• The next morning I got up took a shower and changed. I grabbed a candy bar from the cupboard and a pop-tart then headed to the hospital. I hugged Zane’s jacket to me trying to find that smell again. When I got to the hospital Zane was awake flipping through channels on the TV. He grinned when he saw me.

    “Hey Princess!” he said. I rolled my eyes but smiled. I kissed his cheek.

    “Brought you something.” I said wiggling an eyebrow as I ate the rest of my pop-tart.

    “Oh yeah what?” he asked. I pulled out the candy bar. He grinned even wider.

    “Thank god! Real food! This hospital food sucks!” I laughed.

    “Didn’t Jane bring you anything?” I asked. He shook his head.

    “Only some. That stupid healthy stuff too.” I laughed again.

    “She’s your mother you have to listen to her.” he scrunched up his face. I laughed and shook my head. “Glad your back,” I said and leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek. He moved instead and our lips hit. He pulled me onto the bed and I could feel the lust and passion in his kiss. I was so surprised. I latched my hands in his hair as he bit down on my bottom lip. I moaned. I didn’t hear the heart rate monitor till it was beating so loudly that I pulled back quickly. Zane was panting and looked at me. I smiled. “You’re heart is about to beat out of your chest if we didn’t stop.” He laughed and pink tinted his cheeks. I just smiled. But then I thought of Grant. He would have never blushed. Not for me at least. Why was I thinking of him though? “I think we should stop for now.” I said pulling myself free of Zane. He frowned slightly. I sat back in the chair and calmed my breathing too and trying to get my head on. “Um, so Jonathan Merith is having a Christmas party tonight. I got invited.” Zane raised an eyebrow. I waited for him to say something.

    “Are you going to go?” he asked. I shrugged.

    “I’m not sure. I was waiting to talk to you first.” He laughed.

    “Olivia, why do you have to talk to me first? I’m not your father; you don’t need to ask permission.”

    “I wasn’t going to ask for permission!” I said. “I was just going to see if you didn’t care—“

    “I don’t. You need to get out for a while anyhow. I mean, you’ve been in here everyday with me. Get out, have some fun.” I frowned.

    “Are you sure?” he smiled.

    “I’m positive.” I smiled.

    “Thanks,” he laughed. “You make your own choices Olivia. You’re a big girl.” I just watched him for a moment. Watching his red lips move, then his blue eyes shinning at me. He was wearing old sweat pants with paint on them and a black t-shirt. Making his eyes look extra blue. A fluttering was in my stomach.

    “Ok, I’ll go tonight.” I confirmed. He nodded. But wait, Grants going to be there. And him and Kendra aren’t together. I don’t know what to do if he talks to me. Maybe just go with it? The thought of seeing Grant actually made my heart rate bounce a second. Wait no! I thought I was over him?

    “Something wrong?” I blinked and looked up.

    “No, nothings wrong Zane,” I said quietly. He still looked at me with an I’m not buying it look. I can’t tell him Grant is going to be there. Or that Kendra and him broke up. He would never let me go. Or maybe he would. But I think I need to talk to Grant. One last time. Really see how my feelings are toward him. I just hope nothing happens.

    I left early from the hospital to go home and get ready for the party at 6. Mom and dad were in the living room and I could hear the TV on and them talking. I stopped in and said hi.

    “Oh you’re back early.” Mom said. I nodded.

    “I’m going to a Christmas party tonight.” She raised an eyebrow.

    “Without Zane?” I shrugged.

    “Why?” I asked. She just shrugged too. Witch of a woman. I thought.

    “I don’t know. Is Grant going to be there?” she thinks I’m going to cheat on Zane! I thought thinking.

    “Um, I don’t think.” I said thinking it wasn’t any of her business.

    “Oh, ok. Well have fun!” I nodded and went up the stairs. My mom knows me. Maybe that’s why she said that. But I’m not doing anything with Grant! I just want to talk to him. Is that called cheating?

