Cody couldn't stand staring at Jason. He snapped and points to the door shouting at the three of them to get out. His voice was raising louder and louder. Jason put his hands up to his shoulders slowly backing out of the apartment. Jane and Eve followed along murmuring what has gotten into Cody. 

The door closes and Cody could finally breathe again. Alone once again, the usual atmosphere he has always felt. He drags his feet to the couch and lays on his stomach. He took a long drastic sigh that seems to have never ended. There was so much on his mind he couldn't organize himself. He let himself into deep thought eventually drifting into sleep early that morning. He knew for sure he shouldn't be stressing so much even over such little things. 

 

______________________

 

Jane stops herself once they came out of the building. "Lets go apologize."

"Apologize for what?" Jason replies.

"For trashing his house and sleeping over."

"You, want to go and apologize to that dog barker just because we crashed his place for one night?"

"That's really rude of you." She crosses her arms giving him a glare.

Jason chuckles, "Rude of me?" He points towards the building, "We were kicked out of his place without a thoughtful reason." His finger reflects back at him, "And I'm the rude one?"

She scoffs. "I-I don't want to argue about this right now. Let's just head back to our hotel. I'm tired, I had a weird morning, and I just can't with you right now Jason."

 

Eve shouts to them, "See you guys...around..." 

They had left before she could even say something to them. She pats her cheeks and mumbles, "Why does this happen every time?"

Every moment of time when Eve would try to get someone's attention or even say a farewell, she never got the chance nor even needed to try to. They would all just walk away within an instance. Their backs all turned towards her while she's left feeling a heavy burden since she was the one who wanted to bring them along. 

She keeps a smile on telling herself that it's alright. 

 

 

It was only then that two days had passed. Everyone was living their own life doing their own businesses. Jason had forgotten the incident but it was still kept into Jane's mind. She woke from the morning and reminded Jason again if they should go back and apologize. 

He only groans in his sleep. There was no reason for him to go and apologize. He didn't do anything wrong with what he was thinking. Jane couldn't help but feel bad. She asks him if he doesn't go, she'll go by herself and apologize on his behalf.

Jason grabs onto her arm, "There's no need to apologize. I thought we went over this a few days ago?"

"Does it matter how long ago it was? It still matters." She answers him and shrugs her arm away. He sat up rubbing his eyes.

"Let him be, Cody doesn't want anything to do with you okay. He told me on the same day he told me that he was going to leave. Think about it Jane, stop being such a bobble head and think straight. You think I don't realize it? The cold stares he gives you, the low talking, and the strange actions."

Jason kept on continuing. Jane didn't want to believe any of it. She wants to cover her ears but couldn't move. Her body felt numb hearing the words coming out of Jason's lips. Every word, sentence, and tone. 

"Enough!" She stood up sniffling. Jason stops talking and got up with her. 

"Look I'm sorry." He her arms but she moves forward. She didn't feel like having him touch her. "Jane" 

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just not right now please."

He scoffs loudly. He was irritated. "Why do girls do that? 'I'm fine, I'm fine.' Is what they always repeat. Over and over again. It's like they have nothing better to say. They think the guy won't care or anything. Hello, guys knows what's up too."

She turns around teary eyed, "You don't know how it feels like having someone else talk over you about another person dearest to you that they don't care for you. And that they're just deceiving you for a stupid reason. That's not the Cody I know. The Cody I know is caring, he worries a lot, he takes care of me a lot and I've never appreciated it because all I could think about the time... was you. He was the first friend I've ever had then you came along. Sometimes I even wondered what would happen if I ended up with Cody and not you."

Jason hands balled up into a fist, "If you're going to talk about our relationship going into this, leave. You think that Cody is such a better guy, leave. We've been through this once, I think we can go through this again. It really doesn't matter to me."

She laughs weakly, "It's the same for guys. 'It doesn't matter to me' 'Leave if you want' 'Don't come crawling back'. It's all the same. In the end you still care."

"Then what's the point of thinking what would happen if you and Cody were a thing."

"I-I can't Jason. We're on a trip that was only for the two of us. I didn't know that we would suddenly meet Cody on the way." She wipes away her tears, "I need some time alone."

She began to get dress while Jason just sat there on the bed watching her and thinking about what he should say.

"I'll be back." She zips her jacket and glides out the door.

He sat there in empty sheets slipping his hands down his face. 

_____________

The first place Jane starts to head to was Cody's apartment. She didn't know if he was home or somewhere else. She didn't have his number either. 

