DCCT12

The birds were chirping and the sun was shining in her room. It was soo bright. Kayla didn't understand why. She sat up and immediatly fell back with a groan. She had a MAJOR headache. She remembered falling on the kitchen floor and then blacking out. She smiled then, remembering that Lance had called her sweetie and that he had kissed her forehead. "Well at least if I get on chance to be loved, I get it now. Even though it's only because they all feel sorry for me." Kayla thought as she closed her eyes against the pain in her head. She groaned louder this time.

When she opened her eyes again she gave a start. Above her was a tall blonde man. She immediaty thought it was Lance and smiled.

"Are you OK?" Chapter 13

When Kayla realize that the voice that was speaking to her wasn't deep enough to be Lance's her face fell. She realized it was Justin by his curly hair.

"Kayla? Can you hear me??"

She nodded and made hand motion for a drink of water. He gave her the water and she smiled after.

"Thanks. I couldn't say anything before." She said her voice still sounding scratchy.

" It's no problem. I heard you groaning. Do you need me to call the nurse?" Justin asked worriedly.

"Yeah can you. I need some asprin or something. Are you sure I didn't fall on an ax or something. It sure feels like it!"

"Ok, I'll go and get the nurse. Do you need anything else."

"Naw.. I don't know if I will be awake when you get back though. I'm so tired. And if I even lift my head, I feel like im going to faint."

Justin walked out of the room saying he would go and get the nurse. When he came back Kayla was asleep again. The nurse gave her an I.V. and said she would be right back. While he was waiting Justin thought, "Man where is Lance! I am starving. First he didn't want to leave the girl's side and makes me sleep in these very uncomfortable hospital chairs and now he takes forever to come back."
Just then Lance walked in the room carrying McDonalds. He looked over a Kayla immediatly and ignored Justin's reach toward the food.

"Hey Lance. Yoo-hoo. I'm kinda hungry over here. She's asleep, not dead!"

"Shut-up Curly! I know she isn't dead! And here is your oh so worshiped food!!"

Lance walked over to Kayla's bed and stared at her hand.

"What happened while I was gone Just. She didn't have this I.V. in her hand before I left this morning."

"Well, about 10 minutes after you left she woke up complaining that she had a major headache and when she moved her head she was really dizzy. The nurse brought the I.V. and gave her some medicine. She said she would be back."

Just then the the nurse walked in. She explained that Kayla still had a concussion and the stiches made it worse. The pain would be nomal for at least a week and the dizzyness would persist for at least 2 weeks.

"When will Kayla be able to leave the hospital? I thought you told us today?" Lance asked. He kept thinking about when she would have to go home. He didn't want her to go yet. He liked having a reason for visiting her.

"When the doctor comes this afternoon and give's her a final checkup she can go home. I'm afraid I can't let you take her home though. Her legal guardian will have to take her home. I'll go and call them now. We have her number on record."

"No don't call them yet." Kayla whispered to the nurse. She had been up since Lance walked in the door. She heard his voice and woke up.

"Kayla? When did you wake up. How do you feel? I am soo sorry about the whole bread thing!! I should have never made you go and get it in the first place." Lance said quickly as he walked over to Kayla.

"Really, Lance it's OK. It was all an accident. Don't feel sorry for that. I would have gone and gotten it anyways. And to answer the rest of your questions I am feeling like crap and I woke up when I smelled the food." She didn't want to tell him it was his voice and the chance to see him that kept her from falling back asleep.

"Miss Simms, would you like something to eat now." The nurse asked Kayla.

"Yes please."

When the nurse left Justin walked over to Kayla's side. "Hey do you want a fry?"

"Yeah please! I got something to eat last night when I woke up at 2:30 in the morning. That was the last time I ate and that food was just nasty!!"

Kayla munched on the two fries Justin gave her and when she swallowed she groaned.

