Sleeping Beauty

Bill (Third) POV

Bill was un-buttoning his shirt while standing beside his locker. A long day of work only to be rewarded by the pleasure of going home, was all Bill could think about. The rain outside was only getting worse but luckily there wasn't a thunderstorm. He wouldn't mind a storm right now though. With Cole, Bill is able to in-trust him to take care of Suzie as they played their little game. "How's Pixie, Lexton?" Bill directed to his friend.

Lexton was one of the younger men at the station. He took one of the jobs of keeping the K9 Unit. His German shepherd, Pixie, gave birth to a litter of pups that were going to be used at the station after they went through the training. Lexton smiled towards Bill as he entered the combination into his locker. "She's doing good." He opened the door to the locker and pulled out his shirt. "The puppies are a pain though."

Bill chuckled, "Yeah I heard they can be a handful."

Lexton shrugged. "So Bill," He said putting his belt on while strapping his tazer at one side. Just as Bill was getting off duty, Lexton would have to take the night shift. "I heard you'll become Chief once Deliv steps down."

Bill smiled gently trying not to show his excitement. For years he's hated his boss and vowed that if he ever became Chief, he wouldn't be heartless. After all, Bill started working at the station in his mid-twenties. There were men that were older than him but haven't been working in the same area for as long as he has. "Yeah hopefully." Bill finished dressing into his regular clothing. Sometimes he'd have time to change at home but there were times he was late and changed at the station instead.

"I hope so too." Lexton sighed fixing the collar of his shirt as he looked into the small mirror attached inside the locker. "He truly is a devil sometimes."

"I know..." Bill finished changing and headed out the locker room. He stopped by the small lounge where he found a few of his friends that also just finished their shifts. Usually after work they all got together for coffee and snacks.

"Bill."

"Hey man."

"Look," Bill's friend held up a box of doughnuts. "I got your favorite too."

Bill laughed and took a seat on the edge of the table reaching for a Boston Creme. He and his friends started talking about their lives or recent things that happened on the job. After the stereotype that cops always eat doughnuts, the police officers of the station decided to make it a weekly treat. Sometimes when they were partnered up they'd stop by the doughnut shop and eat the doughnuts on the side of the street. People would drive by and stare knowing the stereotype was true, when in reality it was the cops that were enjoying teasing the people.

"How much longer until he retires?" One of the female's in the group asked.

Bill shrugged, "He told me a few months. A year maybe."

"Good riddance." One snorted. "I've hated that bastard the day I walked in here."

"How many has he fired since you've been here Bill?"

"Well," Bill chewed his doughnut while thinking, "I'd have to estimate. But minimum two a year. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but I've been here almost thirty years."

Lexton came panting in the lounge. He looked around the room until his eyes landed on Bill. "You need to come. Now. There was a car wreck."

Bill's eyebrows narrowed. "I was just headed home. I'm off work, get Daniel to go."

"You don't understand," Lexton moved towards Bill and grabbed his wrist pulling him off his feet. "Your daughters are in the car."

******************************

Shawn's POV

You got the hat? My voice asked.

Yeah.

The outfit?

No. I said sarcastically. Of course I have the outfit. I'm not stupid.

Just mental.

You're mental. I shot back lamely.

You are me stupid.

Shut up. I pulled up in Em's driveway and grabbed the duffle bag I placed in the front seat. The light's were turned on in the house, only reassuring me that Emily was at home. I thought Em was still mad at me. Or at least she didn't want to speak. Then Tori told me that Emily wasn't mad, she was just expecting me to say something. Well I was about to show her.

I got out of the car and headed to the backyard. Em's window was high off the ground, the light streaming out onto the grass. I took a seat on the grass and just looked at the window. There wasn't a view, all I could see was the ceiling. My hands rustled through my duffle bag, searching for my hat. It was large and puffy with a feather at the back. Perfectly matching the Shakespearean jacket I used when the school hosted the Romeo and Juliet play. I found the outfit interesting, so when everyone was on stage bowing to the crowd, I snuck in and stole the jacket and hat to Romeo's outfit.

My arms slid into the sleeves of the jacket, it was an extremely tight fit. My elbows weren't able to bend but I didn't care of it. I grabbed the rubber duck in my duffle bag and threw it at Em's window. It hit the glass with a squeak then tumbled to the ground. I picked up the duck and stared at it. My hand tightened around it making it squeak again. A giggle left my lips as I kept squeezing the rubber duck. Squeak. Squeak squeak. Squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squ-

"Shawn?" Em's voice interrupted me and I tried to plaster a serious face. I looked up at my girlfriend and saw her hair was wet in locks as it twirled together falling over her shoulder. She had a baby blue bathrobe on but no matter how much I tried I couldn't get the duck noise out of my head. "What are you doing?" Emily raised her eyebrows and stared at me.

"Oh um," I snapped out of it and pulled out the pocket size notebook out of my bag. "I have lines." I blew the feather out of face and smiled. "See? I came prepared." Em put her lips in her mouth trying not to smile. She failed miserably, making me smile more. I looked down at the notebook at three of the lines. Completely forgetting which I wanted to say. "Uh...pick a number from one through three."

Em didn't even bother hiding her smile now. She turned serious for a second and narrowed her eyes at me. "Two," She said seriously.

I coughed and red my line with my best Shakespeare act. "Rose are red. Violets are blue. I'm sorry I lied, can I make it up to you?" I paused only causing Em to lift one eyebrow. "This is when you say yes or no." I whisper shouted.

She hung her head a smile forming across her face. "Alright. Yes. Yes you can make it up."

I sighed in relief. "Good because that would've been aca-awkward if you said no." The feather blew back in my face causing my eyebrows to knit together. "May I come up there?" I asked Em while shaking my head to get the feather off my nose. I shook my head side to side trying to get the feather off of my face.

Emily rolled her eyes, "Yes Shawn. You may."

I kept shaking my head to get the feather of. Ok first the duck. Then the quote from a singing movie. Now this? My voice sounded annoyed. Just reach up and get it off!

I ignored it and grabbed my duffle bag slinging it over one shoulder. My arms were still stiff but I managed to climb against the side of the house. "There's this thing called a door." Em took a step back as my arms reached the seal of the window. My feet slipped making sure all that was holding me up was my arms. The fabric ripped where my elbows were. Em laughed, "That didn't just happen."

I sighed and hung there. "Well it's wonderful hanging out with you." I laughed at my pun. "See what I did there," I asked while laughing, "Because I'm hanging and people use it as a phrase." I laughed more, "Oh Shawn you're so smart."

Em stood there watching me with her arms crossed. She shook her head, "I'm in love with a maniac."

"Yeah," I grunted hoisting myself up. "But what would the world be without me?" Before Em could answer I answered for her. "The world would be devastated. Everything would go up in flames. Wars will start over the seas. Cats and dogs will live together and share litter boxes." I gasped loudly, "The Uni-Rex will escape Area 51 and the world will plummet into darkness as it reproduces! We're all going to die! Run! Run for yo-"

Em stepped forward and pressed her lips to mine. My arms went around her waist to pull her closer to me. "You're going to wake my aunt," Em said when she pulled back. "Plus, you're suppose to be making it up for me."

She looked down at the little notebook in my hand and duffle bag. Her hand came up and pushed the feather away from my face. "Right," I placed my hand in the bag and felt around. "Roses are red. Violets are blue." I pulled out the green apple. "Here's the big apple, I wanna share with you." I didn't know where I got the idea. But since New York is called the Big Apple, I felt like it would be cheesy.

Em smiled and pecked my lips. She grabbed the apple from my hand and took a bite. "You're not going to poison me like in Snow White right?"

I smirked and pointed at my hat. "I'm suppose to be Romeo. Not an old witch with a face full of warts." I shuddered grabbing the apple and taking a bite. Em shook her head and walked into her bathroom to dry her hair. I tossed my bag to the side and threw my hat onto her bed. The jacket was now ripped but it still constricted my movements. I threw the jacket, kicked my shoe's off, and tossed myself on Em's bed.

My ankles crossed as I laid back on my arms staring up at the ceiling. Rocket's footsteps were heard outside as he walked through the vacant hallway. Em turned on the blow dryer making me look up. She left the door open as she stood in front of her mirror drying her hair. I smiled to myself just watching. Sure, it sounds creepy, but I just wanted to watch her. Her movements, the way she walked or her facial expression when she got frustrated with the blow dryer.

You really love her.

I smiled to myself. Just a little...

Pfft. More like a lot a lot. Like the size of your imagination, a lot.

I whistled. That's a lot then.

Obviously.

My feet seemed to have a mind of their own as I walked my way to Emily's bathroom. I leaned against the door frame watching Em brush her hair. "You know I love you right?" It was weird I felt this way. Almost like I had a foreign feeling that was invading my body, but instead of hating it or fighting it off, it made me feel complete. Like my heart was whole.

Em smiled looking at me through the mirror. "I loathe only vital excuses you too."

I laughed and stepped behind her placing my chin on her head. My arms went around her waist and held her tightly. "You misunderstand."

She smiled more but gave a swift, "I do?"

I turned her around and placed my lips on hers. She responded instantly, putting her arms around my neck while pushing her fingers through my hair. I pulled away only to see Em with her eyes closed and her breathing slightly off. "Have you ever felt like you don't belong?" I asked.

Her eyes opened and she stared at me. "Yeah. Why?"

"Because that's me." I smiled gently. "I'm sorta always the outcast. Blake is Mr. Perfect-At-Sports. Cole is perfect in academics. Then there's me...the weirdo." She opened her mouth to say something but I cut her off, "Don't even say I'm not a weirdo because everyone knows that's not true."

Her eyes went down to my chin. "There's nothing wrong with being weird."

"I know," I pulled her closer to me. "What I'm saying is, I'm an outcast. I mean, I belong I guess but clearly I'm everywhere." A small laugh escaped my lips, "Kinda like I'm air, you know? I say random stuff and there's no place to put me in. I float around. Unless I'm a fart. Then I get puffed out of an ass."

Em bit her lip but couldn't manage to contain her laugh. "How do you make these really werid jokes when you're trying to be serious?"

"I'm just special like that." I smiled, continuing. "What I'm trying to say is, whenever I'm with you I feel like I belong somewhere. Like instead of me being free floating air, I'm a solid. If that makes sense...I was never good with science."

That's like elementary school science. My voice said.

Stop ruining the moment.

You did that when you said you get puffed out of an ass.

Emily's lips curled into a small smile, then it grew bigger. That's what made me feel complete. Since I was little, I was the outcast. Dad always favored Blake, mom favors Cole. The only person that ever seemed to understand me was my granddad. The one that I inherit my looks from. He always seemed to know how I felt. I may not be able to be a sport star like Blake. Sure I'm good, but nothing compared to him. My brain isn't wired to think brilliantly like Cole. I'm at the brick of below average and average. The only thing I was ever good at, was making people smile and laugh.

Granddad always told me, everyone could use a laugh in their life. After dad passed away, I wanted to make people smile even more. The pain I had in my chest, almost unbearable. Cole and I cried our hearts out, while Blake stood stiff as our rock. He didn't smile though, just like a rock he held no emotion. It brought even more sorrow to me. So I took granddad's advice, just say the thing that pops in your head. Be the person that grants smiles and laughs instead of wishes. It was the only thing that made me...unique from my brothers. They were all unique in their own way, but if you strip down my comedy I'm nothing but average. Maybe even below average.

Emily made me feel unique in ways I never knew. Not only did I feel special for making her laugh, but knowing that someone loves me for who I am, instead of my last name. I show her my average side, my thinking side. The more serious part of me. Even then I crack jokes. It's my nature now. Instinct that's now craved into my brain. The knowledge I'm suppose to learn at school, gets filed into a small part of my brain. The rest reads, Jokes. Pranks. Ideas. Lists. Blah blah blah. Etc.

"That's what I mean by, 'I love you.'" I concluded. My nature couldn't help it, I bowed.

Em curtsied, "I love you too. But I'm seriously too in shock to really say anything."

I smiled deciding to change subject. It was ok if she couldn't tell me how she felt at this moment. I just want her to know how I feel, just so she gets the general idea that I'd never want to hurt her again. "What were you doing before I got here?"

She turned her head pointing at her sink. There was a large container on the counter filled with different colored nail polishes. "I was going to paint my toes. It's almost spring, means I'll be wearing sandals."

I grabbed the top of the container pulling it off. "I like this one." I pulled out the nail polish that looked like rainbow glitter. "Come on," I sat down on the tile floor patting my lap for Em to sit. "Come on." I whined when she stared at me. Was it really that weird to want to paint your girlfriend's toenails?

Yes. You're lucky you're Shawn though. No one questions you.

I almost laughed. Very true.

Finally she sat on me sideways and I pulled her foot closer to us. Her arm went around my neck and I opened the strong smelling bottle of nail polish. "Have you ever painted someone's nails?" Em asked.

"No..." I picked the brush out of bottle and ran it across my thumbnail. "There," I held it up to show Em, "Now I have."

She rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. There was a comfortable silence between us even though I knew I was doing a terrible job at painting Em's nails. She didn't stop me or interrupt my concentration. I just didn't understand how girls do this so often. Or people do this for a living. It was causing my eyes to strain and sometime a glob of nail polish would fall on Em's toe. "Shawn?"

"I know I suck." I answered putting the brush back in the jar. "But hey it was worth a try."

Emily laughed, "No I was going to ask you a question."

"Oh..." My hands went up in surrender. "I didn't do it. I swear whatever it was, it wasn't me. I'm innocent."

"No." She hit my arm lightly laughing softly. "I was going to ask if your ever going to tell the school about Tori."

It didn't feel like my responsibility to tell people about Tori. I've accepted her as a sister. So has Cole. It was Blake that was the last one. It just felt right if he was the one to tell people. Not because he's Blake Parris, but because he was the one that truly hated Tori in the beginning. Cole and I seemed to have proved to Tori we're trust worthy and that we care for her as a sister. If Blake just told the school, I'm sure that Tori will forever love us. She'll never doubt us and it'll only increase the bond we have already formed.

"Blake wants to tell people." I answered working on Em's other foot.

"Why Blake?"

I shrugged, "His idea."

Em nodded. Pausing to think about her next question. "Do you like living with Tori and her sister?"

