the difficulty of finding a suitable cornea donor.

"How's the wait for a transplant going?" I asked hesitantly.

"We had a bit of a setback," she explained, her voice tight. "We thought we had a donor, but... it fell through at the last minute."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "Oh, Tommy," I whispered, squeezing his hand. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," he said, trying to sound brave. "Maybe next time, right?"

Nathan crouched down to Tommy's level. "Well, I hope you get those new eyes soon. But I bet you're already pretty amazing at getting around without them, aren't you?"

Tommy nodded enthusiastically. "I can find my way all around our house now! And I've almost mastered learning to read with my fingers."

"Braille," Linda explained. "He's picking it up remarkably quickly."

As I watched them, a thought began to form in my mind. Organ donation. It wasn't something I'd really considered before, but now... seeing Tommy, thinking about all the other patients waiting for transplants... it suddenly seemed so important.

I thought about how simple it would be. To sign up as a donor. To potentially save lives and improve it, even after I was gone. The idea was both comforting and terrifying. I didn't want to think about dying, but if the worst happened...

No. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. I couldn't go there. Not now.

"Beth?" Dad's voice broke through my thoughts. "It's time for your treatment."

I nodded, saying goodbye to Tommy and his parents. As I stood up, Nathan pulled me into another hug. "I'll be right here when you're done," he murmured. "You've got this, Reid."

The nurse took me to the treatment room, Dad shuffling along behind us. I sank into the chair, trying not to look at the IV stand. God, I hated that thing. Part of me wished Nathan was here, but then again, I didn't want him to see me like this again like he did last Monday - all pale and scared, with tubes sticking out of me.

It was freezing in there, as usual. I couldn't help shivering as the nurse faffed about with the IV. Dad noticed and draped his jacket over me. "You okay?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Truth was, I was terrified. Every time I came in for treatment, there was this little voice in the back of my head going, "What if all this is pointless? You're such a burden."

As the drugs started flowing, I squeezed my eyes shut. The cold crept through my veins, and I tried to think about anything else. Nathan's goofy grin. Meri chattering away at breakfast. Mum's hugs. Tommy, waiting for his transplant that might never come.

Time went weird in that room. Sometimes it dragged on forever, every second feeling like an hour of being uncomfortable and scared. Other times, I'd zone out and suddenly an hour had gone by without me noticing.

Dad tried reading to me from some book he'd brought, but I couldn't focus on the words. His voice was nice though, kind of comforting in the sterile room with all the beeping machines.

"Dad?" I said, during a quiet bit.

He looked up right away. "Yeah, love?"

I didn't know how to say what I was thinking. "Do you... do you ever wonder why me? Why did I get cancer?"

His face sort of crumpled. "Oh, Beth," he sighed. "All the time. But then I think about how tough you are, how brave. And I reckon... maybe you're meant for something important."

I mulled that over as the treatment went on. Something important. Was that what this new feeling was about?

When the nurse came to check on me, I caught sight of myself in the window. Bloody hell, I looked rough. Pale, skinny, with massive bags under my eyes.

I hardly recognised myself. But maybe... maybe that girl in the reflection could still do something worthwhile. Maybe she could turn this whole awful experience into something that actually matters.

The next few hours passed in a haze of needles, drips, and beeping machines. Dad sat beside me the whole time, alternating between reading aloud and just holding my hand. I was grateful for him, even if I couldn't always say it.

As the drugs flowed through me, my mind kept drifting back to Tommy and organ donation. How many people were registered donors? How many lives could be saved if more people signed up? The more I thought about it, the more I felt... something.

A sense of purpose, maybe?

But I kept these thoughts to myself. This would be my secret for now. Something to look into. To think about.

As the nurse removed my IV, I made a silent promise to myself. I'd research organ donation. Learn everything I could about it. And maybe, just maybe, I could make a difference.

Dad helped me to my feet, his arm around my waist as we left the treatment room. "How are you feeling, Beth?" he asked, his forehead creased with worry.

"Knackered," I admitted. "But okay. Just want to go home."

As we entered the waiting area, I saw Nathan jump to his feet. He looked worried, but he managed a smile as he came over to us. "Hey, trooper," he said softly. "Ready to get out of here?"

I nodded, leaning against him slightly. "More than ready."

Just before we reached the exit, I heard a small voice. "Bye, Beth! Thanks for talking to me today!"

I turned to see Tommy, still waiting with his parents. Despite everything, he was smiling. I felt my throat tighten. "Bye, Tommy," I called back. "Stay strong, okay? I'll see you next time."

