Our hearts are monsters. That's why our ribs are cages.

-Unknown.

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-Maggie-

"-so you're saying that she had the right to do what she did?" I mentally furrowed my eyebrows as the voice woke me up. It sounded harsh, and as much as I struggled to open my eyes I couldn't. Something felt weird and I was afraid to figure it out. My chest felt heavy, and for some reason my mouth feels full.

"Dad, maybe she wasn't thinking. Stress does this a lot and even though it wasn't right you can't blame her. The doctors said she would be fine. Why can't you just be happy?" I recognized that second voice as Sarah's, but something had caught my attention. Doctors? What is she talking about? That's when I heard a familiar beeping sound. A heart monitor. I started to freak out and continued to try to open my eyes, but it just made me tired. That's when my dad said something that made something cold wash over me. "If she wanted to suicide then she should've might as well asked someone to shoot her. This isn't my daughter, she's just another disgusting teenager out there, and instead of taking responsibility she tried to find a way out."

Suddenly I heard a smacking sound that was so loud I swear it echoed throughout the room. Another voice popped up right after. "Sarah! You did not just hit your father!" It was mom. I started panicking and kept trying to open my eyes. Why can't I move?! What's going on?

"Someone had to do it. I definitely know you weren't. Open your eyes. Look who is on that bed. She is your daughter no matter what she did or does. Haven't you guys just thought to yourself that maybe the reason she did this was because of you two?! She isn't a robot, she has feelings and the most recent ones are pain and anguish. You guys have a heart, make it beat and start acting like her real parents. If not then get out, both of you. Obviously you guys don't want to be here so you shouldn't argue." There was silence right after and a for a second I thought they would stay, that they really still love me, but then I heard a series of footsteps until they faded away. I felt cold now and all I want to do is cry, but I'm too weak, I can't. What happened and why am I here? What does dad mean by me wanting to suicide? The most important question running through my mind though, is where is Graham?

Suddenly I heard some sobs fill the room right as a hand, Sarah's I'm guessing, held onto mine. At least I can feel my body. "Mags, I have no idea what you were thinking, but something tells me it wasn't really you who did it. Maybe for a second you just blocked out and then- oh God." Her voice broke off and she started sobbing again. "Just wake up already, that way I can ask you if you're okay and then slap the heck out of you for scaring me." She let out a forced laugh and squeezed my hand. "Graham is fine. He's actually sleeping in his car seat thingy right now in front of me. That's most likely the answer to the question you wanted to know the most. Luke called your phone earlier, and when I told him you were in the hospital he freaked out. Literally, he started rambling and demanding an answer as if to you were okay or not, and at the moment I was wishing I could've answered him but I didn't even know myself. He asked what hospital you were rushed to, but the doctors strictly said family only, and I knew it would piss dad off, which I should've obliged just for the sake of it, but you were more important, so I promised him he could visit you when you come home. Maggie he's still calling and texting asking how you're doing. I keep telling him that you're fine and that he should get some sleep, you know, considering it's already four twenty-nine in the morning, but he keeps insisting to stay awake until he sees you again. If that doesn't prove that he likes you then I have no idea what does. Promise me something when you wake up. Give the guy a chance, okay? He seems nice and to be honest I'm pretty sure he's sitting right in front of his front door like a dog waiting until you come home." She laughed, probably imagining what she just said. Luke is staying up all night because of me?

"Look at me, talking to my unconscious sister. I'm basically talking to myself right now. Might as well confess a few things, right?" She sighed and I was practically forcing myself to wake up by now. "Number one, I accidentally dropped Graham once and that was why he had that bruise on his leg." WHAT?! Before I could even have a panic attack she continued speaking. "Two, last year, I didn't really go to that one week trip to Canada. The pictures I showed you were photo shopped by a friend of mine. I was actually doing community service after getting caught while trashing Ms. Pentoski's grave. She hated me that old woman and I never did anything to her while that devil was alive. Anyways, mom and dad don't know because I happen to know a guy that came into the police department acting as dad. I was absolutely relieved when we managed to pull that off." If I were physically awake I would've freaked out on that.

"Reason number three is that I- the bad girl Sarah Brown, am daring someone." Woah, woah, woah. SAY WHAT?! Now I really wish I were awake right now so I could strangle her for not telling me. As if reading my mind, Sarah started speaking again. "I didn't tell you, or anyone in that matter because I'm pretty sure he would get arrested if the word got out." What in the world?! "He's not my teacher, but he does work at school. He's um, actually obviously older than me. Five years actually. I mean, it isn't that bad right? Just five years. I know couple that are eight years- heck seventeen years apart! Once I turn eighteen and graduate then we would be able to go out and do things in public, it's just that, I didn't tell you because you depend on me and you trust me. I didn't want to mess up the image you have on me, ya know? And I doubt you would judge, but right now the only ones who know are him and I. He- well. He's actually the erm, the principal." And here is where I would faint.

