Song: I Feel Pretty/Unpretty by Dianna Agron and Lea Michele from the series; Glee

Chapter Twenty-three: I'm like the Grinch that stole Christmas

"Apply cold to the injured area off-and-on the first two days. Cold helps reduce pain and swelling. After two days, apply heat, for example, tub soaks or warm wet washcloths, to help the bruise heal more quickly."

I had done all the scans because Zane refused to listen to me. The X-ray took about 15 minutes. The MRI scan, which I found out later on stood for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, took about an hour or a little less. And the CT, Computed Tomography scan took around 20 to 30 minutes. By the time I was done, I had hit the bed straight.

Apparently all I had was a few bruised ribs. Probably because of the kicking. The unconsciousness was just me fainting from sheer exhaustion. The price I had to pay for struggling.

I expected the doctors to ask about my parents, but they didn't, gratefully. I'm so glad that Zane didn't end up in the clinic my mum worked for. It must be luck trying to make me owe it.

Now it was the next morning, around 10am and we were standing at the entrance of my room. The doctor was setting some things straight.

I guess I'm missing school today, then. I don't even have an excuse. I'll just tell them I fell down the stairs. Yes, that'll work.

Must have been a lot of stairs.

Exactly. Like the one in Zane's house.

"It usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks, but since yours was mild, it should take about 3 weeks. You can still go to school, and you may need a slip to get away from strenuous activities."

I waved a dismissive hand. "No need for that. I dropped all of them a while back."

"Good. Because there would be pain at the site of damage. You may also have trouble breathing at times. The area of damage will be discoloured. Probably purple-ish. When you want to sleep, wrap it in a thin towel first. If possible, try to sleep in a more upright position for the first few nights."

I groaned at the stress I was going through for that dick who wasn't even going to pay for what he did. I told the doctor I fell down the stairs. If I had told them about a potential kidnapper, they would have gone undercover to follow me and I don't want them finding out what I do behind the scenes.

"You would need to apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to help reduce inflammation. I'm sending you off with a slip of over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications. You can purchase it at the nearby pharmacy."

I groaned again. I hate medications.

"You are currently wearing a rib wrap. The light compression this bruised rib wrap applies improves blood flow to your tender chest and rib cage, which is beneficial for reducing swelling and promoting healing."

I nodded.

"You can purchase a rib injury binder belt protector wrap for your bruised chest support with abdominal muscle pain treatment. It works better than the rib wrap we provided. You can take it off in the shower, but you must wear it every day until the pain has subsided."

He turned to Zane who had slept on the couch all night. "Make sure she does all this. And that she rests, a lot."

"I will doc."

The doctor nodded before turning to leave. "You are dismissed. Take care."

Zane and I walked out towards the parking lot in silence which ended once we entered the car.

"I should demand answers." He paused, his jaw tight. "But for some reason I'm not demanding them."

"I guess I owe you them. It's not even a big deal, though."

"Not a big deal?" He scoffed. "Cherry, you've got to be kidding me."

"What I meant was it's just a guy who's been after Avery for months."

"And now he knows there's no Avery." He said through gritted teeth. "Now we know it's serious, you can't go to work for the next three weeks. Plus you need the rest."

I looked down and nodded knowing he was right. Being stubborn would only jeopardize my health.

"You can start school tomorrow. What do you plan to tell your parents?"

"That I fell down at the stairs at your house."

"Okay." He nodded as he revved the engine.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm dropping you off. I'm going shopping."

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

"I'm back!" He yelled.

It had been over an hour since Zane dropped me off at his condo, showered and left.

Doesn't drop you off mean at your own house?

Maybe his was different.

He dropped me at his condo and went shopping for things he won't tell me about.

I think you have an idea what they are.

I took cereal before he left. He only had pop tarts for some reason. I complained to him about not having fruit loops the best cereal in the world, but that turned into an argument that I couldn't handle.

Since he left, I had showered, slept a little and now I was lying on his couch watching TV. Teen Wolf in particular since he had Netflix on his TV. Teen Wolf was getting quite lonely. I had been spending too much time on The Originals.

Why don't you finish one first?

I just can't help it.

I wanted to go exploring, because his condo was absolutely beautiful, but I was exhausted just from entering the shower. Not as beautiful as his parents' house, but beautiful in a modern and sophisticated way. His parents' house was homier. But like they say, everything is beautiful in its own way.

I hadn't asked him about my phone or the wig or glasses or my purse, because I hadn't remembered until I woke up a while ago.

Don't bother asking about your glasses because you saw Jaxon break it.

"What did you buy?" I asked as he dropped the bags on the table.

"A lot of things."

I rolled my eyes. "I can see that. What are the things?"

He turned the bag upside down so the contents would scatter across the table.

"I bought that rib belt the doctor was talking about. It is one size fits all. I also bought the pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications."

I smiled at him. "Thanks."

He continued. "I bought things you lost from the," He paused, looking for the right word. "Incident. I went back to check for them, since I was too distracted at the time. They weren't there, so I thought I'd compensate. I bought a red hair wig that looked almost like yours, but I couldn't find an exact replica, so I bought the closest. You can just tell them you tried a new style. When I went to buy it, they were looking at me like I was weird. They were polite, so I overlooked it."

I smiled at what he said about them looking at him weird. I picked up the wig, the texture was so much better. It was curlier and longer. All in all, it was better.

