Lana
stood near the back of Jake's hospital room, her arms folded and her eyes never
wavering from their stare at Kendra sitting next to Jake. While she was
extremely happy that Jake was going to be okay, she hated to see him sharing his
happiness with Kendra, who had not left his side since he awoke. She was upset
that Kendra was the reason Jake nearly died that night and the fact that Jake
put his life on the line for Kendra irked her beyond belief.
"I
got you some coffee, Lana," Oliver came to stand beside her and handed her a
small Styrofoam cup. "How are you doing, cuz?""Better, now that Jake's awake," Lana replied. "Thanks for the coffee," She remembered to say before taking a sip. Her stare drifted back toward Jake and Kendra and her face contradicted any verbal indication of relief.
"You don't seem like you're better," Oliver noted. "I know that you're holding something back."
"Oliver, I never underestimate your power of observation," Lana shook her head. She lowered her voice. "You're right, I'm not really better. Just look at him with Kendra. As much as it's great he's receiving all of her attention, it bothers me that he went through hell and back to get it."
"I know you're peeved by the fact he's not attached to your waist right now," Oliver sympathized with her. "But I know he's grateful to you, for your helping him pull through the night."
"You see, that's the thing," Lana said. "He doesn't know that I helped him. He doesn't know that just hours ago, I was lying weak in the bed beside him. He doesn't know that I donated all that blood. He obviously doesn't know that I poured my heart out to him just before he woke up." She glanced at Jake, cringing with jealousy when she saw him put his arm around Kendra. She looked back at Oliver. "But after seeing him happier than he's been in weeks, I don't want to ruin this moment for him."
"That's the kind of statement that makes you seem like you're being selfless, but something tells me that you're actually being selfish."
"Oliver, you have to understand. I do have his best interests in mind. And I did it because I truly care for him. But I don't want him to feel obligation towards me."
"Lana, you're not being completely honest with him though. You guys tell each other everything. This is a major thing, and you want to keep it from him?"
"I think it's for the best. Besides, that information is irrelevant now. What matters is that he's alive and well."
Oliver sighed with frustration. He knew that he couldn't change Lana's mind. "Do you remember when you were twelve years old, and I was nine, and we were playing near the creek? The day that I slipped on the rocks and cracked my ankle? You literally carried me home on your back. That was a good three miles, Lana."
Lana smiled at the memory. "It was the only time I'd ever seen you cry, Oliver."
"Well, I found out later on about what happened after you took me home. I know that you went back to the creek to retrieve my bike. I'm grateful that you did, it was my grandmother's birthday present to me. It meant a lot."
"I couldn't have just left the bikes there, Oliver."
"Yeah, we were kids, we don't think about that kind of stuff, and certainly we don't remember to be responsible. You were always doing that for me, and others. Thanks for bringing my bike back, by the way."
Lana laughed. "That was ages ago, but I don't think there are statutes of limitations on thank-you's." She gave him a hug.
Oliver laughed before he broke away. Before turning to leave the room, he said to her, "Jake doesn't realize how much he needs you, Lana. He takes you for granted. He'll realize, some day, that you're the best thing that's ever happened to him."
Kendra's
cell phone rang, startling her from the constant watch she had been keeping of
Jake since he awoke. She looked at the caller's phone number and recognized it
as her administrative assistant. "I have to call her back real quick, this
shouldn't take long." She patted Jake's shoulder and excused herself from the
room. 
mistake.
Yes, I'm sorry that I didn't call you sooner. Thanks for calling me. Make sure
you can schedule a calling time. All right, thank you. See you tomorrow."
Bryce opened the door to room E118 and found the room filled
with familiar faces. Stacia, Adam, and Oliver stood the the left of Jake's bed
while Kendra sat on Jake's right. Near the window sat Lana, who was staring out
of the window with her back turned to the crowd. Just beside the door leaned
Simon, who turned his back to Bryce as soon as he walked inside the door. Bryce
took a deep breath and stood beside him.
Simon
nodded and followed Bryce out into the hallway. "Look, Bryce, I might just be
saying this because of Jake's accident and nearly dying, but still it needs to
be said. It was really stupid of me to get ticked about your being Kendra for
yourself-"