snapshot •josh dun

eighteen

Abigail stood in the TSA line with Josh, watching as Josh took out his gauges to go through the metal detector. She had made sure all her metal was off, placing her phone in the bin just as an annoyed woman shuffled her through the detector. Josh went through easily, but red lights and an alarm sounded.

The port.

"Shit. Josh, the port." Abigail mumbled.

The woman yelled at Abigail and waved a dectector wand over her body, the alarm getting louder as it passed her collarbone. Annoyed, she pulled down the neckline of her shirt, revealing a metal and plastic device. She needed it on the plane for her medicines. Josh insisted she stay in London, but Abigail wanted to meet his family and friends. It may have been the first and last time she'd get to.

"Is this medical equipment miss?"
"Yes."
"Take off your hat please."

With an annoyed sigh, she tore off her beanie, revealing to the terminal a bald head.

"This is dumb." Abigail mumbled, tearing up. She hated how everyone was staring at her. She gathered her things and Josh held her hand, squeezing it tightly and apologetically. An airport worker came and gave her a wheelchair which made things a lot easier. The girl was getting quite exhausted. Placing a paper mask over her face, and huffed and wheeled off to her terminal with Josh.

"Joshua, I wish people wouldnt stare." She said, placing her head on his shoulder. The blonde looked down at his girlfriend, frowning.

"Well of course they're staring. Why wouldn't they want to look at such a beautiful girl? They'll have to shy away though. You're mine." Joshua whispered, kissing her cheek. The beam of light giggled at his response and she began absentmindedly tracing his alien tattoo.

Later on, the two boarded the plane earlier than the rest. They sat down in their seats, ignoring stares from passerby's. It was was a relatively easy flight, excluding the awkward silence that fell over the cabin as Josh helped her string an IV.

The truth was, Abigail didn't deserve any of this. She used to be a happy, sunshine filled, positive girl. Josh would stare in awe at her ukulele playing, her round circle glasses, and freckles. And while she still had those things, there was something missing. She barely smiled anymore, and only when she talked to Josh. Her usually yellow wardrobe had been replaced in favor of lack luster grey's and comfy pants. Abigail cried a lot now, more than Josh had ever seen. Tears seemed to flow like a river out of her.

It scared Josh. Was it only the sickness, or had he lost his sunbeam forever?

The plane landed and Abigail made a beeline for the exit.

Eventually the two made it to a rental car, Josh driving because Abigail was tired from the flight. She napped in the car and traced over her semicolon tattoo as Josh navigated his way through a sunset lit Columbus. He would miss his hometown for sure, but he loved London, and Abigail, so much more.

Pulling over to fill up the gas tank, Josh pulled out his phone. He dialed his mum's number and almost instantly, she picked up.

"Josh! Oh, I'm so glad you called! Are you on your way?"
"Yeah. Hey Mom?"
"Yes Josh?"
"You know how I brought Abigail?"
"Yeah honey? What about her?"

Josh had regretted it, but he hadn't told his mom Abigail was sick. He felt like he was letting her down, seeing as she had talked about all the things she was excited to do while she was visiting for the week.

"She-She, she has cancer. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I felt bad. She can still do the things you wanted, bake and such, it's just that she has a lot of medicines she has to take, and she's a bit tired right now, in fact she's sleeping. But anyways, shes so excited  to meet the family and Tyler. She really is." Josh explained, biting his cuticle.

His mother explained it was perfectly fine and hung up. Soon they were both standing at the doorstep.

"Ready?" Josh asked, smirking at her.
"Ready." Abigail smiled.