Thanksgiving is growing closer, but yet I don't feel thankful. This assignment is going to be the death of me, I think to myself, staring at the blank piece of paper. I decided to try and get it done early. In case I find some plans for the holidays. I doubt it, but who knows?

Twelve days of break equals twelve things I'm thankful for. So far, I have come up with two. One is that I'm alive. The other is Sky and the fact she woke up. I wish I could talk to her. It feels like forever since I last spoke with her. She's been awake for a few days now and I still haven't gone to see her. I've been avoiding the hospital. The last thing I need is to run into Hayden. Besides, he has more of a right to be there, than I do.

Even thinking about him, or that night makes me nauseous. It's seared into my memory forever. I was so excited when his mom called, informing me of the good news. All I wanted to do was go find them both. To let them know so we could all go see her together.

But I wish I had never answered that call. If I hadn't, maybe things would be how they were before. Before I opened that door, shattering my world. Well, the fantasy world I was living in.

The image of Hayden's cold, glassy eyes staring into my soul through the mirror's reflection. He had his back to me, sitting on the edge of some stranger's bed. His pants were down around his ankles. From the doorway, I couldn't see her very well. Only the top of her head, bobbing back and forth. One of his hands sat on her head, guiding her. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what they were doing.

Neither of them even attempted to stop when they heard the door. The only thing he did was ask what the fuck I needed. I debated running in and yanking her off the ground. I wanted to destroy both of them, but I didn't. Instead, I simply told him he needed to sober up. Especially if he planned on going to the hospital and celebrating with his family. Then I shut the door, walking away. I stood outside, waiting for him to come out for his ride. When he finally did, I shoved the phone into his hand and left. I didn't allow him to speak. It was hard to walk away with him screaming my name and begging me to stop. But I did.

I kept walking until I reached my dorm. I was so upset, I forgot my keys were in my bag. Which was at his house, since I planned on going back. Not now. Luckily Hope was about to leave the hospital to come home for the night. She brought me Sky's set.

I guess I figured out what to put for number three on my list. Friends, I'm thankful for the few friends I've made since arriving here. They saved me. This past week, Hope and I have gotten closer. She's been keeping me updated on news from the hospital. We even went out for pizza one night. I'm almost positive she wanted to make sure I was okay after that horrible party. Speaking of Pizza, food should be number four.

Maybe I should put family for number five. I don't have to specify which family members. I'm talking about My Nana and Jason are the only two that would probably make the cut. I love my mom and April, but it's no secret neither of them are my biggest fans.

The phone ringing distracts me momentarily from my work. I check the name on the screen before deciding against answering it. Hayden isn't the only person's calls, I'm ignoring. My mother keeps calling me, inviting me for Thanksgiving. I doubt it would be a good idea for me to go. For one, I don't have a ride, and an Uber would cost too much. For two, why do I want to sit there listening to what a disappointment I am? Or them discussing how nice it's been since I've been gone. The last reason, she keeps mentioning someone she wants me to meet. I bet it's her new boyfriend she doesn't know I know about.

She calls once more before giving up. The sixth thing on my list is technology. I love being able to screen calls and messages, answering only if I want to. Scrolling through my call log, I have several missed calls from my mother and Hayden. I can't believe he's trying to talk to me after everything.

The worst part is that no matter how wrong I feel like he was, technically, he didn't do anything wrong. Morally, yes, it was wrong, disgusting, and inappropriate. But besides that, we weren't dating, so it wasn't cheating. We had never defined what we were. So in his eyes, he was single. and could mess with whoever he wanted. In a way, it's my fault too. I should have made it clear how I felt. This situation is a perfect example of a grey area in being friends with benefits. If we were friends, to begin with. Who knows how he saw me?

Number seven is the freedom of choice, being able to choose whatever you want. You always have choices in life. Some are better than others. Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made. If you don't like what you see, make a different decision. And now I think I need to choose to go to the hospital. I've been putting it off long enough, too long. Making my mind up, I rush around, getting ready.

On my way to the hospital via taxi, I settled on number eight car services. They are miracles for people like me who can't afford one or people who don't yet have their license. If they were cheaper, it would be even better.

The hospital is alive with activity, like usual. Ms. Flirtatious is working the nurse's desk when I approach. She remembered me from last time, handing me a visitor badge with Sky's last name scrawled across it.

"Do you remember where her room is, honey? If not, I can take you back" She smiles at me, her teeth not showing like last time. I must not be as handsome as Hayden to get the full effect of her flirting skills.

"Thanks, I think I got it" I return the smile, with the same amount of energy she put out. It takes no time to reach her room. I don't hear any voices. Maybe she's alone. Or asleep. I don't want to wake her. Maybe I shouldn't have come. I try peeking into her room, through the cracked door. But it's not open enough to see anything. Instead, I pace back and forth a few times, debating on what to do.

