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Natalia was sat next to Guzmán playing with her hair in the classroom when Ander walked into the room with a shaved head.

Natalia's eyes widened at the new hairstyle and Valerio whistled playfully at him.

Ander looked at his classmates seriously and breathed out "It's the chemo. I have Cancer." Natalia felt her face drop as she stared at Ander with an emotionless face.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing and she looked at Rebeca who looked like she was expecting it.

Natalia watched as he walked over to his seat next to Valerio "I'm sure you have lots of questions, but that's what Wikipedia's for." He sat down "I get tired real quick."

Natalia saw Rebeca wink at Ander and she realised that was the reason why they were spending time together. Rebeca was there for him when Natalia wasn't. That broke her heart.

Natalia hadn't paid much attention in that lesson due to Ander's news.

She was currently sat in a room full of the rest of the students. She was sitting in between Rebeca and Guzman.

The girl rested her head in her hands and tried not to burst out into tears.

She felt so guilty for avoiding Ander because of one mistake and not knowing that Ander was going through a very tough time.

Lu was the first to speak "How long has he been sick?" Guzmán answered "For months. I only recently found out myself."

Samuel nervously played with his hands "What do the doctors say?" Guzmán then looked at him "Not much. He's about to finish chemo, and we'll see after that."

Carla surprisingly stepped forward "But he'll make it, right?" A voice was then heard from the other table "Of course he will. It's Ander. He doesn't deserve this."

The whole room looked at Polo and Guzmán scowled at him "Not everyone gets what they deserve."

Natalia was at the verge of breaking down and so she excused herself and quickly walked out of the room.

She ran past the many students that were filling the halls and went straight into the library. She knew that it would be empty as most students were having lunch.

She burst out into tears and clutched her chest in panic. She felt so guilty that she couldn't look at anyone in the eye.

She then saw Ander watching her with concern from outside and he decided to walk in and sit down next to her.

"Hey, are you okay?" Natalia calmed down a little bit was still extremely upset "I should be asking you that."

Ander wiped a tear from her cheek causing her to look at him. He looked at her sympathetically "Please don't cry. You look prettier when you smile."

Natalia laughed through her tears and she then looked at Ander with seriousness "I'm sorry for being an asshole to you. I didn't know what you were going through."

Ander scoffed "You don't need to apologise. I guess I deserved it." Natalia grabbed his hands "No you didn't. I've been an asshole to your for moths when you needed me the most. I'm so sorry, Ander."

The boy smiled "It's okay. You know now." Natalia nodded and chuckled "You look so different without your hair. It's good though."

Ander laughed "Thanks." Natalia pulled her hands back and rested them on the table. She looked at the boy "How is Chemo going?"

Ander shrugged "Well, my last one is next week and then I'll find out how I'm doing." Natalia nodded "Okay, do you want me to go with you?"

Ander smiled at her "I'd like that. We'll pick you up on the way, okay?" Natalia agreed "Okay, that's perfect." Ander stood up "I'lol leave you to it then."

Natalia leaned back into her chair and wiped her eyes "Yeah, I'll talk to you later." He looked at Natalia sincerely and then left the room.

***

The next day, Natalia walked into school and went straight into her locker. She looked to her right and saw Valerio and Cayetana laughing with each other.

She rolled her eyes and opened her locker. Natalia looked through her locker and tried to find her books for her first lesson.

After a few seconds, she then heard a cough behind her and looked to see Cayetana smiling coldly at her.

"Have a nice Valentine's, Natalia." The girl frowned at Cayetana "Why are you talking to me?"

Cayetana crossed her arms "I heard that you still like Valerio. Is that true?" Natalia scoffed "Who'd you hear that from?"

Cayetana shrugged "Him. He said you've been trying to get back with him since the term started. Seems a little desperate if you ask me."

Natalia looked behind her and saw that Valerio was now gone and she looked back at Cayetana "He's a liar and so are you. Look, I don't know why you're even speaking to me about him. I understand you three are like a threesome now so don't bother coming near me again or I swear you'll regret it."

Cayetana looked at Natalia up and down and then walked away.

Natalia rolled her eyes and pulled out her book. She closed her locker and stuffed the book into her bag.

She then noticed Ander walking up from in front of her and she smiled "Hey, handsome!"

Ander smiled at her "Are you going to the blackout party tomorrow?" Natalia nodded "Of course! I could use a drink or two. Are the rest of the gang going?"

Ander shrugged "I'm gonna ask Guzmán when I see him in the classroom. I'm glad we're all friends again." Natalia grinned "Me too. I really missed you, Ander."

The boy chuckled "Likewise. These my new my last few weeks and I want to spend them with people who care about me."

Natalia touched his shoulder "You're not gonna leave us, silly. You'll die of old age in a retirement home, okay? Things will get better with time. Don't worry about it."

Ander scratched his head "I'm gonna head to the bathroom before class starts so I'll catch up with you later, okay?"

Natalia watched as Ander paced to the bathroom and she put her bag over her shoulder.

***

Natalia arrived home and saw her sister playing with Joaquin.

She started to quietly walk upstairs until she heard Joaquin calling her name.

Natalia froze and walked back down the stairs "Yes?" Joaquin stood up from the sofa "Your mother asked if you could babysit your sister tonight? We're going out for food."

Natalia scoffed "As if. I have a party tonight."

Joaquin shook his head "I don't care. She told me that it wasn't voluntary." Natalia frowned "What about my dad?"

Savanna then looked up from her game at Natalia "He's working." Natalia rolled her eyes "Just ask one of the maids. I'm sure they'll do it. I'm not though."

Joaquin laughed "What's so important about this party anyway?"

Natalia looked down "My friend's going through a tough time right now...he has cancer and he wants to go out for a fun time to take his mind off of everything. I just wanna be there for him."

Joaquin looked at Savanna and then sighed "Fine." He looked back at Natalia "I'll ask someone else but don't be out too late, okay?"

Natalia smiled widely "Thank you!" She ran upstairs and started to her ready for her night ahead.