Take My Heart, Part Nine

[[Part Nine]]

“Spencer! I can’t believe you brought them a pound of candy each!” his mother scolded.

Spencer laughed. “I told them I’d bring them a surprise.”

“How’d you get it? You were in the hospital.”

“I had Jenn buy it for me.”

“They’re gonna get hyper.”

Spencer grinned. “I know.”
x-x-x

“Hey Forshen.”

“Hey Ronnie.”

“You look flustered   today.” Jenn just nodded and watched Veronica get her books for homeroom.

“Something happen?” she closed her locker and turned to face Jenn.

“No. Just a valentine’s day gift I got shocked me.” It was the truth.

“Oh, well don’t let it get you down.”

“I won’t.” She smiled. The bell ran and they went to class.  
x-x-x

Jenn concentrated through school so she could give Spencer the right homework.
Today was the first day she’d be giving his homework to him at his house. She had no idea why, but just thinking about it made her nervous.  

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Veronica walked Jenn to her locker.

“So you going to see Spencer tonight?”

“Yeah. His room is a mess.” She shoved her books in her bag.

“I can’t come today. I’m sorry Forshen.”  

“No prob, Ronnie. It’s okay.”  

“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

Veronica hugged Jenn, waved goodbye and walked down the hall until she was out of sight.

Jenn   walked back and closed her locker with a sigh.   She started to walk slowly to the front entrance of the school.   She was a fool for ever thinking that she could be more than Spencer’s friend.   He might be scared if he knew that she wanted to be more.   No wait, correction. He would be scared.  

When Jenn reached the entrance with her depressing thoughts, she saw Spencer’s mom’s car parked in the lot. She waved Jenn over. When she reached the car, his mom opened the door for her on the passenger side. Jenn sat inside with a puzzled look.  

“Spencer demanded that I pick you up.”

“How come?” she fastened her seatbelt.

“He said it was going to be hard for you to walk to our house from here. So until Spencer gets better, I’ll be picking you up every day after school.” She smiled.
Jenn flushed. “Thank you. Very much.”

“No problem honey. Now we should start going. Or else we’ll have an angry bedridden teen on our hands.”   They giggled and drove to Spencer’s house.

x-x-x


“Thanks again,” Jenn said as she took her shoes off and put the jacket on a hook.

“No problem. He’s waiting for you upstairs.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Anytime sweetie.”

Jenn made her way upstairs. As she did, she had flashbacks of Valentines day in his room. She stiffened. She’d just barely controlled her feelings then. But now? What would happen? Jenn hesitated before knocking on Spencer’s bedroom door.

“Jennie!” Spencer shrieked like a little kid before she even opened the door. He was sitting up in his bed, propped up against some pillows against his headboard.
Jenn compressed a smile.

“Hi to you too.” She set her bag by his bedside table, and closed the door behind her. She opened the curtains which were closed. The sunlight streamed in through the foggy windows. It had started to get colder outside now. Jenn wondered if her dad was okay. She immediately pushed the thought out of her head. She couldn’t think about him right now. He’d hurt her in more ways than one.

“Spen went on vacation,” Spencer said, referring to the teddy bear Jenn had given him, as she sat at the foot of his bed.

“Aww really?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I wanted to give him a hug,” Jenn smiled.

“You could give me a hug instead,” he said cheekily.

“it’s okay.”

“Fine. Oh oh! Marek is coming the day after tomorrow! Yays!”

Jenn started laughing. “Where is he moving to?”

“Roden Street.”

“Ronnie lives a block away from Roden Street.” Maybe it was just a coincidence?

“Oooh,” Spencer teased. Jenn had learned that he came with his own sound effects.

“He’s coming to our school too.”

“I’m scared to meet him now,” Jenn confessed.

“Whyy? Marek’s nice.”

“Well… what if he doesn’t like me?” Jenn avoided his eyes. Those pools of amber could draw you in in no time. Then she’d be stuck. You couldn’t resist them.  

Spencer’s expression softened. “He will. He likes everyone. Except his fanclub.”

“I guess…” she agreed, but she was still worried. Spencer watched her think. He could tell that she wasn’t really okay with it. But knowing Jenn, she wouldn’t let it bother her. Marek was a fun guy.

Realizing that there was a silence, Spencer thought of something to break it with.

“How was your day?”

Jenn snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him. “Uhm, okay I guess… why?”

