The next morning a deep wrenching cough sent a sharp pain into Lennon's chest, pulling her from sleep. She lay motionless for a while, her mind wandering in and out of consciousness. She finally heaved the mountain of blankets back and got out of bed. Her movement was slow and labored as she moved to the couch.

Bright light streamed through the front window. A chill ran up her spine and she reached for a blanket and wrapped it around herself. The pain in her head was sharp, and continued to grow worse until it was unbearable. She noticed a full cup of water on the coffee table, two pills and a note in Kade's handwriting.

"Take these when you get up. I went home to change. Should be back by 12. Call if you need me before then."

Lennon took the pills and drank the whole glass of water. She reached for the remote. She flipped through the channels until she found a rerun of a classic sitcom and she let it play.

There was a knock on the door as the episode finished. Lennon began to slowly move to answer until she heard a key in the lock.

"Hey," Kade said, opening the door. "I hope you don't mind that I took your keys. You were still out this morning when I left. I didn't want to have to wake you up to get back in."

Lennon felt relief at the sight of him, knowing she wouldn't have to be alone.

"It's fine," she said, laying back down.

Her eyes went to the large brown paper bag in his arms.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, setting the bag down on the table.

"Not great," she said hoarsely.

There was a heavy fog in her brain, that she hadn't had the day before, and her throat felt raw.

"I'm sorry. I brought food if you're hungry."

He began to pull things out of the bag.

"I brought chicken noodle soup, crackers and Popsicles. I wasn't sure what flavors you liked, so I bought all of them."

He held up four boxes. She smiled at how thoughtful he had been.

"I like strawberry," she said.

"Good to know."

He took the boxes of Popsicles and put them in the freezer. Lennon watched him do it, liking how comfortable he seemed in her apartment.

"Thanks so much," she said as he joined her on the couch.

"No problem. Do you want something to eat?" he asked.

She hesitated. She was hungry, but she felt guilty asking him to take care of her.

"I can grab something," she said, waving her hand in the direction of the kitchen.

The movement caused pain to shot through her head and her hand automatically went to her temples. She applied pressure, trying to combat the pressure within.

"Do you like eggs scrambled or fried?" Kade said.

He moved into the kitchen.

"You don't have —"

"Scrambled or fried?" He asked, cutting her off.

She turned to see him giving her a determined, flat look and gave in.

"Scrambled," she said quietly.

"See how easy that was?"

Lennon barely moved from her spot on the couch all day. Whenever she tried to do anything for herself she got a stern look from Kade.

"I'll have to add bossy to my list of character traits for you," she croaked.

"I'm sorry, couldn't hear what you were saying," he said loudly, as he heated her up some soup.

Lennon gave up fighting his help and sank deeper into her spot.

With Kade's care, Lennon slowly felt her strength coming back. By the end of the day, she felt good enough to carry on a conversation.

"You know, it wouldn't take that much effort for her to look better," Kade said.

He was talking about Mandy Moore in A Walk to Remember.

"That's not the point of the movie," Lennon said.

"Then what is the point?" He asked.

"Just watch."

Lennon smiled as they reached her favorite line from the movie.

"Well, if there is a higher power, then why is it he can't get you a new sweater?"

"He's too busy looking for your brain."

"He does have a point," Kade said. "Most people own at least more then one sweater."

"You can't side with that guy," Lennon said. "He is the jerk."

"Maybe he just doesn't know how to show his sensitive side."

"No. Shane West is the one with the heart of gold."

"I never said heart of gold. Why can't there be more then two sensitive guys?" Kade asked.

"Because that's not how the movie works. There has to be a jerk to make Shane West look good."

"I think the other guy is better looking. I mean check out that plaid shirt and cowboy boots."

Lennon looked over to give Kade an annoyed glare. She found him smiling at her, laughter in his eyes.

"Smart," she said. "Is this what you did when your cousins forced you to watch girly movies?"

He laughed.

"The boys in our family had to develop some defensive moves to deal with our stubborn cousins."

"Did it work?"

"Sometimes but never as good as it does on you. They usually ignored us for the most part."

"Thanks for the advice."

Lennon turned back to the TV and tried her best to ignore Kade's comments.

"That's the longest first date ever. I don't think her dad would be very happy," Kade said.

"Are you on the dad's side now?"