"Are you ok?!?" Lance asked worriedly

"Yeah. It really hurts to chew cause my temple go in and out as I chew. No wonder they give you soft foods while you have a concussion."

Lance had the sudden urge to go and rub her temples so she would feel better. "Just stop doing this. She is just some girl that you feel bad for. She probably has a thing for Justin anyway." He tried to convince himself, but it wasn't working.He made fists with both of his hands to stop himself from going over to Kayla and he sighed.

When the nurse walked back in she gave Kayla her food and asked Kayla if she wanted to call her parents yet.

"No don't call them yet. I want to in a little while."

The nurse left and Justin looked at Kayla funny.

"What?"

"Why don't you want to call your parents now?"

"Um.. well first of all they won't be home. No one will. My parents left for Vegas today. And my sisters won't be home 'til tonight. They are still at the church thing."

"Then how did you expect to get home. You can't walk" Lance said a little irritated that she wouldn't ask them for a ride.

Kayla on the other hand was a little sad that Lance didn't offer to drive her home. She thought they were friends.

"I know I can't walk, I-I'll just get a taxi then. I don't mind" Kayla had a lump in her throat that was making it hard to talk. She didn't understand why Lance was so mad.

"Kayla we can take you home. *WE* don't mind. It'll be Ok so don't worry about it. Why don't you finish your food and me and Lance here are going to be right back." Justin said to her when he saw the shine of tears in her eyes. He didn't understand what Lance's problem was. He gave Justin the "Whats yo problem" look.

When Justin and Lance were in the hall Justin looked at Lance.

"Hey whats your problem. She doesn't have anyone right now and you go and ask her how she's getting home like she would know. Man! I thought you liked the girl! "

"Whoa! She is the one who won't ask for a ride. She just said now that she would just get a taxi! She doesn't want our help. Especially mine!"

"Lance you are a real idiot you know! All she wants is some one to take care of her. She is trying to be independent and is afraid to ask us or anyone else because of the fear of rejection."

Lance was speachless. He didn't know all of this. He just thought that Kayla didn't want their help. He realized Justin was right when he thought back to the conversation he had with her on her front steps.

FLASHBACK
*******************
Once he reached Kayla's front yard he saw her silently crying on her steps.

"Kayla? Are you O.K.?"

"Go away! NOW! I don't care what you have to say and I understood the message I'v heard it enough, so I'll leave you all alone! I p-p-promise!" Kayla shouted and broke down into full out sobbing as she said her last sentence.

"Kayla no, we don't want you to leave us alone. We all like you. I don't understand where you got this idea from. Shh, don't cry. Tell me whats wrong," Lance whispered as he sat down next to Kayla. He was so confused about her feelings. And his for that matter, because all he wanted to do was make her feel better. He had never in his life felt this way about any girl and it scared him.

Kayla looked up suddenly as Lance said "Tell me whats wrong" with such sincerity. He acted like he didn't know. She was a kind person at heart and decided to listen to him.

"What d-do you mean you don't understand whats wrong. J.C. practically told me to leave and never speak about him or you guys again."

"Kayla I don't know where you got that from, but Jace was only kidding. You have to understand that we have little girls practically following us everywhere. What he said was more toward the rest of the guys and me than you. We all like you and thats why he was kidding around. He is usually the up tight one."

"Y-you mean that?! You guys don't hate me or think im a loser."

"Of course thats what I mean! Why would anyone think you were a loser? Please explain that. I know I only met you yesterday, but I also know you are a caring and funloving person. I don't understand why you would think that."

"You wanna know why I think that? Be-because its true. I don't know why I'm telling you this, but for some odd reason you want to know. I am and always will be a loser. I have like 3 friends and only one of them takes the time to listen to what I have to say. I have my family, but they just don't understand! I have never had a boyfriend, and most likely will be lonely my whole life! That's why I think the way I do, so if you would just leave me alone. And please don't feel sorry for me, I have my sister for that!" Kayla said while tears silently fell from her eyes.