Spencer noticed her sad eyes. But didn’t comment on it. “I’m just wondering… You
hurt me Jenn. I can’t even ask a simple question anymore.” He feigned sadness.

Jenn frowned.”I’m sorry Spencer.”

“It’s okay.”

“Do you want me to give you your homework and then leave?”

“Noooo,” he answered, pushing the sheets back and getting up. “Because I’ll miss
you if you do and you have to take my finished homework back with you.”

Jenn sub-consciously backed into a corner. “Spencer, why’re you getting up? You’re on bedrest…” She watched as he walked closer and closer. He cornered her, pinned her against the wall, by putting his hands against it on either side of her head.

“I’m trying to make you happy,” he whispered. It hurts to see you sad.” He leaned in closer and Jenn could have sworn that he was about to kiss her. Then at the last second, he pulled away, and got back in bed, as Jenn struggled to breathe.

“Come on Jenners. Homework.” He smiled.

“Y-yeah,” she regained   control of her voice and did her best to act as if nothing had happened. After all, if Spencer cold do it, why couldn’t she?

x-x-x

“Thanks for dinner, although I really hate to intrude,” Jenn said. She was getting ready to leave and go home, back to her cold, empty house. She stood by the door, with her bag over her back and her boots on.

“Oh it’s no problem,” Mrs. Cherish, or Stephanie, said. Jenn could tell she meant it.

“I just wish you’d stop trying to help and enjoy yourself.”  

“It’s a habit, sorry.”

Stephanie smiled. “No worries dear.”

Spencer came down the stairs.

“Ah, Spencer you should be in bed,” Jenn reminded him.

“I know, I know, but I wanted to see you off.” He smiled.

“I’ll just be in the kitchen. Good night Jenn,” Stephanie said.

As soon as she was gone, Jenn frowned. “Go back to bed Spencer.”

“No, I want a hug.” He tugged on her hand, and crushed her to his chest. Jenn blushed.
“Are you walking home?” he asked softly.

“No, your dad’s dropping me off.”

“Good.” He let go of her and tapped her nose. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay…”

“Bye Jenners.” He smiled at her as she waved and got in his dad’s car.

x-x-x

Spencer almost kicked himself when he was back into the privacy of his room. Why did he hug her? It only made him want her more. And then he almost kissed her… what would she think of that?

He was such an idiot. She might catch on, he realized. Stop it, he told himself. Stop doing all these things. But he couldn’t help it. He desperately wanted to tell her he loved her. He’d only known her awhile, but they’d spent so much time together. He   bet he knew her better than that b***h Taylor who knew her since who knew when. A couple of years?

He took a deep breath.

She still didn’t know about his illness. He didn’t know how much longer he had to live. The doctors didn’t even know, but they’d estimated somewhere around 2-2 ½ years, which wasn’t much.

So no more hugging or whatnot. Oh and he needed to ask his mom if Jenn could move in with them into the guest room. Her dad was never home. And if she lived here, she wouldn’t have to work. She’d probably be more happier too. It’d be easier with the homework too.

Well only if she wanted to. As long as he didn’t let his secret slip.

x-x-x

On Wednesday morning, Jenn went through the day in a foggy state. Marek was moving here today. Spencer was pretty excited about it. Jenn was trying really hard not to think about the fact that he’d almost kissed her two days ago. Was he making fun of her? She hadn’t had her first kiss yet.

She cleared her head of those thoughts and focused. She’d told Veronica about Marek. And also that she was afraid to meet him.

Veronica had told her, “That he could be scary and he’s Spencer’s friend so he has to be okay.” That had made Jenn feel better, but now she was getting nervous again.
Jenn said bye to Veronica and went to go wait for Spencer’s mom to pick her up. For once, she felt like a normal girl. Except she wasn’t.

She hopped in the front seat and buckled in her seatbelt as Stephanie drove off.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“Same as always. Yours?”

“Hectic.   I helped the Prels   move in their new house. They’re all settled in now.” She laughed.

“That must have been tiring. Are you tired?”

“Not really, just a bit. Spencer’s excited to have you meet Marek.” She smiled sweetly as she pulled into the driveway.

“Oh. Thanks for the ride,” she grinned.

“No problem. You’re staying for dinner.” Stephanie declared.

“I am?” They walked to the door and she unlocked it and let Jenn in.

“Good. You are.”

