• I looked up when I heard the bed squeak and Zane sighed and looked over at me.

    “Hey sleepy,” I said quietly. He smiled and closed his eyes a little.

    “What are you doing?” he asked. I picked up my book.

    “Reading.” He nodded and opened his eyes.

    “Why are you wearing my jacket?” he asked. I blushed a little.

    “I was cold,” I shrugged. He smirked.

    “It looks good on you,” I rolled my eyes at him.

    “Oh good you’re awake,” we both looked toward the door and Jane walked in snow on her hat and a bag at her side. “Oh hello Olivia!” she smiled at me.

    “Hey,” I put my book away and stood up.

    “Here I brought you some clothes from home.” Jane said pulling out sweat pants and a t shirt. “Thanks mom” Zane said sitting up. “Oh s**t I forgot your socks. There in the car. Be right back!” she rushed out and I laughed.

    “Hey I think I’m going to head out.” I said starting to take off his jacket. He frowned.

    “You don’t have to,” he said. I smiled.

    “Yeah I do. I still didn’t finish my homework.” He laughed. I pulled off the jacket.

    “Why don’t you keep it for me.” Zane said. I looked at him.

    “What?” I asked. He smiled.

    “My jacket. Why don’t you keep it so it doesn’t get pitched here.” I was shocked. He loves this jacket and he’s letting me take it?

    “Are you sure?” I asked. He nodded so sure of himself. “Ok,” I pulled it back and I felt like I was wrapped in his arms. Though it had a slight smell of blood on it. “Um, thanks.” I said. He nodded. I put my scarf on and gloves then went around the bed to him.

    “I’ll come back tomorrow.” he smiled as I leaned down and kissed his cheek. I pulled back and looked into his eyes. Then gently kissed his lips. He sat still savoring the kiss. I pulled back completely and smiled. “See you tomorrow,” he nodded as I left.

    Three days later:

    School was out for the holidays so I didn’t have to worry about going. So I went to see Zane everyday and stayed till 6 or 7. Most of the time he would sleep and when he wasn’t I would read to him or we would just talk or laugh. We fought about 2 times about something stupid. But we always got over it. I sat in the familiar chair and watched an old episode of House.

    “Dude, this guy is a jerk.” Zane said pointing to the TV. I rolled my eyes. His arm was out of the cast but still in an Ace Wrap and he couldn’t move it that much. Apparently it wasn’t a brake just a really bad sprain. His bruises were healing up good.

    “He’s not!” I said. He looked at me his hair messy and falling to the side more. “Ok! So he is a little bit.” I admitted. He smirked. He was wearing a dark blue t shirt and plaid sweat pants. “But come on! He’s hot for 40 years old!” he laughed and shook his head.

    “You need to get out more,” he said. I frowned.

    “What do you mean?” I asked. He sighed.

    “You’re in here everyday with me. Its Saturday go out and have fun or something.” I rolled my eyes.

    “What if I don’t want to have fun?” he raised an eyebrow.

    “You do. And once I get out of here we are going to have some fun.” he winked at me. I laughed. “And what makes you think I want to have fun with you?” he frowned.

    “Well I guess you loose out then,” I laughed again.

    “OK, whatever. I have to run to the store anyhow and get food.” I stood up and got my things together and placing Zane’s leather jacket around me. I had worn it all week. I smiled as I walked out. He waved. I got out into the city and sighed as I went to the local market. Mom and dad would be home today. They were getting out early because they didn’t need the consoling anymore. They were ok. Surprise, surprise. I thought coldly. I went into the store and grabbed some frozen pizzas, a small already made salad and a Gatorade. I paid for my stuff and just as I was about to go out the door I ran into someone.

    “Oh! Sorry,” I muttered and looked up pushing a piece of hair out of my face. It was Grant. “Olivia! Wow, hey,” he said surprised just as much as I was. He actually looked really nice today. He had on his black ski jacket with matching hat and gloves. His blonde hair coming out from the hat. This is how I remembered Grant. The sweet and charming guy.

    “Um, hey how are you?” I asked polity. He smiled and showed those white teeth.

    “Good, pretty good. My dad just got prompted in his job.” I raised an eyebrow.

    “Wow! That’s awesome. He’s been trying to hit that for a while now hasn’t he?” he nodded. “Yeah he’s real excited about it. So how are you?” he asked quietly looking into my eyes. My breath almost caught.

    “Um, good. Just hanging out, you know. Zane’s been in the hospital so I’ve been going in everyday.” Grant frowned and nodded.

    “I heard about that. Heard he got into a fist fight with his stepdad or something?”

    “His mom’s boyfriend, well now ex boyfriend. So I’ve been a little tied up.” He nodded sympathetic.

    “Well actually there is a Christmas party at Jonathan’s house tomorrow if you want to go.” I smiled.

    “That would be nice. Zane was trying to get me out of there anyhow.” the look when I said Zane’s name spark a glare just barely visible in Grant’s eyes but I knew him to well not to see it. “Cool, then I’ll see you there I guess.” I nodded.

    “Bye,” we went around each other and I went to my car feeling unsure if I should really go to the party without Zane? Mm, I’ll ask Zane tomorrow if I should.