"Kayla Shh.. its okay, I don't feel sorry for you, it's just that it's sad that you feel that way. I for one will never believe that, and I know the rest of the guys will never either. I promise you that," Lance whispered into her ear as he put his arms around her and rubbed her back.

Kayla was so surprised from Lance's arms that she didn't get to say what she wanted and started to sob, again, because of his sincerity. At that moment Kayla knew she could stay in his arms forever and would believe what ever he said. This was truly the nicest someone had ever been to her.

"Lance, thank-you and I guess I believe that you say your friends don't hate me. Oh god, now I feel like such a jerk. It was just a reation when he said that. Now he must hate me!"

"No Kayla it was all a misunderstanding. Can I ask you a question though?"

"Um, yeah sure," Kayla said as he let go of her.

"Why did you just assume that J.C. ment for you to leave. You said it was a reaction, but I was wondering why you had that reaction?"

"Oh. Um, well, its just that, I'm sorry I can't. It's a reaction because I'm just used to being made fun of and rejected."

Lance was surprised by her answer and kinda made a face at her.
"Kayla, who makes fun of you. What can they possibly make fun of."

"The people at school. You see I came to Greensville 3 years ago and when I did eveyone ,except the few friends I have now , thought I was a loser because of my clothes and I was pretty shy too. I know I'm no supermodel, but I trully never did anything to these people. Oh, and also because the most classes I ever had to take was 5 out of the 8 everyone else take. They just decided, I guess that I was going to be the class outcast. I don't get it, but thats the way its going to be."

"Kayla, I am so sorry things have been like that for you. I just want you to know that I am-we are always here for you," Lance said and cursed himself for almost giving away his feelings.

"Thanks so much. No one has ever said anything like that to me."

END OF FLASHBACK
*********************
Lance now knew what was the matter with her. She was scared. Of people in general and of being pushed away and ridiculed.

"God Justin, she probably thinks I hate her and that is the farthest thing away from the truth! I really like her. "

"Well does she know that?"

"Well.. no, but I think she likes you. She is usually so distant toward me. What should I tell her. "

"Me? I think she really likes you. When she woke up and saw me, I think she thought I was you. She smiled and when I said hi her face just looked sad. Go and talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Or just go and talk to her. I'll go and find that nurse of her's. She's kinda cute!" With that Justin walked away.

Lance watched Justin walk away and he laughed. He walked over to the gift shop and bought Kayla a balloon and little stuffed dog. When he got back to Kayla's room she was sitting on her bed looking at the door.

"Hey," Kayla said when she saw Lance walk through door. Her heart started to pick up speed when she saw his smile and the balloon. "No not again. I will not cry again!" Kayla thought as she tried not to.

"Hey. How are you? These are for you from me."

"T-thank you. He's soo cute. I think I'll name him James!"

"Yay! I get a doggy named after me. I had a small feeling you liked dogs." Lance said, glad that Kayla wasn't so distant toward him.

"Yeah they are my life. Thanks for the balloon too."

"No Prob. Um.. Kay, I just wanted to say sorry for snapping at you earlier. I didn't mean it. I just was wondering why you wouldn't ask us for a ride? Why didn't you. I would have offered in an instant and everything, but I didn't know if you wanted us to take you home."

"I just didn't want to bother you. I had to stay at your house last night and this morning and now you all had to sit at the hospital and wait for me. Well at least you and Justin had to wait for me. I am so sick of being an extra to everyone. That is why I didn't ask for one more favor that you 5 guys would have been stuck doing."

Lance was shocked that Kayla thought she was just and 'extra' to everyone. Him especially!

"Kayla why one earth would you think that ?? You are far more than an extra to all of us! I have known you for 48 hours and personally I think you are a very special girl. You could never be an extra in any of our eyes!"

