Chapter 11

After two more days of testing and examinations, the doctors release Raine, even though they had learned nothing more of her condition in that time. Raine makes a quick call to Jenos, who comes and walks her home. In his hand is a bag with some of Raine’s clothes and other necessities she would have needed. “I told your father you were spending a few nights with my family, and I raided your room for stuff so you could bring it in as proof you were there.”

Raine smiles and hugs him. “Thanks Jen, I just didn’t want to explain everything to him.” Jenos returns her hug before kissing the top of her head. “Yeah, though I know he would have been understanding.” Raine makes a face. “Amid his bantering and threats to prevent me from going anywhere.” Jenos smiles slightly, knowing it was true. “I didn’t say when you would be returning, so, if you want, we can go to my place instead.”

Raine nods. “That sounds good.” She nestles closer to him, and Jenos puts his arm around her waist. They walk to his home, taking a roundabout route there. The pair get to the house, a smaller building in a poorer neighborhood of the area. The once white paint is chipped and had fallen off at some places, the windows open to allow the breeze to enter the home. “Well, home sweet home.” Jenos leads his cousin into the house, opening the front door and entering into the living room.

Raine looks about, seeing almost no change since the last time she was here, earlier in the year. “Where’s your mother?” Jenos walks to the couch, plopping himself down on the cloth fabric. “Still at work, it’s not even noon yet, Raine.” Raine nods lightly before sitting down next to him. “What about your sisters?” Jenos shrugs. “I haven’t a clue where those two troublemakers are, though they should be up and around by now, they never sleep later than eleven, and it’s past that.”

Raine smiles slightly. “So, it’s just the two of us.” Jenos looks over at her and nods. “Yup…” She leans over and rests her head on his shoulder, while he puts an arm around her waist. She closes her eyes and sighs, contempt to just spend the day with him like this. Jenos idly rubs her side as he rests with her, his mind wondering where he’d find a job after the string of ‘We’re not hiring right now’ and ‘I’m sorry, but we only hire those with experience.’ He sighs, how can someone get experience without being given a job to do it?

He looks over at Raine, a smirk on his face. He bends over closer, closing his eyes as his lips near hers. “Boo!” Both Raine and Jenos jump and turn around to see Jenos’ two sisters behind the couch, grinning ear to ear. “We got you, we got you!” The two sisters giggle and run off to their room. Jenos shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. “Well, they are around.”

Raine smiles lightly and nods. “Yes, they are.” Jenos sighs and leans back into the couch. “For children around eight, they sure act younger…” Raine lightly laughs. “You might think that, but I recall you being the same way at their age.” Jenos gives her a hurt look. “I did not…” Raine nods. “Yes you did. I remember it quite well.”

Jenos sighs, seeing he isn’t going to win this one. “Well, what are we going to do today?” Raine smirks. “You’re changing the subject.” Jenos throws his hands in the air. “Fine, I admit defeat. I concede this round to you, oh great rememberer of things past.” Raine laughs at his display. “As I have admitted my loss, what meaningless task shall I perform for you to show penance for my mistake.”

Raine stretches and gets comfortable on the couch. “Well, you can start by bringing something to eat, I’m a bit hungry.” Jenos nods and gets up. “Very well, anything in particular you want?” Raine shrugs lightly and Jenos goes to the kitchen to find something. Raine closes her eyes and sighs lightly, glad to finally be out of the hospital.

She yelps lightly as something lands on her stomach. She looks down at an apple, resting in her lap. “That was mean.” Jenos arches an eyebrow and asks, before he bites into the apple in his hand, “How was that mean?” Raine makes a face. “You threw it at me when I didn’t know it was coming.” Jenos rolls his eyes as he sits next to her again. “Listen to you, ‘that was mean’… I thought we were older than my sisters.”

Raine glares lightly at Jenos before turning her body away from him, staring at the wall with its few pictures and decorations. “Acting like you’re hurt isn’t going to work, I know you too well.” Raine continues not paying any attention to Jenos. Since she’s not paying any attention, he sets the apple down and moves a hand to lightly stroke the back of her neck. Raine jumps away and lets out a squeal. She turns around, her eyes wide and vibrating in anger.

“You….” Jenos smiles sweetly. “Yes Raine?” She seethes and throws a punch at his face. He easily catches her wrist and holds it, his eyes watching her with his smile still on his face. Raine throws her other fist at him, and he catches that as well. “That’s both hands, what’s next?” Raine moves forward to bite him, and Jenos stops her with his mouth. Their lips press against each other and Raine blinks in surprise. She pulls back a little and looks at him, the anger no longer in her eyes.

“Jen?” She whispers. “Yeah?” He whispers back to her. She moves her hands, and he lets her go. Her hands go to his cheeks and she lightly rubs them. He closes his eyes and just lets her do as she wishes. She caresses his cheeks, then slaps him hard on both sides. “Ah!” He winces and pulls back, two red marks on either side of his face. “Got you!” Raine laughs and pulls away so she’s out of arm’s reach.

