Pain stretched through my head as I woke up. It was worse than last time. The voices seemed like distant chatter. My ears were still ringing. My head felt extremely heavy. "Jane." Zack's voice seemed so far, even though he was standing right in front of me. "God, I am so glad you're okay." He panted. I couldn't remember much from the other night. I just knew that that attacker made another move and it was nasty. I couldn't really recover most of the incident.

"Miss Brown, how are you feeling?" A doctor with a heavy beard asked. "My head hurts." I held my head in the palm of my hand, hoping it would easy the pain. "That is completely normal. You were lucky to get hit twice by a gun and don't get a concussion. You will have a short-term memory loss, it will all come back slowly. I have prescribed some painkillers to ease your pain." He said, I didn't really function half of his words. I just nodded. "I will leave you, for now." The doctor said before he left.

"Where are we?" I asked. "We're in a hospital, you're gonna be fine." He smiled. "Are my parents here?" I flinched as I moved my head. "The police called them, they said they would try to make it." He said. I couldn't believe that even that didn't matter. I rolled my eyes in pain as my head rested onto the warm wall behind me. "You should rest." Zack held my hand. "I don't think I can even sleep with all this pain." I closed my eyes, letting my headache stab the back of my eyes.

"I will tell them you need something for the pain." He patted my hand and went to find a nurse. A flash of memories flooded my head, stinging every part of my brain nerves. The attacker was holding a gun to my skull, there was a lot of knocking. I shook my head in pain. I placed my head on the pillow, that laid beside me slowly. It eased the pain a bit, burying my head into that cold pillow. I tried my best to slip into sleep. Pain kept on attacking my brain, until it gave up and I went to sleep.

I woke up and pain woke up alongside me. I was still in that stiff hospital bed. I realized that I was moved into a bigger room. Zack was sleeping in a chair at my side. My head was still wrapped in bandages. I sat up slowly. The door knocked, getting Zack out of his sleep. He rubbed his eyes and looked at me happily. The door opened revealing my mother alone. Her hair was messy and flying out of her bun. "I came as soon as I could, honey." She gave me a weak smile. She seemed tired.

"Hello, mrs Brown." Zack got out of his chair, offering it to her. She gave him a smile and fell into the chair. "How are you, dear?" She asked. I was too tired to answer. My head was pounding. "I will inform the nurse that you woke up." Zack said and walked out. "How long have you been out?" Mom asked. I didn't know so I gave her a shrug. "Your father is incredibly busy, he couldn't make it." I rolled my eyes away from her, leaning my back into my pillows. "You know how important our work is, Jane." She said.

"I have nothing to say, mom." I said in a weak voice, still not looking at her. I heard her sight. I wasn't feeling guilty as I said those words. I got that paid scholarship. They weren't paying me except for my food. I was planning ever since I was a kid, that as soon as I graduate, I will have my own life and I wouldn't ask them for one penny. I didn't need their money, I wanted something you can't really ask for, love, support and appreciation. They never gave any of that to me.

"Welcome back, miss Brown." The nurse came in saying, followed by Zack. "How long was she out?" Mom asked, as if she really worried. "For almost three days, the hit on her head was quite bad." The nurse explained. "Can she get out soon?" Zack asked. "I will have to ask the doctor after we do some check ups." The nurse said. Zack nodded as she went to get the doctor. "I gotta go. You need anything?" Mom checked her wrist watch, standing up. I shook my head. She gave Zack one last smile and left.

I sighted, feeling more pain. My mother didn't care about me getting attacked or even being sick. It pained me more than the pounding in my head. "Hey." Zack sat by the side of the bed, he took my hand into his. "Hi." I weakly said. "I shouldn't have let you get in there alone." He let out a sight. "It's not your fault. I insisted on going alone." I squeezed his hand. He gave me a weak smile. "I am just glad you're okay." He planted a kiss onto the palm of my hand, sending butterflies throughout my whole inner system.

One thing that made me glad, was that at least Zack was here.

                          ~~~~~~~

Getting back to school was hard, even with Zack getting me notes from the classes I missed during my pass out. "Welcome back, Janey." George gave me a hug as I got into Zack's room. "Thanks, George." I smiled as we pulled back. "Who knew you were such a tough one, kiddo?" Oliver joked as I sat next to him. I chuckled despite the pain stretching through my skull. Kylie wasn't at the room when I returned the other day. She didn't come by all night, I haven't seen here since I got out. Zack said that she didn't come by.

I was disappointed. I knew we weren't exactly on good terms. I just thought she would count the time I visited her even when we were in a fight as well. "Is the police searching for that bastard?" George asked. "Yeah." I weakly answered. "Why would he want to hurt you, thought? You seem like such a quite person, Jane." Oliver said. "No one is going to hurt anyone." Zack placed his arm around me. I felt safe during the seconds I spent between his arms, cheesy I know. But, Zack gave me the feeling of comfort.

"How about a game of cards to cheer this mood up?" George offered with a smile.

"I wanted to ask you something." Zack said as we stood in front of the room. It was inspected while I was in the hospital. My stuff were at Zack's place, all except for my phone and charger. "Yeah?" I leaned my shoulder against the door. "Well, since it's not safe here anymore and Kylie isn't even staying here anymore, and your stuff are already at my place. I asked mom if she could arrange for you to move in with me." He explained.

"I don't want to impose, Zack." I said. "I just want you to be safe, Jane. And also comfortable." He shrugged. I smiled. I was used to staying in the same room with Zack, since our winter break together. I just didn't want to be a burden upon him, maybe Kylie thought I was a burden so she was slowly getting away from me. "I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't want you to, Jane." He held both my hands in his. "You're not going to be annoyed?" I asked. "Never." He gave me a soft smile. He pulled me into his arms.

I buried my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent. He planted a kiss onto my forehead. He went into the room with me. We stayed that night together. His warm body was close to mine as we slept that night. I wanted this to last forever if that was possible.