"Okay that right there was a lie. I just thought that if I said something really crazy you would wake up to yell at me." I calmed down a little, still a bit mad that she dropped Graham and had to do community service. After what seemed like forever her hand eventually left mine as she murmured a good night and I heard her footsteps leave the room. It sucks, not being able to control your body. Your brain is awake but it's too exhausted to send signals throughout your body. I just hope I escape this black hole soon.

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-Luke-

"Luke, can you come down here sweetie?!" I looked up from my world history homework I was almost done completing on my bed and sighed. Finally I can take a break. I was literally planning on doing this Sunday but mum says I have to stop procrastinating. She thinks I can accomplish the impossible. "Be there in a sec!" I called back. I stood up from my bed and stretched with that over exaggerated yell everyone does because it's not normal if you don't do it, and then trudged downstairs to the living room where my parents were sitting. Dad looked up and smirked as he gestured to the recliner by the sofa they were sitting on. "Have a seat, mum and I want to ask you something. Well, mostly your mum." Mum let out an excited giggle and that's when I stared to grow skeptical.

"Should I be worried or just extremely cautious?" I asked, looking at dad. He chuckled but before he could answer mum cut in. "So your dad is having this business dinner party, and we were wondering if you would like to come? I mean, as a teenager these things could be boring to you but we were hoping to go as a family- only if it's okay with you of course. We don't want to force you-"

"Mum, breathe." She stopped talking and nodded slowly as she took a few deep breaths. I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. "I wouldn't mind going. When is it?" They looked at each other before facing me again. Mum bit her lip guiltily and held up her hand. "Well, there's one more thing. We want you to bring a date. If you want to. You don't have to." She rushed. I was about to speak but she continued. "Maybe Maggie would like to come or something." She looked everywhere but at me and that's when I saw what she was doing. "Mum, what are you going on about?" I asked, testing her a bit. She furrowed her eyebrows innocently.

"Whaaaat? I have no idea what you're accusing me of." She lied. I laughed and stood up. "I'll ask Maggie, but I can't promise anything. She's busy with more important things." She nodded eagerly and flashed me a smile. "Go get her!" I rolled my eyes playfully and headed towards the staircase. "When's the party?" I asked.

"Next week on Friday." Dad answered. I nodded my head and went up the stairs to finish my word history homework. Haha, that's a huge lie. I put my world history homework on my nightstand and grabbed my phone, ready to call Maggie. After about six rings I was about to hang up before a voice that wasn't Maggie's answered.

"Luke?" I furrowed my eyebrows. One because the voice was panicked and two I couldn't recognize the voice. "Uh yeah, I was hoping to speak with Maggie. Is she there?"

"Look, I've heard about you, I'm Maggie's sister Sarah but right now isn't a good time. Maggie's being rushed to the hospital and I-"

"What?! Is she okay? What happened? Hold on, I'll just meet you over there. What hospital-"

"Listen Luke you can't come. It would piss off our dad and- I just don't want you to get in trouble. When my parents aren't in the room I'll let you come okay? Just, stay calm because I'm already doing all the panicking." I stood up from my bed and started getting ready. "What happened?" I asked.

"I- Listen, I don't know if that's my place to tell you but-"

"Just tell me! I need to know she's going to be okay. At least tell me that." I begged. I was getting mad and confused at the same time. "Please just tell me something." There was a long moment of silence and at first I thought she wasn't going to tell me until she started speaking.

"We found her unconscious in the bath tub. She was underneath the water and we can't get her to wake up." Those words made me freeze completely and before I knew it I was demanding more answers. "Luke! I don't know the answer to any of the questions you're asking, but as soon as I know I'll call you. Alright?!" I gripped my hair and nodded my head, trying my best not to cry.

"Fine, but if you don't call I'll go to every single hospital around here and find her myself." I hung up the phone and started pacing back and forth in my room until the door opened slowly. My dad peaked his head in before walking in completely, mum following behind him. "We heard yelling." My dad said. I sat on my bed and buried my face in my hands. "She was rushed to the hospital after they f-found her unconscious in-" I couldn't finish since my sobs broke me off. Soon after I felt two pairs of arms wrap around me from either side. "I don't even know i-if she's okay or not yet and I'm already h-hurting. Why does it hurt?" I asked.

"Because you care about her." My dad answered. I leaned my body weight on them as I continued to sob. Maggie didn't- no, she wouldn't.

Did she?

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