I smiled, "They are my sisters." Emily smiled back, kissing my cheek softly. This was how it was suppose to be. Peaceful, no worries. Just relaxing with my girlfriend without a care in the world. It set my mind to rest, like a drug that was taking hold. Only this was different. I could read books with Em to calm myself or just want to drift to a different world. Sometimes, like right now, we wouldn't read. Just enjoy each other's company. Words were sometimes spoken, we'd get lost in pointless conversations that made each of us laugh.

Emily and I have the kind of love that's spoken out. Unlike Cole and Mystery Girl, they don't need words. Just each other. I guess, there are just many different kinds of love. That's what makes every couple unique in their own way. If everyone loved the same way, what would the fun be in that? Everyone would be the same. We'd all be zombies of love instead of being able to think for ourselves.

Whoa...I thought. What would a love zombie look like?

Imagine cupid like a zombie.

Ew...zombie's in diapers.

You make everyone worry. My voice sighed.

"That's easy." I smirked at Em's next question even though she seemed embarrassed to ask. We had been talking while I try to paint her nails. "You'll know your ready when you can go to a drug store and buy condoms without being embarrassed."

Her eyes narrowed on me. "Really?"

I nodded, "Yeah why?"

"Because I just thought you'd know when you truly love someone."

"The condom test is testing your love." I rolled my eyes because it was obvious.

"I don't get it."

I pretended to give an annoyed sigh. It only gave me a glare from my girlfriend in return. "If you really love someone, you'd want to make love to them. So the condom test is saying the same thing, if you love someone you're not embarrassed to buy condoms because you want to make love to them. It shouldn't be a cause of embarrassment."

Emily opened her mouth, most likely to argue back. The conversation was cut off when my phone started to ring. My pocket started vibrating so I shifted Em to grab my phone. "Step dad," I told Emily quickly. It was strange for Dad to be calling me this late at night. I had lost track of time with all the time I spent with my girlfriend. Hopefully I wasn't in trouble. I knew for a fact I forgot to mention to mom and dad that I was staying at a friends but that's because I didn't think I'd be sleeping over.

Em nodded, telling me to pick up the phone. "Hello?" I said into the phone. Each word that came out of dad's mouth had me in shock. A cold icy blast seemed to form over me as my spine stiffened. It couldn't be happening.

"Shawn?" Dad said after a second.

I was to frozen to speak. He repeated my name three times before I answered. "W-what do you mean there's been a car crash?"

******************************

Cole's POV

"I'm seriously considering firing one of you." Dalton said to Jodee and I. He walked into the lounge of the store while I had Jodee on the counter and we were making out. It was Dalton's daily routine to check each part of the store every few minutes, so it was no surprise when we were caught. "Like ew," Dalton gagged, "I said no sex in the lounge."

"I'm to valuable to fire." Jodee smirked jumping off the counter and trying to fix her hair.

"Yeah," I slung my arm over Jodee's shoulders. "If you fire me I'll just come here daily as a customer."

Dalton shook his head at us. "I'm suppose to be blackmailing you."

"You mean with firing us?" I tried not to laugh.

"He'll never fire us." Jodee grinned then mocked Dalton. "It's too much work."

"It is!" Dalton threw his hands in the air. "Being a manager is so much work in general. I don't need extra work...Speaking of work. You're shifts started, go."

I rolled my eyes as Jodee and I walked out of the lounge hand in hand. "I don't get what his problem is..." I muttered.

"Obviously his favorite cat died." Jodee smirked.

I laughed, "Yeah that's what happened."

"You wanna come over later?" Jodee asked changing subject. "I'm baking cookies."

"Course you are," I kissed her head. "I'll love to come."

She smiled, "Now work. Before Dalton fires you."

I rolled my eyes, "That's too much work."

Jodee laughed and we parted to different parts of the store. Spring was coming up and one of my co-workers explained something about the Spring sale. Because we work here, we get the huge discount when the seasons change. Also, in spring and summer the guys have to stand outside with only swim trunks, flip flops, and a red whistle. I remember I'd always laugh at the guys that would stand out there, feeling like they were so cool. Now I was just embarrassed. Dalton said I have to do it, that it was in my job description. I swear every time he talks I black out. His vocabulary is small, mostly consists of, 'I'd fire you. But that's too much work.'

I had gotten a lot better at my job. Now I wasn't the rookie either because this girl got hired about a week ago. I'm allowed to handle the cash register and I know the store from heart. Usually when I get home, Shawn starts making fun of me because I smell like Hollister. He says I'm going to be the first ever male model and lawyer. Then he went on to rant about how I bathe in cologne. Sometimes, I'm scared that I'm related to him. Other than that, I'm glad I have a brother like him. Everyone deserves to have a little Shawn in their life.

Hours at work pass by like minutes. The store wasn't so crowded today. Usually weekends were full of people, weekdays were random. Every so often I'd see some friends from school. The guys would laugh at me because they, for some strange reason, find it funny that a Parris Trip got a job. Or the girls would ask for help, until they realized my girlfriend works with me. It's funny how Jodee goes into denial when she's jealous.

"Cole," Dalton walked towards with a bundle of clothes in his hands. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Um..." I quickly finished hanging some of the clothes on the rack. My hands clapped together like I was dusting them off as I looked toward Dalton. "Sure." For once he looked serious about his job. So I asked the question that was burning at the tip of my tongue. "Are you seriously firing me?"

Dalton scoffed, "No. Do you know the work I have to put in finding someone new? No thank you. I'll much rather lay on the sofa and do stuff on my phone."

"Then what is it?"

"I heard you talking to everyone that you're going to Harvard?" Dalton raised an eyebrow.

Well crap.

"Uh yeah..." I wasn't sure if this was really bad or just bad. Dalton is suppose to believe I'm nineteen. I started working here when I was seventeen, so at least I'm eighteen now. It still doesn't matter, I wouldn't have this job if it weren't for Jodee. Plus, Dalton usually just makes her do all his work. Or most of it.

"Could you do me a favor when you get there?" Dalton rustled his hand through his pocket until he pulled out a messy envelope. It was bent and stained with what looked like coffee. There was a name written across the front. "Give this to my brother Matt? Just look around for a guy named Matt Kingsman. He's also hoping to be a big lawyer when he gets older." Dalton rolled his eyes, "He was always good at helping people."

"Sure." I took the letter from his hands. I'll just put it in a brown moving box I'm using to place things I need to take to my dorm. I didn't know that Dalton had a brother. Much less one that goes to Harvard. I mean, Dalton doesn't sound like the kind to do so much work. Obviously he got the wrong side of the gene pool.

"I can trust you with it right?" Dalton raised his eyebrows while staring at the envelope. "I mean I don't care if you open it, you won't understand it anyways. Just get it to him." Dalton chocked on his tongue, "Please."

Wow...he can't even be polite without chocking.

"Yeah no problem man." I slid the envelope in my back pocket. "I'll get it to your bro."

"Good." His eyes narrowed on me. "Now work. Stop slacking off or I'll fire you."

A smile formed on my lips as I rolled my eyes and turned back to my work. Dalton always seemed like the guy that's depressed and annoyed with life.There was obviously more. If his brother was smart, maybe Dalton was too. Why didn't Dalton decide to go to college? He was at least twenty. Twenty five the oldest. So why wasn't he with his brother or following a similar road? I guess I'll find out later. Right now, if I were Shawn, I'd be screaming adventure. Or pretending to be Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. Now when I get to school, I'd have to look for a kid named Matt Kingsman.

It was about forty minutes later when my phone went off telling me my shift was over. I aimlessly walked around the store until I found Jodee placing clothes in the right places. One of the pet peeves this store has is when people place clothes where it doesn't belong. I remember doing the same, grabbing a stripped shirt only to place it somewhere else when I didn't want it. I didn't realize at the time how annoying it must be to the people that worked there. "Hey babe," I wrapped my arms around Jodee's waist.

"Is shift over?" She asked folding the last set of clothes.

"Yup." We finished signing out with Dalton and went to my car. It was raining but luckily there wasn't any thunder. With Jodee directing me we were at her apartment in a couple minutes. She told me that because she doesn't have a degree in college or anything, she can't afford a house so she rents out an apartment. It wasn't too bad though. Just for her, it was good. And most of the time she's with Kaden and Ethan or her aunt.

"It's probably a mess," She said while placing the keys in the lock.

I smirked, "I live in a house with two more guys. I think you'll be fine."

Jodee rolled her eyes, opening the door nevertheless. It was a small apartment, just as I entered the kitchen was in front of me. "The bathroom is over there," Jodee pointed at one of the doors. "That's the guest room. Mostly when Kaden and Ethan stay." She placed her keys on the counter looking at a different door. "And that's my room." She pointed at the last closed door. It was small, but cozy. The living room had a leather coach and a nice TV. Along with a coffee table in the middle.

"It's nice place though." I looked around at the different frames. There were pictures of Jodee at the beach with a few guys and girls. Or her in Halloween dressed as the Joker. It made me laugh because she did look crazy. With big circles in her eyes and lipstick that went around her whole mouth. "You're crazy."

"You're not suppose to see that." Jodee said a bit embarrassed. She grabbed the picture frame and flipped it over.

I shook my head with a smile while looking at the other pictures. Jodee went to the kitchen, pulling things out to make cookies. I saw a picture of teenage Jodee with a man wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He and Jodee were smiling with what looked like baseball bats in their hands. "Who's that?" I held the picture up and Jodee looked up from washing her hands, staring at the picture.

She sighed and placed some flour in the bowl. "My dad."

I grinned, "He looks like a cool dude."

She smiled, "He was. We were close. I mean, we'd fight like all the time, but then we'd be perfect."

I put the picture down and walked towards the kitchen. The walking space was tight and we could barely fit. I leaned against the counter, right next to the sink. Jodee was pressing the chocolate chips into the mass of flour, eggs, sugar, and whatever other ingredients she was using. There was a look in her eyes, distant and dead. I grew up with that same look. Mom had it, Shawn had it, whenever I looked in the mirror I'd see that same dead look. But Blake, he was the one that had it worse. "What happened to your dad?" I asked.

Jodee didn't meet my eyes. She just kept them averted to the cookies. "You know I lived in California, then moved here right?" I nodded so she continued. "This is really complicated," She sighed.

"Life stories usually are." I added with a cross of my arms. It was true. Usually people didn't have regular lives or said they were all rays of sunshine. If everyone had an easy life, what would the world be? We all go through grieving and pain but there's also happiness and laughter. Life is just a road. With bumps and stops signs. But every day you wake up realizing there's more. Never knowing what's in store. One day, everything is good. Next day, something bad and unexpected happens. It's life and it's never easy.

Jodee didn't make eye contact. "My dad and step mom lived in California and I lived there with my older brother. I moved here with my mom and step dad when I was fifteen. Well...that year for some reason my dad just..." She sighed and I moved over hugging her from behind. "He committed suicide so later I went back to Cali for a few months. Then I came back here until I graduated. I didn't go to college because my little brother got sick so I had to help pay the bills. He's fine now, I mean he, my sister, mom, and step dad moved to Houston because mom's husband got stationed there now. I stayed here with my Tia because I don't want to move. I don't have to. So now, I'm going to Victoria. I've always just wanted to leave the U.S. honestly..."

How was I suppose to respond? There were no words coming out of my mouth. I just held Jodee while she punched the dough. Every time I thought I had words to say something, I'd realize it wasn't the appropriate thing to say or it wasn't accurate with the moment. I knew where she was coming from though, to lose a father. It must be different for her. She was daddy's girl like Blake was daddy's boy. I was always a mommy's boy. Not to mention the differences on the death of our parents. I also knew how she feels about stepparents.

"Is that why you don't want to go to California?" I asked.

Jodee shrugged again, "Yeah I guess."

I kissed the top of her head. "So you know how it feels?"

She nodded, "To lose a dad? Yeah. To have step parents? Yup. But you're lucky because you get along with your step family. I hated my step mom."

"Do you ever wonder," I asked out of the blue. "If our dads are looking down at us and watching how we're doing?"

Jodee smiled faintly, "Yeah..."

She grabbed some more flour, adding it into the bowl. Her hands moved molding the dough and I sighed inwardly remembering a romance movie mom and I had watched when I was younger. Darn it mom why'd you have to show me that movie? I placed my hands in the bowl and put them on Jodee's. She didn't protest while I used her hands to mold the dough with the chocolate chips and flour.

"This is so cliche." Jodee muttered.

I smiled and kissed the spot below her ear. "But for some reason cliche is cute. I don't get it."

"That's so true..." Jodee smiled a bit.

"Everyone needs a little cliche in their life." I slid my hand under Jodee's and entwined our fingers.

Jodee turned her head and kissed my lips softly. I leaned down trying to her closer since my hands were sticky with dough. Our lips moved together, all I wanted was to get her closer. To hold her body against mine, closing the space between us. I kissed her harder and she responded for a second before pulling back. I let out a breath of annoyance. She knew I wanted more, she just chose to stop. A smirk formed on Jodee's face. She turned back to the bowl of cookie mix. "Either cliche in their life or your brother Shawn."

I lent over pushing her body against the counter with mine. My lips went down to her neck as I kissed her softly. It was hard controlling myself around her. All I wanted was more. It was addicting feeling like this. Like I couldn't get enough. "Yeah well Shawn is just a kid." I muttered against Jodee's skin. I felt a chill run through her body when I added my tongue to the kisses. Even with the cookie dough on my hands, I placed them on her waist to hold onto her.

"Cole." Jodee said with emphasis on my name.

"Yes babe?" I said through the kisses.

"I'm trying to bake cookies," She said. "But you're distracting me, I'd like to eat this cookies today."

I rolled my eyes and walked out of the kitchen. "You suck."

Jodee laughed behind me. "Not for free." I could just imagine her winking.

I stopped walking and shook my head before continuing to go to the bathroom. I opened the door with my elbows and washed my hands quickly. The clots of cookie dough fell off my fingers and hands. They drained down the sink as I walked back out just to find Jodee making the dough into small balls and placing them on a metal pan. "How do you do that?" I asked.

"What?" She looked up at me with a small grin. "I bake a lot. It's fun, easy, and tasty."

"Yeah I guess." I took a seat on the coach and watched her from there. "I got some dough on your shirt."

"I saw." She shot me a glare. "Because of that you don't get cookies." Jodee finished forming all the balls of cookie dough and placed the pan in the oven. She washed her hands over the dirty bowls in the sink. She walked away and into what I assumed was her bedroom. Feeling awkward just staring at the wall, I stood up and followed her. Jodee was at the edge of her closet tugging her dirty shirt off.

