My sister's boyfriend

Chapter fifteen - Headache and memory loss

Zoe's POV:

I decided to talk with Elina. That was the biggest mistake in my life. At least I understood what was bothering her. That didn't help me much. I called my parents to tell them what happened. They told me to leave her alone and do what made me happy. I wish it had been that easy. The good news is that I found friends here. Bella and I go out often. I won't say she is my best friend, but we understand each other well. Once, I went out with Chloe and Annie. They are good girls. Of course, they had to ask if I was dating someone. That's why I don't know why this is important. After all, I don't ask these questions. Mostly, that is because I don't care. This is part of their personal life. I keep talking with Cole every day. I'm afraid that he might want something from me. I understand he wants to help me, but we are only friends. The thing is that I have this weird feeling. It's like he wants to date me. Maybe I am not right. I will be happy if this is true. I don't feel ready to do this. So many things are going on in my head that a boyfriend is the last thing I need. I can't do this right now. After some time, I might change my mind. Well, that won't be soon. For now, I don't plan to make changes in my life. That will happen with time. All I know is that there is no chance for Elina and me to fix our relationship. This seems like mission impossible. Maybe I should accept this and move on. The worst thing is that I have to see her almost every day. This won't be easy. I hope that we don't have to talk much.

I got invited to my first party. I accepted to go only because of Cole. Also, Bella went as well. I don't know what happened to her. When she saw Ben, she couldn't take her eyes off him. I won't lie. He looks good. That is all I can say. I'm not interested in anyone. That's not why I came here. It's not like I did what I wanted. There is no chance of that. I need to stop thinking about this and focus on something else. Elina is not the center of the universe. No matter that she wants it.

I woke up and saw a hand around my waist. That is not my dorm, for sure. Where am I? I carefully turned my head and saw Cole. What the heck is he doing here? Then I saw Ben in the other bed. Hold on. This is their dorm. Why am I here? What happened last night? I have so many questions. I tried to get up without waking him up. Then I put a pillow under his hand. I looked at myself. These are not even my clothes. I went to the bathroom. I found my clothes in the sink. My T-shirt was dirty. I washed my face and walked out. Ben was awake.

- Zoe? Hey. - Ben whispered

- Hey. Did I wake you up?

- No, don't worry.

- Can I know what happened last night?

- I don't know. I didn't spend much time with you. I think you should ask Cole when he wakes up.

- Quick question. Whose clothes are these?

- Cole's.

- Did something happen in this dorm?

- No. You were sleeping. He didn't do anything.

- Neither do I. Right?

- All I know is that you were asleep when I came here, in his clothes.

- I found mine in the sink.

- He probably wanted to wash them. I saw a red stain on your T-shirt last night. That's all I can tell you.

- Thanks. I don't remember much.

- Take this. - he said and gave me a pill

- For what?

- Your headache. I'm sure you have one.

- I do, thank you. By the way, what happened with you and Bella? The last thing I remember was you two dancing.

- That is true. It's better if I let her tell you the story.

- You won't hurt her, right?

- No, why?

- Because she already was in a relationship.

- I know. She told me.

- Good. I will go now. I will bring back Cole's clothes later.

- It's ok. I don't think he needs them now.

- We need to talk. The thing is that I'm afraid I might not like the story.

- He didn't leave your side for a minute. Whenever I went to check on him, he was looking at you.

- All I remember is he didn't want me to drink something. Then I went to talk with Elina. That's it. Everything else is a memory loss.

- He can help you.

- I hope so. I will go now. Bye, and thanks.

- You're welcome.

I walked to my dorm. I need to know what happened last night. Bella came out of the shower with a smile on her face. Something happened last night between her and Ben. I don't think I want to know. I laid on my bed. This headache is terrible. I won't go to another party again. I don't want to say it, but Cole was right.

- Zoe, are you ok?

- No.

- Why? What happened?

- I wish I knew.

- Is it about last night?

- Yes. I don't remember anything.

- Ask Cole. He was with you all the time.

- Really?

- Yes. He didn't leave you for a minute. I don't know why he did that. I think he likes you.

- My biggest fear.

- What? Why?

- It doesn't matter. What happened between you and Ben?

- You won't believe it. I had the best night of my life.

- Why?

- Since we started talking at the party, he never left me. Then we came here.

- I don't want to know anything.

- All I will say is that there were fireworks.

- Good for you.

- That's when I felt something weird.

- What was it?

- I never felt that way with my ex-boyfriend. We have kissed many times, but it never felt like last night.

- Maybe he wasn't the one.

- I don't know. Do you want us to go for food?

- No, thanks. I want to lay in bed.

- Ok, I will text Ben. Hopefully, he is awake.

- He is.

- How do you know?

- I woke up in their dorm. I mean, in Cole's bed. Don't ask.

- Now I want to know what happened last night.

- Hopefully, it's nothing.

- I won't be so sure.

