+chapter.eleven+

Jennifer sighed; the small spare room empty besides her. Jenn was surrounded by floor pillows, a mini stereo system placed on a night table, two speakers hooked up next to it, a phone on another small table, a television, VCR, and N64.

Jennifer had the new BsB CD, Millennium, in her three-disc changer, listening to the song change. "No One Else Comes Close" began to play over the speakers. It was her life being put into words. No one could ever come close to Zac. The way he had held her back in his room the night before...in the hospital just a few hours ago. She loved him. So much. Jennifer heard her phone ring from somewhere in the house. She heard her machine start up. "Heya! You've reached Jenn's room! I'm-obviously-not here right now, but leave a message after the tone and I'll call you back! Thanks! Byebye!"

"Hey, Baby. It's me. The ward women said I could use the phone. You know, one phone call per customer. Anyway, I just wanted to see how you were and make sure everything's okay. I worry about my baby. Well, I guess you're not there...call me back. I gave you the number before. Love you. Bye."

Jennifer had been scrambling around, desperately trying to find her phone. Just as she picked up, Zachary did the opposite.

"Arg..." Jennifer searched her pockets for the number. She hit the phone button and dialed, giving the room extension once she connected to the operator. "Hello?"

"Hey you," Jenn smiled.

"Hey! I just called you!"

Jenn laughed softly. "I knooow! I couldn't find the phone."

"Ahh, I gotcha."

"Mmhmm. So what's goin' on?"

"They're releasing the patient," Zac grinned.

Jennifer's smile grew. "Awesome!"

"Yeh, but I can't have a lot of visitors."

"Oh..." Jenn trailed.

"You're my only one," he spoke gently and sincerely.

"Aw. That's sweet."

Zac grinned. "So, that scores me some points?"

Jenn laughed. "III don't know. I'll have to think about that one."

"Heey!"

Jenn grinned. "Okay, okay. It does."

"Yeeh! Go mee!"

Jennifer laughed again.

"Aw, man. Baby, I gotta go...we're leaving now."

"Oh, okay."

"Visit me soon, aight?"

"Will do. If you need me, just call and I'll be right over."

Zac grinned. "Ma'am, yes, Ma'am."

Jenn smiled. "Love you.

"Love you too, Baby. Talk to you soon."

"Kay. Bye."

"Bye."

Reluctantly, Jennifer hung up the phone. She didn't want to seem like a pest and hightail it over there. She hoped he would call. She couldn't stand not being with him. She loved him with her whole heart.

Jennifer sighed as she plopped back down on the wooden floor. As much as she loved video games, she couldn't play anymore. She knew that if she did, she would totally kill her record. She saved her game and turned the machine off. She got up again and headed to her room, phone in hand. It probably needed charging.

Once up in her room, Jenn hit the power button on her stereo. "Kiss Me" blared from the speakers. Jennifer placed her portable in its cradle and sat down on the floor beside her bed. She pulled a shoebox out from underneath and opened it, taking out a group of pictures.

As she leafed through the photos of Isaac, Tamara, Taylor, Zachary, and herself, she realized how she took his being there for granted.

Jennifer had always loved Zachary. He was her true and only friend for such a long time. Once she cut her hair and got clothes that fit better, everyone started to hang with her. But she knew Zachary would be her best friend no matter what.

She smiled at the distant memories. Zac and her, they had been quite a handful. Quite a handful. They were hardly ever apart. Daisy had told Jennifer about how the two would cry, even as babies, when they were separated. That would usually be their punishment. Separation from the other.

Jennifer's stomach growled as she looked down at her watch. Two-thirty already. God, where had the time gone? She placed the pictures back in her shoebox and pushed it under the bed.

Jenn stood up and made her way down the steps. "Hi," she spoke to the police officer sitting in the recliner, reading the newspaper. Since the day before, they had gotten an officer to watch over the house. Just to be safe.

"Hello," the officer replied.

"Are you alright? Would you like anything to eat or drink?"

"No, Miss. Thank you anyway," the officer replied politely.

