Fight Back

Date: 14th February 2015. Weight: 6st 9lbs. Stage: Four. Estimated time of survival: Three weeks.

I walked out of my English and my eyes scanned the corridor for Mike. He never showed up to class. It took me a while but I finally found him by his locker. I was about to walk over but I stopped. He was standing with Rosie. She was practically throwing herself at him. I swallowed hard and turned the opposite way. I couldn't do anything about her. It's not like Mike and I were dating anymore.
I was so caught up into the memory of them together I didn't even realise I was headed for Hope. I bumped into her and looked up. She smiled at me and I forced a smile back. "Sorry, my fault." I told her.
"It's okay," she shrugged. "Are you going to that party at Jaime's house?"
"I wasn't planning on it." I told her truthfully.
"I thought you'd be there seeing as you're so close to Mike still."
"No, anyway I don't have anything nice to wear."
"You could borrow some of my clothes." she grinned.
"But Mike will be there. I've just seen him with Rosie."
"All the more reason to walk into the party looking completely hot!" Hope smirked. I thought for a while. Maybe I should.
"Shall we go to your car?" I asked slyly.
"Come on." Hope laughed.

Four hours later I was standing in front of the full length mirror on Hope's room. After everything I think I miss spending time with her. Hope and I used to be so close, we told each other everything. Hope still hasn't changed.
I had been turned into her terminal - if slightly sluttish - Barbie doll for the evening. I was wearing a pair of Hope's old shorts from middle school because they're the only things that would fit me. They were a light denim and torn and pretty short. Then I was wearing a black crop top with short sleeves. You could see a good sliver of skin that I wasn't used to showing. Then on my feet I was wearing some black flat sandals. If that was over the top I definitely should have stayed away from the false eyelashes, eyeliner, and bright red lipstick. The only modest thing with the way I looked was the red slogan beanie hat that was on my head to hide my thinning hair.
Hope was very happy with her work. I was sitting on her bed just as she went about finishing her hair. "Do you really think I can do this?" I asked her anxiously.
"Make him jealous? Of course!" she laughed. "I don't think you realise just how hot you look tonight."
"Thanks," I giggled. "Um Hope... I need to tell you something." Was I going to do it? I bit down on my lip hard and tried to calm myself. I could do it. I had to do it. Phil has been begging me for months and months.
"Yeah?" she asked lightly.
"You know when Alex died? I got told I was sick." I finally said.
"Is this to do with what's wrong now?" she asked.
"Kind of," I admitted. "See, in three weeks..."
"Yeah?" she urged.
"I..." I couldn't do it. I was so close but the words wouldn't come out of my mouth.
"Yeah?"
"It'll be the anniversary of his death." I rushed.
"Oh Helena, I'm sorry." she told me sadly.
"Thanks." I mumbled.
"But tonight you go and have a good time. You can worry about that day when it comes."
"Okay." I nodded.
"Let's go." Hope smiled.
I stood up and grabbed my bag. Hope led me out of her room and downstairs. We walked outside and past her car. Jaime's house wasn't far from Hope's. As we walked we fell into a comfortable silence. I can believe I was that close. I could have told her. Now she would know about my Infirma. But I just couldn't do it.
We arrived outside Jaime's house and went to the door. Hope knocked and after a few minutes Jaime answered. He grinned and pulled us both into a big hug. When he pulled away his eyes went over me and he frowned. Hope went past him and inside and so did I. Hope took my hand and I squeezed hers to thank her.
I looked for Mike. We went to the kitchen to get a drink and walked back into the sitting room holding a red solo cup of beer. I took a sip and smiled to myself. As I stood with hope I felt someone tap my shoulder. Hope smirked to me and I turned around, seeing Mike.
"Hey." I smiled.
"Hi," he replied. His eyes went over me before they went back into his head briefly. "What are you wearing, Pippa?" he snapped.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I teased.
"It isn't you. The shorts and crop top. You look like a slut." he said roughly.
"So?" I asked.
"You know you look like a slut?" he asked, confused.
"I did look in a mirror before I came out." I mocked.
"Then why are you wearing this shit?" he demanded. He looked in my cup and snatched it off of me. "And you shouldn't be drinking this."
"Can you fuck off, Mike? I didn't ask for a lecture. It's not like you can do anything anyway, I'm not yours!" I spat.
Then I grabbed my drink from him and walked away. I went across to the kitchen and saw a group of guys. I think I recognised them from school. I didn't know their names. But I knew that Mike couldn't stand them. I jumped up onto the counter right next to them. I felt them stare at me as I tipped my cup all the way back and finished my drink.
"Can I get you another?" one of the guys asked me.
"Sure." I smiled.
He poured more into my cup and I moved so I was standing in the middle of all of them. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mike in the doorway watching. He widened his eyes at me in almost a begging nature. I shook my head and leant against one of the guys. He wrapped his arm around my waist and leant down to tell me something I didn't hear.
"Why haven't I seen you before?" one of them asked me smoothly.
"I go to Mission Bay. You just haven't been looking." I said, pulling a playful pout. They laughed and I felt someone touch my ass. I wasn't looking at them, I was watching Mike. He was getting more and more wound up. I could see it in how tight his jaw was, how dark his eyes were and how he clenched and unclenched his fists over and over again.
I looked up and saw one of the guys close to me. He was only a few inches away. Then before I could stop him he put his hand on my waist and leant down to kiss me roughly on the lips. I couldn't push him away. But I didn't have to. He was pulled off of me.
"Don't you fucking dare touch her!" Mike yelled. He was holding the guy by his shirt. "You don't even know her name. You try and even look at her again I swear I'll break your nose."
"Who the fuck are you?!" he laughed. "You should tell your girlfriend to dress better and maybe she wouldn't get guys all hot and bothered."
"She isn't my girlfriend." Mike spat. He let her guy go and stood up to his full height. They were both squaring up to one another.
"Mike..." I begged, tapping his shoulder.
"Go find Hope, Pippa." he said through gritted teeth.
"No." I spat.
"I wasn't asking for a debate. I'm telling you to go find her."
"And I said no," I growled. "I'm not going anywhere without you. Come with me."
"Listen to your girl." the guy mocked.
"I think you should go into the back yard, I don't want to get your blood all over Jaime's kitchen."
"Sure." the guy replied threateningly.
Mike walked outside and pulled the guy with him. I followed and clasped a hand over my mouth as they pushed one another. "You look at her again and I'll blind you." Mike said, breathing heavily. Then he punched the guy in the side of the mouth, making me gasp. I looked behind me and saw there was a small crowd watching. I saw Mike's brother at the back. "Vic!" I yelled. He saw me and came forward. The other guy punched Mike and I saw blood trail down his chin.
"What the hell happened?" Vic demanded.
"He did it for me." I sighed.
I saw the guy take something out of his pocket. I couldn't tell what it was until I saw the blade. I tugged on Vic's arm urgently. Vic rushed forward and grabbed Mike. He pulled him back and the crowd took an inhale of breath.
"It's over!" Vic yelled.
The guy put the blade away and was dragged away by his friends. Mike was still taking deep breaths. Vic was holding his shoulders to calm him down. Then Vic used his sleeve to wipe Mike's cut lip. Mike nodded and kicked a plant pot over before he pulled Vic to him and hugged him quickly.
I went over and looked at Mike desperately. "Are you okay?" I asked anxiously.
"Do I look okay?" he snapped. I shook my head and he glared at me. "Leave me alone, Helena." he finally said before he stormed away from me.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? Was what she did right? Will Mike come around? She doesn't have much time left anymore. What do you think will happen? Will Helena ever accept her death and Infirma? :)