At this moment, I wished I was Shawn. He'd probably crack a joke that would relieve the tension I felt. Jodee probably didn't know I was leaning against the doorway but in full honestly I didn't feel like walking away. Maybe my hormones weren't as bad as Blake's or I just have more self control but Jodee is like a magnet and I'm a piece of metal.

My eyes focused in on the tattoo that was laced on Jodee's shoulder. I couldn't read the small print, it looked like a name. But it bold was the phrase, Second star to the right and straight on till morning. She turned around as she pulled on a clean shirt. "Coley Woley is that a cucumber in your pants?"

I shot her a glare. "I prefer calling it a brick."

Jodee laughed, "Only Sponge Bob has a brick shaped penis."

Now it was my turn to laugh. "If you actually watched the episodes you'd know he doesn't have any man parts."

"Kinda like you?" Jodee smirked when I narrowed my eyes at her. I ran up to her and flung her over my shoulder while she pounded on my back. "Cole I like the view but I'd appreciate it if you'd put me down!"

"Why should I do that?" I took in Jodee's room for a second. She had a small bed at the side that had Little Mermaid covers. There was a Flounder stuffed toy on the pillow. A desk was set to the side with a laptop and papers. Words were written above her bed reading out, Watch and you'll see. Someday I'll be. Part of your world. I whistled, "You are a serious Disney fan."

I felt her teeth sink into my back. She didn't have a hard bite, considering her position, it was hard for her to get a good grip. I tossed her onto her bed and climbed over her. "It's not nice to bite people." I said while pinning her arms to her sides.

Jodee rolled her eyes and tried setting her arms free. "It's not nice to manhandle them." She narrowed her eyes on me. "Or stare at them when they're half naked. I mean seriously Cole. First you're a stalker, now a peeping Tom?"

I grinned, "Not even going to lie. What kind of boyfriend leaves the room when they see their girlfriend half naked? Besides, a bikini is more revealing."

Jodee opened her mouth before she closed it. Again I seemed to catch her off guard. She thought about it for a second before looking away towards Flounder. "Get off of me, your making him jealous."

"It's a fish." I said trying not to laugh.

"But he's the coolest of all fish."

"But he can't hold you. Or kiss you like I do." I slowly started to lean in, "And he definitely doesn't have the same feelings towards you." I closed the space between us, but at the last second just as our lips were about to touch, Jodee turned her head. I ended up kissing her cheek softly, sighing against it. "Why do you always do that?" I asked.

Every time we'd get close, she'd pull away. It was happening a lot more frequently now, I had a good idea why but even so I didn't understand why she couldn't let go and just relax. We were both worried about the move but she stressed over it way to much. It always seemed like it was girl nature to over think things. I'd much rather just wait and see what happens. Whatever months we had left I wanted to spend together but Jodee would always ask questions that would lead to another fight. Sometimes, we fight more than an old married couple.

"What do you mean?" I could tell she was trying to play dumb.

"Every time I say something that involves me liking you, you back away." I sighed, "Why?"

She looked up at me. "Because we shouldn't be feeling like this."

"Like what?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about."

If we were constantly going to be fighting over the same subject I didn't see how we could have a healthy relationship. "So...what?" I asked. "You want us to break up? Because I swear Jodee, that's going to kill us more than the move."

"That's not what I said." She couldn't even look at me in the eyes. "I don't want to break up but maybe we should just tune down you know? Like not see each other almost everyday."

I swallowed hard, "If that's what you want." I got off the bed and slowly walked away from the room. Why can't she just be happy? I don't understand. I'm scared about the move too. I don't want to have to leave Jodee, she's the first person I've ever had such strong feelings for. If there was any way, I'd move to New Zealand. I can't though, I know that if I do that it'll end up badly between her and I because my dream was to go to Harvard. In thirty years I'll only hate myself for not going.

It just doesn't make sense. I can make her smile and laugh. We play around and have fun. We forget about the moving part and act like a regular couple. It's like we can't even have that. We have to be friends with benefits which totally ruins my whole view on everything. I don't want to be some beneficial friend. I want to be her boyfriend. To hold her when she's sad or make her happy when she's angry. When we're happy I feel like there's not a care in the world. Like everything is perfect and nothing can ruin it.

"Where are you going?" Jodee asked when she saw me pick up my jacket.

"Home." I answered plainly as I slipped the jacket on. If she wants me to back off a bit, then fine. It was going to be hard considering we work together but I'll respect whatever wishes she has.

"Why?" Jodee's shoulders slumped a bit.

"I'm obviously not wanted." I said frustrated.

"That's not what I said Cole." Jodee stood in front of me. When I looked down at her, she looked torn. I wanted to just hug her, hold her close to me, but that wasn't the answer to this problem.

"Then what do you even mean?" I threw my hands in the air with frustration. "God Jodee why can't you be happy? I mean tell me the truth, are you even happy with me or am I just kinda there?"

"Of course I'm happy with you," Jodee sighed. "As for being happy in general, I don't know. I'm just trying not to get so attached before we go."

"And I get that. But you bring this up way to often and I don't understand why you can't be more flexible with it like me."

"Excuse me?" She looked up with me. I could already see the first spark of anger flashing across her eyes. My choice of wording wasn't exactly great.

"I just mean," I tried saving my mistake. "I push the moving away and just enjoy my time with you. Why can't you do the same?"

"I don't want the heartache Cole. I already seriously like you and I really don't want to feel the after effects."

"And you think I do?" I ran my fingers through my hair. "You don't get it. I'm falling for you and it's like you can't handle that so you push me away. Why don't you just feel fortunate you have a guy that likes you? A guy like me."

Jodee laughed, "Wow you have no idea how cocky and arrogant you sound. You truly are a Parris."

"No what I mean is-"

"No I get what you mean." Jodee had a smile on her face but it looked sad and annoyed. "You're a Parris. You get everything you want, the world revolves around you, everyone loves you. You could get any girl you want. So I should feel lucky to have you because it's like having a superstar right in front of me right? I should probably worship you and bring you everything you want."

"Now you're just pushing it Jodee."

"You're Cole Parris," Jodee continued. "The whole package. So of course I should feel lucky to have you. A cocky, arrogant boy who thinks he's the center of the universe!"

I clenched my teeth together. "At least I don't act superior. You think you're always a step ahead because you're a year older. Please, you act like a college girl but I don't even think you stepped foot in a college."

"Ugh!" Jodee screamed and grabbed the nearest thing from her. I was fortunate it was just a pillow. She chucked it at me but I simply raised my arm so it wouldn't hit my face. "I didn't struggle with alcohol!"

That one felt like a punch in the stomach. I didn't want to have to get drunk every other night. It was just a problem that formed. To feel the numbness go away, to make sure I was so out of my senses that it started feeling good. Not knowing what was happening around me, letting everything slip away. It became addicting, like a drug. But I knew I'd have to stop. When Tori moved in, I stopped drinking. If I did drink, I'd try to keep it limited. Tori must have told Jodee about my drinking problem because I still didn't confess it to Jodee. The only people that knew were Blake, Shawn, Tori, and a few guys from school.

"How do I even like you?" I yelled in frustration. "I thought a girlfriend was suppose to make you happy and free. Instead you give me stress and I'm sure I'm going to start sprouting white hairs! You frustrate me beyond measure and now I understand why you didn't have a boyfriend before me! I always wondered how a pretty, funny girl like you didn't have a boyfriend. Now I know. You probably pushed him away with all your bullshit about, 'Not see each other almost everyday.'" I tried my best Jodee voice before continuing. "You're the most frustrating girl I've ever met in my life. You bring out the worst in me and fry out all my patience. You make me yell and want to pull out my hair. So I again have to ask, how the hell could I have possibly fallen for such an annoying girl when there's probably millions out there that are nice and kind and don't make me feel so angry all the fucking time?!"

I felt like I got so much off my chest. By the end of my hideous rant, I was taking deep breaths like I had run a marathon. When I looked at Jodee I instantly regretted my words. She looked broken hearted, it only made me feel like my chest was closing in on my heart. Jodee dropped her gaze on me and stared at her feet. Her breathing looked off but she wouldn't meet my eyes. I sighed out, closing my eyes. Fights would always break out between Jodee and I. One minute we're fine, next we're yelling at each other.

It wasn't fair what I said to her. I know she doesn't want to get hurt but it hurts more knowing she won't just relax. Even with that, I shouldn't have said what I said. The way she looked now made me feel ten times worse. I just couldn't control myself. The words left my mouth before I could process what I was saying. "Jodee I-" I was cut off when the smell of something burning filled my noses.

"Dammit." Jodee ran her way to the kitchen and pulled out the pan of burning cookies. She stood over the black blocks of cookies before grabbing one with her ovenmitt. "You made me burn my cookies!" There was both anger and sadness in her eyes. "Just get out of my home."

I didn't have a chance to move before Jodee was already locking herself in her room. I considered leaving like Jodee asked but I didn't want to leave on bad terms. "Jodee," I tried opening her door to her bedroom. I knew what I said had to hurt her, it hurt me saying it. I put my ear to the door and heard her crying. "Jodee open the door."

She didn't answer but I heard something hit against the door. I went to the kitchen and looked through the drawers until I found a thin knife. Blake taught me how to pick doors open. When I went back to Jodee's door, I slid the knife between the door and wall. Sliding it down until it went between the lock so I could push it back into the door. The click reassured me just as the door swung up. Jodee threw a pillow at me just as I walked in, "Get out!" She grabbed everything near her. First it was all the pillows, then Flounder, some of the things on her desk, until finally she ran out of things to throw at me.

"Jodee calm down!" I grabbed her hands but she started kicking and even tried biting my hands. She was screaming bloody Mary and I was afraid some of her neighbors would come and see what's making such a big ruckus. I pinned Jodee against her bed, using my knees to hold down her legs before she got another close call and almost hit me where the sun don't shine. She kept trying to get out of my grip but I wouldn't have it. It took her a few minutes until she calmed down to a point where she was only breathing hard. "I'm sorry I said those things," I told her. "I didn't mean it."

"Forget it." She said through clenched teeth.

"I don't get you." I said truthfully.

"I'm hurt you said that to me and mad you made me burn my cookies." Jodee answered. "There happy? Now lea-"

I pressed my lips against hers cutting off whatever she was going to say. At first Jodee didn't answer to my kiss until I added my desperation. She finally gave in and kissed me back. The way we kissed made it feel like all our worries were behind us. Our bodies relaxed against each other while we kissed. It was something different, almost like it was out of the world. "I didn't mean it." I said once we broke. "I just get frustrated because I really like you and I wish we were on better terms. The whole alcohol topic is sensitive to me and I didn't mean to blow a top. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." She said through her hard breathing.

I rested my forehead against hers. "I'll bring you more cookies tomorrow."

She narrowed her eyes on me. "You owe me more than cookies."

"You can give me a tattoo." I answered with a shrug.

Jodee lifted an eyebrow, "Really?"

I nodded. "Whatever you want."

She thought about it for a second. "Can I give you the little heart like mine?"

My lips pecked hers. "Whatever floats your boat, Jojo." I smiled down at her. "Want to go watch Peter Pan?"

A smile automatically formed on Jodee's face like she hit Jackpot. We decided on some popcorn as Jodee placed the movie in. I pulled her close to me, laying my head on hers. I yawned while the movie commenced. Spending time like this, just enjoying each other was better than anything. Our relationship was really strange in my opinion. We fought often and it'll always end up with us yelling, it doesn't matter though. Whenever we make up, it's all forgotten. I wish I could take my words back, but I can't. Just like Jodee can't take hers back either. So we forgive and forget. Easy like one, two, three.

My phone rang in the pocket of my jacket while we watched the movie and ate popcorn. I ignored the first few rings until it stopped ringing in general. It was probably nothing, just my mom wondering where I was at. I'd text her later and tell her I was ok, just staying at a friends house. I thought that was the case, until it started ringing again. "You should pick it up," Jodee said while munching on some popcorn. "It's ruining the movie."

I rolled my eyes and reached over her. My hand started searching in the pocket until I felt the small vibrating rectangle. I didn't bother looking at the screen, instead I placed the phone to my ear. "Hello?" The person on the other line was talking fast. I realized it was dad. My hand started shaking while he spoke longer. "Which hospital?" I asked already on my feet.

******************************

Suzie's POV

The rain outside kept falling in rhythm. It was slowly starting to seep into the car but all I could focus on was the water falling down my head. I wasn't sure what happened. Tori was just so out of it, she started crying or speeding. Then everything felt...empty. Like the gravity around me ceased to exist. Now I felt it though. The only thing holding me up was the seat belt that was around me. I didn't want to open my eyes but I wanted to get out of here. The glass around me had shattered when we rolled over. I felt something sink into my leg but I didn't dare move. There was a warm oogy liquid that was covering my stomach.

I opened my eyes. It was dark. The only light came from head lights where the moths were fluttering as the rain fell. Being upside down had the blood in my body all rushing to my head. I looked up at myself, in the dark all I could see was the light glittering off of something that was on my leg. I reached over and touched the thing that was sparkling. The moment my finger touched it, I screamed. Tears started forming in my eyes as I cupped my mouth to muffle my cries of pain. Glass, I thought to myself. There was a large piece of glass that dug itself in my leg.

I took a deep breath. My hand was shaking like the rest of my body. I was scared, cold, and hurt. The terror running through me caused me to only think of my nice warm bed. I took another breath and felt around the seat belt until I found the button that would unlatch me. I took one more breath before I clicked my seat belt lose. I placed my arms in front of me and landed on my forearms. Small shards of glass found their ways into my skin. My leg hit the roof of the car only making me cry out in pain as I felt the glass sink deeper.

I sobbed as I held onto my leg. It hurt so much. I knew I had to call the ambulance. First, I just needed to find myself right now. Calm down before searching for the phone. I had the phone in my hand when Tori was driving. It had to be around here somewhere. My sobs started to slow down, I still felt cold and scared, but I needed to get out of here. My eyes went up and I saw Tori. She was hanging upside down in the drivers seat. Her brown hair was slightly tinted in red, her arm was angled weird. The thing that scared me was her eyes. They were closed and I couldn't tell if she was breathing.

