Chapter 13 - Well, try again! Rome wasn't built in a day! (1)

Let's set each other's lonely nights

Be each other's paradise

Need a picture for my frame

Someone to share my ring

Tell me what you wanna drink

- Justin Bieber

T Y L E R

"When I first found out, I was scared. The doctor said it was stage III colorectal cancer and I had to have it surgically removed." Faith wiped away a tear slipping out of the corner of her eye. I was too shocked that I didn't do anything but sat there with my eyes fixated on her while listening to each word she was saying. "My parents were there, for the first time they actually were in the same room without fighting." She laughed humorlessly.

She used to tell me that her parents always fought and one day they were fighting on the way home. Her parents started calling each other's names and she broke down in tears in the backseat of the car. After that day, her parents agreed that it was best for Faith to live with her grandmother in Vancouver rather than stayed in Toronto and lived in an unhealthy environment at home.

I shook my head and stared at her in disbelief. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?" I knew I wasn't a doctor or anyone who could help her with her condition, but it sucked when someone you thought was your everything hid things, especially this important, from you.

She merely shrugged. "I don't know." Faith bit her lower lips as she dropped her gaze and stared at her cup. "I thought I was going to die and I didn't want you to go through all the pain of losing someone. I thought it was best to hurt you and made you forget about me altogether, I guess."

"Still," I argued. "After the surgery, you could've told me. I'd be there for you."

She looked up and smiled. "You don't know how hideous I looked." She took a sip of her coffee and put the cup back on the table. "I had to go through chemotherapy for a year. I lost all of my hairs, my skin was rough, all of my nails were black. I looked hideous, Ty."

"And do you think I care?" I frowned. "You were my girlfriend at that time, I didn't date you because of how you looked. I dated you because I had this happy feeling whenever I was around you. Most importantly, I loved you." I swallowed hard before continuing, "so why on earth didn't you tell me?"

She couldn't answer that. "I'm sorry."

* * *

A U T U M N

"Okay," said Jess as she stood and grabbed her phone from the counter. "I have to go home now before Colton starts banging on your door. I promised him that I'll be on my way for two hours ago."

I stood and followed her to the living room where she placed her purse on the table. "Yeah. You should. I'm not sure my door could hold someone like him."

Jess turned and narrowed her eyes, pretending to be mad although her lips struggled not to smile. "Are you saying my boyfriend is fat?"

"I'm saying your boyfriend is huge and he's a football player, god knows how strong he is. The lock on my door wouldn't last in ten minutes."

Jess answered with a giggle. "Do you want to crash at my place?" Jess looked at me with worries in her eyes. "I could kick Colton out of the bedroom and maybe we can have a sleepover like we used to have."

I laughed. "I can't let you kick Colton out!" Although the image of big and bulky Colton getting kicked out by cute and tiny Jess flashed in my mind. "I'm gonna be okay. Don't worry. I'll find a way somehow."

"Are you sure?" Jess picked up her purse and walked towards the door. "I don't like the thought of you sleeping in a hotel somewhere alone."

I pulled her into a hug. "I'm going to be fine, Jess. Don't worry, okay?"

She pulled away and gave me a nod. "Call me?"

"I will." I gave her a reassuring smile and locked the door behind her. I leaned against the door and closed my eyes. "What am I gonna do now?"

I moved to the living room and grabbed my phone off the couch. I sent a quick text to Tyler, telling him to get home early so we could have a talk. I waited for five minutes but his reply never came.