When I woke up, I ran to the bathroom. The stress of adjusting to the barriers made my stomach clench.

"Casey." Conner knocked on the door when he heard the heaving stop. "I need to talk to you." I sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

I sighed and closed my eyes tight, "Wanting to kill you."

"You weren't yourself. I understand."

My head felt tight.

"These barriers are a lot more restricting and painful."

"Only because they have not worn down yet."

"Does everyone know?"

"No." I opened the door. "Grayson might know. I wouldn't put it past Trevor to let his son know that he has the green light."

The memory came back to me. I leaned against his chest, "I'm sorry about that too."

He nodded and wrapped his arms around me, "You weren't acting like yourself."

I sighed and rested against him.

"You should sleep. Your mind is still recovering." I nodded and he placed me onto the bed with little effort.

"Baby got back" started blaring on my phone. It was quickly shut off before I could get to it. Becky was calling me. Grayson was eating a Drumstick ice cream on the bed watching a nearly muted TV. He looked at me when I reached for the phone.

"You better not make a mess."

He nodded. "How're you feeling?"

I leaned back and started to text Becky. "I'm still tired."

"Hungry?"

I shrugged, "Probably."

He offered his cone. I shook my head not wanting contact with him just yet. He got up.

"I'll bring you some food. Stay in bed."

I nodded and leaned back onto the pillows. They were soft. Too soft. These weren't my pillows. I looked around the room. It wasn't my room. The sports illustrated bikini model poster should've been a dead giveaway. I was in Grayson's room.

I got up and went to my room. I stripped for a warm shower and waited for the water. I was skinnier then I used to be. I must've been asleep or resting a lot lately, I couldn't remember the last time I really ate anything. Thinking about food made my stomach growl. I let the water rinse over my body.

"You need to be careful in that slippery shower."

Grayson. I didn't need him 5 feet from my nakedness.

"Your food's almost ready."

"'kay" I sighed out. My legs were feeling weaker.

"You okay in there?"

"Yea." I lied.

"Don't lie to me Casey."

"Don't start trying to boss me around."

"Trevor says what you need is rest, so you'll be given rest whether you want it or not."

My footing slipped. Grayson's hand shot in and steadied me. He wasn't looking in.

"So you're not going to try your moves on me anymore?"

He chuckled, probably with a huge smirk on his face, "Maybe when you're back at 100%... but at the rate you're going today, I might have to dress you."

I sighed. I could barely stand.

"Give me my robe."

He slipped it in and I slowly put it on. Once it was tied shut, I opened the shower's curtain. He scooped me into his arms, but away from his body, not wanting to get his clothes wet. I rested my wet head on his chest anyway.

Grayson stopped right after he entered my room.

"Why are you here Grayson?" My eyes shot open when I heard Becky.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"If Conner knew--"

"He does. Now go, she can't have visitors yet."

Grayson put me down on my bed.

"I'll be back with your food."

I nodded and smiled at Becky.

She waited until he was out of the room until she spoke, "So is he waiting on you, hand and foot?"

I shrugged, "I haven't really noticed. I've been sleeping a lot." I looked down at my robe. "Can you get me some clothes?"

She nodded and skipped over to my clothes. She threw me a pair of panties and a bra. When she was in the closet picking out clothes, I put them on. She came out with some sweats and a tank top.

"Need help?"

I shook my head, "How about a look out for Grayson?"

She nodded, "I can do that."

She checked and nodded. "Coast is clear."

I smiled and put on the clothes she gave me.

"So what're you sick with?"

I shrugged, "I can go to school; my brother's just too overcautious."

Grayson gently kicked the door open and walked in with a tray of food.

"I thought I told you to leave."

I sighed, "Be nice."

He shook his head, "You need to rest. If she's here you can't."

"What harm will an hour do?"

Grayson rolled his eyes and looked at Becky. "When I get back you better be gone."

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Not your business." He growled out when he left.

"What's stuck up his ass?" She asked when the front door slammed.

I shrugged, "He's been mad at everyone since I've...been sick."

She rolled her eyes, "And he thought I was going to be stressful."

I didn't know how hungry I was until I actually started eating. I finished it quickly.

"Damn girl." I smiled. "Are you still hungry?"

I nodded. "Let's go to the kitchen."

She nodded. "Make sure you put on some socks." I laughed. "My mom says that you need socks on your feet when you're sick."

I grabbed a pair of socks and put them on as we left the room. I ate a lot more once there. Becky was content with her soda and talked about all the gossip I was missing.

"But, anyway. Jason's having a party next Friday." I put my dishes in the sink. "His parent's are going to be out of town."

"Are you going?"

She shrugged, "Only if you are."

I sighed, "I don't know if I can. Maybe if Grayson decides he wants to go." She rolled her eyes. I giggled, "What?"

"I thought you were getting ready to breakup with him, now I'm here and you two are all lovey-dovey."

"Maybe I changed my mind."

"Did you sleep with him?"

I rolled my eyes. "No."

"You could tell me."

I nodded, "I know. You're my best friend. But I haven't slept with Grayson."

She looked relieved. "Good. That would only complicate things."

I laughed again.

"He seems like a total jerk."

"He is sometimes." I started washing. "But sometimes he's nice, sweet even."

"You're not afraid to leave him... are you?"

I shook my head, "Nah."

"We should go shopping."

"I don't have any money."

"We need new clothes for the party."

I nodded. "We'll go shopping next, like, Wednesday or something."

She looked at her phone, "Just don't get sick again."

She read her text.

"Shit."

"What?"

"My mom wants me home, now."

I nodded. "Do you have a ride?"

She shook her head. "Do you mind?"

"Nah. I'll go gray Grayson's keys."

She nodded. I ran up the stairs and grabbed Grayson's keys. I put on flats and grabbed my purse before running back downstairs. I put my hair up as I walked into the kitchen.

"Let's go."

She nodded. "You always look so cute."

I smiled, "Thanks hun."

We quickly hoped in Grayson's car. He would definitely not like me after this. His car is his baby. I had some trouble with the timing for shifting gears. He didn't believe in automatics.

She laughed, "He's going to be pissed if he finds out you grinded his gears."

I nodded, "He'll get over it." I put my sun glasses on when we were at a stop light. "I need a new haircut."

"We can do that Wednesday too."

I smiled. "Girly day on Wednesday."

She laughed. She doesn't live too far from me.

"I hope you get back before Grayson."

I gave her a scared look, "Me too!"

She laughed, "Good luck!"

She shut the door, then went inside her house.

The other cars were still gone when I got back to the house. I smiled to myself. Lucky me. I parked in the closest spot to the door. I quietly went back into the house. It was still empty. I sighed relieved. I made my way back up to Grayson's room and put his keys where he left them. I went to my room and took off my flats and put my purse back.

I went back downstairs to finish the dishes I left in the sink. Grayson was smiling when he got back. I saw them enter the driveway when I was putting away the cups Becky and I used.

"-the fuck." Was all I heard when I was leaving the kitchen.

I didn't park the car where it was originally at. "shit" I murmured to myself. I quickly ran upstairs. I was at the top of the stairs when the boys came into the house. I quietly closed my door and tiptoed to my bed and got in. They'd hear if I made a loud noise. I pulled the hair band from my hair and did my best to look asleep.