Disguised As A Boy To Attend Belmont High School
Chapter 157: Chemotherapy Results.

Chapter 157: Chemotherapy Results.

Tears rolled down Aiden’s cheeks as he continued. "Who would’ve thought that calling you to school to meet the principal would give me the chance to ruin your system? And who would’ve thought someone else would kill you?"

Knock..knock..knock...

The knock at the 3RM special room soon pulled Aiden out of his whirlpool of thoughts. Quickly drying his tears, he shoved his phone into his pocket and stood up to open the door.

As the door creaked open, Olive, Mark, and Lara were revealed, prompting a smile to tug at his lips.

"Hey buddy!" Lara greeted with a warm smile.

"You’re here already?" Aiden asked, his voice hoarse from the crying he’d just suppressed.

"Yes! Now let’s get out of here," Mark replied, his energy a stark contrast to Aiden’s exhaustion. He grabbed Aiden by the arm, pulling him into the hallway as the others followed.

They all piled into Mark’s waiting Maybach, the luxury vehicle purring softly as the chauffeur eased it out of the school compound and onto the paved streets. Silence stretched between them as they drove toward the hospital, each of them sensing the tension radiating off Aiden.

As the hospital loomed ahead, Aiden’s nerves began to flutter uncontrollably. Today was the day. The day he’d learn if his cancer had gone into remission.

They stepped out of the car, Aiden feeling like his legs might give out beneath him. His hands were trembling, his mind clouded with the looming possibility of bad news. The others noticed his hesitation, the way he stood frozen at the entrance of the hospital.

Mark stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Hey, everything’s going to be fine, okay? Just believe. You’ve come this far."

Aiden could only nod in response, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

Lara, noticing his struggle, pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind her back, revealing it with a gentle smile. "Here, Aiden. I thought these might brighten your day a little."

Aiden blinked in surprise, his lips curling into a small but genuine smile as he accepted the flowers. "Thanks, Lara," he said softly, running his fingers over the delicate petals. "Thank you, guys... for being here. For everything."

Without a word, Olive, Mark, and Lara encircled him in a group hug, their support palpable in the tight embrace.

After a few moments, they entered the hospital and made their way to Dr. Johnson’s office. The oncologist greeted them warmly, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. After exchanging pleasantries, he led Aiden into the examination room for the series of tests and scans.

Minutes felt like hours as Aiden sat through the procedures, his mind racing with a thousand scenarios, each one worse than the last. When they finally returned to the doctor’s office, his heart was lodged in his throat.

Dr. Johnson sat behind his desk, his expression somber as he glanced between Aiden and his friends. "Aiden," he began, his voice low and steady, "I’m afraid the news isn’t what we hoped for."

The world around Aiden seemed to tilt, his vision blurring as the doctor’s words settled over him like a heavy weight. His hands balled into fists, his knuckles white from the pressure. Tears, the ones he’d been trying so hard to suppress, finally broke free, cascading down his cheeks.

Mark, Olive, and Lara were equally shocked, their expressions mirroring his pain.

"What... what does this mean?" Olive stammered, her voice trembling. "How come it didn’t go into remission?"

Dr. Johnson sighed softly, leaning forward. "We’ll need to adjust Aiden’s treatment plan. There are alternative options we can explore."

Aiden couldn’t hold it in anymore. "More chemo? More pain? More uncertainty?" His voice was choked with emotion, bitterness creeping into his words. "Do you even know what these last few weeks have been like for me? How hard it was to keep going?"

Mark’s voice cut through the haze of despair. "What are the next steps, doctor?"

Dr. Johnson nodded, his tone steady despite the weight of the situation. "We’ll discuss a revised treatment plan. There are still avenues we haven’t explored, but it’s going to be a more aggressive approach this time."

Lara stepped forward, her voice barely a whisper. "Is there still hope for remission?"

"There is," Dr. Johnson replied, his eyes softening. "But we’ll need to be proactive. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible."