She rings the doorbell, there was no answer. She knocks on the door then rings it again. There was still no answer. She gave up and thought maybe he didn't want to answer the door. She took her time and ended up heading to the cafe he works at. 

As she enters the bell rings and service comes her way. She sees Eve sitting alone doing some paperwork and quickly rushes to her. 

"Eve."

Eve was surprised by the sudden appearance. "Jane? Where's Jason?"

"He's uh, back at the hotel. Anyways, do you know where Cody is? Possibly do you have his number too?"

Her almond nails taps in a ripple as she thinks, "Hmm, if he's not at home, I know he doesn't work today, he should probably be at the hospital doing his volunteer hour."

Jane smiles, "Why would he be volunteering at a hospital?"

"I don't know. He never told me but I think it's good. He really enjoys children the last time I went with him."

"Can you take me to the hospital and see if he's there?"

"I'm sorta busy as you can see." She giggles, "I can give you the address of the hospital and his number though." Eve writes down the address on a piece of line paper and hands it over. 

Jane held her hands shaking them, "Thank you, thank you very much."

Jane leaves the cafe and rushes for a taxi. 

"You're welcome..." Eve whispers. 

_________________________________

 

Jane rushes opening the doors of the hospital and asking the front desk if there was anyone doing volunteer working. They nod and pointed towards the room down the hall on right. She didn't know why she was rushing so much. She only felt the urge that she had to see Cody as if it were the last time. The door right ahead could hear the laughter a children and toys dropping. 

She stands by the door and sees that Cody was enjoying his time with children that were the age of eleven and down wearing bald capes.  He was playing with them, poking them, hugging them, and blended with them as if he were a child. 

"Cody?" 

Everyone turns and had their eyes on Jane. One of the kids laugh and teased. "It's Cody's girlfriend. The one he always talks about."

Everyone laughs along and went up to her. They brought her into their circle. The girls played with her hair and were envy of her long healthy hair. Although they were wearing bald caps, they never forgotten their skills of braiding and began to play with Jane's hair. 

She didn't mind and let them be. 

Jane perks up to Cody, "Is this what you do on your free time? Tell kids about me and mistakenly address me as your girlfriend?"

He grins at her, "I never told them you were my girlfriend. They just assume you are."

One of the girls giggle, "That's lie." She points towards Cody, "You said that the most prettiest girl you've seen is everything she has." She looks at Jane with the most purest innocent sky blue eyes. 

Jane points to herself, "Me? Really?"

The girl nods her head, "Yep, pretty eyes, smile, face, hair, and..." She covers her lips. She doesn't want to spill the best part. 

Cody hugs the girl, "Don't you dare embarrass me Adeline." 

Adeline screams, "I'm going to tell her." 

Cody then whispers into her ear that he'll buy her ice cream. She nods her head along with him with their deal. They made a pinky promise. Adeline glances at Jane holding her index finger upon her lips. 

Jane couldn't help but laugh, "What? What is it about me?"

Adeline couldn't help herself and runs up to Jane's hear as she hovers over to listen. 

She whispers. "He likes your lips the most." Adeline then ran off with his childish self to the other kids playing with toys. 

Jane's cheeks were burning and she needed to maintain herself. She clears and looks up to Cody, "Do mind if we talk outside?"

"Sure, why not?" He grabs his jacket and slips it on. As the two left the room the children 'ooohhh' and 'ahhh' at the two. Cody left them a thumbs up and they all snickered. 

 

Hands in his pockets, Cody asks her what's up with suddenly showing up. 

She was hesitant, "I want to apologize for crashing over at you house the another day. Jason and I were kinda lost in our own world."

"Oh, it's fine it's totally fine. I was just upset that morning well, I think you know perfectly well why I was." He rubs the back of his neck and doesn't even want to remember the scene. 

"Right. Very awkward."

They came across a bench and Cody sits down. He pats the space next to him looking at Jane. She sits down next to him then locks eye contact with him. 

"Okay." Cody says, "Tell me why you're really here."

"What do you mean?"

"I think I've known you for a good short amount of time that you're making this apologizing an excuse." He snigger off into the distance. 

"Maybe I do have another reason just to see you." She plays with her nails and tries to not make eye contact.

"Lets part our ways okay." 

"What's with you Cody? You've changed so much. What is it with you that you don't want to see me anymore?!"

"Everyone-"

She shouts nodding her head, "Everyone has a secret. I know, I know, I know! You're always repeating yourself as if you're the one keeping the secret."