It was Kayla's turn to be speechless. She didn't expect him to say that. Kayla had no idea that Lance or any of the guys felt like that. She just started to cry. In the past 48 hours she had been treated better then anyone of her friends or peers had ever treated her , and she barly knew these guys.

"T-tha-thankyou so much. I guess I have been very emotional lately. I guess I never expect you and the rest of the guys to like me."

Lance walked over to Kayla and slowly hugged her. He was glad that she finally got the point that they all liked her and they LIKED having her around. She was alot of fun. The problem was Lance didn't want to let go of her. Physically now and then when they had to take her home. He had never had these feelings before that he wanted to keep Kayla forever--from harm and for himself. He kept on hugging her and kissed her temple.

When Lance went and hugged Kayla she was over come by feelings stronger than ever. She loved the feel of his arms around her and never wanted to let him go. She was greatful for the comforting and all, but these feelings were ones that she would have all her life. Lance made her feel safe and happy. Kayla had never felt more at ease than she was in his arms--even if he was only trying to make her stop crying. His hugging and the faint kiss on her temple didn't help stop the tears. She knew that they could never be "together" because he was a big shot singer and she was probably just a friend in his eyes. All Kayla knew was that if he wanted to be her friend and that was all, she would have to live with that.

Kayla was over come with tiredness and shut her eyes. She immediatly fell asleep in his arms. Lance, being atuned to her every move, felt her relax and layed her back on the bed.

"Well, goodnight princess. I will be back tonight when you have to leave. Remember that I do care about you, and you will never be alone again," Lance whispered to Kayla and kissed her forehead.

Lance walked out of her room and out to where Justin was waiting.
"Hey man! Did you call her house?" Lance asked Justin as he shut his cell phone.

" No I didn't but the nurse gave me Kayla's sister Nikki's cell phone number. I was just going to call her. Do you want to do the honors?"

"Sure." Lance called the number. When some one picked up, she didn't say she was Nikki.

"Hello? Is this Nikki Simms?"
"And can you tell me where Nikki is?"
"Do you know when she and her sisters will be back?"
"3 weeks!!"
"They went where?!?"
"Well thank you miss. Goodbye."

"Lance? Whats the matter?"

"Kayla's sisters are going to be in Chicago for 3 weeks. They just decided that they wanted to go! Now Kayla is here all by herself."

"Huh? They just left without telling anyone?"

"The lady I talked to said that they told Kayla's parents, who happen to be in Vegas for the next month!! Curly, you don't understand. Kayla can't take care of herself for 3 weeks. She can't be alone all day and night for the next 3 weeks either."

"Well then I have the perfect plan! We can take her to our house and take care of her. I know the guys won't mind it. Neither will I, and we all know you will just love it!"

"Justin that's perfect. I will go and tell her when she wakes up. But I still don't understand how her sisters could just go and leave her I would never do that to my sister and I know if Diane ever went anywhere, she would have asked me if I wanted to go. That is like the rudest thing I have ever heard of.

"Well maybe that is why Kayla is so lonely and sad. I know you can see the hurt in her eyes as well as I can. The rest of the guys mentioned it when they called from the meeting we were supposed to be in too."

When Kayla woke up Lance broke the news that her sisters went to Chicago without her. When he told her her eyes looked hurt, but she didn't really say anything about it. She just nodded and looked away.

"Well Mac, me and Lance here came up with a plan."

"Yeah, since you can't really take care of yourself because of the concussion, we thought you could stay with us untill your sisters came back. Please don't say that you will be a burden or anything rediculous(sp?) like that because it isn't true. We have extra room and all so don't worry about that either. We will beat your little butt if you do!"

"Fine, fine you win. I will stay with you, but I'm warning both of you, I can be really annoyin!"

Lance and Justin smiled at each other at that last comment. They called the rest of the guys and told them of the plan. They liked it too. The doctor came and Okayed Kayla's release. They left the hospital and drove to get Kayla's stuff.