    I looked through my closet and found some old clothes that I hadn’t worn in a while. I found a black skirt. A little tight though. A red silk shirt with a black vest. It was very punk. Maybe to punk I thought. I used to be like that. Wear those clothes with my baggy pants. I had my own style. I didn’t really go along with the flow. I was more of a stand out person and I loved being that way. I know girls at school talked about my clothes but really I didn’t care. I liked being different and standing out in a crowd. Now, I guess I’m one of those girls. I slipped on a pair of boots and grabbed my jacket then headed back out to the jeep. “Bye.” I called as I left. I was nervous as I started up the car. I swallowed and drove over to Jonathans’.

    The house was rocking with music, from rock, rap and Christmas music. I laughed as I heard someone shouting 12 Days of Christmas. He was obviously drunk. I knocked on the door and a girl opened it up drinking from a cup dressed up as a slutty Santa. She grinned when she saw me. “Hey!” she yelled over the music. I didn’t really know her but saw her around the school. “Come on in!” I went in and sighed as I saw people dancing and making out. Not exactly a Christmas party. “How are you Olivia?” the girl asked. Oh man what is her name!

    “I’m good. you?” I called over the music. She laughed.

    “I’m great! Want some beer? There is some in the kitchen.” I shrugged.

    “Maybe later.” She nodded and drank the rest of her beer.

    “So you and Grant getting back together?” she asked. I looked over at her sharply.

    “No! Why would you think that?” I asked bitterly. She was to drunk to hear it though.

    “Oh cause him and Kendra broke up and he was talking about you.” Grant was talking about me? “About what?” the girl burped loudly. I grimaced.

    “About getting back together with you.” I frowned.

    “I don’t know.” I said quietly. She cheered as someone jumped off the stairs and fell face first onto the carpet. Grant wants me back. For real! Not in a dream but for real.

    “Is he here yet?” I asked. She cheered again before answering me.

    “Yeah I think he’s in the dinning room or something. Go baby!” she yelled and ran toward a guy kissing him. I rolled my eyes. I took off my coat and placed it behind the steps. I didn’t want any bozos trying to steal it or puke on it. I walked into the kitchen dodging a guy running out holding a keg. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a Coke out of the cooler. It was a lot quieter out here other then sometimes hearing a shout of cheering once in a while. The kitchen branched off into the dinning room and there I saw Grant. My breath caught a moment. He was wearing nice jeans and one of those stupid name brand shirt with the logo on the front. He also had a beer in his hands. He was talking to two other guys, one with a girl on his side. Seriously! She was basically clinging to him. The other guy was big and broad. Very scary looking but I recognized him from the football team. I walked over and smiled.

    “Hey,” I said. Grant grinned at me. It was a little sloppy but still Grant.

    “Hey Ollie!” he looked down then up so did the other guys. The girl glared at me. She was wearing a short, short red skirt and a black knit top that was very low in the front. I just ignored her.

    “So what have you been up too?” I asked. The other guys and girl started their on conversation. “Good! Great! I’ve been great. You know Kendra and I broke up right?” I laughed and nodded. “Yeah, Candice told me,” he nodded not seeming bothered by it.

    “What about you?” he asked me. I shrugged.

    “Same, same. Just going to the hospital to see Zane.” He ignored that.

    “Want to go upstairs and talk?” he asked out of the blue. I stuttered then finally said,

    “Sure.” that wasn’t what I wanted to do but hey I did want to talk to him right away. He took my hand and I almost jumped as all the memories we had together came back. The times he took me out and we made out in a movie or went back to my house to make out in my room until my parents came home. Or the way he would tell me he loves me when he was touching me. My heart beat raced. We walked up the stairs and he stumbled a second. “You ok?” I asked loudly over the music. He nodded and kept on walking. We walked into a dark hallway spotted with people making out. I wanted to talk to Grant and I hope that’s what happens.