My heart rate sped up as panic started to crawl in. Even with the pain I was feeling, I dragged myself to her side and looked up at her. "Tori," I croaked out while tears started forming in my eyes. My shaking hand reached up and shook her shoulder. "Tori wake up."

She didn't open her eyes, groan, not even move. I stretched over and placed my ear to her mouth crying silently. When I felt the small warm breath against my ear, I closed my eyes tightly. She's ok, I thought to myself. At least she was breathing.

I knew it was probably a bad idea taking Tori off her seat. She could land badly, making everything worse. My eyes scanned the car looking for the phone. I couldn't see it so I dragged myself to the back and started searching. Every time I moved my leg, I'd whimper like a puppy. It hurt so much I started biting on my hand. I moved some lose papers away and saw the cellphone. At first I just stared at it, blinking to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. It was really there.

I grabbed it quickly and pressed the middle button for it to turn on. The lights blinked on, then off. I cried all over again, "God please work!" I pressed the button again, this time it stayed on. There was a large crack across the screen and when I tried using the bottom portion of the phone, it wouldn't recognize my finger. My hand went down to my stomach where I felt blood leaking out. I pressed my hand to the gash across my stomach and started to see black stars clouding my vision. My free hand dialed the phone.

"911," The operator said. "What's your emergency?"

I could barely talk. The words jumbled in the back of my throat and even if I managed to make them out, my stuttering got worse. I didn't know where I was, all I knew was that we were going home. I gave the operator my address, describing my surroundings as best as I could. When the lady asked if there was someone in the car with me, she told me how to make sure if Tori was ok. I couldn't move though. I just waited and waited, hoping I'd wake up from this nightmare.

It seemed to take forever for the wail of the sirens on the ambulance to be heard. I saw the red flashing lights in the distance, followed by a firetruck and a few police cars. I always thought it was excessive having so much at a scene but today I understood. Obviously the ambulance was for me to go to the hospital if needed. Firefighters in case they need to get people out of the car. Or luckily, my car wasn't on fire. I remember seeing footage's of cars blowing up after crashing into something. Finally, the police cars that helped with traffic and basically anything else.

The sirens stopped but the lights kept flashing at the top of the ditch. I told the operator that the ambulance arrived and she let me go. There were footsteps coming down the grass and I'd never had felt so happy in my life. Knowing that they were just outside and I wouldn't have to be in here anymore, brought relief rushing through me. I looked at Tori and my hopes fell. Now there was a large light coming over us, her face was pale. Hair was slightly sticky with dry blood. Her nose was bleeding and dripping down her forehead and onto the ground.

The door of the car swung up, just as I expected, I saw a fireman with his big baggy clothes. His helmet was slightly wet, along with his clothing. The rain outside was gently falling on the ground. "It's ok, just come here." He held his arms out for me to move towards him.

I looked back at Tori, "My sister."

"We'll get her right now." He said gently, "But I need you to come here." I crawled closer to him until he reached and took a hold of me. I screamed again when I moved my leg. The shard of glass was sensitive and hurt even if I moved a centimeter. I could feel just how deep it was sunk into my leg. Probably a little less than half. Maybe even half. I wouldn't be surprised if it had snuck down to my bone.

I wasn't sure who the firefighter was but I didn't care. I was beyond happy getting out of the car. But when I looked back I started panicking more. "My sister." I cried. The man set me on stretcher while the people in the ambulance started looking me over. They flashed a flashlight in my eyes and told me to lie down. Frustration started making it's way in me and I started crying all over again. I just wanted to look at Tori. To know she's ok. I'm fine, just hurt. But Tori was unconscious. "I just want to know if she's ok!" I ended up yelling.

I heard people fighting and when I glanced the way I saw dad yelling at another officer. "Daddy!" I shouted so loudly it went against the noise that was happening.

He looked up from the officer and pushed his way through. They tried pulling him back but he yelled, "That's my daughter!" With that small comment they let him through. "Sue." He hugged my head to his chest while I sobbed on his arm. "What happened?"

"I-I don't know." I sobbed. The paramedic was examining my leg now, he touched the glass ever so gently causing a blood curdling scream to escape my lips. In the light I could clearly see the thick piece of glass that was probably a bigger size than my hand. There were specs of blood staining the glass while the rest was streaming down my leg. "Where's Tori?" I asked again.

Just as I spoke, another stretcher came up from the ditch. Tori lay there lifelessly with a brace around her neck. Dad's breath caught and he held me closer to him. "Don't look Sue."

I closed my eyes and buried my face in dad. I want to wake up. I want to wake up. This nightmare needs to end. "Sir," One of the officers said to dad. I didn't bother opening my eyes, I just listened in. "Which car would you like to ride in?"

Dad sighed. It was probably a hard choice, choosing between his daughters. I looked up at him, "Where are we going?"

Dad looked down at me and kissed my head. "To the hospital. Do you want me to ride with you?"

"Do me a favor first," I said. "Go look at Tori. Please tell me she's ok." He nodded and looked at the paramedic. They strapped my arms down to the stretcher and told me to relax. While they placed me in the ambulance dad went over to check on Tori. He came back running his hands down his face. It made me frown because I knew he was crying. He forced a smile on his face and jumped into the car with me. "Daddy," My voice cracked. "Tori's going to be ok right?"

I couldn't imagine my life without my big sister. She was always there for me. When I need someone, no matter what, I'd go to her. She was like my mother. Keeping me close and happy whenever I needed it. She'd give me advice I'd need to listen to. If she ever left me, I don't know what I'd do. Dad's crying only made me want to sob. I was biting my lip keeping all the thoughts of something happening to Tori out of my head.

"She's going to be ok." Dad forced another smile and looked down at me. He wiped his eyes with his hands before holding onto my hand. "It's going to be fine."

I nodded and squeezed his hand. "We need to take that glass out." One of the paramedics said to dad. "She'll be going into surgery when we reach the hospital." I hated how adults thought we don't understand.

Dad nodded never taking his eyes off me. "I'm right here Sue." He said to me as a mask was wrapped around my face. "I'm going to call Lilly, Blake, Cole, and Shawn. We're all going to be there in the hospital with you."

My chest grew heavier. I'd never had surgery, it was my reaction to be afraid. Tears started coming out of my eyes. "P-promise?"

Dad held onto my hand and squeezed tightly. "I promise." There was a buzzing sound and soon I felt cold air against my mouth and nose. "Just breathe," Dad told me gently. I took deep breaths, feeling myself drifting off. "Dream of us." I heard dad say before I felt the darkness taking over. In the last second, when I knew I was slipping away, I wanted to rip the mask away. Yell for them to stop. The pain went away, I was lightheaded, and I crashed into darkness.

******************************

Blake's POV

After Tori left, I found myself thinking. No matter how much What's-Her-Name tried seducing me, I just wasn't up for it. At first, she was mad. She was upset I came over when she could have had someone else. I shrugged her off, not really caring, then left. The rain outside was starting to make my clothes cling to me while I aimlessly walked through the neighborhood. I didn't want a ride home, I could easily find my way back. Besides, my brothers were too busy with their girlfriends.

I'd call Tori but she was probably thinking about my words. It was all true. All that love brought in my life was pain and misery. I understand our parents didn't choose to leave but why did we have to love them? Why couldn't it happen someone else? I don't care how selfish it sounds. Every kid that goes through the same experience always asks themselves, why me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

First it was my dad. Then it was mom remarrying. I had to go through the changes but now I feel connected to Tori. When I told her that nobody loves her, I meant no one should ever love. No one loves me, no one loves her, we're all to blinded by the emotion. It's nothing. I can't even begin to describe how stupid love is. Without love the world could just be happier place. Sadly though, everyone falls in love. Whether it's a boyfriend or girlfriend, or just parents. Everyone tends to fall in love. I'm nothing but a family man. I love my mom, brothers, and now I even love my sisters. It's different though, I don't want a serious relationship.

It only brings Cali back whenever I think about it. I felt like I should have gone and talked to her. She was really upset when she found out that Tori told me about the kid, it didn't matter now. Cali and I started talking. She told me she hadn't confronted her parents yet, that she'd rather go to her aunt's house and abort. According to her, her aunt would take her in a few months and won't tell her parents. I begged Cali to reconsider. I told her that she could leave the child with me, that I could take care of him or her. I got so desperate I told her she could just leave and never look back. She started crying and locked me out of her room.

I couldn't handle it. It was astonishing how much I just wanted to have this kid. Maybe it'd set me straight. I could start changing if I have a kid, start realizing there's more to life than fooling around. I couldn't believe I was thinking all these thoughts. Watching Cole and Shawn change made me realize everything. We'd always do everything together, I always tried to be a father figure to them. Now I know that's not what I should of done. They're all growing independently, I shouldn't try to keep them from going their separate paths. It was bound to happen.

My phone rang. I sighed, not really wanting to talk to anyone. I pulled it out of my pocket the third ring and looked at the screen, Bill. I put the phone to my ear, not really caring. "Yeah Bill?"

"Where are you?" Bill asked out of the blue. He sounded off. I couldn't bring myself to think he was worried about me. He'd already taken my license away, where did he think I was going to go?

"Uh, why?" I asked.

"There's been a car accident." He said over the line. "Tori and Suzie have been admitted into the hospital."

I stopped walking and stared at a spot on the ground. "W-What do you mean they've been admitted into the hospital? Are they ok?!"

"I..." Bill stopped and took deep breaths. "I called your brothers. Call one of them so they can give you a ride. They know where to go."

Before I could answer, Bill hung up. I stared at the screen of my phone before I dialed Cole's number. "Dude," I said to him. "I ne-"

"What the hell do you think happened?" Cole said. There seemed to be fear in the back of his voice. "Do you think they're ok? You weren't in the car with them. Where were you?"

"I'll kindly explain it when you come and pick me up." I started running to the exit of the neighborhood so Cole could pick me up at the edge of the street. I told Cole which street I was on and started walking down knowing he'll be here soon to pick me up. "What happened?"

I was trying to stay calm and collected. Tori and Suzie will be fine, they're just hurt. Nothing is going to happen to them. "I don't know man." Cole did sound scared. "I was at Jodee's and dad calls. I don't know. What do you think happened?"

No one loves you.

There's no love.

The words started ringing in my head as I realized it was my fault. I told her all these things she didn't want to hear. Things I knew would effect her, I just thought it would help open her eyes. I was upset, angry. Whenever I was upset I'd always say things I never meant. Of course Tori has a set of people that love her. I can't believe my words put her in a car accident. I shouldn't have said anything, I should've just gone to my room and everything would be fine.

"Where are you dammit?!" I yelled on the phone. "Cole I want to get to the hospital today!"

"I'm going!" Cole shouted back, "Calm down."

I took a deep breath and tried his advice on calming down. It was hard. The rain was helping me from fuming by taking my thoughts away from the issue, to how cold I was starting to feel. "Sorry," I finally said, "How far away are you?"

Just then I heard the honk of a horn. I turned around and saw Cole's car coming into view. The passenger door opened up just as I hung up on the phone. "Get in," Cole said. The moment I slid into the seat in the car, I noticed how tense Cole was. His hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly making his knuckles white.

"It's going to be ok man." I clapped his back for a second before sliding down the seat. We each had a way to deal with nervousness. I find myself having to relax. To just close my eyes and feel like this is all just a haze. Cole starts chewing on his nails or bouncing his leg. Shawn can't handle being nervous. He can get to a point where he throws up if it gets really bad.

"I know," Cole tried. "I'm just...worried."

I nodded and pulled my hood up. It was the black hoodie Tori had given me for Christmas. It was cozy and I found myself wearing it more often then I thought I would. My stomach felt queasy and I had an instinct of butterflies. Tori and Suzie were going to be ok. The worst they could have is a few bruises and broken bones, they were going to be fine. I sighed while trying to reassure myself.

It didn't take long before I felt Cole pulling up and parking the car. I looked out the window and saw the hospital. There was a large red cross shining in the night sky. I checked the time and realized it was a little past midnight. At first Cole didn't move, he just stayed in his seat staring at the hospital. I knew what he was feeling, dread. We both hate this place with all of our hearts. A hospital was suppose to help people but to me, it reeked of death.

"It's going to be fine man." I said to my brother. He nodded even though he looked a bit dazed. "Come on," I tugged Cole's arm getting him out of whatever state he was in. I opened the door of the car and stepped out onto the wet pavement. Cole locked the car and took my side as we walked into the hospital. "Tell Shawn to come get us. I'll try and see if we can find the rooms."

Cole nodded, pulling his phone out as he dialed Shawn's number. I went to the front desk and explained my issue. The nurse was very kind and patient as she searched through the computers database looking for a Tori Linean or Suzie Linean. Cole met me at the desk and said something about the room numbers. The nurse checked it on the computer before nodding and telling us where to go. "They're fine right?" Cole asked.

I stole a glance at him. He was pale faced and looked broken. His hands were shaking like he had a cold. These were the moments when I remembered what dad told me. That I should always be there for my brothers. I stopped walking and grabbed Cole's shoulders making him face me. "I promise Cole, they're going to be ok." I pushed all my seriousness into my sentence as I stared at Cole. He looks so much like my father. The green eyes, brown hair, even his nose was shaped like dad's. It's ironic how I resemble mom more yet I was more of a dad's son, while Cole was more of a mommy's boy.

Cole nodded and looked down at his shoes. "Sorry..."

"Don't be." I sighed, "I'm worried too. But that's not going to help Tori and Suzie. They're fine."

"Thanks Blake." Cole muttered.

"No problem." I grabbed his arm and started leading him down the hallway that the nurse instructed us. We reached a door where the doctors wouldn't let us through. They stayed behind the desks and made us give them a reason of why we should enter. Cole and I started saying our sisters had gotten into a car accident. We yelled when they still wouldn't admit us.

"Thank the seven chocolate seas!" Shawn shouted as he walked out the door we were trying to enter. He had a sticker on his chest that read Pass with a long description of what he could do with it. Shawn crushed us in a hug and I felt him sniffling. "You guys gotta come. Like right now."

"They won't let us." I hissed at the desk where the man-nurse was sitting.

"I'm sorry but you can't go in ther-"

"They're with me Bob." Shawn leaned over the desk and grabbed the sticker passes writing our names on them.

"You know him?" Cole asked.

Shawn shook his head, "No. But F.J. does."

