Chapter 7：I Can't Stand You

After that strange encounter she goes back to her dorm. She isn't surprised to not find Eve in the room. Could she have left before Juno woke up or did she even come back at all? Ultimately, Juno isn't worried because sometimes she disappears for short amounts of time but eventually shows up. Besides Juno has other things to worry about.

Like her declining health for example.

//No! I'm going to be fine. The pain is basically gone by now! I don't need help. I don't need to bother anyone.//

As much as she wishes she could skip her classes and take a day off, she knows she can't. She's already slacked off too much this semester and she has practice after too. She sighs deeply and does her best to get ready. Juno tries to salvage her messy hair by tying up like usual but something strange happens, a sharp pain almost makes her cry out. It goes away immediately after she lets go of her hair.

What? That's not normal.

Juno picks it up again and sure enough, the pain comes back.

She tries not to think about it too much right now and leaves it down.

With a fulfilling breakfast of medicine, water and a cracker she heads out.

-

Even though there was no doubt in Juno's mind that something was wrong with her, she almost got through the day without any accidents.

Almost.

During her first class, she was just tired. Her pain had mostly left just leaving her drained and exhausted. She didn't pay much attention other than when her teacher reminded them about a test tomorrow.

She has reached that point of stress where she is strangely calm now.

At the start of her third class the pain starts back up again. It started out faint and dull but slowly came back stronger, she tries to ignore it the best she can. With each passing minute it becomes harder than before.

On this miserable day does she find a spark of light. Her teacher of fifth period is absent and the substitute is one of those teachers that doesn't really care what the students do as long as they don't bother them. She could almost cry but instead she excuses herself and goes to the bathroom.

Her luck is so good! The bathroom is empty so no one can witness her fall apart. To her credit she just coughed up blood this time.

//Coughing up blood has to be better than puking it up right?//

A small voice in her head says, 'No idiot! What if you're dying!'

She sighs deeply as she pulls out medicine from her bag.

//I'm running low maybe I can get more without worrying the nurse...//

Then, she washes her face to rid any evidence of blood and is about to leave when suddenly the door opens.

Someone familiar walks inside.

They stare at each other before Eve finally breaks the awkward silence, "You look like you're heading to your grave early."

Such harsh and creepy words could only come from her roommate.

Juno doesn't respond. There's no point! She's too sick to be nice to someone like her.

Just as she's about to leave, Eve gently grabs her wrist. Not enough force to stop her but just to get her attention.

"You've been bleeding."

"..."

"I smell it."

She shakes her off, slightly disgusted.

"Juno. You're bleeding and you look like you're going to fall apart at any moment."

With a hint of annoyance she asks, "Why do you care?"

Instead of answering her question Eve mumbles, "This shouldn't be happening. This isn't supposed to happen."

"?"

"It's too soon..."

//Too soon? For what?//

"What are you talking about?!"

"You shouldn't be in this much pain. Something is wrong."

She can't take it anymore, "If you're just going to say nonsense then I'm leaving!"

"Juno. Wait."

She stops at the door.

"I will be honest with you, I am... you are," she pauses and takes a deep breath, "I can't stand you but I still want to help you."

"Please."

"No I don't want your help! I wouldn't want to burden you since you hate me so much!"

"I didn't say- just trust me-"

"Leave me alone!" and with that she finally leaves.

"I can't…" Eve whispers to herself, clutching her fists.