Page 39 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Will you freak if I say tired?” I asked.

“Oh, sweetheart.” She reached for me, brushing my forehead. “We get it, you know. Your dad and me. You’re scared and freaking out and wanted a night of pretending you’re just a normal eighteen-year-old. But that’s not your life now, Sofia. That’s not—”

“Mom.” A tremor went through me as I tried to keep my voice even. I didn’t want to cry. I was so fucking tired of crying.

But she was right.

Of course she was right.

Nothing was the same anymore.

Nothing was going to be the same ever again.

“We need to focus on fighting this thing, sweetheart. I’ve been reading up about it, and staying healthy and getting good nutrition are important during treatment. It can really help minimize side effects.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re going to put me on a special diet. I’m going to need comfort foods, Mom. All of them.”

“No, I’m not going to put you on a diet, baby. But we need to do everything we can to face this thing head on. Good nutrition, a positive mental attitude, and—”

I tuned out at that point. We didn’t even have a treatment plan yet. Dr. Peters expected it would be mid-week before we got the results from the biopsy.

Another few days at least.

Might as well have been five years.

“I am worried you’ve slept the day away without anything to eat or drink though.”

“I ate at breakfast.”

Her brow arched, and I shrank under her disapproval.

“Why don’t you come down for a bit? I’ll make you something to eat and we can watch something on the TV.”

“Fine. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Good.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss on my head. “Do you want pancakes? Omelet? Pizza?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Okay, I’ll rustle something up and see you downstairs in five minutes.”

“Yes, Mom,” I called as she headed for the door.

God, it was like being a child all over again. I got it, I did, but it didn’t mean I was looking forward to how overbearing and all up in my business they were no doubt about to become.

Reluctantly, I dragged myself out of bed, grabbing my cell off the nightstand and checking for messages.

I was hardly surprised that Poppy had sent me three. I had one from Ashleigh too. And one from Aaron saying he was spending the afternoon over at the Fords’ house. My brother was a total goofball, but he was nothing if not loyal and protective.

And yet, he let Cole look after you last night.

I silenced the little voice. She was dangerous. An unwelcome whisper in my ear. I needed to keep my distance where Cole Kandon was concerned. Because it would be so easy to let myself fall for him. To lean on him the way I’d leaned on him last night.

But it wasn’t fair to him or me to do that.

It wasn’t going to be easy though, not when he was so persistent.

I opened the text message from him.

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