After Aiden left I was not only still trying to deal with what was happening to Lacey but I was confused about why I was starting to look at Aiden in a different way. Was I getting confused? He was being a supportive friend and nothing else. What was wrong with me? Not only was I dealing with the fear for my friend I was filled with disgust over how I was starting to look at Aiden differently. Was it because he was supporting me through a difficult stage. Max had tried to be understanding but he would never understand the way Aiden did.

When I sat down on my bed and looked at my phone I decided to call Lacey and check on her. I didn't want her to be going through such a difficult time without having me to lean on. I was her friend through thick and thin even when I was struggling to keep it together myself.

"Hi," she answered. She sounded sad.

"Hey you," I said, trying to sound more upbeat than I felt. "Why have you been avoiding my calls?"

She paused and it made my nervousness spike.

"Can you come over?" she asked and it confirmed there was something not right. My hand shook slightly as I held my phone against my ear.

"Sure," I answered, trying to keep my voice light. No matter what I was feeling I had to keep it together to support her.

I wondered if she wanted to tell me about her delaying her surgery. I was thankful Aiden had already told me it allowed me to process it before I had to face her. It would make it easier to handle it when I saw her.

I was still feeling anxious when I arrived at her house and rung the doorbell.

She opened it and I crossed my arms. "You better have a good explanation for avoiding me," I told her when she let me in.

She went to the kitchen and I followed behind her.

"Do you want something to drink?" she asked turning to face me.

She looked fragile and sad and my initial anger at her avoiding me began to disappear.

"No," I replied while I studied her.  "What's wrong?"

She sighed. It was heavy and emotional.

"I'm delaying the surgery." I pretended to be surprised. 

"Why? Is that what the surgeon said?" I asked trying to ask questions I would have had I not been told prior of her decision. "I thought he'd do the surgery as soon as possible."

She gripped the kitchen counter as she leaned against it.

"I don't want to have the surgery straight away," she explained. 

"Why?" I asked, taking a step closer. I just wanted her to be okay. Delaying her surgery would make it more difficult and risky.

"I'm scared I won't make it through the surgery." I saw a glimpse of her fear, the same fear I had been feeling for her. Her eyes watered and reached out to touch her arm. I didn't want to see her like this. My fear was one thing but seeing hers brought home the reality of her situation.

"The surgeon explained that any delay would impact on my odds of surviving," she added hoarsely.

"I know you're scared but you have to have the surgery," I urged her. I wanted her to be okay and to make it through the surgery. The sooner she had the tumour the better her chances of survival. While I understood her fear, I feared for what would happen if she didn't do the surgery as soon as possible.

"The odds are against me and I want some time with the people I love. It's not like I'm asking for another six months. All I want is a couple of weeks."

It didn't sound like a lot to ask for. I hugged her.

"The people who love you want you to have the surgery with the best possible odds. I know you're scared but we are all here for you."

Like Aiden and I had already decided we would be strong for her. She told me about Adonis being unable to accept her decision. I wanted to be mad at him but I also understood why he felt that way. It was a tricky situation to navigate.

Even if I didn't agree with her decision it didn't mean I wouldn't do everything I could to support it. We were sitting on her bed talking about things she wanted to do in the time she would have.

"It isn't about doing a bucket list," she explained with a shrug. I had never been in her shoes so I had no idea what was driving her. "I want to be able to spend more time with my family and friends. It's not like I want to go bungee jumping or anything like that."

"Okay." I nodded. "If you're going to risk your life for a few more memories, let's make the memories worthwhile."

I would make sure the memories she had were ones she could treasure.

She gave me a questioning look.

"We're going out tonight. We're going to drink and have fun," I told her as I stood up. I put my hand on my hips and dared her to disagree with me.

"Okay," she gave in with a slight nervous smile that made me feel determined to give her a great night out.

"Can we drag Aiden with us?" she asked.

She had no idea Aiden and I had been in touch.

"Sure. It'll be fun." I shrugged. "He can help me make sure you have a night to remember."

I knew he would do whatever he could to help.

She called Aiden, looking excited for the first time since she had discovered she was sick. It was nice.

"Do you want to invite Max?" she asked when she was done talking to Aiden.

Max. I still hadn't worked through my own issues with being around him so I shook my head. I didn't want to make tonight any more complicated than it needed to be. My full attention had to be on my friend, she needed me. 

"No just friends tonight. Tonight I want to be able to give you all my attention."

"I don't mind," she said.

"No, it's fine." I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced but she left the subject alone.

While we got ready to go out it brought back fun memories of getting ready to go out and for the first time I forgot for just a little while that my friend was sick. I even shut out Aiden, not wanting to take a closer look at why I was seeing him a different way. Lacey came first, everything else could be dealt with a later stage.

Lacey was excited and bubbling inside and it was a relief to see her feeling more upbeat despite everything going on.

My stomach fluttered when Aiden arrived. Lacey had hugged him but I had given him a slight inclination of my head as he did the same to me. I felt awkward but Lacey didn't pick up on it.

"I can't understand why it takes you guys so long to get ready," he whined when it took us a little while longer to get ready. He leaned agains the door watching us with a frown.

"We have to look good," I explained as I finished putting on some mascara.

"I'm done," Lacey announced.

"Come on you two," Aiden said impatiently checking out his watch. "You're both beautiful."

Finally we were ready to go. I sat in the back and Lacey sat in the passenger side of Aiden's car. I stared out the window trying to stop myself from looking in Aiden's direction. It felt wrong to sneak a peek at his side profile as he chatted with Lacey. I put it down to my theory that girls and guys couldn't just be friends, if they spent enough time together things were just bound to happen.

All I needed was to reinforce my relationship with Max and it would put things back into balance.

When we got the party I led the way leading Lacey by the hand. Aiden followed behind us.

I headed to the kitchen to get some drinks. It would help loosen us up so we could have fun. "Do want to do some shots?" I asked when I saw a bottle of Tequila.

She nodded and I poured the three of a tot each and we downed them. I refilled them again. Lacey was smiling nicely when we moved into the living room to mingle.

There were two drunk girls singing out of tune that Lacey was giggling at. I shook my head at them. They were well on there way already and the party had just started.