    When I got home dad and mom were unpacking their stuff.

    “Oh hey honey!” mom said rushing over to me to give me a hug. I hugged back a little. I was still upset with them.

    “How is Zane?” she asked rubbing my arms. I shrugged.

    “He’s fine.” She frowned. “We should go in sometime to see him, Ian.” mom said turning to dad. He shrugged looking the same.

    “Hi dad,” I muttered. He nodded and gave me a quick hug. I put the food in the frig as I heard mom and dad talking, well mom was giggling. I rolled my eyes. I went up to my room quickly and shut my door. The school had given me extra work to do over the holiday so we wouldn’t forget what we were doing. How fun is that? I started on the book they gave me and settle back in bed with a notebook by my side.

    I guess I fell asleep, because the next thing I knew I was dreaming. It was just flashes but it was more of a nightmare.

    Grant plunging the knife into Zane’s back, the look of excitement on Grant’s face. The look of pain on Zane’s face…..it hurt me. Then I could feel Kendra behind me, I could also see her face. The same look on Grant’s. Her eyes blazing with fire. Then everything was gone but Grant and I. he was wearing his ski jacket and his matching gloves and hat. I stared at him, his eyes were kind, like they always were. He was smiling at me.

    “I really miss you Olivia. I want to be friends, maybe more if we can be.” He said sweetly. My heart melted. Was I falling back in love with Grant? No I couldn’t be! But this thing with Zane….it was fake. We might have had sex but does he really feel like that for me? Grant took my hands and brought them up to his heart and place them there. I took in a breath. “Olivia….” He moaned closing his eyes. “Olivia,” he said again but his voice sounded like a girl. I frowned…..

    I sat up quick and pressed my lips together.

    “Olivia?” mom knocked on my door.

    “Com—“ I cleared my throat because it sounded hoarse. “Um, come in.” mom opened up my door and walked in. she smiled at me her blonde hair up in a blonde bun.

    “Oh, I’m sorry honey were you asleep?” I rubbed my eyes and sighed.

    “No. what do you need?” she came in smiling brightly.

    “I just wanted to talk. We haven’t seen each other for a week. And I want to know how Zane is.” She put her hand on my knee. “And you.” she said seriously. I felt my wall break down and I almost gasped when I felt tears in my eyes.

    “Zane’s hurt mom.” I said simple. “But mom, I’m so confused.” She listened. Should I tell her? No, I can’t tell her about the fake relationship between Zane and I. it’s too hard to explain. I sucked in a breath then looked at her. “Mom, I really like Zane but….I think I might still have feelings for Grant. What should I do?” I begged. Her mom sighed and looked at me with sad eyes.

    “Honey, I’ve never been in this situation before. But what I can tell you is to follow your heart.” I raised an eyebrow. Mom laughed. “I know, I know, its sounds corny but really honey that’s what you should. Just do what your heart is telling you. That’s all I can say.” I frowned and looked down at my hands. What if my heart was as confused as I was? Something pounded a name in my heart, it bled the name but I couldn’t get hurt. Not again. I pressed my lips together and nodded.

    “Thanks mom,” she grinned.

    “No problem sweetie!” she paused a minute then giggled. “You’re father and I have been getting a long great!” she said thrilled. I really didn’t want to listen but I had too. All the while she told me about her and dad’s experience with the therapist and how she worked wonders! I could careless. I thought of Zane in the hospital and decided I would go in first thing in the morning. I sighed. “So now our sex life is great!” I stared up at her my eyes wide.

    “Mom! Ewe! Stop it! I don’t want to hear about that!” mom laughed and patted my knee.

    “I know sweetie. Oh well, I have work in the morning since they called in. Night.” She kissed my head then left the room. I fell back in bed tears stinging my eyes once again. My phone vibrated on my night stand and I reached out glumly and picked it up.

    “Hello?” I asked.

    “Olivia, are you ok?” Candice asked sounding worried. I sniffed clearing my voice.

    “Um, no sorry. What’s up?” Candice was quiet for a second.

    “OK…..Oh! Um I just found out that Kendra and Grant broke up last night.” I raised an eyebrow.

    “Really?”

    “Yeah, Tommy said him and friends were walking to the pizza place and Kendra stormed out crying. They ask some people and said they had it out at the restaurant and got into a huge fight in front of everyone.” Wow, I never thought that would have happened. Even though Kendra and I weren’t talking, maybe I should call her? She might need a friend.

    “Is she ok?” I asked. Candice snorted.

    “She’s probably ******** a guy right now getting over---Oh! Olivia, I’m sorry, I forgot you and her—“

    “No, no, its fine. I know what people thought you her.” I said calmly.

    “Oh…ok, well I’m sure she’s fine but who knows. Listen I got to go Tommy and I are going out. Just thought I would let you know. Oh! How’s Zane? Tommy and I went in and saw him yesterday but we didn’t see you.” she rambled on and I couldn’t help but smile.

    “Yeah I was gone yesterday. OK that’s fine, go have fun. I’ll call you tomorrow or something.” Candice laughed.

    “OK, bye!” I hung up and sat my cell phone down. I curled into a ball and thought of calling Kendra.