"Sure," Jennifer spoke, walking to the kitchen. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until now. After making herself a cheese and lettuce sandwich and grabbing a Dr. Pepper, she jogged upstairs again.

Jennifer sat down on her bed, picking a small piece of the sandwich off. She turned the TV on and saw that "The People Under the Stairs" was on. She grinned slightly and took a sip of her soda. It was kind of a stupid one, but she liked it nonetheless.

After about an hour, Jennifer had finished her sandwich and drink and the movie was ending. She was super bored too. And she missed Zac. Her Baby. She smiled slightly at the thought of him. He could always make her smile.

She glanced at her phone. Should she call? She didn't want to be a pest. But what if he was waiting for her to call him?

She shook her head and picked up the phone. 'You're so corny,' she thought. Jennifer dialed Zachary's number and listened to it ring once...twice...three times.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is Zac there?"

"Sure...who's calling?"

"Jenn."

"Oh, hey, Jenn. Hold up a sec. I'll get him for you."

"Thanks, Ike."

Jennifer waited as he heard Isaac call for his brother to pick up the phone.

"Heeey!" Zachary answered.

"Hiya! How're you feeling?"

"Alright I guess...I miss you though."

Zac grinned. "Well, I would fix that, but I'm not allowed out of the house..."

Jenn smiled. "I'll come ooover...if you want me to."

"Of course I want you to. I always want you to," Zac spoke sincerely.

Jenn laughed lightly. "Aight...Your 'rents won't care?"

"Jennifer."

"Yeh?"

"Get your tushie over here."

Jenn smiled. "I can do that."

Zac smiled. "Good. I'll talk to you soon."

"Kay."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Jennifer smiled as she hung up the phone. She slipped her skechers on and walked downstairs after grabbing a jacket. It was pouring rain out. "I'm going over a friend's house for a bit...I'll be back later," Jennifer spoke to the officer.

"Okay. Do you need a ride?"

"No...It's only a few houses down. Thanks anyway."

"Sure."

Jennifer walked out the door, staring at the rain from under her porch for a few seconds. Then she ran. She ran as fast as she could through the rain. God, she loved this. She loved running in the rain. It gave her such a rush. Once she hit Zachary's doorstep, she brushed herself off. She rang the doorbell and stood there waiting for someone to open it.

After a few seconds, the door was pulled open.

"Jenn! Hey, how are you?" Taylor greeted.

Jenn gave a soft smile. "Pretty good, you?"

"Good. C'mon in."

"Thanks," Jennifer walked in, smiling brightly. "So...where's Zac?"

"Oh, he's in the living room," Tay replied.

"Can I?"

"Sure, go 'head in."

"Thanks."

"Sure thing," Taylor replied.

Jennifer walked slowly into the living room. She smiled lightly as she saw Zachary laying on the couch, propped up a bit with two or three pillows, snuggled under a few blankets. His eyes were shut and his breathing was light. The television was on and the clicker was in Zac's hand.

Slowly, Jennifer pulled the clicker from his hand and turned off the TV. She placed the control down on the coffee table and began to turn and walk out.

Just as she was about to go tell Tay she'd be leaving, she heard Zac from his spot on the couch.

He took in a deep breath. "Baby?"

Jennifer turned around and faced him. "Hey...How you feeling?" Jennifer asked, keeping her tone gentle.

"Better, now that you're here."

Jenn smiled slightly and began walking back to the couch.

Zachary scooted in as much as he could and patted the spot next to him, inviting her to sit down.

Jennifer sat down and smiled wider as his hands immediately found their way to hers.

"I missed you."

Jenn's voice came off soft. "I'm here now...but you have to rest."

"I'm sick of resting," Zac complained drowsily.

With her free hand, Jennifer pushed back his hair, running it behind his ears. "Shhh."

Before long, Zac's breathing had slowed again.

Slowly, she leaned down and kissed his forehead. "I love you," she whispered, gently pulling her hand from his. As she stood, she was careful not to wake him. She'd come back later...now she would let him sleep.