CHAPTER 13: BREATHE

SATURDAY – WEEK 3

8:10pm @ the Waylands’ Residence

“It’s been 8 long years of waiting, Shane. Almost a decade… When are you coming back to me…?”

“… …I can’t apologize to you for something I can’t do… …I can’t change into something that I was overnight. I can’t…”

“Hey… Hey, Shane… Wake up. Here, take some aspirin.” Mark Wayland crouched in front of the couch where Shane was lying back with a glass of water in one of his hands and a pill in the other.

It was minutes after 6 when the group packed up from their carwash stations and Shane caught a severe headache and a slight fever to go along with strained muscles in her arms. She rubbed her eyes while trying to sit up then covered her face with her hands. When she had finally adjusted to the lights, she blew air out of her mouth before shaking her head and taking the aspirin. “These dreams are getting weirder and weirder every week. What the fuck…?”

“There you go. That ought to relieve some pain.” Mark took the glass from Shane and put it on the coffee table in front of them. He positioned himself on the other end of the sofa while Shane threw her head back for support and closed her eyes once more. “You people should have called me. I was staring at the ceiling the whole fucking day, waiting for something to happen. I could give you a hand next week…”

Shane didn’t react. She just sat there, motionless.

“So… I was editing the underground basketball match videos the other night. What’s up with Cherie? Carmen didn’t take it too well when she kissed you.” Mark continued to examine Shane while talking away. “Are you all right?”

A nod was all that Shane could muster up. “I guess. I’m just bushed…” She thought.

“Okay… I heard Cherie paid you guys a visit today. She must be sensing that there’s something more serious going on between you and Carmen. Just give me a go, Shane. And I’ma get rid of her for you.” Mark chuckled.

Shane turned her head at Mark and smiled. “You’re crazy, you know that?”