Olive, sensing Aiden’s collapse into despair, wrapped her arms around him. "It’s okay, Aiden. We’re here for you, no matter what. Always."

Aiden’s shoulders shook as he let out a shaky breath, his voice small and broken. "I don’t think I can do this anymore. I should just... I should just die."

The room went deathly quiet.

Mark, refusing to let Aiden sink further, gripped his shoulders and turned him around to face him. "Don’t say that. You’re not giving up, man. You’re not going to quit because of one setback. That would make you a coward, and you’re not a coward."

"But what if it doesn’t work again? I’m tired, Mark," Aiden cried, the weight of his fear finally spilling out. "I’m so tired."

Without another word, Mark pulled him into a tight embrace, holding him as he wept. "You’re stronger than this, Aiden. You’re a fighter. You’ve come too far to give up now."

Olive and Lara joined the hug, their presence a silent promise of their unwavering support.

Dr. Johnson watched the scene unfold with a mixture of sympathy and resolve. "Aiden, I understand how exhausting this process is, but giving up is not the answer. We will keep fighting this, together. There is hope."

Aiden pulled back slightly, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. His voice was barely a whisper. "What if I don’t make it this time? What if I don’t survive?"

Mark’s eyes burned with intensity as he spoke. "You will make it. You’re not going to give up, not now. Not ever."

Lara nodded, her voice filled with conviction. "You’re stronger than you know, Aiden. You’ve already survived so much."

"We won’t lose you," Olive added, her voice thick with emotion. "We love you, Aiden."

Dr. Johnson stood up, scribbling notes onto a pad. "I’ll schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the new treatment plan. We’re not out of options yet, Aiden. I’ll send the details to your email, and you can come in for the hard copy later."

"I told you," Aiden growled, his anger bubbling over, "I’m not doing any more stupid treatments!"

Mark interjected, ignoring Aiden’s outburst. "Thank you, doctor. We appreciate your help." He sniffled, keeping a firm grip on Aiden’s hand.

As they left the oncologist’s office, Mark turned to Aiden with a soft smile. "Let’s get out of here, Aiden. Let’s go somewhere and clear our heads, alright?"

Aiden’s eyes were pleading. "Just the two of us. Without Arthur and Lara."

Olive and Lara exchanged a glance, understanding the depth of Aiden’s request. They didn’t argue, knowing Mark might be the only one to convince him to accept treatment again.

After Olive and Lara ordered a ride back to school, Aiden and Mark slid into the Maybach.

_________

The night was dark, the sky a vast canvas dotted with glittering stars. After a day spent visiting every fun spot they could think of, Aiden and Mark found themselves at the beach, where the moon’s reflection shimmered on the calm water.

They sat on the sand, each holding a bottle of beer, a quiet peace settling over them.

"You remember this place?" Aiden asked, gazing out at the waves. "This is where I met you and Lucas for the first time."

Mark smiled faintly. "Yeah, we were just kids back then. It was a night like this. We became friends under the moonlight."

Aiden chuckled. "It’s only the two of us now. I’m sorry for bringing you back here, considering what happened to your parents."

Mark’s expression darkened, but he shook his head. "It’s fine. I’m glad I’m here... with you."

Aiden’s smile faltered. "It might be you and Lucas here next time. Without me."

Mark’s heart clenched at the words, and tears threatened to fall, but he swallowed them back.

"We’ll all come here again, Aiden. You, me, Lucas. Don’t talk like this is the last time."

"I’m not giving up," Aiden replied softly, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. "But no one knows what tomorrow will bring. I just want to make sure I’ve done everything I love before it’s too late. I want you to know that I cherish you and Lucas alot before leaving."

Mark couldn’t find the words to respond, his heart heavy with the weight of Aiden’s quiet resignation. But before he could speak, a voice interrupted them from behind.

"And where exactly do you think you’re going?"

Both Aiden and Mark whipped around, instantly recognizing the voice.