He stood up, "Because I am!" He took off his beanie and looks at her with eyes of fire. "I don't come here for volunteer work. I come here to get check ups, medication, and stay for awhile with the kids because they're going through the same thing I am. I'm just a patient here okay!" He took a deep breath.  "I understand what they're going through."

"You're lying aren't you?" She stands up clenching her fists. "You're just lying to me because you don't want to see me."

"Jane! Get to reality. I have cancer. Why would I lie about such a thing? You want to know who knows best too? Jason does. When you were in a coma I told him. I told him not to tell you. Make you hate me so we couldn't meet again. I never ever wanted to fall in love because of my cancer. But then you came along the way and thought you and I might have a chance." He shook his head, "Your eyes only followed Jason. So I thought maybe I should just give up."

"Stop..." She mumbles holding back her tears. The news of Cody couldn't reach to her yet. 

"If I were to die today, tomorrow, or even later on; I don't want to fall in love because it will only hurt them once I'm gone."

"Don't say such words. Dying isn't an option."

"For me it is! I have no choice Jane. I'm knocking some sense into you. Go back to your boyfriend. I'm not the one for you. I can never make you happy, never make you smile like the world is yours, hold you like you're the last person I'll be with. Only he can. It's been like that since the beginning."

"What about Eve then? You know she has feelings for you. But-"

"She's nothing to me okay." He lied. "You're nothing to me Jane."

His words strangles Jane's heart. "I can't believe you've turned into such a stupid guy. Jason was right. I was wrong calling you my dearest friend." She walks away and Cody couldn't do anything but watch her become smaller and smaller as she walks off into the distance. 

He went down to his knees holding his chest as he breathes heavily constantly. This wasn't the time to stress out. His thoughts were mixed everywhere. He was blinded by his own lies. He wanted to hug her, hold her and tell her that everything was alright but didn't want to hurt her. He already left Jane with hurtful feelings and words. What more could he do to her. 

  In the very end, he was left with pain. 

 

Night falls, Cody walks into a convenience store. He bought a pack of cigarettes and heads out walking aimlessly off in the streets. He takes a cigar out and lights it up. He lets out a sigh as smoke shoots out. He was in his own world and didn't care if he bumps into others walking in front of him. 

He enters a bar where the lights were dim and jazz music was . Round leather chairs fills up the space with glass tables. Men in business suits were having their time sitting with females who were feeding them appetizers. It was calm in the bar hearing slight conversations and giggles. At the counter was a bartender who looks like he's in his early fifties with a mustache and a fuzzy beard. His hair groomed back slick with gel. He was cleaning glass cups and pouring drinks for two other people sitting at the counter. 

Cody walks over and sits down at the counter. He looks at the bartender, "Give me your strongest."

"Yes, sir." as bartender turns around and reaches for their strongest drink. He pours the drink with a smile, "Having a hard time sir?"

Cody replies, "Yeah I guess you can say that." He takes the shot and slams the glass for another.

"Take it easy. You're still young."

Cody didn't say anything and continues to poor drinks into his glass.

The man continues, "Having a hard time with romance?"

"Don't have time for romance sir." He peers to see the man's tag name pinned on his chest, "Buckster?"

The old man laughs, "Ah yes, everyone gets the same reaction saying my name. Quite original ain't it?"

Cody only raises an eyebrow with the cup between his lips. "My parents." Buckster continues, "hoped that since the day I was born I'd be well respected and love by all. And well they were quite right. Everyone at this bar I have conversations with always leaves with a great feeling."

"I don't know if I can judge you by that." Cody says.

"You're a hardcore young man aren't you. Name?"

"Cody."

"Well Cody, I'd say that you're lying to yourself. The tone of your voice doesn't seem so truthful."

"Like you know anything." He smiles.

Buckster grabs a cloth and dries glass cups, "I don't need to know anything. It's all about personality. Hearing the tone of their voices, their expressions, and their actions. And it's gonna be a long night to you Cody."

Cody couldn't believe that an old guy he barely met was going to talk to him about such things. He did need someone to talk with but some dude with a name Buckster. Although he was right about Cody having a long night just drinking.

"Do they call you the wise old man here?" Cody jokes.

He chuckles, "I wouldn't say I'm wise. I'd say that I've learned from others here at the bar with their stories for as long i can remember working here."

"Why don't retire then? Aren't you tired of listening to people and their stories?"

