**Cassandra’s point of View**

I was walking outside, a lot of things were getting to me, and I needed to think. I just called my doctor, and in 2 weeks I have to go have my surgery. I have the same thing as Brian, a hole in my heart. I thought it was ok, but I went for my checkup, it expanded. There was a chance I wouldn’t make it.

“What am I going to tell them?” I asked aloud, “How do you say your going to have surgery?” I walked all day, until I realized I better get. I walked in and Brian and Aj were watching TV. They all turned around quickly and a look of relief filled the faces.

“Where were you? I thought you were going to come home 3 hours ago?” Brian asked

“I was.” I mumbled.

“Then why were you out so long? You had us worried sick.” Aj exclaimed. I knew they were right, but I didn’t need to hear it now. I couldn’t say anything so I walked to my room and collapsed on my bed. I heard someone walk in my room and shut the door.

“Honey what’s wrong?” AJ asked softly, I started to cry softly. I didn’t realize what he called me. He pulled me up and held me. I cried in his arms for about 10 minutes before I finally calmed down.

“Baby, tell me what’s going on. I can’t stand to see you like this.” He pleaded. I looked away. “Cassy?”

“In 2 weeks I have to have surgery.” I whispered. A look of shock and dread came across his face.

“Wh…..Why?” He asked, I didn’t know how to explain it.

“You know how Brian had a surgery for his heart because he had a hole?” I asked, he nodded his head, “I have the same thing. When I was little it wasn’t that bad so they never had me go for surgery. Today I went and they found that the hole had expanded. I need to patch it up. There’s a 50/50 chance I won’t make it.” He looked at me and I thought I actually saw a tear in his eye but he walked out of the room. I stayed in my room for about 2 hours, trying to think about what may happen. Finally I walked out and Brian and Denise were there.

“Cassandra? Can you tell us what’s going on?” Denise asked. I explained everything. By the end Denise was crying and Brian was holding back any tears. Denise came to me and hugged me, it didn’t take long before I was crying. I didn’t understand why Brian was so upset.

“Why are you so sad?” I asked him.

“I know what your going through. I don’t want anyone to go through what I did.” He whispered. I gave him a hug.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Denise asked.

“I thought it was gone, I didn’t know it was there.”

“Promise me you’ll survive.” Brian pleaded, I looked up at him, then down.

“I can’t promise that.” I whispered.

“Promise me. Please.” He looked me straight in the eyes. I knew I might still die, but I didn’t want everyone to be so sad.

“I promise.”