Page 173 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“I realize I’ve bombarded you with a lot of information. Take some time to talk as a family. I’m going to leave some literature with you that explains everything we’ve discussed. If you have any questions, one of my team will be happy to answer them. And we can talk over any concerns you have later.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

“I know this feels very daunting, Sofia, but we’re here to guide you and do everything in our power to get you better, okay?”

I nodded. It was all I could manage. I was too stunned—too overwhelmed—to speak.

Dr. Jeffries left, but the atmosphere in the room didn’t improve.

“That was a lot to digest,” Mom broke the thick silence first, giving me a huge hug before releasing my hand to go to Dad. He tucked her into his side and looked at me.

“How are you holding up over there, sweetheart?”

“I…” Nope. I had nothing.

“He’s one of the best in his field,” Dad added. “If he thinks we should do the transplant, I’m inclined to agree.”

“Assuming Aaron is a match,” Cole said.

“If he isn’t, there’ll be other options.”

“It’ll work,” Aaron said. “It has to.”

“Aaron…” Dad cast him a warning look. We all wanted to think positive but I didn’t want my brother putting that kind of pressure on himself.

“Ash, you heard the risks. The list of side effects… a year. She’ll have to give up at least a year of her life.”

“As opposed to what, Mya? Pumping her body full of drugs that might not work? The transplant could cure her, it could—”

“Stop,” I cried. “Just… stop.”

“Sofia, sweetheart?”

“I need some space. I… I can’t do this right now.”

My head was one second from exploding.

“Sweetheart, I don’t think—”

“Mya.” Dad shook his head. “She’s right. Let’s give her and Cole some time. We’ll be downstairs in the cafeteria if you need us.”

He steered Mom and Aaron out of the room.

“Sofe,” Cole breathed, the agony in that one word—my name—like a knife to my heart.

The tears I’d fought so hard to hold back broke free, rolling down my cheeks. Cole reached for me, pulling me into his arms. “Shh, babe. I’m here, I’m right here.”

“I knew… I knew it wasn’t good news. But hearing him say all that…” Bone-deep shudders tore through me.

He gently nudged me back to look me in the eye. “What do you need?”

“Hold me,” I whispered over the ball of emotion in my throat. “I just really need you to hold me.”

I needed him to hold me and never let go.

He climbed up onto the bed and wrapped me into his arms and we stayed like that for a while.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked me.

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