"I think I know why," my mom says, putting her arm around me. "I think we need to start having more talks."
"Okay, yes, we're dating but it's recent. We decided to start dating last night. I didn't have a chance to tell you."
"I'm going to go down to the cafeteria," she says with a sigh. "I think I need that coffee after all. Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm good."
She walks off.
"Sorry," Eve whispers. "I thought she knew."
"It doesn't matter. She would've found out anyway."
"Why didn't you tell her?"
"Are you kidding? She doesn't even like that I'm friends with Dean. She tried to tell me I couldn't see him anymore."
"Why? Because he's poor?"
"That, and because he's not like Chad."
"Chad was an ass. She really wants you to get back with that guy?"
"Maybe not Chad, but someonelikehim. Someone who's smart, sophisticated, comes from a rich family and has the potential to make a lot of money."
"Dean could make a lot of money. The way he plays football? He could go pro someday."
"He's done playing football," I say, looking down. "Something happened to his knee."
She takes the bags from me and loops her arm around mine. "Let's go sit down. Where do you want to go?"
"The ICU. I want to be there in case he wakes up."
We go find a seat in the waiting room, back in the corner, near a window.
"So how bad is it?" Eve asks.
"Bad." I tell her about Dean's injuries, then I tell her everything that happened from the moment I left school, including the stuff about Jake being taken.
"Holy shit," she says. "You need more than chocolate."
"I know. I don't think anything would make me feel better right now."
She takes a chocolate bar out of the bag and hands it to me. "Just in case."
I smile. "Thanks."
"You want me to go in with you when you see him?"
"You can't. Only family is allowed. I had to lie and say I was his sister."
"You lied?" Her eyes get wide. "Little Miss Perfect?"
"Hey! I'm far from perfect. And you know I lie. I've been lying to my parents this whole time."
"And then I ruined it. Oops!" She covers her mouth.
"You didn't ruin it. I told her almost everything before you got here, except the part about me dating Dean."
