Sasha put down her mug of hot chocolate and picked up the newspaper. The phone rang and she set down the cup.

"Hello?" she answered it, sitting on the stool beside the phone.

"Sasha, dear," a woman's voice came over the phone. "It's Eryn's mom."

"Hi, Mrs. Tucker," Sasha said. "How are you doing?"

"I called you to see if I could come over," she said. "We're at the Best Western on Bloor. Can I come down?"

"Sure," Sasha answered. "I'll be waiting."

They hung up and a few minutes later, Mrs. Tucker arrived at the door.

She hugged Sasha. "I talked to the doctor."

Sasha pulled back. "Oh, God, is she going to be alright?"

Mrs. Tucker looked sadly at Sasha, her eyes filled with tears. She slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry."

Sasha took a step back. "Are you joking?"

Mrs. Tucker shook her head again. "Sasha, I'm sorry."

Sasha looked away, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Thanks for telling me."

"I'll inform you if I hear anymore," Mrs. Tucker said.

"Thanks," she said. "I'm sorry."

"That's okay," Eryn's mom answered. She hugged Sasha. "I'll see you later, hon."

Sasha nodded and sat on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. Lance walked in a few minutes later.

"Was that Mrs. Tucker who just left?" he asked.

Sasha didn't answer.

"Sash, are you okay?" Lance asked, sitting down beside her.

Sasha continued to stare at the wall.

"Are you going to answer me?" Lance tried again.

Silence.

"Come on," he said. "So I could say anything and you wouldn't talk? Okay... JC and Sasha, sitting in a tree..." he started to sing.

Sasha glared at him.

"...K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage..." he smirked. "Going to talk yet?"

"You're so immature," she said, standing up.

"Yeah, well you're being a bitch," he shot back.

She slapped his face, which immediately left a small hand mark. "Screw you." She stormed out of the room.

Lance raised his hand to his face and tenderly touched his flaming cheek, while staring at Sasha in amazement.

***

Sasha walked out the door, and saw Justin and Joey shooting around in the driveway. She started to walk back inside, but Justin saw her.

"Sasha, hey!" Justin called.

"Hi," she mumbled, sitting down on the hard concrete of the front porch.

"Why was Mrs. Tucker here?" Justin asked, walking over to her.

"No reason," she said, not meeting his eyes.

"I saw her drive off when we came outside," Justin said. "Was it about Eryn?"

Sasha shook her head. "Nope."

"I think I am going to visit her this afternoon," he said. "Want to come?"

"No," she said. "There's no point."

"Why not?" he asked.

Joey walked over. "Are you alright?"

Sasha nodded. "Oh yeah."

"Why isn't there any point?" Justin asked again.

Sasha started to get up. "There just isn't."

"Why not?" Justin asked.

"Because," she replied.

"Come on, answer me," he begged.

She hesitated. "She's dying, Justin," she finally said. "That's why Mrs. Tucker was here. To tell me that the doctor's said that she isn't going to make it."

"No," Justin said. "You're lying." He laughed. "Good one, Sasha. You had me there for a second."

"I'm not kidding," she said, serious. Suddenly she burst into tears. "I have to go." She took off down the street.

Justin sat down on the porch. He looked up at Joey, tears entwined in his long eyelashes. "She's dying, man."

Joey was torn between his best friend and his girlfriend. Finally, he sat down beside Justin and hugged him. Justin cried.

End of Chapter Ninety One