Bella went out with Ben for breakfast. I stayed here. I don't want to go anywhere. I was in my dorm until lunchtime. That was until I heard a knock on my door. I can't even get up to open it. I'm so tired. That's why I shouted to tell the person to come in. I can't get up right now. Soon, Cole appeared. I need to talk to him.

- Hey. I brought you food.

- Thanks, but I don't want to eat.

- You have to do it. Can you get up?

- No.

- I will help you. Come on.

- I can't.

- Yes, you can. Here you go.

- Is that water?

- It is. You can take it.

- Thanks.

- How are you?

- Terrible. What happened last night? I need to know everything.

- Not much. Mostly, you were dancing.

- Cole, I woke up in your bed. I need to know if something happened.

- No, it didn't. You don't have to worry about that.

- How am I not supposed to? What happened?

- I wanted to make you go to your dorm earlier. Well, you didn't want to. After some time, I noticed that you were getting tired. I used the chance to make you go. The thing is that you didn't want to go to your room. I felt like you would fall asleep in my arms. The only option that left me was to leave you in my dorm.

- Ok, but I was in your clothes.

- Your clothes were dirty. You spilled a drink on the T-shirt.

- Yes, I saw that.

- I decided to give you my clothes. Nothing happened. I will never do something to you. I promise.

- Thanks. I won't go to a party again.

- I won't be so sure.

- No, no. That was too much.

- Ok, now I want you to eat this.

- I'm not hungry.

- Please, do it for me.

- Why do you have to be like that?

- Because I care.

- You can take your clothes.

- I will.

- Please, don't tell anyone about this.

- Don't worry. The only person who knows is Ben. He saw you.

- I know. We talked a bit in the morning.

- You could've woken me up.

- I didn't want to.

- Eat now.

- I will.

I liked the food. No matter that I wasn't hungry. Cole wouldn't leave me in peace if I didn't eat everything. At least my head doesn't hurt that much now. That should be from the pill. We talked for a while. He offered to go out, but I refused. That is the last thing I want to do now. I can't move. All I want is to lay in bed all day. I told him to go and enjoy his day. Finally, he decided to listen to me. It took me some time to convince him. Soon, Bella came back.

- Hey, hey. How are you?

- I have been worse.

- Why? Did something happen?

- No, everything is fine.

- I see you ate something.

- Cole made me do it.

- What do you mean?

- He came here with a bag of food.

- I see. I had a great lunch.

- Good for you.

- Yes, it was so great that it ended with a date tonight.

- What? Ben asked you out.

- Yes.

- He is quick.

- It's more like an experimental one.

- What do you mean?

- If things end well, we'll go to another one. If not, we can be friends.

- What about last night? You said there were fireworks.

- For me. I don't know if he felt this way. I couldn't ask if he had a girlfriend before.

- I don't think so.

- Did he tell you something?

- No, but if he had, he wouldn't be so open to every girl he sees.

- Maybe. I hope everything ends well.

- I think it will. You are a good girl.

- But this doesn't mean I will get a good guy.

- Stop reading that many novels.

- I'm not.

- Really?

- Hundred percent. I already had a boyfriend. Now, I know what I want from a guy.

- Do you think that Ben has it?

- I do. He didn't leave my side since we started talking at the party.

- Good for you.

- Cole did the same.

- No, don't say it. I still don't remember everything.

- Hey, it will be fine. Some things take time. Your memory, too.

- Hopefully, nothing happened.

- Did you ask Cole?

- Yes, he said he didn't do anything.

- Great.

- I don't know.

- Don't you trust him?

- I want to keep things friendly, but I don't think he wants the same.

- Communication is the key.

- I know.

Bella and I kept talking. The whole afternoon she spent thinking about her date. I don't think Ben is a bad guy. He will treat her well. If she has told him about her ex-boyfriend, he will be careful. He doesn't seem like a boy who will play with someone's feelings. She doesn't have to worry about anything. I decided to go out for a while. I went to the backyard of the university. Elina was there with her friends. I felt terrible for Cole last night. It looked like she didn't care about him.

- Are you ok?

- Oh, hey, Cole.

- Hello, again. What are you thinking about?

- You. Elina.

- Should I be worried?

- No, everything is ok.

- What did you two talk about last night?

- Nothing.

- You can tell me.

- I felt terrible for you and went to talk with her. She enjoyed the party as if she never had a boyfriend before. I noticed the way you were looking at her.

- That is bothering you?

- A little bit.

- I appreciate it, but you didn't have to do it. I'm fine.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am. You don't have to worry about me.

- If you say so.

- I don't care about her anymore.

- You said it, not me.

- True.

I think I care about him more than I will admit. There is something about him that makes me want to worry. I don't like him as something more than a friend, but I want to help with what I can. Maybe we can keep the friendship, but I won't have high hopes. You never know what might happen. That's why I want to have low expectations. I like that he takes care of me. Well, there is no need for that. I can do this by myself. There might be another reason why he does it. I can ask, but I'm afraid I won't like the answer. I hope that we can keep our friendship for a long time.