“No, I meant—“ Jenn knew it was hopeless. Stephanie had these ways of making her stay for dinner. Little unexpected tricks. She shook her head and pulled off her coat and boots.

As Stephanie headed to the kitchen, Jenn went upstairs to Spencer’s room. She heard laughter. She hesitated, then took a deep breath and knocked.

“Oh, she’s here,” she heard Spencer say. The door creaked open and there stood Spencer, who smiled at her. “Hey Jenners. Come in.” He closed the door behind her. Only then did she notice the boy sitting in the desk chair.

He was pale. He had sort of long, straight black hair, and blue eyes. He had a lipring and wore an armwarmer on his left arm. He sported a KORN black t-shirt and baggy jeans, held up by a studded belt. A blue ipod shuffle was clipped to his shirt. This was Marek. And he was completely hot. It was shallow of her to think that, but it was true. Plus he had a fanclub at his previous school.

He stood up and smiled at her. “Hey. I’m Marek. Jenn right?”

“Yeah. Nice to meet you. Spencer told me a lot about you.”

“You too. I’ve heard lots about you too.” He winked.

Spencer coughed. “Now that you guys know each other, Jenn sit down.”

“Oh, okay.” She set her bag on the ground and sat on Spencer’s bed, Marek sat back down in the desk chair, and Spencer sat beside Jenn.

“So Spencer tells me you sit in snow,” Marek laughed.

“Uh, yeah. I used to.” She shoved Spencer lightly.

Spencer laughed. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“When’re you coming back to school?” Marek asked.

“Uh, I think March 1st. Yep.”

“You suck. You get a vacation in the middle of February,” Marek teased.

“Yeah, I’m special.” He grinned.

“So Jenn,” Marek looked at her. “Is it cool if I hang with you at school?”

“Sure, but I’m telling you now. Beware of the Hopeless Stupid. They’ll be all over
you.”

Marek grimaced. “More fan girls?”

Jenn grinned.

“Oh yeah, what happened to your fanclub when you left?” Spencer asked.

Marek rolled his eyes. “They made a group on facebook for me so now I have more stalkers, then they threw me a party. I don’t want more fangirls.” He pouted.

“Don’t worry. Jenn’ll protect you,” Spencer declared.

Jenn gave him a strange look. “I will?”

“See, she says she will.”

Marek laughed and almost fell on the floor.

“Oh, he’s got a really big sense of humour but he’s also really flirty without even noticing, so be careful,” Spencer whispered in Jenn’s ear.

“I heard that!” Marek yelled as he regained control of his voice.

Spencer stuck out his tongue. “Well its true.”

“Mm, well she is cute…”

Spencer tensed up and stiffened. But Marek was just playing around.

Marek glanced at the clock. “Man I’ve gotta split. My sis needs me home for something.” He stood up. “Okay Jenners, give me a hug.”

Jenn stood up and Marek pulled her against him. Then knowing that Spencer was watching, he kissed her cheek. While Jenn turned red, Spencer tried not to blow up.

“Laters, I’ll seeya tomorrows.” Marek waved and then he left.

“See, he likes you,” Spencer remarked dryly. Or maybe cause he was jealous.

“Yeah, I guess,” Jenn was still pretty shaken up. She wasn’t used to people hugging her.

“Marek gets a hug, and I don’t?” Spencer pouted.

“You want one?”

“Yesh please,” he said cheekily. He stood up and hugged Jenn. He held on   a little while longer than he should have and then he sat back down.

“Are you mad at me?” Jenn asked.

“No, why would I be?”

“No reason.”

They did their homework and that was the end of that.

x-x-x

Later that night, after Jenn had left, Marek called Spencer.

“I’m sorry if I made you mad,” he apologized.

“Oh, no worries.”

“She is cute though.”

“Oh?”

There was a pause. “Spencer, do you like her?”

Spencer knew that Marek was being serious and he wasn’t joking.

“What? No, why?”

“Cause I was gonna say, if you don’t want her, some other guy will take her.”

“Jenn’s just my friend.”

“Lies. And you know it.”

“Marek, why do you know how I feel about everything?”

Marek laughed. “Because I saw the jealousy in your eyes when I hugged her.”

“Oh…”

“But don’t worry dude. I’ll make sure no one’ll steal her, so she’ll be yours.

“Shut up Marek.”

Marek just laughed.