Chapter 4: John
John received Kate's letter and he couldn't believe it. It was heartbreaking. John went to see James and told him that Kate was sick. "You need to call her James and wish her a speedy recovery," John pleaded with James. "Why would I want to do that? I don't care for Kate and she should have taken the hint when I didn't write to her," James grumbled. "James, why are you such a jerk? It not going to kill you to call her," John exclaimed. "If you care about her so much you call her," James replied. "I can't believe we share the same blood," John yelled angrily and walked away. He heard James calling his name, but he ignored him and kept walking.
John told Rose that James would not call Kate. "I can't believe that James can be such an evil jerk. I will call Kate and wish her well," Rose complained. James called John the next day. "I will call Kate if it gets you off my back," James declared. "Thank you," Said John. James hung up without responding back. John was glad that James was going to call Kate. Rose told John that Kate was doing good and that the doctor removed the tumor. He was happy that they found the tumor in time. Rose also told John that James had called Kate like he promised he would. John was relieved to hear that because Kate's happiness meant a lot to him. John went shopping to buy Kate a gift and found her a gold charm bracelet. Kate wrote James back to tell him how glad she was that he had called her, that she liked the bracelet, and that she had to be homeschooled for the rest of the year. John really missed Kate and wished he could tell her that he was the one writing to her, but he felt to afraid, like a coward. Jill Watson had a big crush on John, but he hadn't felt the same way about her. Jill was determined to get John to be her boyfriend, but John told her it was not going to happen. James went to visit John. "You are a lucky guy, Jill is the most beautiful girl in the school," James declared. "I think Jill is beautiful, but she is not my type," John responded. "Are you crazy John! Jill has turned down every guy for you," James exclaimed. "I am sorry she did, but I think she is a spoiled brat and I do not want a girl like that. If you like her why don't you ask her out and tell Kate that you would like to just be friends with her," John asked? I did ask Jill out, but she said no. Also, my dad threatened to cut me off if I break up with Kate," James replied. John couldn't believe that his Uncle and Aunt were making James be Kate's boyfriend. He knew Kate would understand if James just wanted to be friends. John would also be happy if James told her the truth so he could have a chance with Kate. He also wondered if James knew he wrote to Kate and pretended to be him. James never said anything, and John didn't ask him about his phone calls to Kate. John knew Lisa knew that he was writing Kate and pretending to be James. He didn't know why James wanted him to go out with Jill. John hated how Aunt Molly and Uncle Ben were so pushy about him dating Jill; he was not like James. He didn't care if they cut him off because that money was not his anyway. He would rather be poor than date someone he didn't like. Uncle Ben didn't understand John, and John didn't care. John didn't like any of the girls in his school. Most of his friends thought he was crazy. He though Jill had finally taken the hint and moved on to Alex Dashwood. Kate wrote telling James that she finished her treatment and she missed going to school, but her friend Sara would visit her.