"Who's F.J.?" I asked knowing I'd regret the answer.

Shawn slapped the sticker onto my chest. "Funky Jordon. He's a baby Uni-Rex. It's a long story and I don't feel like explaining it."

Bob, or whatever his real name was, stared at us for a second. "I met him like five minutes ago because he came out here wondering if I saw two models." He said pointing at Shawn.

"Obviously I was talking about my brothers. One already is a model." Shawn ran his arm under his nose. He looked more broken than Cole, yet he continued cracking jokes like he was a nutcracker cracking nuts.

"I thought you were talking about girls." Bob sighed. "Go ahead."

Shawn grabbed Cole and I's arms and pushed us through the double doors we'd been trying to get through. "What's happening right now?" I asked when he turned down a corner. I could have easily gotten lost in these halls. There were so many doors and they all looked the same. My head felt lightheaded as I walked deeper into the hospital. Too many memories were forming, I managed to push them away.

"Suzie's in surgery." Shawn said as two doctors passed by us.

"Surgery?" Cole asked. "For what?"

"From what dad said," Shawn sighed, "There's this big chunk of glass in her leg. Also, she has smaller piece on her arms, so I guess they're getting that out too. She has a gash on her stomach that needs stitching."

She was still ok though. At least nothing was broken, Suzie had an easy fix. A few stitches, maybe a scar, but nothing to overly serious. "What about Tori?" I asked. Shawn went silent. That couldn't be a good sign considering he never shut up. "Is Tori ok?" I asked again. Shawn didn't answer causing Cole to start biting his nail. "Shawn!" I shouted trying to get him to answer.

"I don't know." Shawn stopped walking and placed his hands to his forehead. "I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. Please stop yelling." He started crying right on the spot making even more guilt start forming in me. "The doctors won't come out of her room, they won't tell us anything." He sobbed and started muttering under his breath, "I don't know. I don't know. I don't know."

I pulled my youngest brother to my chest and hugged him close. It's been a long time I've hugged him like this. Where I'm trying to sooth him because he's scared. It was like I could feel how terrified he was. Just as I felt how scared Cole was feeling. All that stuff that people say about twins and triplets being able to have some telepathic ability wasn't entirely wrong. I could sometimes feel how my brothers felt just by giving them one look. Or having them around in my presence. It was like a weird vibe I would get when I'm around them. "Just take us to them." I said as gently as possible after Shawn calmed down.

He nodded and reluctantly pulled back walking down the hallway. The longer we walked through the hospital, the colder I felt. I had to ignore it though, it wasn't important right now. "Here." Shawn said after he led us through halls and elevators. He stopped in front another set of double doors and opened it up. Inside there was another set of hallways that branched out. Shawn took the hallway to the left and instantly found himself with Bill and mom.

Bill was sitting on the chair that was placed out in the hallway. There were two doors in front of him, even though the hallway was covered with doors. Bill was hunched over in the seat while mom was whispering things in his ear as she soothingly rubbed Bill's back. "Dad," Cole was the first to speak. "What happened?"

"I...I don't know." Bill was wringing his hands and staring at the ground.

"Please tell us something." Cole cried as frustration laced his face. "No one knows anything!"

"Cole, honey, calm down." Mom said softly.

"Calm down?" Cole pushed his fingers through his hair. "Can someone just please tell me what happened?"

Bill looked up at Cole before glancing at me. He then looked back and my brother and sighed. "I don't know how it happened. I was finishing work when a coworker said he got the emergency call. Suzie had apparently called and gave her our address. They pulled it up in the system because she didn't know where she was but we covered a ten mile radius from our house. My coworker, Lexton, realized it was my address and got me. We drove to the scene after we were given directions. Suzie was being placed in the ambulance and she had a big shard of glass in her leg." Bill's eyes got watery. "Tori was pale as a ghost. She didn't even open her eyes."

I felt the color drain from my face as I watched my step dad start to silently cry. There's nothing more heartbreaking than a grown man crying. Especially Bill. He may never be my father, but he's my stepfather, and that counts for something. He's always smiling or laughing, never does he look blue. Even when he has longer shifts he finds time to talk to Cole and Shawn. He plays video games with Tori and Suzie. He even saved me from going to prison.

"Are they in there?" I asked quietly.

Bill shook his head. "They said we have to wait here. Tori is in a different room, they don't know what's wrong with her so they didn't place her in surgery. They'll move their beds into these rooms once they're better. At least, that's what they said."

There were only three seats in the hallway, unless I wanted to walk a hundred feet away to the next pair of seats. Bill, mom, and Shawn took the chairs while Cole and I sat on the ground. I had my back against the wall, sitting up and staring at the clock in front of us. We were quiet for almost thirty minutes. Each of us having our own thoughts. The world around me seemed to have crashed down as I stared in space. All I could think of was, How could this happen? Why did this have to happen to me? What if I didn't make Tori drive me to that house? What if I never said those things to her?

Somehow I ended up having my arm around Cole's shoulders while he laid his head on me. Shawn noticed that I was comforting our brother and decided getting on my other side of me to do the same as Cole. I didn't mind. It's been a long time since I've held my brothers and been there for them. They needed me as much as I needed them. Just as they used me for support, I needed them to keep me sitting up right. We have each other, one thing that was unbreakable between us.

It was one in the morning when a doctor in a white lab coat started walking down the hall. He stopped in front of our family causing us all to straighten up. "Mr. Linean?" He said directing his eyes towards Bill.

"That's me." Bill answered shortly.

"I just thought you'd be pleased to know that your youngest daughter Suzie is doing fine. She had a very deep incision in her right thigh. The glass that cut her went through her skin and muscle tissue. We were able to sew everything back together, luckily she didn't face any chronic injuries but she will have a scar on her leg. While she was asleep, we took the advantage of taking all the smaller shards of glass out of her arms. The gash on her stomach wasn't so deep, but it did take stitching. The nurses bandaged everything up, she should be ok to leave in maybe less than a day. I recommend crutches for a while, to stay off her leg. It's going to take some time for that wound to heal." The doctor said. We all sighed in relief when we got the news. "We'll bring her into this room shortly." The doctor pointed at one of the doors before placing a clipboard on the front.

"Wait," Bill called when the doctor started walking away. "What about Tori? My other daughter."

"We got a specialist on neurology. He should be here shortly." After that the doc walked away. He looked like a young man but he was sprouting a few gray hairs.

Bill's face paled as he pushed the palms of his hands into his eye sockets. "Neurology...the brain...oh my god no."

Everyone went quiet after that. We were all happy knowing that Suzie was going to be ok, our attention directed towards Tori. She had to be ok, just something small. Tori has to be ok. She can't be another person that leaves me. I can't have another person that I love leave me. My teeth clenched together so I turned to look at the clock. The ticking was heard through the hallway, until finally the small squeak of wheels was added in. Everyone looked up as Suzie was being pushed down the hall in a white bed. "Sue!"

"Suzie!" We all shouted and stood up. The nurses made us step back so they could get my little sister into the room. She gave us all a small smile, making everyone's worries wash away. Suzie was in one of the hospital gowns with bandages wrapped around her forearms. They started at her elbow and ended at her wrist. Her right leg had a thick pile of bandages covering her thigh as they wrapped around countless times. We couldn't see her stomach, but the outline of bandages wrapped around her body. There were a few band aids that held the skin together on her face so it wouldn't split further. When they finally had her leg propped up, along with setting her up to various machines, we were allowed to see her.

Bill was the first to hug her, Cole close at his heels. Suzie hugged Cole's arm while he sat at the edge of the bed. "When I woke up," She said as her eyes got watery. "I threw up." She started sobbing uncontrollably. "I've never been this scared in my life." She cried as Cole pulled her closer. Sometimes, it was hard remembering Suzie was only nine years old. She can act a lot more mature at times but she's still just a little girl. This accident clearly had her shaken while she continued to cry on Cole's arm.

Bill was on the other side running his hand down Suzie's arm trying to calm her down. He lent over and kissed the top of Suzie's head. "It's ok Suzie," He said softly while glancing at her bandaged leg and arms. "How's your leg?"

Suzie ignored the question. "Where's Tori? Is she ok?"

God Suzie's like a saint or something. She was worrying more over her sister than herself. It wasn't Tori's fault though. I couldn't bring myself to believe it was Tori's fault. She loves Suzie with all her heart and I know she'd never try to put Sue in danger. Every time I thought this over I kept thinking of the words I told her. How they must have effected her. The guilt inside me was worse. I couldn't imagine my house without Tori now. If she wasn't there at the breakfast table, dunking her Oreos in a bowl of milk, then there'd be a Mariana Trench in me.

I stood at Suzie's feet, placing my hands on the edge of the bed. "Sue what happened?" I asked as softly as I could. I just needed to know why this all happened. The cause of all this.

Suzie looked at me with red puffy eyes. "I don't know. After we dropped you off Tori was zoned out. She started crying randomly and it didn't look like she was paying attention to the road. There was a couple deer's and Tori tried to move around them but she lost control. The glass behind me broke when the car tumbled and I felt something sting in my leg. I just closed my eyes and hoped for it to stopped. I think I actually passed out for a couple minutes. But one minute Tori was ok, the next she wouldn't wake up." She looked back towards her father. "Is Tori ok?"

Bill stared at her for a second before dropping his gaze. He brought Suzie to his chest and cradled her head while kissing her hair softly. "We don't know yet," He said, "She'll be ok though."

"You should rest." Mom said.

"I don't want to sleep." Suzie replied shortly. "Not until I know Tori is ok."

No one decided to argue with her. We were all crowded in the small room, taking the seats that were laid against the wall. There was a small desk on the side with magazines but no one got one. Cole sat beside Suzie's bed and bounced his leg while telling Sue that Tori would be fine. Bill looked pale and worn out, almost like he gained ten years in a few hours. Mom was trying her best to comfort Bill as she pulled his head onto her shoulder. Shawn started to cry all over again, so I decided on walking him around the hospital. To calm him down.

"She's going to be ok right?" Shawn stopped in the hallway and looked up at with big eyes. I had forced him to get some coffee, to try and suit his tiredness. Usually, I was against giving Shawn coffee because he starts bouncing off of walls. He looked exhausted though, just like a kid, Shawn usually had a sleeping schedule. When he was younger he'd pass out at nine o'clock exact. No matter where he was, he'd crawl into a ball and fall asleep.

I put my arm around his shoulders and started leading him back to the room. "Yeah." I wasn't sure what to say. "Of course she's going to be fine," I smiled. "She's Tori. She's always a drama queen but she pulls through in the end." Shawn nodded and took a sip of the stale coffee. I had gotten myself a cup, then realized it was cheap and plain. I'd probably give it to Bill to get him to stay awake. I doubt he needs coffee to maintain consciousness but it wouldn't hurt. We walked back to room only to find that nothing changed.

The next two hours were the slowest in my life. Suzie turned the TV on and watched SpongeBob to try and stay awake. Shawn and I took more detours around the hospital trying to calm down his nervous stomach. It was three in the morning when a man in the white coat walked in. Everyone tensed up when he walked through the door. Unlike the doctor that had attended Suzie, this man had snow white hair and a few wrinkles covering his face. "Bill Linean?" He asked while landing his eyes on Bill. His voice was slightly raspy and deep but behind it there seemed to be kindness and sincerity. Like a grandfather speaking to his grandchildren.

"Yes that's me." Bill said.

The doctor looked down at the clipboard in his hands."Your daughter is Tori Linean, am I correct?" I was about two seconds away from strangling this man. He may look nice but if he didn't get to the point I'd end up in prison for murdering a doctor. I mean I thought doctors were smart, if Bill's last name is Linean and so is Tori's, he should be able to put two and two together.

Bill sighed and stood up. "Yes."

The doctor shook his hand. "I'm Doctor Garcia. I've been assigned to your daughter."

"You're the neurologist?" Cole asked.

Mom lent over and pinched his shoulder. "Don't interrupt."

Doctor Garcia nodded and looked down at his clipboard. "Your daughter broke her left arm in three places. She has bruises on her chest from the seat belt. And a few ribs have hairline fractures. Nothing too serious."

"So she's ok?" Shawn looked so hopeful. Like a little boy that found his lost puppy.

The doctor took a second to look at all of us. His eyes turned from Shawn, to Cole, to Suzie, to me and mom. He finally finished scanning us and looked back at Bill. "Would you like to discuss this in the hallway?" Doctor Garcia said seriousness. Bill's face paled at the thought.

"No." I said before anyone could answer. I stood up and crossed my arms. "She's my sister as much as she's his daughter. Whatever news you're bringing, you can say in front of us." I placed my hand on Shawn's shoulder since he was beside me. "Her family."

Doctor Garcia sighed, "She's in a coma. We found the inflammation on the left side of her head and took a MRI. There's no real explanation to how she was induced into the coma except she hit her head hard enough against the glass that the impact went to the brain."

My breathing became uneven and I felt my chest close in. I pushed back the fear and glanced at my brothers. They both had the same grave expressions. A coma...Tori was probably unaware of everything around her. She'd wake up though, she'll have to wake up.

"What's a coma?" Suzie asked terrified.

Shawn pushed a small smile through his face. "You know Aurora from Sleeping Beauty?"

Suzie nodded. "Of course."

"A coma is like when Aurora was sleeping." Shawn said trying his best to look realistic. "Only I don't know a Phillip. So we can't get one to kiss her awake."

Mom walked to Bill's side and hung onto his arm. Bill looked devastated, for once he didn't know what to do. How to react. "Is she going to get better?" Mom asked for Bill.

Doctor Garcia sighed again and placed the clipboard under his arms. "We scored her coma and came out with a ten. It's a healthy score, she just might make it out. Most comatose patients only last two to four weeks before they pass or are pronounced brain dead. They can also wake up in that range but the first 24 hours are critical." When the doctor realized we didn't ask any questions he continued, "We set her up in a different room. She's in the intensive care unit so she can be monitored at all times. She has a ventilator to help her breathe and we have nurses keeping a close eye on her."

"That's great," I said bored, "So when's she going to wake up?"

"These things are unpredictable," Doctor Garcia started to say. "You'll just have to hope and pray to God that she makes it out."

"Do you think she will?" Cole asked.

The doctor sighed again, this time through his nose instead of mouth. "Maybe, I don't know. If you want numbers I'd say about thirty to fifty percent she'll make it out."

