• We got back to my house about 2 hours later. I dreaded getting out of the car and into the cold air. “We’ll make a run for it,” Zane said reading my thoughts. I nodded. I jumped out of the car when Zane did laughing as we ran to the door. I pushed open the door but it was lock. I laughed. “Olivia!” Zane yelled. I pulled my keys out of my bag my hands shaking they fell out and Zane laughed and chattered his teeth. “Just go!” he yelled. I laughed and pushed the key into the key hole and threw open the door. We stumbled in laughing. He slammed the door shut with his foot. I pulled off my jacket and threw it on the floor.

    “It’s warm!” I yelled with pleasure. Zane laughed. “I’m going to go get changed. Do you need jeans?” I asked as I started for the stairs. Zane nodded.

    “Um, yeah if you can find any.” I nodded.

    “You can borrow some of my dad’s.”

    I got changed quickly and Zane came in wearing a pair of my dad’s old jeans. They fit him pretty well. I smiled.

    “Not bad Mr. Walker,” I said and he rolled his eyes. I combed out my wet hair and was about to put on some makeup when a hand caught my wrist. I looked at Zane frowning.

    “What’s wrong?” I asked. His hand was gently on my wrist.

    “Don’t put any on,” I was watching his eyes. But they were just kind.

    “Ok,” I said and put down my eye linger pen. I smiled.

    “We have to go anyhow.” he said as he let go of my wrist and cleared his throat.

    “OK then let’s go.” we went back to the car and this time I dressed warmer. We headed down the road and into the city. “Where are we going anyhow?”

    “My mom’s work. She works at a restaurant in the city.” I nodded.

    “And why are we going there?” I asked. He sighed.

    “She wants me to pick something up to take home. Probably something for a friend.” I smiled. “Oh ok.” We drove up to a small restaurant and got out. I wrapped my scarf around my neck tighter and we walked up to the door. Our hands accidently touched then automatically they entangled together. It didn’t really feel like a surprise because we had always done it every time we walked into the school. We walked in and behind the counter was an older woman with dark blonde hair and very short.

    “Mom,” Zane said and the woman looked up from a note pad. Her smile brightened and her blue eyes gleamed. Now I know where Zane get’s those eyes.

    “Hey honey,” she said coming out from behind the counter. She put her hands on her hips and beamed at him.

    “Mom, um, this is Olivia.” he said pointing down to me. I smiled at her. Her eyes went to our hands then up to me and gave me a heart warming smile.

    “So you’re Olivia? Zane has told me a lot about you. But he never introduced me to you!” she gave him a mean look then smiled at me. I laughed.

    “Mom,” Zane mumbled getting embarrassed.

    “My name’s Jane,” I smiled.

    “It’s nice to meet you.”

    “Yes finally!” she gave Zane another look and I laughed. “So Olivia, what did my son here get you to do with him today?” I looked at him and he stared at his mother.

    “Well he took me back where you guys lived. We went to Lisa’s Diner to eat.” His mom raised an eyebrow at Zane.

    “You didn’t, did you?” she asked almost laughing.

    “Excuse me?” I asked. Zane looked down a little pink in his cheek. She looked at me.

    “Did he take you to the pool?” my mouth almost fell a little but I laughed.

    “Yeah actually he did. I had a lot of fun.” Jane smiled at me and it had more of something admiring in it.

    “Zane never takes girls there. You must be very important to him.” she said quietly and then winked. I blushed. I was the first girl he took there? Wow. That’s um….that really sweet. But stop thinking about him like that!

    An hour later and Jane and I were still talking. She was so nice. Zane lounged beside me looking like he was about to fall asleep.

    “Oh it was so funny! When Zane turned 10 he had a wetting the bed—“

    “Ok that’s enough!” Zane said looking like he was about to jump out of his seat. I laughed.

    “Oh no I want to hear this!” I said and Jane laughed.

