Run

Chapter Eighteen

RUN

By Elissa Evenson

Chapter Eighteen: STELLA

Jane made Stacy and me a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, and orange juice. Stacy and I haven't had this much food in a long time. By the time I was done, I was completely stuffed. It felt good to be full instead of constantly hungry.

"Did you enjoy your breakfast?" Jane asked me after I rinsed off my plate and set it in the sink.

"Oh I did!" I exclaimed. "It was absolutely wonderful!" Jane gave me a smile.

"Why thank you. I used to always cook Jake dinner in the morning." She starred at something behind me with a glimmer of sadness in her eyes. "It feels good to cook for someone again." She looked back at me and the sadness in her eyes was replaced with happiness. I just smiled at her. It felt like the first time I actually smiled at someone. I really liked Jane. She felt like a mom to me. I felt a pang of sadness as I thought of my mom. Would it be betraying my mom if I liked Jane like my mom? What if Jane could take care of Stella and me? What if she adopted us?

"Let's go check on Stacy, ok?" Jane suddenly asked me. I nodded my head. She took my hand and we walked upstairs. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty, like I was betraying my mom.

***

It turns out that Jane is a really could nurse. She took care of Stacy's leg much better than Mason could. Stacy was starting to look better too, after such a scrumptious breakfast. Stacy's leg wasn't so sensitive now. I saw Jane taking care of Stacy's leg, and the burn didn't look as bad now. It still look like it hurt, but I no longer felt like I was going to hurl at the sight of it.

Jane let me watch cartoons for most of the afternoon. When Mason came home at 2:30, he immediately went up to Stacy. I happened to be with Stacy when he came home. He came running into the room. He immediately went right over to Stacy and gave her a hug and a peck on the cheek. Stacy looked up at him lovingly.

"I missed you." She whispered.

"I missed you too." He whispered. I seriously thought I was going to gag. I rolled my eyes. It was so stupidly cheesy. And yet, why did I feel a pang of... Jealousy?

I had to get out of that room. I quickly spun on my heels and left. I went downstairs into the living room and flipped through the channels. Nothing seemed good so I turned off the TV. I felt tears prick my eyes but I held them back. Why was I even crying?

Just then I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders. I looked up expecting to see Jane, but I was surprised to find Mason looking down at me.

"What do you want?" I asked harshly. "Just leave me alone."

"Ok, but I just came to see if you were ok. When you left the room, you seemed a little... angry." Mason told me concerned.

"It's nothing." I said looking down at my feet.

"No, it's not nothing. Will you please tell me?" I looked up to see Mason's pleading eyes. Maybe he really did care about me.

"Well. I know I'm only 10, but... but I wish I had a... boyfriend. I feel much older than 10. I haven't had my first kiss yet- and I want you." I struggled to find the words. I could see that Mason was thinking about what I said. He frowned. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing." He said shaking his head. "I was just thinking."

"About what?" I asked.

"Well... I could give you your first kiss." My head snapped up. I looked into his bright green eyes.

"Y-you could?" I asked stammering. He bit his lip thinking. He was so cute.

"I could. If you really want to."

"That'd be great! Ahem. I mean, yes. That would be nice."

"Ok. I was thinking, I could arrange a date and give you the perfect first kiss. How does that sound?" It was like music to my ears! I was going to get my first kiss! And not just ANY first kiss- the PERFECT first kiss. This was going to be great!

"Ok." I said, now with a smile. "I would really enjoy that." He smiled.

"Alright then. It's set. It's a date." He said with a wink. This is so exciting! "I'm going up to my room to work on homework now, ok?" He stood up to leave.

"Ok." I said. I watched him take a couple steps. "Mason- wait." I said reaching out for him.

"Yeah?" He asked as he turned his head to look at me.

"Thanks." I said with a smile. "It really means a lot to me." He smiled.

"Of course. I already told you, it's no problem. I'm just helping out a friend." Then he turned around and left.

I was getting my first kiss!

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hey guys, I think (keyword: think) that this is all I'll upload tonight. I will (for sure this time) upload another chapter tomorrow. Please, please, please, PLEASE vote and comment! Please with sugar on top? *insert cute puppy face*

~Happy Reading