"That's not a lot." I grumbled. "Can't you do anything?" I balled my hands up into fists and gritted my teeth. I don't care if he went to medical school and got a stupid degree, he wasn't helping. This wasn't helping. The guilt was eating me alive because I felt like it's my fault I got Tori in the situation. And because of me she might not even wake up. And if she...died, she'd have thought no one loves her. Well that was wrong. I love her, she's my little sister. I need to get the chance to tell her that. She just has to wake up.

It didn't matter this guy was a doctor. Yeah they help people, yet when it comes to serious matters, like this, they do nothing. They can't do anything to help and it kills me. It's just like my dad. They tried and tried, never amounting to anything. Then they still get paid like they actually did something to help. What's the point of being a specialist in these sort of things if you don't know how to help?

"No. I'm sorr-"

I cut the doctor off. "Please don't say you're sorry doc. That word just comes with having your job. You don't feel sympathy, you've dealt with this all your life. How could you possibly feel...remorse for another family? How many people have you had like me? Their little sister on her death bed asleep but on earth? You don't know how it feels so you can't ever feel sorry." I didn't mean to snap but I just had enough of this.

I wanted to get out of here. The walls were all the same pale yellow and the place reeked of hospital. It was weird how hospitals have their own smell but this one was making my head spin. The cold air was shooting out of the vents making chills run through me considering my clothes were wet. Mom was saying something to me but I was too out of it to hear. Doctor Garcia and my mom were speaking though everything was a haze to me. The walls of the hospital felt like they were closing in on me, spinning around while I blinked. They hadn't changed at all since dad died.

I glanced at the bed where Suzie was laying. Instead of seeing my youngest sister I saw my father. He was coughing into his hand while a nurse was trying to help him sit up. His hair was falling off as some bald spots started appearing. I saw the way Cole, Shawn, and I raced in the room. Dad would greet us with smiles no matter how tired, sad, or sick he felt. Sometimes he'd lift us up and shoot us in the air saying we were rockets going to the moon.

"Higher dad!" Shawn laughed. "I can't reach the stars from this low."

Dad laughed and threw Shawn in the air again before setting him down. At Shawn's age he still weighed like nothing. His formed looked like a stick, I told him he needed to start doing something or he'd look like a wimp. "You're going to break my back." Dad joked.

Shawn frowned, "That sounds painful."

"Come on Shawn," Cole grumbled, "I wanna show dad the project I made for science."

Shawn stuck his tongue out at our brother before jumping off the bed and hovering near mom. Cole grinned and jumped up beside dad. "Look," He put the telescope looking thing near dad's face. "Look inside." I stayed my distance away as I watched dad praise Cole for his project. Shawn later read a letter that he had written to his teacher for teacher appreciation week.

"Boys," Mom said looking at Cole and Shawn. "We should get something to eat yeah? Let your father rest."

Dad looked up at mom. There was so much love and admiration in his eyes. I still didn't understand how dad could love mom like that. The way he looked at her seemed to show it all. Like his eyes were telling exactly how he felt. I'd never be able to look at a girl like that. "Let me talk to Blake for a second." Dad smiled and waved me over. Mom nodded and left the room holding Cole and Shawn's hands. "You're awfully quiet." Dad said.

I shrugged, "You started chemo and everyday you look like you're dying. One day you're fine at home the next we have to submit you into the hospital. What am I suppose to say? I miss you at home. You're never there anymore..."

Dad sighed and patted the spot beside him. "Come here let's talk about it."

I hesitated but ended up laying beside him. "It's not fair." I muttered. "Why'd this happen to you? You're a great dad and you love mom. No one hates you."

Dad laughed a bit. "Sometimes...the world throws curve balls. Remember I showed you how to do that the other day?" I nodded and he continued. "Remember how when you tried to hit it with the bat, you thought it was coming at one direction then curved to the other?" I nodded again. "Well life is like that. You feel like you're going in one direction, then you curve."

"But why you?" I asked. "I don't understand."

"No one ever will." Dad held me close to his side. "But now we'll be spending more time together. I'll take you and your brothers to the zoo so Shawn can see the gorillas. Cole wants to go to that museum. And we'll go out and play some soccer yeah? You should work on the moves I showed you. One day you might go professional."

"Didn't you want that dad?" A small smile formed itself on my lips as I remembered the stories dad told me. He had wanted to play professional soccer, but gave it up.

"Yeah." Dad smiled back and looked down at me. "I gave it up to be with your mother."

"I think soccer would have been worth it more." I muttered. "Not that I don't love mom, but give a career up for a girl?"

Dad laughed. "You'll understand when you get older."

"Will I?"

"Yes." Dad turned the TV on to the ESPN. "When you fall in love you'll understand."

I scoffed. "Love is stupid." The idea of falling in love never appealed to me. I'd never fall in love. It's stupid and pointless. Wasting money on flowers and chocolates. I mean, what's that about? Cupid obviously missed me when he strung his bow and shot arrows everywhere.

"So you don't love me?"

I looked up at my father. "I love you dad."

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. "I love you too."

"You won't ever leave right?" I asked while watching the game on the TV. I knew it was a long shot. Dad wasn't in any condition to make so many promises like the one I just asked.

"Never," He said before placing his hand over my heart. "If I do leave, I'll be right here. In a chamber under lock and key ok?"

"But I want you here," I pointed towards the ground. "With me." Dad didn't answer so I laid my head on his shoulder. "When I grow up, I want to be like you."

Dad smiled a small laugh escaping his lips. "Oh really?"

I nodded, "The perfect dad."

"I need some air." Bill stepped out of Suzie's room. No one decided to move as we stayed locked in the room. It was like a prison. The window outside showed the small courtyard in the middle of the hospital, but even with the green scenery I felt trapped. I had to blink my eyes to see straight while beads of sweat formed on my forehead even with the room being cold.

I was never claustrophobic but this was starting to make me feel lightheaded. "I'll be right back." I walked out the door while the doctor kept speaking with mom. I was planning on heading outside. I'd probably have gotten lost in the hallways. The only thing that stopped me was Bill. He was leaning with his forehead against the wall while sobs freely escaped his lips.

There's nothing worse than seeing a grown man cry...I thought.

Bill was pushing his hands through his face trying to stop the sobs. "Bill...?" I said gently trying to get him to stop crying.

He looked up at me with red eyes. His hands went up as he wiped his wet cheeks. "I-I'm sorry." He stuttered. He shouldn't feel sorry. It was his daughter that was stuck in a slumber that we weren't sure she'd come out of. Bill already lost his wife in a car accident, now if he lost his daughter in a similar accident, he'd probably fall in despair.

Sometimes it wasn't just Cole and Shawn that needed someone for them. Bill was the most venerable I'd ever seen him. I realized everything was different for him. When dad died, mom had grandma and grandpa. She had people that came and helped her, friends and colleagues. Bill never brings any friends over, he's always been an independent person. From what I picked up from Tori, he was by himself when his wife died. He had to deal with everything without someone to lean against. He probably felt alone. If only he knew I saw him as a strong man.

I shook my head. "Don't be. I know you're scared and worried. We are too. I just want you to know that we're here for you too. Suzie, Cole, Shawn, my mom, even me. We're all here and we'll get through this."

Bill stared at me for a long time. I had to recall that this was probably the nicest thing I'd ever said to him. I was always rude and distant, never wanting to talk to him. Bill took a step forward and placed his hands on my shoulders. My body tensed and I looked up at my step dad. "I know I'll never be like your dad," Bill started to say slowly. "That's something I can't replace. But for what it's worth, I always wanted a son. You and your brothers are the closets I've ever had to having a boy. And I can understand if you don't feel the same towards me, but I just want you to know that you're a son to me. Even if I'm not a father to you."

I couldn't even blink. I stared up at Bill studying his facial expression. He looked sincere and his eyes read honestly. There was a look in his eyes that I hadn't seen in a long time. The look a father gives to their son when they're proud. No one has looked at me that way in what seemed forever. There was this invisible weight that lifted off my shoulders. It made me feel like I wasn't alone anymore. That I wouldn't have to hold everything up because there were people around me that would help support each other. I embraced Bill in a hug, catching him off guard. "Thank you," I murmured on his shoulder.

He stood shocked for a second before he hugged me back. "For what?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Marrying my mom. You gave me a family again. You make mom happy. My brothers and I have never felt better. I have two little sisters that I truly care about. I've always felt empty after dad died but now I feel like I'm filling up. Just...thanks." I couldn't see Bill's expression, instinct told me he felt relief. His shoulders sagged down as he relaxed. He must have felt the burden taken off of his shoulders too. I pulled back and stared at my step dad. "Can I go see Tori? Please..."

At the mention of Tori I saw his face turn scared. He was terrified for his daughter. I was terrified and she's my sister. Bill walked back into the room. I couldn't go back. It was crowded and cramped. It brought the memories of my father just looking at the walls. It was all so familiar. The hospital, the walls, the doctors that all look the same in their white coats. Nothing seemed to change. Not even the scent of the place changed. It was a combination of Clorox wipes and...hospital.

Doctor Garcia came out beside Bill. Everyone filed out of the room except for Shawn and Sue. I was surprised when Cole decided to tag along. He usually likes staying with Suzie. As if to answer my question he said, "Shawn and Sue are at the verge of falling asleep. So I just told them to stay."

We all followed the Doctor as he led us down a few hallways. We reached a room that was slightly bigger than Suzie's. The window was larger as well, looking out towards the trees on the outside. It was better than the front view where we'd see the street filled with cars. In a way, Tori was lucky she got a nice room. It didn't matter though, I wasn't going to admire this room while Tori laid in the bed, lifeless. It's not like she could admire it either. Inside was a large bed with so many machines and wires it was hard to count. My throat felt dry as I looked at Tori. She was ghostly pale, a large tube going down her throat. There was a green cast around her left arm. The machines all made different noises. The monitor showed her heartbeat, it was small but there. Nurses were still around her bed, changing the nearly empty bag that hung over Tori's head.

Tori looked so different. Not only was her skin pale but she looked delicate. Not the girl I met months ago. Confident and tough. Tori always had a backbone, standing up for herself. Never letting people walk all over her. Now she looked like a fragile piece of glass. Cole's breath hitched as he stared out our sister. The nurse started talking to mom. Telling her they'd have to give Tori nutrients because she can't eat. Also they'd come in every few hours to change her position so she doesn't get bedsores.

I had my arm around Cole while he placed his around me. Bill took one of the chairs and placed it beside Tori's bed. He kissed her forehead and held her hand in his. "Tori you need to wake up," He said softly although his voice cracked at the end. "I need you here with me and Suzie."

Mom placed her hand on Bill's shoulder and he put his free hand on hers. Cole took the opposite side of Tori's bed. "Hey baby sis," Cole whispered softly into Tori's ear. "I once heard that people can still hear things around them when they're like...this." He sighed, "I hope it's true...I really need you back." Cole's eyes got watery, "Remember how I said you saved me? It's true..."

I moved behind Cole and put both my hands on his shoulders. He was way to tense and his body was trembling. "Calm down dude." I said to him. "It's ok..."

Cole nodded and continued talking. He completely ignored the fact that mom and Bill were still in the room. They didn't seem to mind. After all, Bill was in his own world. His face read it all. He was devastated. Terrified that history would repeat itself and he'd lose a daughter. "You know why I'd get drunk?" Cole said while clutching Tori's hand. "To make the pain go away. I hated feeling empty and incomplete inside. Everyone always thought I was a player and a hard partier, when really I spent half my time studying in my room. I hated that people didn't know who I truly was. Or how I really acted. I'd hide my good side because I didn't want people to see I was such a softie. Now though, I don't care. I don't care if people know I'm some nerd that spends half my weekends locked in my room watching Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.

"I got addicted to drinking though. It became such a big habit Tori. I became pleasured to feeling nothing inside me. To make everything just wash away. Being wasted became a high for me. Let me tell you though, I don't remember anything I did those nights. I remember hazes, blurs. Like seeing two heads instead of one. Or hallucinating things that weren't there. But I don't remember anything at all. Maybe that's why I liked it. I never understood how I got so attached to the feeling but not remembering anything made me feel...good inside. I would make all these mistakes, not give a care in the world, then just never remember them. I felt so good...except when I woke up in the mornings. Hang overs are the worst...

"Anyways, when you and Suzie came into our lives I started putting the beer can away. I didn't want to end up hurting one of you in some drunk mistake. I started thinking about my life. About being a lawyer. How could I be a lawyer if I was an alcoholic? There's no denying it. Without you, I'd be on the streets in a year. I'd have ruined my life and the small amount of money I would be able to make, I'd waste in buying cheep beer. If you and Sue didn't come into my life...I don't know what I'd be right now. I wouldn't be Cole Parris, I'd be a nobody on the street." Cole stood up tears streaming down his face. He lent over and kissed Tori's cheek. "Please wake up baby sis. I need you...we need you."

Bill stroked Tori's hair trying to ignore the tube down her throat. "Suzie's worried about you. She's fine now, we'll get her to come here tomorrow..."

"You'll be ok Tori..." Mom said softly. She was shaken up too. Her body looked tired by the way she moved slowly. Mom always had a sense of elegance. Whatever she wore or the way she walked into a room. Now she had her hair pulled back in a sloppy bun with a sweat shirt over her body. She wore a pair of dark jeans and no makeup. She wasn't talking a lot, a trait she had when she was scared and filled with butterflies.

"Can I talk to Tori alone?" I asked quietly. There was a lot I wanted to get off my chest. But I wanted to talk to Tori alone. Without people listening in. Without having to feel like I'm the strong one in the room. I couldn't handle all the pressure accumulating inside me. I needed to let my walls drop, just for a second.

Bill looked hesitant but finally nodded and stood up. "I'll go check on Sue." He grabbed mom's hand and led her out the door. Cole patted my back and followed after them. The only person left was a nurse that was moving stuff around.

I took the chair that Cole had been sitting on and stared at Tori's face. The last time I talked to her I was upset. Spitting out things I wasn't even sure I meant. Yet she believed them. By the way she looked at me, I knew she believed what I said. I took her small hand in both of mine and held it to my lips. The cast didn't allow much out of it, all I could feel were her fingers. My eyes closed on their own accord and when I heard the nurse leave I opened them. "I hope you can hear me," I started to say. My throat felt like I was closing. A familiar feeling I had gotten used to pushing away. This time, I didn't try.

