Lainey
After Owen leaves I grab his phone off the bed and text Maize.
Me: I'm sorry I told him about Trey.
The second Maize's phone dings she gasps and reads the text. "Okay, this is some messed up shit," Maize exclaims.
Me: Nope, just me texting you.
Maize snorts, "So, that stupid wish came true."
Me: It did indeed.
"What did Owen say when he found out you had a huge crush on him?" Maize asks.
I sigh, of course, that's the first thing that pops into her mind.
Me: He doesn't know about the crush, he thinks the wish was about some guy that had the same name as him.
Maize laughs, and even though she can't see me I roll my eyes. "I am shocked he believed that load of crap."
Me: I don't think he believes the wish came true at all no matter who it was about.
"What do you think happened?" Maize asks, she looks at her bed, almost the exact spot I'm sitting.
My fingers hover over the keyboard.
What do I think happened?
The wish seems like the only explanation, but what if Owen is right? What if I died, and I'm a ghost?
Me: I don't know what to think. Owen thinks I'm a ghost.
Maize stares at her phone, white as a ghost.
Or if Huntley was here he would say she was as white as me.
"Lainey, you're not a ghost," Maize says softly.
Me: I hope not.
Because if I am a ghost then that means I'm...
Dead.
Maize rolls her eyes. "Whatever you are, I'm going to find a way to get you back to normal."
I smile, that is exactly why I wanted her to know. If anyone can help me Maize can or she will find someone who can.
Maize takes out her laptop and starts typing. "I think you may have upset Owen."
I roll my eyes.
Me: Do you think I care?
The sound of her typing pauses as she looks at her phone. "Lainey, you should care. Whether you like it or not you are stuck with him for the time being."
I sigh. I know I'm stuck with him. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings earlier, I just needed to talk with Maize alone. He should understand that, right?
Me: He'll get over it.
Maize chuckles. "How has it been, I know you are mortal enemies?"
Me: At first we fought a lot, but now we are trying to be nicer. It's just hard being stuck with someone you despise.
Maize reads my text and then shrugs, "Maybe this will be good for both of you." She looks at me over her shoulder with raised eyebrows, even though she can't see me. "Maybe you can get over your hate for each other and fall madly in love."
I gasp and my fingers fly over his keyboard.
Me: That ship has sailed a long time ago. I am totally over Owen.
Me: Besides he would never see me that way.
Maize's shoulders slump, "You never know what may happen."
I don't respond.
We both sit in silence for a few minutes till Maize sighs, "It was nice talking to you Lainey, but if I'm going to help you I will need time."
She turns in her desk chair. "I'm going to see if I can find the lady who granted your wish and go from there."
I nod then remember she can't see me.
Me: Okay.
Me: Thank you!!!!
Me: Can you delete these texts off Owens's phone in case he decides to snoop?
Maize laughs at all my texts and walks over to the bed. "I don't think it would be snooping since this is Owens's phone," Maize says as she deletes the texts off his phone.
Everything in me wants me to hug Maize, but what good would it do?
Nah, screw it. I run forward and wrap my arms around Maize. She freezes as she says, "I love you, Lainey,"
"I love you too," I whisper as I grab Owens's phone off his bed. With one last look at Maize, I walk out of her room and sneak out the front door.
When I go outside I find Owen leaning against his car. "Awe, is girl time over."
I don't understand what I did wrong.
"Yes, unfortunately it is," I say with a fake pout.
I hand Owen his phone, "I need to grab a few more things from my house do you think you could wait a minute?"
Owen looks down at me like he wants to say something, but he doesn't, instead he nods. I reframe from rolling my eyes and walk to my house.
~~~~
Like every other time, I climb the tree in my front yard and slide into my room. Last time we were here I only got a few changes of clothes, but nothing else. This time I grab a few things, like the book I had just stared before my world turned upside down.
I grab my hairbrush and a deodorant. I have no idea if I smell or not. Owen hasn't said anything, but who knows. Maybe he's so used to stinking himself that he doesn't notice it.
Before I slip out my window I hear a door slam. Being to nosey nelly that I am I sneak into the hall to find my brother Jeremy's door cracked open. Inside Jeremy is sitting on his bed with his head in his hands.
Again, being a nosy sister I slip into his room to find him crying. Every fiber in my body screams at me to comfort him, but I can't.
As I'm standing there watching him cry the door opens and Jeremiah walks in.
"Jeremy, what are you doing?" Jeremiah asks softly.
Jeremy looks up and wipes his eyes, "I was just changing my shirt before we leave."
Jeremiah shakes his head. "Jeremy, you don't have to pretend to be okay." He sighs, "Our sister is in the hospital."
Jeremiah sits down beside Jeremy. "What if she never wakes up? What if I never get to hear her laugh again," Jeremy says softly.
My heart breaks when he says that. Growing up Jeremy was always the funny one, never the sentimental one.
"She's going to wake up. Lainey is a fighter," Jeremiah says.
Before they get up I sit down beside Jeremy and wrap my arms around them. Jeremy relaxes against Jeremiah. "I miss her so much," Jeremy whispers.
"Me too," Jeremiah whispers.
I let my shoulder rest on Jeremy's shoulder and tears fill my eyes. I never would have thought Jeremy would be this torn up over seeing me in the hospital.
They get up and I remain sitting on his bed.
Once they leave I slip out my window and walk to Owens's car.
When I plop in his passenger seat tears are running down my face. "Did you get everything?" Owen asks.
I simply nod and quickly wipe my eyes. "Are you crying?" Owen asks.
I shake my head and more tears fall. "Yes, you are," Owen says flatly.
I shrug and Owen sighs, "What happened?"
After a shaky breath I say, "I saw Jeremy crying because he's scared I won't wake up."
Owen gently pulls my hand away from my face, takes a napkin, and wipes under my eyes.
Everything in me freezes at his touch, and the feather-like way he daps my cheeks. Or maybe it's the intense look in his eyes, or the way he holds my chin with his other hand.
"You thought they wouldn't care about you," Owen says more like a statement than a question.
Instead of responding, I look away and more tears fall. Owen gently wipes under my eyes. "Lane, why would you think that."
He lets go of my chin, but he continues looking into my eyes. "I just never thought they would care that much about me," I admit quietly.
Owen gives me a look that I don't quite understand as he says, "Lane, they love you more than anything. I don't even know them that well and I can tell."
Despite him thinking that will make me feel better it doesn't, I just cry more.
"It hurts to see them like that, it hurts to see them cry and not be able to do anything about it," I exclaim.
Owen nods, "That's why we are going to do everything to get you back to normal."
I let out a long breath, "I miss them."
"I know," Owen responds.
Eventually, the tears stop and Owen starts his car. We both remain silent as he drives through my neighborhood.
Something in me softens. Owen has never been that kind towards me, he's never been caring or thoughtful.
I never thought he would wipe tears from my eyes or help me through a breakdown, but he did. He showed me his sweet side.
And suddenly I wish he showed that side of him more offend.
No, if he suddenly starts being nice then I don't know how I will continue to hate him.