• I had been distant at school. I just didn’t feel like myself. Zane asked if I wanted him to stay but as much as I wanted him to, I needed space. So I said was just going to study. He had nodded but seemed suspicious and left. I watched him get back into his car and drive away. I changed my clothes and went out the back door and across the yard and Mr. Rogers yard. I needed air. I needed to get my head straight. I couldn’t get Candice’s conversation out of my head.

    “I see the way Zane looks at you,” Her eyes were soft. “He looks at you as if you’re the sun it’s self in the sky. It’s really romantic.”……it echoed in my ears. It was fake remember Olivia. He’s just a really good actor. He’s good at faking it. The looks, the smiles, the way he seems protective when Grant comes around…… It’s all fake. I opened up the old rusty gate and walked in my little play ground. I went to my swing and sat down. The air was cold, warning us winter was coming. Even though it was freezing. I took off my shoes and ran my feet through the sand beneath me. I sighed and started to swing. Other things were on my mind to. Things that I should be worrying about. My head started to hurt and I slowed to a slow back and worth. The thing squeaked every time I went back.

    “I knew I’d find you in here,” I jumped slightly and looked up startled. Zane stood at the gate and smiled at me. His blue eyes looked lighter today and kinder. My heart beat went faster.

    “Um, yeah,” I said and looked down. Part of me wanted to scream at him to go away and leave me alone. The other part wanted him to hold me. Huh…why? He sighed and came over to me. He sat in the swing next to me and started moving.

    “You going to tell me what’s on your mind?” he asked kicking his feet up in the air. I couldn’t! I couldn’t ask him why he would look at me….look at me a way you would only look at someone….someone like your real girlfriend would. It would be so humiliating if he said it was just for show. I would embarrass myself too much. I looked over at him and he was wearing his leather jacket but a pack of cigarettes were in it. “Since when do you smoke?” I asked. He slowed to a stop and grabbed it out of his pocket. He shrugged.

    “Only once in a while. When I’m stressed. My friend buys them for me.” I nodded and he stuck them back into his pocket. “You got off the subject,” he said looked at me with a half smile. I looked down at my hands and started to move my feet.

    “It’s nothing,” he groaned.

    “Would you look at me?” I wouldn’t.

    “Oli—“ before I knew it I was spitting out something else.

    “My dad’s cheating on my mom,” I said cutting him off. The words I had spoken hurt me deeply then I thought they would.

    “What?” Zane asked confused.

    “I never wanted to admit it. But two years ago I followed him to work. He didn’t go to work. He went to a prostitute house……I think my mom knows now.” it was silent. The only sounds were the wind blowing the dead leaves.

    “Oh,” Zane said quietly. I rubbed my fingers together.

    “I was going to tell her but I couldn’t. It would break her.” I saw him nod.

    “Olivia,” he said and the words made a shiver run down my spin. I finally looked over at him. “I don’t know how you’re feeling but I can understand somehow.” I searched his face for something that would indicate he was just messing with my head. That he didn’t care. But it was the opposite. His eyes were soft and sad but understanding was in them.

    “How?” I asked. His eyes glazed over a little.

    “When my dad left he had a whole other family in California. He had another wife and 5 children. My mom was the other woman.” my mouth fell a little. “She got pregnant with me and my dad stayed here for a while then he decided he didn’t want us anymore and went back to his old wife.” his teeth were clenched his hands in fist. Finally he came out of his thoughts and looked at me. His eyes were a little shocked that he had told me all of that. “See, we’re not so different are we?” I smiled lightly.

    “No, I guess not,” I looked away but that wasn’t the big thing on my mind. He didn’t even know it was about him.

    “Cold out here isn’t it?” he said shrugging. I nodded.

    “A little,”

    “Here,” he slipped off his leather jacket and gave it to me.

    “Zane you don’t have to,” I said shaking my head. He just smiled and put it around my shoulders.

    “You might be my fake girlfriend but I guess you can wear it,” he winked and sat back down on his swing. I laughed.

    “Thanks,” he nodded and smiled. He was wearing a long sleeved navy blue shirt but he didn’t look the slightest bit cold. Then something I hadn’t seen before I saw. A bruise on his shoulder. I frowned. Why would he have a bruise that big on his shoulder? I never saw that before. I didn’t comment. “It’s getting late,” I said. He kept on swinging.

    “I don’t want to go home.” he said like a stubborn kid. I laughed. But he was serious.

    “Is something wrong?” he shook his head and looked over at me softly.

    “No.” I still was frowning. I stopped my swing and stood up. He stopped too. I walked in front of him and leaned down. He watched my eyes. I closed my eyes and kissed his cheek. It was soft and warm. Then slowly I slid my lips across his cheek to his lips. He didn’t move but I could feel his breathing pick up. I gently kissed him then pulled back. His eyes opened and he had something strange in them.

    “Thanks,” I whispered. He nodded but stayed quiet. I gave him back his jacket then went out of the play ground. For some reason my body was wanting to go back to him but I had to get home. I had to talk to my mom. I touched my lips and still felt the warmth from him there.