It was stupid to admit that I didn't know how to cry. I wasn't sure what it felt like. How it'd make me feel afterwards. How I was suppose to feel while I cried. Or if I was even doing it right. All I knew is that when people cried, they were a mess. It was apparently something inevitable. I really wouldn't know how or why but I decided on not questioning it. It came naturally to people, the idea to me was alien. My throat kept closing, yet nothing came out of my eyes.

"Tori I'm sorry." I closed my eyes and kissed the fingers that escaped from her cast. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't told you all that bullshit we wouldn't be here right now. We'd be at home, sleeping in our beds. Or watching a scary movie that makes Shawn piss his pants." I laughed softly at the thought. "Don't listen to what I said Tori. You're the best sister ever. I love you." I smiled placing my forehead against the edge of the mattress. "Hear that? Heartless Cake loves you Tobi. You're my little sister, my one in a billion. I need you here with me. To fight with me and call me an asshole when I do something wrong.

"I always said love brings hurt. It's just...me and dad were different. I guess I'm delusional to think that love is nothing but pain. Then...look at you. You're asleep, probably not even hearing what I'm saying. But if you are listening, just know I love you. I can't lose you like I lost dad. Everyone I love the most leaves. You can't leave," My voice cracked and I stood still in the chair. "Why'd it have to be you? Why not me? Everyone loves you Tori. Shawn couldn't even come in here because he'd start crying like a baby. Cole is broken into a million pieces when he looks at you. Suzie is only thinking about you. Mark is madly in love...god what am I going to tell Mark? Or Cali? They're all your friends. They deserve you to be ok. Not to be fighting for your life on a death bed. If I could take your place I would. If anyone deserves to get hurt it's me."

There was a silence that I tried to fill. I wanted Tori to just wake up like in the movies. When her eyes flutter open and everyone rejoices. But this wasn't a movie. This wasn't Sleeping Beauty where the prince comes in and saves the day. If that were the case I would have called Mark a long time ago. I smiled gently, "This is usually the part where you say, 'No Blake. Don't say that. No one deserves this.' And then I give the long explanation on how my life is worthless and stupid compared to yours." I fell silent again. My teeth started to grit together in frustration. "W-wanna hear a story?" I said trying to cover the silence.

"Course you do," I felt so awkward. Like I was talking to myself. The only thing that reassured me was the beeping from the monitor. The one that read Tori's heartbeat to me. Also the fact that if she was listening, at least she could feel better. "The first time I went fishing," I started off, "Dad and I snuck out of the house to go buy the corny fishing hats. He told me, we'd look like funky nerdy guys fishing. But he didn't care and neither did I. We went to that fishing shop beside the big lake you know? Well, let me just add it smells really bad in there. Like, really really bad. Well dad told me to get the worms and he went to get the hats." I chucked. "We looked so dumb...

"Dad wanted to go to the local lake but he said their weren't any fish there. So we went on this trail ride that had a sign that said, No Trespassing. Dad said, 'Don't tell your mom.' Of course, because I had dad with me, I wasn't scared. I knew I wouldn't get in trouble because it wasn't even my idea. There was a pier and dad showed me how to place a worm on a hook. While he was busy casting out I was grabbing a worm trying to hook it on. I accidentally dropped the container of worms into his new hat." I laughed softly at the memory. "I wanted to tell dad that there was dirt and worms in his hat but I wanted to see if he noticed. Like in a cartoon, he was too busy and placed the hat on his head. The dirt and worms landed all over him and I couldn't help but laugh. My laughter was short lived though. He started chasing me around with mud balls. We played around at the edge of lake the rest of day until we saw the people of the property. They started yelling at us so dad and I bolted.

"When we got home, mom was mad. We had gotten mud everywhere and she said Cole and Shawn were looking for us. Nowadays when I think about it, I feel guilty. I always tried stealing dad for myself. Now that dads gone, I feel like I hogged him too much. Like I didn't share him enough with my brothers. I know he loved the three of us all the same. But I don't know...I just felt real whenever I was with my dad. I lost the ability to feel like that, to feel truly happy, when dad died. Sure I was happy when I went to parties and all that, but that wasn't...that wasn't real Tobi.

"Mark is right." I sighed. "He should pity me. He's been having the great life, having you by his side as his best friend all these years. But for me? All I want is to be a pro soccer player. Once the scouts come next week, hopefully I can get in. You have to be awake by then Tori. You have to. I want you there, watching me play. I need my Tobi to be there and cheer me on. I mean, I'm not saying you have to be a cheerleader with the pom-poms and stuff, but at least a foam finger with my name on it. That should make my ego feel better."

I found myself without words. I wasn't sure what to say now so I turned my head over my shoulder and glanced at the doorway. There wasn't a sign of anyone in the room except me and Tori. I just needed to know she was ok. Any sign, a finger movement, or a twitch. Something that didn't make her look dead. "Tori," I whispered so quietly it was barely heard against the machines. "Come on Tobi...give me a sign. Anything that tells me you're listening. Please..."

Nothing except the noises of the machines. I looked up at red line that followed Tori's heartbeat. It'd rise and fall with the familiar beep...beep...beep...

I sighed and laid back in my chair. All I could do was stare. Stare at my sister that lay on the bed like a lifeless statue. My hand reached over and brushed her cheek. The thoughts of my dad started clouding my mind. How he loves me. How I love him. How he said he'd never leave. My fingers all brushed against my ring finger in hope that my dad's ring was there. It was habit and for a moment I panicked thinking I lost it. Then I remembered. I looked down at Tori's right hand and noticed the large gold ring on her middle finger. I was glad she hadn't lost it, even more so the doctors had forgotten to take it off.

I had to reach over her body to take hold of her hand. My fingers ran across the ring before I entwined my fingers with hers. I didn't know what to do anymore. I felt so helpless. So lonely. There were so many factors that could have led to Tori laying here. I would have easily taken her spot. Maybe my life wasn't exactly 'rainbows and sunshine' as Shawn puts it, but it wasn't anything special either. Sure, everyone thinks being a Parris is so special. If only they knew. Who wants to be part of a cursed family? All that comes to us is pain and suffering. Hardly anything someone would want.

I looked down at my shoes, closing my eyes tightly. "Dad," I croaked while placing my free hand over my heart. "You said you'd always be here for me. You said you'd look out for me no matter what. You said you love me...if you meant anything you said, please let Tori stay...please don't take her. I want her to meet you, I know she'd like you as much as you'd like her. But please not yet." My eyes traveled up to the ceiling. "Please not yet daddy. She's my family, my little sister. You know I always wanted a sister. Please don't take her away. She's a Parris like me. Like you. She's you're daughter now, but let her stay." My forehead hit the mattress as I squeezed Tori's hand. "Don't take her away from me..."

I must have passed out. There was so much exhaustion in me I couldn't hold it up. One second I was pleading to my father, the next I wake up with a blanket wrapped around me. It was the sunlight that woke me up. It streamed into the room as one of the nurses pulled the curtains back. She gave me a small smile before going to Tori's side. It was funny how the weather had changed, the only detail that showed that it had rained last night was the small drops of water tainting the window. I sat up, keeping the blanket on my shoulders as I tried to rub the sleep out of my eyes. "How is she?" I asked in my morning voice.

The nurse sighed. She looked like she was in her mid-thirties. With dark black hair that was positioned up in a pony tail. "It's only been a few hours."

"It feels like an eternity." Cole grumbled from one of the chairs. He was sleeping on the chair with his head leaned back against the wall. Shawn had his head in Cole's lap while a blanket was wrapped around them.

"Where's mom and Bill?" I asked.

"Signing Suzie out." Cole yawned while pointing his finger at the door. "They should be here soon." He leaned against his hand trying to get some more sleep in.

I stood up letting the blanket fall onto the seat, taking a look at Tori before stepping out of the room. There was nothing exciting except the hallway. I had remembered passing by a vending machine on my way here. I walked down one side of the hall, memorizing which turns I took so I wouldn't get lost. There was a small section in the hallways where there were magazines and vending machines. Pulling out my wallet I inserted the spare cash and got a water. I looked through the snacks and bought some cookies. I wasn't hungry, but if Cole or Shawn wanted it, I'd gladly give it to them.

Taking sips of my water, I headed back to Tori's room only to find that nothing changed. "I got breakfast." I mumbled tossing the cookies on Shawn's stomach.

He shot up, "What? Who? Where?" He looked around and groaned, "What?"

"Breakfast in bed." I tried to joke as I pointed at the cookies.

"Shh," Cole silenced us. "I only got an hour of sleep. Please just be quiet five more minutes so I can compose myself." I rolled my eyes. If Tori was listening into this conversation she'd probably start laughing. Here we are, surrounding our sister while she was in a coma, yet we joked and kidded around. It was mostly to just lighten our spirits.

There was the sound of crutches outside our door and soon there was a small knock. We all looked up as Bill helped Suzie get into the room by opening the door for her. Her leg was still bandaged up but she didn't dare set it on the ground. Mom had gone home to get her an extra pair of clothes so she was in a t-shirt and shorts. She gave us all a small smile before her eyes fell on Tori. Suzie stared at our sister for a second. She took everything in, the tube, the machines, even the way Tori was positioned. "The doctor said she'll be ok right?"

No one wanted to answer. Suzie was there when we all received the news but obviously she didn't understand. And even she could understand she was probably to tired to process all the information. "Sue come here," Cole said holding his arms out. Suzie hopped her way towards Cole. Shawn sat up when Cole placed Suzie on his lap. "We don't know if Tori is going to wake up." Cole said gently.

Bill stayed at the doorway, his eyes locked on Tori as Cole spoke to Suzie. It looked like Bill couldn't speak. He looked sick. His eyes were bloodshot with big circles underneath. It didn't look like he'd slept at all. Not to mention the complexion of his skin, almost like he had a cold and a fever at the same time. With a small tint of green. "She will wake up," Suzie said. "Tori wouldn't leave me like that."

Cole nodded and hugged Suzie close to him. "I know Sue but Tori's really sick."

"Doesn't matter." Suzie said quietly. "Tori wouldn't leave me like that..."

The nurses came by at regular times. Shawn would ask questions, thankfully they were useful and not pointless. We found out that this section of the hospital was filled with people that needed extensive care. Such as coma, cancer, or paralysis patients. I remember that when dad was sick, he'd probably never be left alone in a room. The nurses would watch TV with him until they switched or visitors came. It was similar here, only Tori was never alone. We all hung around the room like moths to the light. Sometimes if we needed fresh air so we'd take turns to the courtyard.

Everything just didn't sink in. Everyone was crying or at the verge of shedding tears but I stayed still like a statue. My mind seems to be somewhere else. I couldn't believe that everything was happening. All my sense knew I was here. That this is reality. My eyes saw everything, my ears heard everything, I could even smell everything around me. None of that mattered, my brain wouldn't accept the fact I was here. I was living on an island away from the world. And I really didn't want to swim back to the shore of reality.

"You should all get some rest." Mom told us around midday. She hasn't been speaking a lot. Most of the time she was trying to comfort Bill. She didn't have to speak for her to express what she was thinking. Just the look in her eyes said it all. She was scared. I never knew if mom and Tori were close but if Bill said I was a son to him, then surely mom thought of Tori as a daughter.

Bill just looked broken. There was no other way to describe it. The only thing that made him smile, even for the slightest, is when mom or Suzie are comforting him. When Bill's wife died he was probably alone. With no one but his daughters. His kids though can't give the companionship like a couple. They keep you up, but a wife or husband always seems to understand more. Now Bill had a wife, surely he didn't feel as lonely.

"It's only like one o'clock mom." Cole said. He was chewing on his lip, playing a game on his phone. When mom had left to go back to the house, she had gotten us all a few things. Extra clothes, a charger for our phones, and a few books and magazines. I was able to change into better clothing considering my pants had been cold and wet from the rain.

Shawn had gotten a book and was reading it silently. His body was folded up in a chair as he tried to calm himself. He'd sometimes just break down crying like he was thinking things over. Even though he's scared, he still managed to make a few jokes that would lighten the mood. If it weren't for him, I don't think any of us would be able to crack a smile. "Yeah mom," He said looking up from the book. "We're fine. I mean we don't have thermal vision. Or night vision. But I guess that comes with being human...whoa! How cool would it be if I had X-Ray vision? Like Superman. Totally use it for some...things." He grinned slightly.

I rolled my eyes, "For Em?"

"Duh." He rolled his eyes. "I'd love to see the rib cage of my girlfriend. Though I think her thigh bone looks better."

"Her femus?" Cole asked with a small smile.

Shawn looked confused for a second. "I don't know what a femus is Cole. But you're going to law school, shouldn't you know what the thigh bone is?"

"That's what I said. The femus." Cole said slowly like he was talking to a little kid.

Shawn looked deep in thought for a second. "What are you talking about? You know what nevermind. I knew this day would come." He sighed deeply. "Cole thinks he's smarter than everyone by making fancy terms and names..."

"What are you talking about?" Cole asked. "The femus is the thigh bone."

"No it's not!" Shawn argued. "You just made that up to feel smart."

Cole shook his head and scoffed, "Search it up if you don't believe me."

"That's too much work." Shawn groaned and laid his head back.

Cole laughed ever so softly. "You're starting to sound like my boss..."

I had a small smile on my face while I listened to their arguement. My head was resting against the wall of the room with a jacket across my eyes. Mom, Bill, and Sue were walking around the courtyard trying to get the fresh air. Sure we had the window open in here, but it wasn't the same. The nurses only let it open a crack, afraid Tori could get sick.

When mom came back, I stood up on my feet ready to get some air. "Does anyone want something?" I asked. I hadn't eaten all day, I wasn't hungry. Everyone just shook their heads or muttered a 'No.' I glanced at Tori, kissing the top of her head before exiting the room. The sticker pass on my chest was the only reason I was allowed to walk through the halls. Visiting hours were taking place so I saw a lot of people with a visitors pass. Only family was allowed to stay overnight. Even with that, it took the doctors some convincing that my brothers and I could stay. Tonight we'd probably go home, seeing that Suzie needed rest.

