Free Fragile Hearts by Colleen Clay

weight of the world
on his shoulders.
    He says, "Hi, Morgan. I thought you'd like
to hear the latest news about Kaylee."
    From the tone of his voice and his smile, I know
it's going to be good news. He says, "A donor has been found."
    "That's fantastic! When's the surgery? Will
we be able to visit Kaylee in the hospital?"
    "I'm not sure to both questions."
    "Well, I'll be spending Christmas break
with my parents, so if you find out anything, will you call my cell phone."
    "Okay."
    Tyce doesn't say anything else, so I ask,
"Hey, what are you doing during Christmas? Got any big plans?"
    "No. Nothing."
    He's not being very communicative and I can't
think of anything else to say. I'm about to bid him goodbye when he says,
"Morgan, I know I've been an ass for awhile, but there are things…anyway,
I'm sorry."
    "Hey, friends overlook things. Would you
like to get together with me and Lucy and share a pizza tonight?"
    He gives me a sad smile. "I'm afraid I'll
have to pass on that. I've got some heavy studying to do."
    I'm hurt because I know he's trying to let me
down easy. "It's okay. I understand. Well, I guess I better get to my dorm.
See you around." I start to push the lever on my chair, but Tyce places
his hand over mine to stop me. He bends over me and his eyes capture mine. I'm
lost in the depths of a blue sea that goes on forever.
    "Morgan, you are the sweetest girl I've
ever known, but the two of us as a couple would never work. I just want you to
know, though, that the reason it wouldn't work is because of me, not you. The
man who steals your heart will be the luckiest guy on earth." Slowly he
leans forward and kisses my forehead before quickly standing and walking away.
    I watch him leave. Too late, Tyce, you're
the one who's stolen my heart.
    Lucy comes over for pizza and we watch Casablanca while pigging out. I tell her about Kaylee's good news and she's really happy
for the girl. I keep the bad news of Tyce basically dumping me to myself.
    After the movie, we talk about school and
recount the encounter with Tina. Bitch girl has basically been ignoring us and
we're not completely sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
    Lucy reaches for the final piece of pizza.
"You want me to cut it in half?"
    "Naw. You go for it. I'm going for more
Pepsi, though. You want a refill?"
    "Yeah. Pizza and Pepsi; the perfect
combination."
    "When do you leave for home?"
    Lucy chews and swallows. "As soon as my
last class is over, I'm outta' here. How about you?"
    "My mom is picking me up the day after
classes let out."
    "I'm going to miss you?"
    "Ditto, girl."
    "What about Tyce. Did he tell you what he's
doing for Christmas break?"
    "We haven't talked a lot lately, but when I
saw him today and asked, he was vague and didn't really answer. I'm not sure
what he's doing." I blink quickly when I feel tears threatening.
    Lucy reaches to pat my hand. "What I've said
before still stands. That man is crazy about you, but he's got some kind of
demon that keeps him from telling you."
    "Lucy, you're a hopeless romantic."
    Lucy grins. "Truer words were never spoken.
Let's watch Pretty Woman."

16:
Shocking Surprise
     
    The week I spend at home is both happy and sad.
I'm happy to see my parents, but sad that Tyce ended things between us. Maybe
he wants to stay friends, but I know I can't be around him. A broken heart can
only survive so much.
    Lying on my bed, I glance around my room. I've
spent more time in this room than anywhere else. At one time, I didn't think I
could leave these four walls, this house, this neighborhood.
    There's a knock on my door and I call,
"It's open."
    My mom ducks her head around the door. She
smiles and asks, "Got time for a mother-daughter chat?"
    "Always."
    Mom sits on the side of my bed and I start to
sit up, but she says, "No, stay where you are. I won't be long."
    I notice tears in her eyes. Alarmed, I ask,
"What's wrong?"
    She pats my hand. "Nothing is wrong. Your
father and I are just so proud of you. Sending