Jim's Lean-To

I stirred a little, but remain asleep because ibwas far to exhausted to wake. Although, id surely freak out when I saw the knife cut

I sigh. Phew, that was close. I climb the stairs and start working on the walls, tying different branches to eachother, roping vines through holes. All of this until it was solid. "Beautiful." I gasp. My ribs start stinging. Biting my lip, I sit down again on the upper deck. I needed a roof, but the pain blocked any other thoughts. My rib that was almost mended crackes; I hear it from the outside. I whimper and bite my lip. I need to rest a bit, then I'd continue.

I slept through her working. All that hammering I slept through. But when I heard her whimper, I shot awake. "Demetri? Demetri!" I called. Oh gods her ribs! What if she was injured somewhere?

"Shh, Jim, it's okay. I'm upstairs." I let out a breathy chuckle.

"I don't have... Oh. My. Gosh. Demetri, what did you do?" I tried sounding stern but my facial expression was lit up with glee

I pop my head through the hole and peek at him from upstairs. "Surprise!" I smile like a five year old, closing my eyes and showing all of my teeth.

I grinned, laughing. "Demetir!" I laughed

I try to descend the stairs, but my ribs are killing me. I don't want Jim to know how much pain I'm in. "Jim, come here for a sec?" Hopefully, this sounds like a regular question and not a plead for help. Holy Apollo, this hurts!

I rush over. "Demetri, are you in pain?" I fretted.

"What, me?" I lie. "No! What would-" I wince a little from the rush of breath. "What would make you ask?" I really am a horrible liar.

"Demetri, I can't tell you're lying. Here, I'll help you down," I held out my arms for her.

I hold out my arms and hear a shuffling inside of me. "Mm!" I stifle a scream, knowing I re-messedup my rib.

I nod. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Why are you worried?" I ask, smiling. I make sure to fully show my confidence.

I grinned. "I have a better question. Why did you build me a second story?"

"Because I wanted to see you happy. I wanted to surprise you. 'I was thinking a cave in the hills with torches and a big purple curtain over the entrance...really mysterious. But inside, a totally decked-out pad with a game room and one of those home theater systems!'" I quote my father and laugh. Gods, there really was something wrong with Apollo.

"Do you like it?" I ask hopefully.

"Demetri, it's amazing!" I cried excitedly.

"Really? I tried hard to finish it, but...yeah." I look down to my ribbs and back up at him, my sarcastic smile playing on my lips.

I hug her. "Aw, well I think it's amazing

"Thank you." I say into his shirt. I feel so small, breakable even. I wish I can hug him properly and not have to worry about my stupid ribs or my moronic wrist. I want to help him and be there for him. Yet I feel as though I'm a weight holding him back.

"Nothing." I lie. Then I sigh. "It's just, I feel like...I dunno. Like crap, basically." I hope he can decipher my meaning through my poor choice of words. I look into his eyes in hope this helps.

I think for a moment then it hits me. "Oh Demetri... I know how you feel and you're not dragging me down at all! You raise me up... I-I just worry about you. And you know, tomorrow you're goig to show me up at archery and be awesome,"