"Row can you take Dylan to Cory's house?" my mom asked. I was sitting in my room studying for one of my finals.

"Sure mom." I yelled up the stairs. I grabbed my wallet and keys and headed out the door. "Come on Dill we don't want to be late." I said ruffling his hair.

He smiled and climbed in back. I had been a good mood all day, Collin and I had a great date the night before. We had gone to the flower shop and he bought me roses. What a sweet guy. Then we had a picnic. Must have got the idea from his brother. After that we watched the sun set and went to an outdoor movie showing.

My mind was on the date. Dylan was in the back signing along to the radio when it happened. I was going through a green light when out of nowhere a red truck hit the side of my car. I don't remember much after that. I remember screams, both Dylan's and mine, there was also spinning the whole world was spinning. Time seemed to stop. I couldn't feel anything I felt so warm, it was unnatural. Something warm was running down my cheek. Finely the car stopped moving. We had hit something, but I didn't know what.

I was lying there listening to the feet run around the car, unable to talk or move. We were on our side; I only knew that because everything on the dashboard fell onto me. I was pulled from the wreck that was my car and all I could think about was Dylan. Some ones arms were under my armpits pulling me out. My mouth formed the words and sound came out, though it was faint.

"Dylan?" I questioned the person holding me. They didn't say anything. I panicked "Where's Dylan? Where is he? Is he ok?" I kept asking the men around me but none of them said anything. "Where is my brother? Please I need to know." I cried. But soon after I was unconscious. They drugged me as I was put into the truck.

I woke in the hospital with a cast on my arm and bandages on my head. The warmness on my face had been blood. The room was white and cold. Grey tiles lined the floor with gray chairs around the room. A small TV sat on the counter at the other end of the room and a small window looked outside. It sunny and blue; how I wished to be out there.

"Rowan!" my mother called from the doorway. "You're awake!" she ran to my bedside pulling me into a bear hug. Soon Arina was at the door along with my dad. They were ghostly white and had been crying. I looked at my mother who was looking at my scratches.

"Wha-what happened?" I ask in a raspy voice.

"There was a truck, he ran the red light and hit you sending you over and into a lamppost. He was asleep at the wheel and barely made. He's in surgery now. You were so lucky. The doctors say you can go home tomorrow. They just want to make sure you didn't get a concussion or anything." she was stroking my hair avoiding eye contact. I knew something was wrong. But I was too afraid to ask so I let her play with my hair.

"Well Baby, I should go. Your aunt Margaret will be wanting to know what happened." She kissed my forehead and walked out of the room. When she was just past the door I heard it, the worst sound. My mother crying she broke down and on the floor crying. My father was at her side helping her out of my sight. I looked to my sister, the question in my eyes.

"Dylan?" I mouthed. She looked down. "What happened to Dylan?" I asked a little louder. She didn't look at me only shook her head. Tears were forming in my eyes as she stood there.

"Can I see him?" I asked this time she looked up and got a nurse. She still hadn't spoken when the wheel chair came. Tear streaks were running down her cheeks as she tried to keep more from falling. The nurse pushed me down the hall and into the elevator. We went to ICU, seeing the sign my heart stopped and I couldn't breathe. We went down the long corridor machines beeping and flashing everywhere.

"Take me to my brother." I said as we reached his room. I gasped as I saw the machines, there were so many. Why did he need so many? He looked so small in the bed. His skin was white and had bruises all over. His lip was cut and he had a wrap around his head. Both arms were bandaged and tubes were everywhere.

I pulled myself onto the bed so I sat facing the small boy. "Dylan." I called. "Dylan, it's time to get up. We need to get to Cory's house." I wanted him to jump up and scream, "Got ya" and pretend it was all a joke and that he was fine. But he didn't he was just lying there. So quiet, Dylan was never quiet, even when he slept he talked.

"Come on Dill we need to go home. You need to go home. We have to finish our story. Come on Dilly you promised to read to me. You said you were going to finish this book." I took his hand in mine; I never noticed how small he was. I laid down next to him stoking his hair, much like mom had just done to me. Tears fell onto the pillow below me but I didn't care.