Jenos frowns lightly before sighing. “Well, at least you’ve gotten over yourself.” He chuckles and reaches for his apple. Raine chuckles and picks up her apple, taking a bite out of it. The front door opens and Mrs. Ide walks into the house. “Oh, hi there Raine.” Raine smiles at her aunt. “Hi Aunt Val.” Val goes into the kitchen and starts to make herself a lunch. “So brings you by today?” Raine blinks then smiles. “Well, I was just going to spend the day with Jen, since there’s not much else to do right now.”

Mrs. Ide nods her head. “Well, you two stay out of trouble. I don’t want you wanted by the police or in the hospital.” Jenos and Raine look at each other, the same thought going through their heads. “No problem Mom.” Raine just nods. Valory stays in the kitchen and eats her lunch before leaving back to work.

Jenos watches his mother leave and sighs, his head and chest falling towards his lap. “I need to find a job…” Raine half smiles and pats his back. “Just keep looking and think positive, one’s bound to come up.” Jenos nods lightly. “Yeah, I guess that’s all I can do.” He leans back and bites into the apple. Raine looks at him, wondering about his sudden change. “Jen, are you okay?” He looks over at her, blinking his eyes in confusion. “Yeah, why?”

Raine bites her lower lip. “You seemed different, just now.” “Oh…” Jenos looks away, staring at the bit apple. “Maybe I have changed a little.” He sighs and takes another bite out of the apple, chewing thoughtfully. Raine scoots over and rests her head on his shoulder. He reaches over and puts an arm around her waist, holding her to him. “Some day, someday, I’ll go beyond this place. I’ll exceed any expectations of me, prove I’m better than what they think I am.” He looks up at the ceiling before continuing. “I’ll show them what Jenos Ide is made of.”

Raine looks up at the ceiling before back to his face. “Who are you talking about?” Jenos sighs and lowers his head to look at her. “Everyone. I feel as if I’m being judged everywhere I go. It’s as if they don’t think I’m able to do anything with myself.” He raises her head so he can stand up. “But they don’t know me, not the real me.”

His eyes looks up to the roof. “Their underestimations will be shown erroneous, then they’ll know I’m their better.” Raine just stares at him, in confusion. “Jen, I don’t understand what you’re getting at.” He sighs and sits back down. “I’m tired of having, of being, nothing. However, I’m too prideful to accept gifts, so it limits my options a great deal.” Raine gently caresses his shoulder. “Things will get better for you, you’ll see.”

He smiles slightly. “I hope you’re right.” He leans back into the sofa and closes his eyes. Raine looks at him, wanting to do something for him but not knowing what to do. She sighs and rests on his shoulder, hoping that her presence would make him feel better. Jenos gently kisses the top of her head and rests his head on hers. The two spend the bulk of the day like that.

Raine looks at Valory and smiles. “Thank you again for dinner.” Her aunt smiles back and pats Raine’s shoulder. “It’s always nice to have you by. Don’t be a stranger.” Raine smiles at that and waves to the elder woman as the two cousins leave the house to the McLeod house. “Thank you again for covering for me Jenos.” He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it. I just wish the doctors had found out why this happens to you and had a way to get rid of it.” She smiles slightly and moves to lean into him.

“I know what you mean… but at least I don’t have to be there any more.” Jenos nods and holds her to him; the bag of clothing held in his other hand, having been tossed back behind his back. “I have a question for you Jen.” He looks at her. “Go ahead.” Raine lightly bites her lip before speaking. “Would you consider getting a job that would take you off planet?” He blinks his eyes. “Yes, why?”

She nods lightly before responding. “I’m just curious, if you might be leaving.” He arches an eyebrow. “If I had to I would, but it’s not like I even have a prospect.” She nods slowly and is silent for the duration of the walk. The sky starts to darken around them as Corel sets below the horizon.

The two get to the front door of her house. She stops before she reaches for the door handle. “I’m sorry Jen.” He just looks at her, confused. “About what?” She looks away from him. “I was selfish. I don’t want you to leave me.” He smiles slightly and steps to her, hugging her from behind. “It’s all right, I don’t want to have to leave you either, but if I must I must. Even so, you’ll always be in my thoughts.” She smiles and leans upward, kissing him.

The kiss seems to last a lifetime, and they part a little out of breath. “I love you, Jen.” He caresses her cheek with the back of his fingers. “As I you, Raine.” They reluctantly separate and he hands her the bag of clothes. “I’ll see you later Raine.” She nods. “Yeah, see you.” He gives her a quick peck on her cheek before leaving back to his home. She waves at him and gets one in return.

She opens the doorknob and walks into her house, seeing her mother and father on the couch watching a holo melodrama. “Hi, I’m back.” The parents greet her and ask how it was, which she said went well. She goes into her room and sets the bag down, flopping onto the bed. “Oh, Jen…”