"Bex, is that you? What are you doing? Come in, silly," Sky's hoarse voice calls out from the room. Well, I guess that answers my question.

She's seated, propped up in the bed, remote in hand. Her face brightens at the sight of me. I'm surprised at how well her injuries are healing. The dark bruises on her face have lightened, now resembling a lighter shade of greenish brown. And the dried globs of blood around her stitches are gone. Most of the scrapes and scratches have scabbed over. She looks so much better.

"I'm so sorry about everything," I begin, but she cuts me off.

"Hey, we have plenty of time to talk about everything that happened when I get home. Right now, let's focus on the fact I'm alive, and my best friend is here to see me. My mom told me you were here that first day. But when you didn't come when I woke up, I thought you weren't coming back." Her eyes glisten with tears, looking at me.

"I would never do that to you. Besides, you're my best friend," I choke out through a flood of tears. Wrapping my arms around her, we embrace, neither of us wanting to let go. This moment helps me figure out number nine on my list. I'm thankful for the advances in medicine and medical equipment. Without it, I wouldn't have my best friend. Also number ten, hugs. Everyone needs a hug sometimes, no matter how tough you are. Especially when it's from someone you love and care about.

"So Hayden's been up here every day getting on my nerves. The first night he came up was rough. My mom and he got into it pretty bad. They both said some hurtful things. I was happy when the doctor came and finally told them to shut up. That I needed rest. But since then, it's been almost nice having him around. He told me about you guys getting into it, and that you aren't speaking. He didn't tell me why and I was going to ask you, but it's Hayden. I probably don't even want to know truthfully." We both look at each other, bursting into a fit of laughter.

She knows her brother better than she thinks. It feels good to laugh again. To sit here with her, joking and smiling. I have missed this so much. Number eleven on my list is laughter. You don't realize how much you need it until you don't have it anymore.

"Am I interrupting something funny? I can come back later if you want" his voice pains me, interrupting our laughing session. If only he knew he was the source of our entertainment.

"No, you're fine. She's your sister, after all. And besides, I've been here long enough, I should get home. You two can have some time together," I offer, standing to leave, and hugging Sky once more.

"No, don't leave. Can we talk, please?" He begs, grabbing my arm, as I try to pass by. I ignore him, pulling my arm from his grasp. "Love you, girl, call me later," I holler over my shoulder.

I'm half running down the hallway. His footsteps echo off the walls as he follows behind me. The faster I sprint, the faster he runs. His pace matches mine. "Bex, stop, please. You can't ignore me forever. All I'm asking for is for you to talk to me" he runs up beside me, out of breath and breathing hard.

"You won't stop, will you? What the fuck do you want, Hayden? I don't have time for this," I scream at him, stopping outside the entrance, out of earshot. Stopping catches him off guard. He almost runs me over, bumping into me. "Leave me the fuck alone, haven't you done enough to me? What else do you want from me?" I growl at him, my face glaring with anger. He stares at me, shaking his head.

"Look, I was drunk. I know that's not an excuse, but I don't even remember what happened that night. I know I fucked up and I'm sorry. But you can't tell me you have never made a mistake or hurt someone by accident. Whatever I did or said to you, it wasn't me. And you know this, you know the real me. Perhaps better than anyone," he pleads, grabbing hold of my hand.

He's right, I have hurt people before. But can I forgive him? He will do it again. They always do. It hurt so much seeing him with someone else. I can't keep putting myself through this repeatedly. Or Can I? Maybe I can use him, like he did me. Solve two problems at once. I won't be stupid this time. I refuse to allow my feelings to get involved. This is strictly a proposition, to help me.

"Maybe I can forgive you. But on one condition, agree to do something for me before I tell you what it is. And you can't change your mind, promise?" I ask him, looking up at him. If he seriously wants my forgiveness, he'll do this for me. Even after he finds out what I need from him. Hopefully, he will do it, and play along with my game. I mean, he likes toying with people's emotions, so this shouldn't be a problem.

"So as long as I do this favor for you, you'll forgive me, right? We can go back to how everything was?" he questions me, but I can tell he's thinking. Mauling over my offer, nervously.

"Okay, if you keep your end of it and forgive me, then it's a deal. Whatever it is," he agrees, shaking my hand.

"I'll call you later and tell you the details of what you agreed to. Go visit with your sister" I smile at him, climbing into the cab that's waiting for me. I promised I would forgive him, not forget how he made me feel. Who knows, maybe if he plays the part well enough, we can start over.

I think number twelve on my list should be forgiveness. Everyone should forgive those who have wronged them. If not for them, but for yourself. Life is too short to hold grudges.

"Hey Mom, what's up?" I finally answer her call, watching the hospital fade from view, and smiling to myself.