The Last Hurrah

Chapter 1

"They've said I've got six months to a year at most to live." I can't even bring myself to look at my three closest friends as I finally say the words out loud. "There is nothing they can do other than make me comfortable." Tears begin to full from my eyes and I feel Mouse gently reach out and brush them away. Engulfed into a hug by the three of them, we all sob. Hours later, we all leave, puffy red eyes and snotty noses from all the crying. My phone buzzes at my side as a message pops up in the group chat. Ria writes a simple "We're all here every step of the way." And for two days my phone goes silent.

I spend those days sorting through my things. I'm 26 years old and working out who to give what to. This is I can do. I've booked into see a solicitor to get some kind of document in place. I don't want to call it a will, but that's essentially what it is. I can hold it all together for that. But looking at the scratch away world map on my wall breaks my heart. The tears don't stop once they start. And I'm not mourning the fact I'm dying. I'm mourning the life I'll never get to lead. The places I'll never get visit. The love I'll never get to experience. I drop to floor and sob with my arms crossed over my face. I've been trying to hold myself together for days. Even when telling my family and friends I didn't let myself go, knowing that from most I would get the usual "everything will be alright." "Everyone is here for you." And then they would cry. And I'm the one dying. But I always feel like I'm the one that has to be strong. But letting go is the best I've felt since the doctor gave me the results. The tears are falling thick and fast, and all I can hear is my own choked breathing.  And that's when I felt familiar arms around me, as I lent in to her black jumper and sob harder.Mouse slowly rocked me back and forth, stroking my hair and gently shushing me. We're still sat on the floor in silence when Ria, True and my parents walk in. "The mask had to slip at some point, Angel." my dad gently whispers into the silent room. And I know what they're all thinking, thank goodness it was Mouse that found me, and no one else. She gently leans over and wipes away the rest of my tears, before picking herself up and offering me a hand. True clears her throat to my right."We've all got something we want to talk to you about something... well, I say talk. We're telling you what's happening." Her broad London accent rang out. "Mouse has managed to somehow get you added to her companies travel insurance." and without saying another word, they shove a card in my hands. Containing a printed out ticket. For New York!

And that was how I found myself sat on a plane in first class, on the way to the city of my dreams. Mouse sat to one side of me, connected to the WiFi, phone fixed firmly in her hand as she got to work. Her long dark blonde messily falling to her waist, offset by her all black outfit. To my other side True and Ria are fast asleep. "You might want to think about joining them." She hasn't even looked up from her phone, but her deep, but soft voice leaks out. Unlike the rest of us, she doesn't have too much of an accent, other than well spoken. Any trace of South Africa had left years ago, and working in offices from the age of 16 had helped her adapt her tone. "If I put my phone down, will you at least try?" I laughed and nodded with her as she rolled her eyes. I was woken by us landing.