Chapter Thirty Five Can We Be Friends?

Who knew cutting my hair would have a big impact on everything. If I would've knew that was all it would take for us to make a step forward, I probably would've decided to cut it sooner than I did.

I went to the hair salon a couple of weeks ago with Sabrina. We had promised Raven we would donate our hair for her new wigs and since my schedule was different every week, before it started back at the beginning, I wouldn't see her for another week or so.

While Sabrina cut her shoulder length hair very short I chose a different path. Sabrina's new hairstyle suited her. It was incredible. It was shaved, not completely, in the back and long in the front.

My hair was pretty long when it was straighten so when the stylist cut it, it went a little above my shoulders. No one would noticed the sudden change unless I were to wear it down.

The only ones who knew about my hair cut were Sabrina, of course and Cassidy. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret or anything but I never really wore my hair down in the first place.

It was either in a bun or in a ponytail. With my hair texture it was easy to keep it that way than leaving it down. And I wasn't much of a morning person. I didn't have time to try to maintain my hair. It was a blessing to even put it up.

When Cassidy dropped me off at UMC, I didn't have a clue to who I was partnered with. Sabrina had informed me that she was with Chance for the week. She had told me that she already gave Raven her wig and she was happy with it. She had always wanted curly hair and now she finally had it.

I didn't bother to inform the ladies in front of my arrival because they already knew I would be coming for the next month.

I walked toward the elevators and pressed the up botton. I didn't have to wait very long for the lift to come down. I stepped to the side while a few people walked out.

I walked inside and pressed the second floor. My feet led me to Raven's room and she wasn't alone. She was with a young boy around the same age as her.

They were chatting aimlessly about what they had did during their week with their parents. Raven noticed me but more specifically what was in my hand.

"Cole!" She exclaimed as she ran over to me, leaving her friend. "You brought it." She said, while hugging me.

I smiled. "I said I would, didn't I?"

"Sabrina gave me that one when she came to visit me." She pointed to where she kept her stuff at.

Raven didn't have any wigs on today but instead a pink bandana with her small earrings she could wear once in awhile. I walked over to where she put her wigs and placed her new one beside them.

"It's so pretty." She gushed. "Isn't it, Dan?"

He simply just nodded his head at her agreeing with her. I looked at Dan and noticed he didn't look sick or unhealth. I was assuming he wasn't apart of the section or any section. He was just a friend who came to visit.

"Are you the only one coming today?" Raven asked, curiously.

I shook my head. "No. I think my friend will be here anytime now."

Raven peeked behind and pointed. "Is that him?"

I glanced over my shoulder and standing at the nurse's desk was Jayce. He was asking questions, lost. The nurse nodded her head while she informed him where he needed to be. She pointed to where we were and suddenly I became nervous before he even turned his head to look in my direction.

When he did, I moved out of his line of vision and stood by Raven's bed where her stuff animals were on. I was touching the owl's head when Raven told Jayce her name.

"That's a pretty name." He told her. "My name's Jayce."

"You're...you're a football aren't you?" Dan asked and I looked up.

Jayce nodded. "That's right, bud. I am."

"I knew you were cause I saw you TV. You're really good and my older sister has a crush on you."

Jayce smiled. "Thanks. Do you play?" He asked, ingoring the last part.

Dan shrugged. "A little but I'm not as great as you."

"I'm sure you are you just don't know it yet."

Jayce moved towards Dan and they talked about football while Raven came over to me.

"You're his friend, right?"

"Uh.."

What was I supposed to say to that? Was I supposed to lie to her or tell her the truth? I already told her my friend was coming and I didn't want to go back on my words. Lucky for me I didn't have to answer her because she moved on to another question.

"Do you like him? Cause Dan's sister is pretty. So are you but if you like him you should tell him before someone takes him away from you."

Raven was just a kid and just like every other kid, they assumed older people had crushes on anyone. Well that was what I was telling myself anyway.

I smiled. "We're...we're just....friends."I settled on.

"Oh." She shrugged. "Well I guess Rachel will be happy then."

I frowned. "Rachel?"

"Yeah. Rachel Adams." She said. "She goes to the same college as you. Do you know her?"

I knew her, alright. She was the same girl who Jayce had slept with and gave out my number to. She called me, thinking it was Jayce, and she had some words to say to him. She wanted me to pass it along to him. She was the one of the coach's daughter.

I thought she hated him after that day but apparently I was wrong. She still liked him. Of course she did. It was Jayce after all.

"Yeah. I know her."

Raven's face brightened up. "Can you teach me another cheer?"

"You're a cheerleader?" Dan asked, looking at me, overhearing our conversation.

I nodded. "Yes to both."

"So that means you cheer for him." He pointed at Jayce.

I looked at Jayce before looking at Dan.

"Only for football." I glanced at Raven. "You ready to learn a new cheer?"

She nodded her head, enthusiastically. "Yes!"

After I taught Raven her cheer, we talked about everything and anything. She said she had always wanted to ride a horse but she got afraid to do it.

"Why?" I asked.

"Aren't they mean?"

Jayce shook his head. "No. They're actually very nice. I own a few of them."

Her eyes widened. "You do?"