When I woke up I was next to my baby brother. He still hadn't moved or said a word. The clock on the wall read 1 am. I didn't know how long we had been there. I never looked at the time when we left. Still holing the Pest's hand I sat up and looked outside. The moon rose high above the trees and shone bright into the room. The tears had dried and fresh ones were coming.

When I woke for the second time the sun was coming in the windows and I was back in my own hospital bed. My sister sat next to me in the chair, her hand in mine. She had fallen asleep and was snoring a little. I gave a small laugh, my sister never snored, and here she was sounding like a pig having a hernia.

The nurse came in and checked my bandages and chart. She seemed happy the results and said I could leave later that day. I was happy to hear that. I couldn't stand their squeaking shoes anymore. I think it's a common law that I order to work in a hospital you must own a pair of squeaky shoes.

I couldn't concentrate through school. My mind was on my baby brother all day. With only a few days left I really didn't care. I had gotten tired of telling the story of the crash and coming to tears for my brother that I soon made up new stories each time. My favorite so far was I was doing a secret agent escaping from evildoer only to get caught in the cross fire of two rival gangs. They took me as hostage and beat me. I was lucky only have a few bruise. I escaped once more and was running down the street when a herd of rabid dogs attacked me. Thinking fast I threw my shoe into the street having them chase it. When I had gotten rid of the dog I was able to make it home unscathed, until I tripped on my brothers skate and broke my arm.

Yes I like that one a lot better then getting T-boned by another car, and barely surviving. But I wasn't thinking so much about that. I was also thinking about how to write with a broken arm. See it was my right arm and I write with my right arm so everything was just wrong or left, either way it didn't work.

Finely the day was over and I could go see my brother. I never realized how loud he was until I got home. It was very unnerving not to here his Playstation or radio blasting. His pesky friends were not to be heard, which in itself was a blessing. Not saying that I don't love those snotty, dirty, perverted little boys. No quite the opposite, I miss their…um going through my stuff…and yeah the occasional…'oops didn't mean to catch you changing but I really did,' things.

I was trying to get the last of my books into my bag, but having no success, when Collin found me.

"Hey sexy." He called kissing my temple.

"I don't feel too hot right now." I muttered some curse words under my breath, as the last book wouldn't go in.

"Would you like some help?" he asked taking my book from my hands.

"No thanks I got it." I say taking it back shoving it into the sack at my feet. I don't need any ones pity right now. I can do things on my own; I'm not handicapped, just a little slower now. Picking up my bag I make my way out of the hellhole.

"Need a ride?" Collin asked coming up beside me.

"Sure, I just want to go home though, no detours." He had been doing that lately whenever we were going to bring me home he'd take the long way, it was cute at first, but now it was just annoying. Maybe because the scenic rout wasn't so scenic.

"Fine by me." We clambered into his baby and headed home.

I was finished with my homework and ready to go when my sister walked into my room.

"You ready?" she asked knowing my answer. I grabbed my book and fallowed to the car. The ride was mostly silent the occasional sentence was heard but no real conversation took place. I still had to talk to my sister about the hole moving out thing. She was going to be gone in a few days and I still had to confront her about abandoning me.

We reached his floor and I almost ran to his room. I don't remember ever running to see my brother, ever. I came to a stop when I reached the doorway. There sitting by his bed was John. He was talking to the Pest, as if he was awake. A smile came to my lips as I watched the two of them.

I cleared my throat to announce my presence. John looked startled by me, but was soon over the look of shock. After all this was my brother he was visiting. He left the kid's side and came and stood by me. Not saying a word. I just leaned into him letting his arms pull me into a hug. I missed him so much; I had forgotten how nice it was just to be hugged by my best friend.

We had turned so I now had my back facing my little brother, but I didn't care. John was there. He made me feel better. Not in the oohh she looves him, kind of way; in the comfort of a best friend kind of way. You know what I mean. When you climb into your own bed after a long trip, or your sad and that one friend shows up and you feel better just because they're there. That's the feeling I had for John.

I felt his sides move as if he was laughing I looked up to see a smile on his face.

"What's so funny?" I demand.

"Nothing." He said hiding his smirk. "Just your brother over there."