"I'm just saying. Plus, you never say I love you on the first date. Amateur move. What is he thinking?"

"Maybe he missed the class on first dates at the Kade Matthews school of dating," Lennon said.

"He wouldn't have even be admitted. I hold my students to a high standard."

"I don't remember our first date being anything spectacular."

He gave her an indignant look.

"First off," he said, holding up a finger, his voice taking on a defensive quality. "I didn't plan that. Second off, it wasn't a real date."

"Ok, so tell me oh great teacher, what you would do on a first date?" she asked.

The movie became background noise to their argument.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he said, giving her a sly smile.

"I'm pretty sure that's just what I asked," she said flatly.

"A magician never tells his secrets."

"Well, it's a good thing there aren't any here. Now spill."

She sat up straighter and crossed her arms, her mouth set in a determined line.

"Fine."

She tried to keep the victorious smile from her lips.

"I would do something low key because I wouldn't want anyone to know about. No paparazzi or onlookers. Just me and her," Kade said.

"So you could kill her?"

He gave her an annoyed look. Lennon's laughter turned into a coughing fit.

"If it was the summer, I would rent a kayak for us. Then we could grab food along the beach and walk. I mean, when it gets down to it, it doesn't really matter what you do. It's about to who you are with."

"Kade Matthews, I think I just met your romantic side."

He gave her a sideways glare and became very interested in the movie. Lennon smiled to herself and turned her attention back to the movie. When the movie ended, Kade brought out a deck of cards and suggested a game. Lennon couldn't blame him for avoiding any more girly movies.

"Owww" Lennon said, as Kade slapped her hand.

"I got it!" he said, already adding the cards to his stack.

"I think you just broke my hand," she said.

"You're fine," he said, already flipping over the next card.

After an intense hour of playing cards, Lennon collapsed, drained.

"How about something not so intense," she said.

"Rummy?" He asked.

She nodded and settled into a more relaxed position.

As he dealt the cards, he cleared his throat and then slowly said, "So, I listened to your album."

Lennon looked up, surprised. She tried to read his face. There was something just beneath the calm demeanor he had in place but she couldn't read it.

"And?" she asked.

The album had been finalized the week before. She had sent it out to friends, looking for feedback. She had been nervous letting Kade listen to it. His opinion held more weight then anyone else because he was a songwriter himself.

"I should clarify," he said. "I might have listened to it more then once."

"Really?" she asked.

"It's all I've listened to for the last week."

Lennon gave him a surprised smile before she could stop herself, startled by his bluntness.

"It's amazing," he said. "From start to finish, it pulls you in for a rollercoaster ride of emotions."

Lennon felt speechless at his words. She had never imagined his reaction to be so positive. She had predicted everyone else's reaction to the album. Charlotte and Deacon had loved it. Jessie had left her five voicemails, screaming about how much she loved it. Her band was positive but they had known the songs forever.

"The continuity that carries between all the songs, gives the whole album a cohesive feeling every artist searches for, but most rarely achieve," Kade continued. "I don't think there is a Hey Farewell album that does it as well as yours does."

His words were quick and excited.

"All your songs have such rich emotions. You have such a storyteller voice."

"I.." Lennon started but stopped.

"I know it's a lot," he apologized.

He suddenly looked awkward, as if he realized for the first time all he had said. She smiled.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"You're welcome," he said.

Their card game was forgotten as Lennon found words again. Together, they did a song by song analysis. Kade wanted to know all the details.

He understood music so he appreciated the work put into every note and riff. He heard the nuances and appreciated them. Lennon was floored by the overwhelming gratitude at his words. Hunter had always loved Lennon's music and supported her but he hadn't understood it to the degree Kade could.

**********************************************************************

Hello my people!

So for those of you who haven't guessed A Walk To Remember is my favorite romantic movie! It is the best. Usually I prefer action movies, anything with someone getting punched or shot, a car chase and a decently attractive main guy and I'm hooked. But of course I have a hopelessly romantic side and that comes out when I watch A Walk To Remember, I mean seriously, Shane West crying! My heart breaks every time. I'm tearing up just thinking out it. Give me a moment...okay I'm good, under control again.

Any who vote, comment, follow, tell me your favorite romantic movie and then watch it while eating ice cream, because what else would you eat while watching a movie!