My hands stuffed into the pockets of my pants as I walked around the pale yellow halls. There were groups of doctors that were smiling to each other while drinking coffee. Or nurses that laughed at a story the other was telling. I stopped by the coffee machine and made a cup. It didn't taste good, it only manages to keep me awake. Someone coughed as they grabbed one of the coffee cups beside me. I looked up to see Doctor Garcia. He wasn't looking directly at me but I knew he recognized me. "I'm sorry for my outburst." I said breaking the uncomfortable silence that had formed between us as we made the coffee.

The edge of his lip curled into a small smile. "It's quite alright. You love your sister very much."

I looked down at the black coffee in my hand. "I do," I said softly. "Do you think she'll make it through?"

He sighed, "It truly depends. Every one of my patients is different."

I nodded and looked around. There weren't any doctors at this coffee station so I raised an eyebrow at the thought. "Do you like the coffee here?"

He laughed, "No. The one for the doctors is much better but I saw you here and decided to come."

My eyebrows narrowed. "Why?"

"I figured you had questions." He turned to look at me. "And as busy as I am, I have about five minutes before I need to be somewhere else."

I nodded. "So you for sure don't know if she's going to wake up?"

"No." He said again. "It depends on the person. Right now she's asleep because her body is trying to heal itself. Well her brain at least. Like I told your mother, people in a coma can stay in it for months. Usually though, we test them to see what the probability is of them waking up. It's called the Glasgow Coma Scale. If someone scores around a four or five in the first twenty-four hours, they're most likely to die or stay in the coma state. Eight-seven percent of the people that score between an eleven to fourteen are likely to wake up. Your sister scored around ten, eleven. I can't tell you she'll wake up, she may not. The first twenty-four hours are critical. There are many complications and issues that come in hand. But we'll try our best to help."

My hands were clutching onto the cup of coffee, not wanting to look up at the doctor. "So let's say she does get out. What happens then?" I asked.

"She might have some mental or physical complications. Like she stutters or her arm shakes. She hit the left side of her brain, that controls the right side. Like I said, her arm may just shake or she won't be able to talk or walk well. Sometimes, people come out unscathed. Totally fine." The doctor smile gently. I could tell he enjoyed his job by the way he was talking about it. "The brain is like the eighth wonder of the world. We feel like we understand it but we don't. It's such a complex network...I've been studying it my whole life and I still don't understand. If I were you, I'd just pray and hope that she comes out."

"You don't think she will?"

He sighed. "She's young and healthy. It's not like she's a young child or elderly adult. Just give it time. Expect the worse if needed, sometimes preparing yourself for the worse is better. Instead of building up hope only to have it crushing down."

Just then a different doctor appeared. She pulled Doctor Garcia to the side saying that he was needed somewhere else. He gave me an apologetic look before rushing down the hall with the other doctor. I stood in place, swirling a small stick in my coffee to help the sugar disappear. If only Garcia knew how that's already happened to me. When dad got sick, I knew he was going to die. The first few months I held hope just like my brothers. Then it got worse and I started to realize he wasn't going to come back. Cole and Shawn held onto the idea of a miracle, I finally lost the hope and decided to just believe it. I didn't want to but I had to.

If I had to go through that with Tori...I shook the idea out of my head. I didn't want this again. I don't want to have to lose all my hope on Tori. It was enough with dad. That had to draw the line. The world just loves throwing the curve balls at me. It wasn't fair, but when was life fair? Never. I'd have to start building a wall again. I let Tori in, I started to let my wall crumble so I could just try to be a better person. Now I'd have to build it back up. I wouldn't mind building it back up. I was used to it now.

I let my feet take me to the courtyard. There were a few benches next to some bushes of flowers. People that were walking around were attached to machines or wires. Some were in wheelchairs while a nurse would push them through. I took a seat and started to inhale the fresh air. It made me feel better. To feel the light breeze against me while hearing nothing except some of the chirping birds. I didn't want to move, I just sat on the bench with my head laid back as I enjoyed the outside.

The hospital was so cramped. So filled with things like suffering and death. Everyone in the hospital probably thought life was unfair. I couldn't be the only one. My phone buzzed and instantly had it to my ear. "Yeah?"

"Could you come up?" Cole asked.

I was already on my feet. "What's wrong?"

Cole sighed, "Bill. He just got a call...it's his boss."

I hung up and quickly walked my way back to the room. Bill was pacing outside the door with the phone to his ear. "I know Chief but my daughter-" I stared at Bill while he argued with his boss on the phone. "Why can't I use a sick day?" Bill asked. Bill's face started to redden, then pale. I could hear his boss shouting loudly. Bill sighed, "Yes sir...I understand."

When Bill hung up I stared at him. "You're leaving aren't you?"

He ran his hands through his hair. "I don't have a choice. He'll fire me. I'm so close Blake. So close! But he's a heartless bastard so what do I do?" I looked down at the floor. This was like history. Always repeating itself. Bill left the night Melody died, for all I knew, Tori would die tonight. I watched as my stepfather went back into the room. I stood by the doorway and watched. He knelt down in front of Suzie as she sat in Cole's lap. "Sue," Bill said gently. "I need to go to wor-"

"You're leaving?" Suzie cut him off.

Bill quickly looked up at Cole then back at Suzie. "Just for work. I'll be back bef-"

"Before what?" Sue's eyes started to water. "Before Tori dies?"

"Suzie that's not going to happen."

Suzie's breathing got hard as her hands shook. "You're leaving again..."

Bill reached up and wiped away one of her escaped tears. "Suzie I promi-"

"No!" Suzie shouted as she started to sob. "Don't promise me anything! You said mommy was going to be ok. You said you'd be there for us, but you weren't. You left Tori and me by ourselves. And what happened dad?" Bill didn't answer, he kept his eyes trained on the ground. Suzie's face was red as frustration suddenly erupted into her tears. "What happened?" She yelled so loudly even one of the nurses looked frightened.

"She died." Bill ran his hands down his face. "She died Sue."

Suzie sniffled, "Do you even love us dad?"

Bill looked up at his daughter with shock clear in his face. "Of course Suzie."

She shook her head, "It doesn't look like you do." Bill pulled his daughter into his arms as silent tears streamed down his face. Suzie sobbed against his shoulder. "Why do you always leave? I was so scared daddy. When mommy was dying and Tori was crying. I was so scared. Now you're leaving again. You promised you'd be back when mom died. But you lied to me. You lied to us."

"Sue I-"

"Mommy asked for you that night." Suzie said. "She wanted you there. But you weren't. Tori told her you were at work. Now you're leaving again. What if something happens? What if something happens to Tori and you're not here?" She took a deep breath while Bill shut his eyes tightly. "What if I was on that bed? Would you leave me?"

"No Suzie."

"You're lying. Your job always comes first. In everything. You left mom, now you're leaving Tori." Suzie cried. "If you leave today, I swear I will never forgive you."

Bill held Suzie close to his side while he pulled out his phone. "I've wanted to do this for such a long time..." Bill sniffed and dialed on the phone. He placed it to the ear and after the second ring the person picked up. "Chief I'm not going. My daughter's in the hospital and I can't leave her here without a father." There was yelling on the other line and Bill's face turned hard. "No, you won't get the chance to fire me because I quit! I'm tired of taking my orders from a heartless, selfish, mother fucker that can't retire because he loves bringing misery to everyone around him. You already made me work when my wife was in the hospital, dying, I am not going to work while my daughter needs me. Do the station a favor and fuck off." Bill hung up.

Everyone's eyes were wide as we stared at Bill. He had this look on his face, like his stress was uplifted. "That was so cool..." Shawn said breaking the silence. "When I get a boss, I'm gonna tell him to fuck off."

Cole nodded. "Maybe if I say that to Dalton he'll actually show emotion."

"It's ok Bill." Mom said putting her hand on his shoulder. "We'll get through."

"Yeah I know." Bill stood up holding Suzie with him. "Never repeat any of the words I said."

Suzie shook her head. Her eyes were still watery but she smiled nevertheless. "That was really cool daddy."

"Thanks." He kissed the top of Suzie's head. "I'll be here all the time, ok?" I watched from the doorway as everyone praised Bill. It was a big sacrifice on his part. Knowing he was about to be promoted. He'd probably find a job somewhere else but now he'd have to start at the bottom. He wouldn't be the one with the biggest experience, instead he'd have the lowest. He'd be the beginner.

Bill's phone ran a few times but he ignored it. I stared at Tori while Bill was talking to the family. A smile came to my face as I thought of Tori waking up only to hear all that she's missed. My breath caught in my throat at the thoughts. I had to push these thoughts away. I wouldn't allow myself to hope. Even the doctor told me to expect the worst. That's what I'll have to start doing. Start thinking about home without Tori. Thinking about not having her around. It was painful, my chest was closing as I thought about it.

She had to be there when the scouts came. Or at least for graduation. Tori wasn't like dad. Dad had his life, he had a lot to live for, but he had a life. He got married, had kids. Tori hasn't even graduated high school. That was fair to her. Not fair to us. We are her family, she deserves to live through all this. She has us and her friends. Friends...what was I going to tell Mark? He'll be devastated. He already has a right to hate me but now this.

"You boys need to eat." Mom said to us.

I stopped my thought process, trying to clear my head. "I'm not hungry." I replied shortly.

"I had some candy." Shawn answered.

"I'm not hungry either." Cole said.

Eating was the last thing on my mind. Even though Cole and Shawn looked calm, I knew that in the inside they felt sick. They couldn't begin to think about the worst. They were hoping that Tori would wake up. Their minds couldn't think of her leaving them. I had to start planting the bricks to the wall. So when everything happens, it's stable and doesn't crumble down.

"You haven't eaten all day-"

I cut my mom off. "Neither have you. Don't be hypocritical mom. Let's just all say we're on a diet." I knew it was harsh to talk to my mom like that and I regretted the words I said. I didn't mean to snap. I just don't care about eating right now. All I want is to stock on coffee and be here by Tori. I don't care if it's not healthy, I'm not the one linked up to a thousand machines.

Mom didn't answer me. She just nodded her head. I took the chair that I had claimed as mine and pulled it to Tori's side. The nurses had already changed her position a couple times today, along with the liquid filled bags. The time kept dragging on. Shawn finished two books and mom had to go to the bookstore at the bottom of the hospital. It was a small gift shop near the café. There were balloons and cards that read, 'Get Well Soon.'

Cole spent his time on his phone. He'd play games or text Jodee. I asked if he had work and he answered he gave a sick day up. After all, he wasn't feeling well. Just like Shawn, his face was grave. It didn't look like there was much color. There were small circles under his eyes. I wondered what I looked like. If I also looked tired and sick.

I wouldn't do much. I didn't play on my phone or read. Sometimes I'm flipping through pages in a magazine but barely paying attention to the pictures. I'd look out the window and fall into a trance of thoughts. From the view we had, I could watch the sun set. The clouds in the sky blocked the blinding rays of the sun as it set. I had a regular routine that was going on. I'd sit by Tori, stare out the window. Sometimes I'd talk to her, just in case she's listening. I'd use the bathroom nearby or get some coffee. I wasn't hungry but mom made me eat something, so we shared a small bag of chips from the vending machine. It took a lot in me to eat.

When it got dark, I started counting down. Tori's doctor said there was no improvement. I wasn't sure what he meant by 'improvement.' He said she should have shown something more. Like a stronger heartbeat. Her heart beat low in her chest. The only thing that reassured me she was alive was the red monitor. I had become used to the sound. When the room was quiet, it was the loudest machine. First I thought it was irritating, then I got accustomed to hearing it, now I barely notice it's there.

"Boy's why don't you go home?" Bill said after Suzie fell asleep in his arms. Shawn was drifting and barely noticed his surroundings. Cole was surviving by blinking his eyes a few times. I was staring out the window, looking at the moon.

"I'm staying." I said instantly. I looked over at Cole and Shawn. They had the blankets wrapped around them keeping them warm from the cold. I decided against the blanket. Cold was another way of staying awake. I can't fall asleep if I'm cold. "Plus I don't have my license and I doubt they should be driving."

Bill sighed and shifted trying not to wake Suzie. Mom's head was also resting on his shoulder, only she shifted and laid her head in her hand. Bill pulled his wallet out, it had his police badge attached and I saw him stare at it for a second. He pretended not to be fazed by the badge as he pulled out my license. "Did you learn your lesson?" He asked. He didn't even seem to care, just looked tired.

I nodded. When I expected getting my license back, I thought I'd be jumping in the air with pure joy. Now I didn't care. After Bill handed me the plastic card I stared at it. My fingers twirled it in circles not really caring. "Thanks." I muttered, "I'm still not going home."

Bill sighed, "Then at least get some sleep." Some more nurses would come in during the night. It was weird really. They all did the same thing, ignoring us as they tended to Tori. There wasn't much to do but check Tori's temperature or change her position. Changing her position meant sometimes Tori was lying down, other times she was sitting up with cushions behind her. It was strange seeing Tori asleep for so long. If only she'd open her eyes.

I fell asleep a couple minutes later. It was lowsy. Like I wasn't asleep at all. I could hear all my surroundings or I noticed when the lights were turned on. No matter how much I tried to sleep, I couldn't. I wanted to sleep so badly, it just wouldn't come. I was restless. I couldn't get comfortable on the seat, so I'd move around constantly.

It finally came though. Some point in the night, I had fallen asleep. The only way I know, is because I woke up from the darkness. When I did wake up, something was wrong. My eyes were closed and it was still dark outside but something was wrong. My senses were hazy as I was still trying to rub the sleep out of me. Then I heard it. I looked up quickly, sitting up as I stared at the red line that was reading Tori's heartbeat. It was the noise that was coming from the machine that scared me the most.

The line was flat.

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NO HATE! Yes...a cliffhanger. Whoops...not really :P

Ok so, if you thought the chapter was slow, I'm sorry :/ please tell me what you think. Feel free to comment whatever you think. Maybe some of you liked it, I don't know. It took me forever to write because I wasn't feeling it...but please, comment. Tell me what you think.

First, Bill at work, I don't know what you guys thought but I kept it short and simple. Shawn with Em. They're so cuuuuute. Cole and Jodee. I love their relationship because it's so...I don't know. Like fire and ice. Then Suzie. She's ok people, no need to panic, she's ok. But Tori....oooh....Tori....

I don't know what to say really. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Please don't hate me xD what do you guys think though? Blake is like a rock though...he doesn't cry...at all...I'm traveling a lot, I don't know when I'll be able to write. Plus, I have summer homework. AP classes, whoooo (not) I've barely started, so I need to do that...please comment.

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