Free Unbreakable Love by Angela Carling Page A

best enchiladas in town,” she continued as she fixed him a plate and brought it to the couch. Not wanting to sit at the table alone, she brought a chair into the living room and set it near him to eat her food.
    They talked a little while they ate, but neither one brought up the homecoming dance or even school. For a minute it felt like everything else disappeared and they were just two friends catching up. After dinner, Jennie pulled out a set of playing cards.
    “Are you up to playing?” she asked.
    Nate nodded his head to say yes, and Jennie dealt the cards on the small coffee table that sat in front of the well-worn couch. Nate pulled himself into a sitting position and faced her as they played several hands. Jennie didn’t cut him any slack even though he could barely sit up. She easily beat him all three times. As she was cleaning up the third hand, she finally noticed how worn out he looked.
    “Why don’t you rest?” she suggested gently.
    Nate fell back onto the couch and pulled his feet up. He was constantly amazed by how much energy the body needed to fight the chicken pox.
    “I’m sorry, I’m no fun,” he apologized but then quickly clarified, “but I still don’t want you to go.”
    Jennie looked at him thoughtfully. “I’ll bring in my homework and stay a little longer only if you promise to rest,” she said.
    “Deal,” he responded, burrowing even deeper into his blanket for warmth.
    Jennie was gone for a minute then returned with her backpack. As she dug out the books she needed out of her bag, Nate took his turn watching her from the couch.
    “Jen,” he called out softly. She stopped what she was doing and caught his eyes. “You’re really important to me,” he said. “You’re my best friend.”
    A small gratified smile played on Jennie’s lips. They both knew they spent a lot of time together. They both knew their relationship was unique, but neither had given it the title best friends. It was an important declaration. Jennie decided now was the best time to tell him that someone had asked her to the winter formal in December.
    “Thanks, I feel the same way,” she said and then quickly moved on before she lost her nerve. “Oh, and by the way, guess who asked me to the winter formal?”
    “Who?” Nate responded, working hard not to let his protective feelings show.
    “Kyler, the one from the basketball team.”
    Nate knew who he was immediately. He was a good guy and Nate had known for a while he was interested in Jennie.
    “And you said…?”
    “I said, why not? I mean, I’m not in love with him or anything, but he’ll be a good date and who knows after that.”
    Nate felt his shoulder muscles tense with the last part of her answer, but he also knew this would be better for both of them. Keeping their friendship intact was the most important thing. Come March, he had to be in her life, to save her life.
    “That’s great,” he finished, putting the conversation to rest for a minute. When she turned her attention back to her homework, he turned over so that she couldn’t see the jealousy rising in his eyes. It wasn’t her fault Nate was struggling with the thought of her with someone else. He knew he shouldn’t have these feelings for her and he refused to punish her because of his own weaknesses. It was his problem and he would have to control his feelings so he could do his job.
    For a long time he could hear the scratching of pencil running across the paper as Jennie worked on a math assignment. Other than that, there was silence. After awhile he turned around again and picked up a book he had been reading. Sebastian sensed an opportunity and made himself at home on the back of the couch so that he could watch Nate read. For the next hour, a comfortable silence ensued. Finally, around 8 o’clock Jennie stood and stretched her stiff muscles.
    “I have to get home to watch Katie,” she stated as she began to gather her things.
    Nate rose from the couch to walk her