"Don't laugh at him, he's dying right now. He's just an innocent little boy. How dare you laugh at the sick." I say appalled by his behavior.

"Well if he's so sick then why does he have that smirk on his face?" he said laughing. I turn around and sure enough the pest has a smirk though he quickly tried to hide it.

"Why you little pest. How dare you scare me like that." I yell and punch is arm. He immediately screams in agony. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you OK," I ask feeling him over. Then he starts to laugh.

"God Row, you're so easy." He says laughing at me. What'd I tell ya, he is a pest. I slap his arm again, but I then pull him into a hug. I was never so happy to hear him speak.

"Ok….Row…I get the point….Row, I cant breath." I laugh and let go of the kid. Ruffling his hair I stand back up and take a look at the brother before me. Yeah he was the same scrawny annoying brat as before, only he was in bad need of a haircut. It's amazing how fast moods can change in the right atmosphere.

John and I sat on either side of his bed playing Halo II for the rest of the night, well until they kicked us out. I must say the twerp beat us both. When I left that night I felt so much lighter, so free. Almost all was right with the world. I still had the Gad awful cast and John and I were still not like we used to be. Don't forget about Arina abandoning me like that, but that all is minor now. Dylan's ok, I'm ok, and the world is just ok. Which is ok by me.

I went to visit Dylan the next day. I don't think I've seen him smile so big.

"Rowan guess what." He said as I stepped in the room.

"What?" I ask. Trying to sound as giddy as he did.

"I don't have any more school for the rest of the year." He was practically jumping out of the bed. I just laughed and joined him on the bed.

"Well aren't you just Mr. Lucky." I said grabbing the remote; we began to move up, down, and side-to-side, as I played with the buttons. It was like my own little ride. Even better then the seats in cars. I don't know how long we were pressing buttons but the nurse came in and told us to stop. We both stuck our tongues out at her. She mumbled something as she left, but we didn't care. We had our amusing bed/ride.

"Hey I want a ride too." Arina called from the doorway. She quickly ran over and jumped onto the already crowded bed. I don't remember the last time the three of us sat on the same bed willingly, or even got along with out a fight for so long. We were laughing at the nurses and their 'angry' looks at us. I think they saw us as a bunch of Juvenal delinquents.

"So Rina, will you come back and visit us?" Dylan asked after the tenth warning by the nurses.

"Of course. How could I ever just leave and never come back? I'm your sister and as your sister I have to fulfill my duties to come back and annoy your life. You know embarrass you in front of your friends and such." She said with a smile. We were both relieved to hear she would still come by.

"But what about in the next few months?" I asked nodding my head in the direction of her already protruding stomach.

"Well, I'll come by, it'll just be short visits…and um…I haven't quite figured it all out yet."

"Do you need any help getting ready?" I asked.

"Well maybe when I get settled in you can come over and help me get ready. Rachel already has some plans. She's going to help so much. But I can always use more."

"Wait just a damn minute." Dylan called from between us.

"Dylan don't use that language." I said, god I sound like my mother.

"Sorry, but could you tell me what is going on? I don't like being left out." He was sounding older then he was. Is it just me or do kids seem to be growing up faster these days? Anyway I got sidetracked.

"Dilly you have to promise not to tell any one, not even Cory. No one must hear what we are about to tell you. Understand?" Arina said in a firm voice. He gulped and nodded.

"OK, I'm going to have-

"A puppy, she's going to get a pet. It's an adorable thing really. But no one can know because it's against the rules at the apartment." I broke in. I got a glare from Arina but I think she understood why I lied.

"A Puppy? Oh My Gosh, is it a boy or girl? What's its name?"

"Well we don't know yet, see the mother hasn't had it yet. But we were told we get first pick of the litter. I think I want a boy puppy. I'll even let you name it." Arina lied. Hers was worse then mine, name the puppy? The number one rule about lying is never ever make it bigger then it has to be. It'll only bite you in the butt later.

"Did I hear some one mention a dog?" a new voice entered the conversation.

"Hey John, we were just telling Dylan here about the puppy Arina's going to get in a couple of months." I said as he came into the room.

"John new about the dog before me?" Dylan asked sounding like he was about to throw a tantrum.

