The Bucket List (One Direction)

I watch her as she sleeps, making sure she's all right before leaving quietly.

I've been here for three hours, talking non-stop with her. I obviously tired her out.

She cried and I hugged her, telling her she can pull through this, I'll be her walking stick all the way. That's just a metaphor, but I will be with her all the way.

She told me her parents have gone on holiday with her little brother, Timothy, to get him away from all this.

I'd hate my parents if they left me at such a time like this.

They should be with her, keeping her safe, telling her she can do this.

She told me she's missed me and that she didn't want to tell me while I was away or else she could've ruined my tour, by telling me.

The doctor stops me when I come out of her room.

''You know she has leukaemia right?''

I nod, clamping my mouth shut to prevent myself from shouting at the injustice of it all.

Tibby has done nothing wrong.

She doesn't deserve to have cancer.

''Well, come with me. We need to have a talk. She told me she's closest to you and your mum and your mum already knows, so I have to tell you what's going to happen.''

''She's going to get better right?'' I ask, through gritted teeth.

He doesn't answer, only leads me down corridors to his office, while my blood runs cold.

''Take a seat Harry,'' the doctor – Doctor Mitchell – says, pointing to a chair.

''I don't want to sit down.''

''Fine. Listen,'' Doctor Mitchell clamps his hands together. ''You know it's terminal.''

I nod, folding my arms across my chest. Get on with it.

''Well, she's going to lose her hair soon and she's rapidly losing weight. In all honesty,'' he sighs, looking tired. I bet he is. He has to deal with loads of shit every single day. ''There's nothing we can do to save her. Her life is limited.''

I suddenly feel sick to my core. I gasp for breath, sinking into a chair, trying to hold myself together.

''If she wants to leave here, since there's nothing we can do, she has to gain more weight and be able to stand on her own two feet, shall we say.''

''What do you mean there's nothing you can do?'' I cry, letting my head fall into my hands. ''How long does she have left?''

I have to be strong.

I have to be strong for Tibby.

''We caught it at a very late stage. Two months, maximum. I'm sorry.''

I nod. ''Anything else?''

He shakes his head. ''Just be with her as much as you can. She needs you. She needs love.''

I nod again, getting up shakily. ''Thank you.'' I reply, my voice hoarse.

I walk as fast as my legs take me to Mum's car and when I get in, I let out a long sigh – full of pain and grief and regret – and lean my head back on the head rest.

I have to be strong in Tibby's time of need.

I crumble.

Even the strongest of people break sometimes.

~·~·~·~·~·~

The next morning isn't much better.

We all go to the hospital to see her, but I just sit in the corner chair, thinking.

I stay there all day until at last, I think up something.

''Tibby, write down the things you've always wanted to do but have never had the chance to.'' I tell her, handing her a piece of paper and a pen, before visiting hours end.

''Why?'' Her eyes light up at the prospect of having something to do.

''You'll see, Tibs.''

She rolls her eyes at the old nickname for her and sticks her hands out like a three year old kid who wants to be picked up. I smile and wrap my arms around her thin body, breathing in her usual scent.

''I'll tell you in the morning, okay?''

Tibby nods and kisses me on the cheek. ''See you tomorrow Hazzie.''

It's my turn to roll my eyes. ''See you tomorrow Tibs.''

And then I walk out of the door, my plan whirling around my head happily.

~·~·~·~·~·~

''Harry! I've done it!'' Tibby cries, shoving the piece of paper under my nose but not letting me read it.

''Let me see then!'' I mock frown at her.

Tibby shakes her head at me, ''No way Harr-ey.''

''You've got to eat if you want to leave this hospital okay? You've got to gain weight.''

''But I'm not hungry any more.''

Her sentence makes me want to cry. She has to eat.

I decide to try something.

''Well, I was thinking of challenging you to an all you can eat contest. Oh well... I guess I'll have to ask Gemma.''

Tibby sees through my challenge and rolls her eyes at me, laughing lightly. ''Fine. I'll eat.''

''I'll go get- ''

''Cakes.''

We stare at each other, her penetrating grey gaze making me look away after three minutes and then she slaps her bed triumphantly.

''I'll get you cakes. Fine. I'll be back in a minute.''

''Don't be too long, I'm hungry.''

I laugh with her as I leave, rolling my eyes. She can be such a joker when she wants to be.

I go to the hospital canteen and buy biscuits, chocolate cakes, muffins with blueberries, cupcakes, pop-tarts, cookies, iced-buns and doughnuts, my mouth watering in the process.

''Have a good feast, son.'' the cashier lady smiles at me, when I hand her the money.

''I will, thanks.''

Mum told me I have to be careful with her, gentle, as if she's a newborn baby and that I always have to ask the doctors for their permission.

But Tibby's my friend and since they told me they can't save her, I've took her under my wing – like she always did with me – and I'm doing it my way, leaving the doctors out of it.

I watch as she eats, taking it slowly at first, but after a little while, she starts eating like a horse.

I smile, happy with myself.

In a few days, she'll be able to leave and I'll be able to carry out my plan.

~*~

I don't really know what to say in these A/Ns any more omg. Except, you know the usual; please vote and comment and fan if you haven't already, they make my day. My favourite comment will get a dedication. <3

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