"Yeah. I have pictures of them if you want to see it."

He moved closer to her while pulling out his phone. He showed her pictures of his horses and she smiled as she looked at them.

"They're so beautiful. What's their names?"

"This is Storm, that's her baby Rue and that's Spirit." Jayce informed her.

"Spirit? Like the horse?" Raven asked.

"Yeah like the horse." Jayce agreed. "My little sister loves that movie so when we got a horse she named it after him."

"That's sweet." Raven said. "Cole do you play any sports?"

"I used to play volleyball and basketball."

"I'm terrible at basketball but I like volleyball."

We were in the middle of our conversation when a new voice joined us. It belonged to a girl. A girl with a familiar voice.

"Hey, Danny, are you ready to leave?"

I turned my head in the direction of where the voice came from and standing by the door was Rachel.

She realized her brother and Raven weren't by themselves. She looked at Jayce and Jayce looked away from her glared. Rachel turned her head to look at me.

"Did you tell him what I said?" She asked.

"Not exactly but I'm pretty sure he got it." I said.

"You know them, Rach?" Dan questioned.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure." She crossed her arms. "Are you ready?"

Dan sighed. "No, not really. Don't you wanna stay? You said you like Jayce anyway."

Rachel blushed. "I don't like him."

"Oh really?" He said, surprised." Then why are you always running to the TV when they mention his name or supporting him and asking Dad about him? Is it because you don't like him?"

Rachel was blushing before, now she was red as a tomato. Either she was super embarrassed or she was mad. Possibly even both. I kind of felt bad for her. But Dan was a kid and kid didn't tend to have any filters whatsoever. They said whatever was on their mind without considerations.

"Let's go!" Rachel said through her teeth. Now!"

Dan rolled his eyes as he sighed, not wanting to go. "Bye." He told us.

"Bye, bud."

"Bye, Dan." Raven said, waving.

"See you later." I said as he walked out with Rachel.

"Why was she blushing?" Raven asked when they were gone. "Does that mean she really likes you?"

Jayce shook his head. "No. I think she was embarrassed."

Jayce and I stayed for another hour before we were saying our goodbyes. We walked out the room and towards the elevators.

This was my last week seeing Raven, but I decided I would came back every week before they moved her to a different hospital. Nothing extremely bad was happening to her but it was for precaution. Her parents had wanted it.

I still didn't have my phone but I told Cassidy before she drove away, to pick me up around this time. I was hoping she had listened and wouldn't be late.

I walked outside and stood at the curb, crossing my arms over my chest, to keep the warmth in. Out the corner of my eye, I could see Jayce standing a few feet away from me.

I could feel his eyes on me and I turned my head.

"What?" I asked.

"You cut your hair." He stated.

"Yeah, a couple weeks of ago."

"I knew there was something different about you when I walked in. Why don't you leave it down?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I just wanted it up." I told him. "Why are you still here?"

"I know you don't have your phone and I know how forgetful Cassidy can be." He shrugged. "I'm making sure you have a ride before I leave."

"I have a ride. You don't have to wait."

"I'm still waiting."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course you are." I muttered.

It was silent and I prayed Cass would hurry it up. I might like the cold but I didn't like it that much. I moved my hands up and down my arms to create some sort of heat.

"Cole?"

I turned my head and Jayce had pulled of his college pullover and was heading it over to me. He was left in nothing but a thin shirt and his athletic shorts.

I shook my head. "I'm fine. You can keep it."

"Cole." He said, firmly. "Take it. What kind of man would I be if I allowed you to freeze to death?"

"I guess you actually learned something from Michael, huh?" I teased, smiling.

He rolled his eyes. "Please, my dad wouldn't care if my mom were freezing."

I took his pullover and pulled it over my head and instantly his scent filled my nose. I wasn't cold anymore but I still felt bad. He didn't look like he was cold but I knew he was trying to fight through it.

"I know you said you weren't mad at me anymore and you forgave me and anything but I feel like you're still holding a grudge. Which I understand, completely."

I shook my head. "I'm not holding a grudge." I assured him.

"Then why haven't you been talking to me?"

"I didn't know what to say. I still don't. Yet, Chance and Cassidy seems to think I do. They want us to be friends like we used to be."

"Do you want that?"

"Honestly?"

He nodded his head.

"I feel like that would make everything easier and cut all the tension but..." I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Do you want to know what I think?"

I looked up at him and nodded.

"I think you're waiting to hear what I have to say then you'll make your final choice. You want to know everything and I'm not ready to tell you that, yet."

I was right. He was waiting to tell me the full story but not now. Yet that didn't have to stop me from making my decision. I could give him an answer right now and that would be the end of it.

"So can I ask you question?"

When I didn't say anything, he took that as an answer.

"Can we be friends?"

Cassidy's car pulled up and she rolled the window down.

"I'm so sorry I'm late." She apologized. "There was an accident and I had to take a longer route and anyway I'm here now."

"It's fine, Cass. I didn't have to wait very long."

I walked over to the car and pulled on the door, opening it.

"Are you gonna give me an answer?" Jayce asked, stopping me.

I looked back and smiled.

"Yes."