"Well he was there when I was looking for a dog, if he hadn't shown up at that time he wouldn't know anything. But he saw me looking at the dogs and figured it out." Arina said deepening the lie even more. He seemed to relax a bit and went beck to his normal tone. I left the three of them to get something to drink. It's amazing how dry the air in the hospitals are, or maybe it's just me.

Filling a cup with icy cold water I sat in the waiting room. Month old magazines sat in various places in the room along with week old papers. Taking up one of the Outdoor News magazines I tried to look interested in it's content. I love the outdoors, don't get me wrong, camping is one of my favorite things, but I can only stand a certain amount of fishing tips. I mean how hard is it to sit in a boat with a stick waiting for a fish dumb enough to bite your hook. But that's just me.

"Anything good?" John asked joining me on the 'couch.'

"Nah, some one caught a 10 pound bass." I said feigning interest. We sat and talk for about another hour, just talking. I forgot how easy it was to talk to him. It made something stir inside me, but I quickly ignored it. Arina came out and said she was going home. I decided to stay behind to catch up with my best friend.

Turns out he had a new crush. I just laughed as he explained his situation. He was such a hopeless male. If it weren't for me I doubt he'd be able to get a girl. Ok maybe it's not that bad, I mean he does have looks that could hook any girl, but I certainly help in the conversation category.

"She's so cute, I mean her laugh just sends chills down my spine."

"Aww. Our little boy has grown up." I respond in my baby voice.

"Shut up."

"So what's the problem? I think that by now you should be able to start a conversation with out my help. I would hope you could get a date with out me. What are you going to do when I leave for college?" he just laughed at me before blushing a little.

"Well she sorta…well…she has a boyfriend." He muttered.

"You horrible little man, how could you? You're such a home wrecker. I don't know if we can still be friends. It's just horrible." I fold my arms and turn my head away. Of course I was only kidding, I'm not that bitchy. I mean I wouldn't break up a friendship over his stupid crush.

"I'm so ashamed Rowan. How will God forgive me?" he said in the same sarcastic manner.

"I'm not sure if he can? I can barely look at you." I laughed at last pulling him into a hug. Giggles overcame us and our friendship was now back. The smile on my face was going to stay there for a while, or so I thought.

"What is he doing here?" I looked up to see Collin standing in the doorway of the lounge.

"What do you mean?" I asked. Why wouldn't he be there? I thought.

"I mean, what is he doing here?" he said repeating himself.

"Well he's here because my brother is in the hospital and given the fact he's been a brother to him. It would seem only logical that he would be here in the hospital to see him." I explain. It's not like he couldn't figure it out himself.

"I should be going. I'm going to say bye to Dylan. See you in school." John said getting up. I got up too and gave him a quick hug before he left me with the steaming male before me. God I must admit angry males are not fun to be around. They always have to prove they are right and nothing can make them see differently. It's like their testosterone is in overdrive. Taking a deep breath I stepped up to Collin.

"Come on, let's go." I suggested pulling him out the door.

"No, I want to talk." When do guys want to talk, I thought it was about doing. Guys never talk. I mean it's a known fact.

"Ok we'll talk. So start talking." I sat back down pulling my legs up under me.

"What's going on between you and John?"

"Nothing, he's my best friend. I don't know what would make you think anything else. I mean you know better then any one that he's just like a brother to me. I could never date him. That's be just…eww…no. Why would you think that?" I said still sounding disgusted.

"I don't know. It's just I see you and I don't want to share you with any one else." I smile at him. He's so sweet.

"You know I wouldn't cheat on you." I said pulling him into a kiss. "Come on, let's go home. We do have school tomorrow and even though we only have six days left, I don't want to fall asleep in class again." he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we went home. Everything was perfect…for now.

AN: ok I must say I am truly sorry for the long wait, but my brain has been somewhere else. I have been working 5 days a week; it's a part time job. And I am also sorry for the emotional roller coaster. I will try to keep writing, but I can't guarantee that it will be any time soon. I am moving to college soon and I don't know what will happen after that. I'll try to update once more before I leave, but I can't promise anything. Again I'm sorry for anything I messed up or whatever you can find wrong.