He continued. "I also bought you glasses. These ones actually look the same. So no problem there. I also bought you a new purse. I'm not quite sure if you had one with you so I bought one anyways. And last, but definitely not the least," He opened the small bag beside the one he had turned upside down. He pulled out a box. "A phone. I wasn't sure the one you preferred. I didn't ask you because you would probably have stopped me from buying any of these stuff." He shrugged.

I think my heart just melted. "You did all this? For me?"

"Of course I did." He sent me a smile.

I stood up from my seat and engulfed him in a soft hug. "I cannot thank you enough. For everything."

His hands laced around me gently. "So don't bother."

"So, how does someone make the bad boy turn into an angel that fell from above?" I teased.

We released each other and he gave me a cheeky smile. "They'd have to have your characteristics."

"I know right. I'm amazing." I joked.

"Yeah right." He scoffed.

I pushed his shoulder as much as I could, which wasn't exactly much.

He laughed. "That felt like a butterfly landed on me."

"Laugh all you want, but I'll be the one to have the last laugh."

"Mmmhmm." He nodded as he sat on the chair.

"That is when I got my full strength back."

I sat down too.

"When do you plan to go home?"

"This afternoon, I guess. I would call, but not now. When I'm ready to have that conversation. I think I have my mum and sister's number in my head."

"What do you think happened to your phone, and the rest of your stuff?"

"Probably stolen. I mean what else?"

"What was left in your purse?"

"Except some tips, it was pretty much empty. Just a pen and notebook. I think. Thank goodness I wasn't closing up today, I'd have lost the keys and Benny would have been pretty pissed at me."

I can't believe I lost money when I should be gaining. I'm trying so hard to contain the tears from the pain and the whole situation.

I thought it was good to cry to let it out.

That would only cause more pain. And I mean physical pain. Even breathing hurts, and coughing.

"You lost money?"

I nodded.

"How much?"

I shrugged very lightly. "I don't know, I didn't count."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He brought out $20 and was handing it to me. "Is this enough?"

I shook my head. "I'm not taking that."

"Cherry, come on."

"You've already done enough. You've paid for all the medical bills. All the medications. You replaced my things. And now you want to give me money? I'm not some charity case, okay?" I exclaimed much louder than I intended to. I winced and grabbed my stomach. I rested my back on the chair.

Calm down! He's just trying to help.

I didn't mean to get so upset. It's just hard not to see things that way.

Explain that to him.

"Look-." I started, but he cut me off. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way." He pocketed the money.

"No, it's my fault. I have..." I pondered a while. "Issues."

He chuckled a little. "Not the best way to put it."

I frowned, teasingly. "I'm like the Grinch that stole Christmas, aren't I?"

"Of course not. You're more like the cat in the hat."

I smiled. "Someone knows their Dr. Seuss."

"Who doesn't?"

I chuckled.

"You should get some rest since you're going home in about two hours."

"Noooo." I whined.

"Why not?"

"I've not had enough Scott and Stiles."

His eyebrows creased in confusion. "Scott? As in Scott, our student body president."

My jaw dropped. "You're joking."

"Huh?"

"You're joking. You've got to be joking. Haven't you heard of Teen Wolf?"

"Of course I've heard of it. Doesn't mean I have to watch it."

"What do people even do with their lives these days, if not binge watching Netflix shows?"

"Uh." He started listing with his fingers. "Social Media. Football matches. Socializing." I cut him off. "Lame!" I cooed.

"Not lame." He countered.

I patted the seat beside me. "I'll so prove you wrong."

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

"My sister should be in her ballet class now. It's 3:30 pm and her class ends 4:15 pm. My mum should probably be working. That's where she is most of the time anyways." I said as I got down from his car.

"Do you want me to stay with you?" He said as he got down with the bags of newly bought things.

"I don't mind the company."

He smirked at me. "You're warming up to me, aren't you?"

I teased. "How could I not? You're like my guardian demon."

"Really?"

"It's an upgrade from a regular demon. I'd let you know when you get to be an angel."

"How does the guardian demon thing work?"

"Hmm. Let's see. You're scary, mean, annoying-," He cut me off. "Get to the point." He groaned.

I laughed. "All in all, you have my back."

We began up the stairs to the front door.

"I could hire you to be my bodyguard, but they aren't cheap, you know."

"I'd do it for free."

I turned to him and patted his cheek. "Of course you would."

We laughed at that.

I turned the doorknob and groaned. "It's locked. My own key was in my purse."

"That's going to be a problem."

"Do you have any hairpins on your hair? Judging by your whole existence, I can tell you spend a lot of time in front of the mirror." I teased.

He smirked. "I know it may surprise you, but I woke up like this."

I laughed. "I can't believe you just said that."

He shrugged. "I'm used to speaking the truth."

"You're still full of yourself, aren't you? I should have known. Anyways, what are we going to do about the key?"

"I guess we'll just have to wait a while."

We sat on the porch, but we didn't wait for long because Xander's car pulled up and Reveka rushed out.

"Thank God you're here." I smiled at her, hoping she won't realize I appeared out of nowhere.

That's a dumb plan!

I know.

She wasn't smiling. In fact, she looked very upset. Would me disappearing have that much effect? I feel so loved.

"I would pressure you on where you've been, but we have to go to the hospital. They called and said Mum has been in a car accident!"

What?

"What?!!!" I yelled and winced from the pain.

Luck, I know I told you I owed you, but this was not a way to collect payment.

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Hi!!!!!

I hoped you like it. And it wasn't too jumpy.

Anyways, please vote, comment and share. I am grateful to you all for making it this far.

Plus tard!

P.S.: In French.

P.P.S.: Still don't know why :)