Page 80 of Becoming Us

I stretched like a cat across the desk, then dragged myself out too. One more class before I had to head home and pack.

“Well, hello, sunshine. Don’t you look dashing?” A familiar sarcastic voice cut through the air.

“Hey, Hols.” I slung my arm over her shoulders. “Nag me while we walk. I’m short on time.” I yawned into my elbow.

She arched a brow. “Class?”

“Yeah. Then the airport. I’m leaving tonight—back the day after tomorrow.”

She stopped, slipping out from under my arm.

“Don’t do that. If you’re not holding me up, I can’t sleep and walk at the same time.” I dragged out the words with a fake pout.

She crossed her arms. Uh-oh. Serious Holly face.

“What?”

“You just got back two days ago,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, I know. But he’s got chemo tomorrow, and it’s been harder this time.”

Her expression softened. “I know it’s hard on him, Noh. But do you have to go every time?”

I didn’t even blink. “Yes.”

“But—”

“No. No buts. Yeah, I have to be there for every single one. He needs me, Hols. My mom checked out the minute the C-word came up. My brothers bailed—even fucking Ilana bailed, and she never does.”

Her voice dropped low, almost pleading. “Noah, you’ve been at this for months. When do you sleep?”

My shoulder tensed. “I can sleep on the plane.”

“I’m a little worried, Noh.” She hugged her elbows tighter, shifting her weight.

I forced a smile and kept walking. “I’m fine.”

“Have you talked to anybody about this? That’s not your dad? It doesn’t have to be me. Maybe a therapist?”

I blew out a heavy sigh. “I don’t need to talk to anyone. Stage three isn’t even that bad.”

“I don’t think that’s true, actually…”

“And it’s not about me. My dad’s the one who’s sick. He’s gonna be fine. Chemo hasn’t even made him nauseous.”

“I hate to break it to you, but the inability to express your emotions? Definitely a family trait.”

“Holly, stop it.”

We both halted our steps.

“I just want to help.” Her arms loosened across her chest.

“Then stop acting like this. Stop telling me to sleep, to eat, to talk. You’re not my keeper. You’re my friend. And friends are supposed to support you no matter what.”

We stared at each other. Concern was written all over her expression, and for a second, I almost let that pull me down. But she really didn’t need to waste her energy on this. He was going to be fine. And I was fine too. I hadn’t even thought about what I was feeling at all.

“So we’re just jumping off this plane without a parachute?”