From Mountains to Lone Stars

My door creaked open and Johnny walked in. He was wearing a smile and holding cupcakes. I had to admit, the man knew my weaknesses. Cupcakes were something that would always bring a smile to my face. And lately with the chemo and radiation treatments, I didn't want to eat.

I was already a fairly thin person, barely making it to one hundred pounds. After my treatments, I was closer to ninety pounds and couldn't even bare to eat most days. Every time I put food in my stomach, it immediately came back up.

"Hey, Mav, I brought cupcakes. Lindsey said you couldn't get to class today." He set the cupcakes on my desk. "So, she gave me your assignments back. Your professors are impressed you've got almost everything done." Johnny also laid some papers down on my desk.

"Thanks, Johnny." My voice was breaking, coarse from the constant bile that came up my throat. "It's a good thing I'm not working today." I sent him a weak smile.

"You always manage to rally before work. Mav, I brought someone with me today." He opened my door again and in walked Matt.

My heart stuttered at the sight of him. Matt looked more handsome than he ever had. His colorful arms were on display in a cut off shirt and his hazel eyes seemed to brighten at the sight of me.

"Matt..." His name came out in a breath.

"I'll just leave you two to it," Johnny said, slowly shutting my door.

Matt looked me up and down, wincing when he saw how prominent my collarbones were. Everything looked big on me. My mom used to say I looked like a mannequin without the height. Before all this, I had been a good weight for my size, but I didn't even have muscle mass anymore.

"Alexa," he said in a soft voice and climbed onto my bed, pulling me against his firm chest. "Why did you push me away?"

I felt sobs start to come up my body, but I forced them back down. Matt didn't need to hold me while I cried again. It was all he ever seemed to do anymore. "Because you don't deserve to be in a relationship with someone who is dying, Matt. I don't want anyone to see me like this, not even my parents."

"Who said you could decide that for me?" He titled my chin up so he could see me. "It's my life, Alexa, and if I want to be there while someone I am in love with dies, that is my choice."

My stomach danced as butterflies swirled around. Did Matt just say he was in love with me? I stared into his hazel eyes, curious if I had heard those words right.

"What?"

Those dimples popped out in full force. It was the first time I had seen those in several weeks. "You heard me, Alexa. But I'll say it again to get it through that stubborn ass head of yours... I am in love with you."

I crawled into his lap, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I am in love with you, Matt. That's the reason I pushed you away. I can't even stand to look at myself. How can people who claim to love me watch as I waste away?"

Matt pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, laying me down on my bed. His arms and legs wrapped around my own, my own private blanket of sorts. "Because they love you, Maverick. When people love and care for someone, they will be there. Let your parents come and see you. I know they want to be here for you as much as I do."

I swallowed the tears that were once again threatening. Stupid treatments made me all emotional. "They're going to yell at me."

"For what?" He ran a hand through my short hair. I knew it was going to start falling out soon, so I cut off my purple locks and opted for a pixie cut.

"For telling them to stay in Reno, for asking them not to come. I just want to graduate, Matt." Rolling into his chest, the sobs finally came. His arms wrapped around me, stroking my back and letting me cry.

"They love you, Mav. They just want you to be okay."

Taking a deep breath, I looked into his eyes. "I don't know if I'll ever be okay, Matt. The cancer is really bad."

He nodded. "Johnny told me. No matter what, I'm here now. I don't care if you waste away, I'm going to be there. You can't push me away, Alexa. I love you." Matt pressed a kiss to my lips, and it felt like I was back to those first days of us dating. His lips felt so good moving against mine.

"I love you, Matt."

Notes

CHEESY! CHEESY! IT'S SO FUCKING CHEESY!

I am calling my own damn self out. And yes, I know it's short. Ladies, grab your tissues for the next chapters is all I'm saying.