Chapter Ten

That day, I sat in my room reading a book called The Blood Confession. And well, the title was correct. It was pretty bloody. The woman sort of ended up like her mother, driven to insanity, in a way. But it was a pretty cool book. I finished the book about an hour before my mother came in.

"Zeke's here." she said.

I smiled. "Tell him he can come in." I ordered.

My mom walked out and shortly afterwards, Zeke came in with a small bag of cookies. "For you." he explained after he gave me a quick peck on the lips.

I smiled weakly.

"Are you okay, Pay-Pay?" he asked, concerned and kneeled down beside me.

"Not really." I admitted. "I tried to make up with Ryan and he seemed to not care about me anymore."

"Oh, Shar." Zeke hopped on my bed and hugged me. I aqueezed his arm around my neck and rested my chin on it. "Want me to teach him a lesson?"

I smiled as Zeke put his fist up. "It's okay." I said. "It's his choice. I guess I deserve it."

"No one deserves losing their sibling, especially you."

I turned to face him and hugged him, resting my head on his chest. "Thanks, Zeke, but I think I do deserve this." I explianed. "I mean, Ryan's growing up anyway. Who am I to tell him how to live his life?"

"But you guys were-"

"Were, Zeke. That's the keyword." I said, half-laughing. "I mean, maybe I'm better off too. I had a good time without him before."

Zeke picked me up and looked at me face-to-face. "Is that how you want to face life? Or do you want to keep fighting for Ryan back?" he asked, looking a little like a parent.

"Fighting, of course. I miss him." I said in a "duh!" tone. "But I led him to do this so..."

"So...what?"

I looked down. "I should keep fighting." I half-asked in a sigh.

"Exactly." he said with a smile.

I smiled back and hugged him again. "What's the plan then?" I asked.

"What do you mean? he asked, wrinkling his nose. He was so cute when he did that.

I tilted my head smiling. "You're the Man With The Plan, right? So what is it?" I giggled.

Zeke looked blank and put his finger to his chin, tapping it three times-pause-three times-pause-three times-pause-PATTERN! Then, I could literally see the cartoon light bulb above his head as a smirk curled on his lips and he said, "I've got an idea."

Zeke discussed the plan with me and as soon as we could, we put it into action. The Sharpettes, Gabriella, Troy, Taylor, and Chad were all in on it too. Sharpettes, Gabi and Troy were my friends. And no matter how much Chad and Taylor disliked me, they still liked Ryan and wanted us back together.

I walked by the pool, the same time The Wildcats were bringing Ryan. I skipped towards the edge, with my eyes closed. Zeke was holding my hand.

"It won't take long, and it's not the deepest side. Just act." he whispered before he pushed me in.

He was right, the water wasn't that deep. I coul of just swam to the edge, but that would ruin the plan.

"Help!" I screamed in my most pleading voice. "Zeke!"

I saw everyone gather around the pool, with fake smiles on their faces, everyone had the look, but Ryan. He looked confused.

"Gab, aren't you the lifegaurd?" he asked.

"Yeah. So? She deserved it, right?" I heard Gabriella rehearse her lines. "I mean, you don't like her. We never liked her anyway."

"Zeke?" Ryan asked.

"I was using her for her stuff." Zeke explained. He was a good actor. Everyone was.

"Troy?"

"Something's wrong with her. She's a basketcase." he laughed. "And like you told us, she deserves everything she gets."

I felt a little light headed, water made me sick sometimes, especially when splashing a lot.

"Someone-goes under-PLEASE!" I cried.

Chad smirked, happily. "Oh well, how about that game?"

Ryan gave him a disgusted look and jumped in after more, pulling me to the edge and getting me out of the water. I spit water out of my mouth and looked up at Ryan, who was starring over me.

"I thought.." I said slowly, "You didn't care."

Ryan stroked my hair. "Sometimes I say things I don't mean, but I do love you Shar." he admitted. "I was confused. But...you almost died..again. I should been more thoughtful the first time. I'm sorry."

I shook my head and put my hand to his cheek. "No, Ry, I'm sorry." I admitted. I sat up and hugged him. He hugged me back.

"I missed you so much." I cried.

"Dido."