    “No, no, no I think its time we go now. Mom where’s the stuff to take home please?” Jane pouted but smiled.

    “Ok fine. But on one condition.” Zane narrowed his eyes playfully at her.

    “And that would be?” he asked. I smiled. She leaned over the table looking him straight in the eyes.

    “You have to bring this adorable amazing girl of yours to dinner next weekend.” he clucked his tongue and looked at me.

    “What do you say?” he asked. I smiled and nodded. He looked back at his mom. “It’s a deal. And you never bring up that conversation again.”

    “Well I don’t know—“ she started but he growled and she laughed. He creaked a smile. “OK, Ok I will try not to say that you peed your pants during your play at school.” his mouth fell and Jane and I burst out laughing.

    “You little brat,” he said shaking his head his cheeks a little red.

    “Awe look he’s blushing again!” I said pointing to his cheeks. He grabbed my hand and chomped his teeth down close to it. I giggled and pulled it back.

    “You both are ganging up on me. It’s not fair.” he muttered. Jane laughed and left the room for a moment. He spun on the stool and looked at me.

    “What?” I asked innocently. He shook his head and I laughed.

    “Ok here we go,” she brought out a bag with a bowl of soup and home made bread. “Take this home and put it in the frig right away I don’t want it to get rotten.” as she gave the bag to me I saw a bruise on her arm. I frowned. “Now you two have a good day and don’t get her into to much trouble.” she said pointing a finger at Zane. He smirked.

    “I won’t but she might get me into trouble.” I gasped.

    “Will not!” he grinned.

    “OK honey well I’ll see you next weekend Olivia.” She said and gave me a small hug.

    “Thanks Jane,” she smiled.

    “Oh and Scott will be there too.” Zane almost lost his balance and looked at his mom. I stared at him surprised. He was tense.

    “What?” he asked his mom. She gave a nervous smile and she nodded.

    “He might come. I’m sure he’d be happy to meet—“

    “No,” he said suddenly and strong willed. I looked at him surprised.

    “Oh come on Zane!” I complained.

    “No way in hell is she meeting him.” he said through gritted teeth ignoring me. I was staring at him. What was going on?

    “Zane, come on it will be fun.” I said he looked at me and his eyes were mean and something like hatred filled them. I flinched.

    “We’re leaving,” he said and turned.

    “Zane,” Jane called making him stop. His shoulders were so tight and his jaw was set. His eyes were blazing. He turned. Her eyes were teary. “Come here,” she whispered. He clenched his hands but walked over to her. “Give me a kiss.” he gently reached down and gave her a small peck on the cheek. She whispered something to him and I watched my eyes a little wide. He nodded but his eyes didn’t change.

    “Mom,” I heard him whispered his voice pleading. I had never heard him sound like that before. They were whispering. “Fine.” he finally said. “But if anything…” he whispered the rest.

    “OK well you’re coming over this weekend don’t worry about it! I’ll make something very good. OK?” she asked me.

    “Yeah OK.” I smiled. I was still so confused but nodded. Zane wouldn’t meet my gaze.

    “Bye,” Zane mumbled and started to leave.

    “Have fun!” his mom called her voice a little shaky.

    “Bye,” I called a little confused. Zane stormed off ahead of me and I followed almost at a run. “Zane! Zane!” I yelled. He put the food in the back seat and stood there for a moment then turned to me. “What the hell was that about?” I asked my voice making puffs of smoke from the cold air. He was biting the inside of his mouth hard trying not from yelling.

    “Its nothing lets go,” I frowned. “Zane…” I said stopping him as he went to go around the car. He looked down. “What is wrong?” I asked. He looked up.

    “Why won’t you listen to me?” the words caught me off guard.

    “What?” I asked surprised. He looked away his jaw clenching. I heard him mumbling but I couldn’t hear. “What are you talking about?” he shook his head.

    “Never mind.” he said and moved around me his head still low. He got in and it took me a moment to regain myself then get into the car.