As we walked to the car park, Nathan's arm around my waist and Dad hovering nearby, I felt something building inside me. Yeah, I was exhausted. Yeah, the road ahead was long and scary. But for the first time in ages, I felt like I had a purpose beyond just surviving.

I might not be able to do much about my own situation, but maybe I could make a difference for others. The thought warmed me, even as the autumn air nipped at my skin.

"You all right?" Dad asked as he helped me into the car.

I nodded, managing a small but real smile. "Yeah, Dad. I think I am."

Nathan squeezed my hand before closing the car door. "I'll call you later, okay?"

As we drove away, I leaned my head against the window, watching the hospital disappear behind us. My body ached, and I was beyond tired. But in my mind, a small flame of determination had been lit. I had research to do, and maybe, just maybe, a way to make my mark on the world.

I must've dozed off on the way home because the next thing I knew, Dad was gently shaking my shoulder. "We're back, Beth," he said softly.

I blinked, taking in the familiar sight of our house. The overgrown front garden needed a trim, but it was home. God, I was knackered.

"Need a hand?" Dad asked as I fumbled with my seatbelt.

I shook my head. "I've got it." My fingers felt like sausages, but I managed to free myself.

Mum was at the door before we even reached it, worry etched on her face. "Oh, baby," she said, pulling me into a careful hug. "How are you feeling?"

I leaned into her, breathing in her familiar scent. "Tired," I mumbled. "Really tired."

She smoothed my hair, like she used to when I was little. "Come on, let's get you inside."

As we stepped in, I heard the thunder of feet on the stairs. Meri appeared, her face lighting up. "Beth! How was it? Are you okay?"

I tried to smile for her. "Same old, same old. Just knackered."

"I made tea," she said, looking proud of herself. "And there are biscuits."

My stomach lurched at the thought of food, but I appreciated the gesture. "Thanks, Meri. Maybe later, yeah?"

Mum steered me towards the stairs. "Why don't you go up and rest? I'll bring your meds in a bit."

I nodded, grateful. Each step felt like climbing Everest, my legs heavy as lead. By the time I reached my room, I was out of breath.

I sank onto my bed, relishing the comfort of my own duvet. For a moment, I just sat there, letting the day wash over me. The hospital, the treatment, Tommy and his need for eyes... it was a lot.

I grabbed my phone, remembering I'd promised to text Nathan. My fingers felt clumsy as I typed.

"Home safe. Knackered but ok. I love you x."

His reply was almost instant.

"I love you too. Glad your home. Get some rest though, here if you need me x."

I smiled. Nathan had been my rock through all this. I didn't know what I'd done to deserve him.

As I set my phone down, my eyes landed on my laptop. Thoughts of Tommy and organ donation came flooding back. I hesitated. I was exhausted, and Mum would be up soon with my meds. I should sleep.

But the idea had taken root. I knew I wouldn't rest until I'd at least started looking into it.

With a groan, I heaved myself off the bed and over to my desk. The laptop hummed to life, the screen too bright in my dim room. I squinted, my fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Slowly, I typed.

"Can cancer patients donate organs"

I hit enter, my heart pounding as I waited. As the results loaded, a mix of emotions washed over me. Hope, fear, curiosity, determination. It was complicated, but not impossible. Some cancer patients could, under certain circumstances, be organ donors.

I clicked link after link, reading about conditions and guidelines. There were risks, of course. But the possibility was there. The chance to help others, to leave a mark, even if...

I shook my head. This wasn't about me. It was about Tommy, and all the others waiting for a second chance. It was about making a difference, however small.

As I read, something stirred inside me. A sense of purpose. For so long, I'd felt swept along by appointments and treatments. But this... this was something I could do. Something I could fight for.

I leaned back, my mind racing.

For the first time in months, I felt excited about something other than all the new things I was getting to do. This was bigger than me. This could help so many people.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Beth?" Mum called. "I've got your meds. You awake?"

I quickly minimized the browser. "Come in," I called back, turning in my chair.

She entered with a tray of pills and water, eyebrows rising when she saw me at the desk. "Thought you'd be resting," she said, setting the tray down.

"Just checking something online," I said vaguely. "I'll lie down in a minute, promise."

Mum nodded, but I could see the worry in her eyes. "Alright. Don't stay up too late. You need rest after today."

As she left, I turned back to my computer. The minimized window seemed to call to me, full of information that could change everything. I knew I should sleep. My body was crying out for rest.

But as I stood up, ready to crawl into bed, I couldn't help but feel excited. If it was possible... if I could do this...

I climbed under the covers, my mind still buzzing. As I reached for my pills, a small smile played at my lips. For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like I had control over something. Like I could make a real difference.

As I drifted off, one thought echoed in my mind.

I think I've found my purpose.