"Look here sonny, many people I've met got a different story to tell or the same. We're all human, we go through the same thing. We live, we eat, we feel pain, we hate, love, and mostly we lie. I'll tell you that I've lied a couple times in my young days to get out of trouble."

"So..." Cody puts his index finger on the edge of his cup and goes around the edge. He was right, humans lie almost every time. Even at the harsh moments of life.

"It's like a tea party. You pour drinks for others and talk about things - anything, you either hear gossip, back talk, almost anything you can think of. Every conversation takes me onto a different vision of how the world works with people these days."

Cody taps his finger on the counter in deep thought. This guy is on a whole different level of other's perspective of how life works. As time goes by he and Buckster had conversations about many things and Jane came up into the conversation. He continues to drink till he was satisfied. He lasted longer than he ever did. 

His phone rings and he reaches into his pocket, the time was two in the morning. His head lies on the counter as he blankly stares at the unknown number. He swipes to answer, "H-Hello..." His drowsy voice said.

'Hey, it's me Jane."

Laughter spotted his tone, "Shouldn't you be sleeping?" 

"Why do you sound like that?"

Buckster shuts the lights out, "I'm about to close down sonny. It's time for you to leave."

Jane could hear Buckster's voice in the background, "Are you at a bar?"

"No. No, no, no." He chuckles weakly and Buckster takes his phone.

"Hello there young lady?"

"Who is this?"

"Just a bartender here asking for you to come pick up the lad here. He's been drinking all night and needs a ride home. It seems like he's been through a lot."

"I'll be right there. Can you tell me the address please?"

The call ends and Buckster gladly waits for Jane to come. After waiting for a good twenty minutes, Jane came running into the bar. 

"Cody!" She shouts. He was sleeping peacefully with head lying on the counter. Buckster was sitting on a chair reading a magazine of cocktails and other drinks. 

He raises his head, "Looking for this lad over here aren't you?" Buckster points at Cody and Jane nods her head. 

"Thank you."

Buckster laughs, "Quite a beauty you are and he says he doesn't have time for romance. You're a lucky one to have him. Told me many things during our conversation."

"Like what?" She asks.

"Who knows, he'll have to tell you himself."

She puts Cody's arm around her shoulders, "Thank you very much, for watching over him."

"No problem. Have a good night."

They two left the bar. Jane stood out waiting for a taxi for a good ten minutes. It was for a fact a very long night. 

Sitting in the taxi, Cody uses Jane's lap as a pillow as she his cheeks. 

 

They arrive back at his apartment. She searches his pockets for his keys then opens the door. The lights switched on and the door shuts behind them. She heads over to Cody's room and gently puts him in bed. She didn't know what and why she was doing this. 

It's almost three in the morning and she left Jason alone and came to Cody. Her feelings were all over the place. She couldn't tell herself if she felt bad for Cody or just wanted to be with him. She brings a chair in and sits next to his bed eventually falling asleep. 

 

That following morning, Cody wakes up light headed. He held his head and sits up. He looks to his side and sees Jane sleeping peacefully. He couldn't stand seeing her sleep in such an uncomfortable position. He brings her into the bed and puts the blanket over her. It was like the day he found her sleeping in the park. He walks into the room that he never wanted know one to enter. 

The boxes were untouched and he takes light steps towards the large curtains. He spreads them apart and there hid a door to the balcony. He stood out there leaning on the rail looking out into the distance. He searches his pocket for a cigar. He puts it between his lips then lights it up. 

He takes out his phone and went to his contacts searching for Jason's name. He dialed his number and waits for the other line to pick up. 

"Come pick up your girl." Cody says.

He could hear Jason's chuckle. "So that's where she went."

"Where else would she be in New York?"

"Exactly."

Jason hung up and Cody exhales the smoke. 

 

Cody suddenly felt hands wrapping around his body. Her face was shoved into his back. 

"What are you doing?" He asks.

"That's bad for you." Her voice mumbles. 

Cody sighs and throws the cigar to the ground and steps on it. "Let go. Jason's coming to get you right now." He holds her wrists and pulls them away from his body. He then turns to her, "Don't do hold me, it's bad for you." He grins at her and caresses her cheek. 

He couldn't hold himself back and places his lips on hers. She was surprised but felt guilty as she didn't pull away but kisses him back. The taste of the cigarette didn't please her at all. She was sadden that he was doing this to himself.  

It was probably the last time they will ever meet. 

 

***To be Continued***