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Oren ake and sitting up in bed Half his face was still bandaged, but he looked so much better, alert and conscious with color in his face

His gaze darted warily over everyone as we filed into his room "Whoa," he finally murmured, as if overcome "There’s a lot of you"

At his side, his mother took his hand "These are your closest friends," she said "They’ve been here every day, worried about you"

Once again, Oren looked sick with dread He didn’t recognize any of us But he swept out a hand with a big, encoave a shaky, "Hey"

None of us answered I think ere in shock that he was treating us like coers

"We’ll let you talk to your friends, then" Brenda sent hi, we’ll be right outside"

He gave a jerky, nervous nod and followed her froaze as if he didn’t want her to leave hilanced at us again

"Okay, this is strange," Pick spoke up "Ten’s usually the one to crack a dirty joke whenever we need soh, Oren shook his head, confused "Who’s Ten?"

Silence answered hi even more uncomfortable Finally, my brother said, "You are, buddy That’s e call you?"

I hovered against Noel’s side, clinging to his ar him and soothe his unease He looked so alone in that bed Alone and lost

"You do?" Orenconfused He shook his head "Why do youoh Because of the Tenning part Got it" Glancing around at us again, and not even pausing at aze flittered over h school classmates?"

"I’ve never met any of theest out of everyone here You and I e We were dorether until about a year ago"

Oren nodded "So none of you ever knew Zoey either, then?"