The excessive ringing doesn't stop and I reach over to the dash board of my truck, answering the call on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Austin," Aiden's voice says. "Emma is in the hospital."

My heart drops.

"What? You're joking," I say, refusing to believe what he's saying. But I know he's not. He wouldn't joke about something like that. Not after Tyler.

"We're at St. Alberts Hospital, fifth floor in the ICU," he says. "It doesn't look good."

I hit the breaks, the truck lurching to a stop.

"I'm on my way," I say, doing a U-turn in the middle of the street. "I'm be there as quick as possible."

"Okay," he says, his voice distant. "See you soon."

He hangs up and I push down harder on the gas peddle, speeding through a red light.

When I get to the hospital, I pull into the nearest available space, jumping out and running into the hospital. The elevator door opens and Emma's parents and brothers fill the waiting room.

"Austin," Kathleen says, her voice low and sad. She walks towards me and I notice her red, puffy eyes. "I'm so glad you came."

"What happened?" I ask, hugging her tight. I lean back. "Where's Emma?"

Her eyes soften. "Austin, Emma has severe brain trauma and her legs were hit," she pauses, taking a breath. "She's in surgery right now. The doctors won't tell us anything."

James comes over and comforts Kathleen, rubbing her back.

Aiden walks up to me.

"Hey, what happened?" I ask, my hands tingling. "Who hit her?"

"Its a drunk driver, on his way home from the bar," he says, anger flashing in his eyes.

I clinch my fists.

"The bastard better hopes she wakes up," Jude says, walking up beside Aiden. "Or else he's a dead man."

The next few hours are dreadful.

My mind is plagued with harrowing thoughts but I fight through them, trying to be hopeful. I remind myself Emma is strong willed, stubborn, and determined, even when the odds are against her.

As I wait in the waiting area for what seems like days with Aidan and the rest of her family, thinking about Emma makes me more anxious than I already am. Aidan is sitting beside me, wringing his hands, and sighing. Andrea sits on the other side of me. She got here only a few minutes after I did, demanding to know what happened.

"Fuck, I can't take this place," Aiden bursts, throwing his hands up.

I put my hand on his shoulder to comfort him before Andrea stands up suddenly.

"Come on, let's go down to the cafeteria," Andrea says, and hauls Aidan and I up by the arms, forcing us to move.

I glance at Aidan and he shrugs.

"I need food," he says, following Andrea. We begin to walk down the hall towards the elevator with promises to be back soon as possible. Andrea asks if Mrs. Taylor wants anything but she declines the offer.

I glance at Quinn, who sits in a chair with his arms crossed over his chest. He hasn't said a word the entire time.

"Hey," I say, nudging his arm. "Do you want to come with us?"

Quinn shakes his head.

"Do you want anything to eat?"

Quinn jerks his head up, narrowing his eyes. "No, just leave me alone," he says, harshly.

"Okay," I mumble, walking away.

At the elevator, Aidan presses the down button. The elevator opens, letting an elderly couple out before the three of us step in and Andrea pushes the forth floor button. The ride is quiet. Once the elevator stops, the three of us get out and wander around the floor, searching for the cafeteria until we decided to follow the signs overhead of us.

The cafeteria is like the school cafeteria, except instead of students lounging, it's full of doctors, nurses, and patients. And it definitely smells cleaner too. Andrea offers to get us food, so Aidan and I find an empty table near the corner of the cafeteria.

Aidan and I sit down across from each other. Neither one of us say anything until Aidan pipes up.

"I just can't believe we're back here again," he says, referring to only a few months ago. "Emma is our only sister. It's so hard not to think the worst but we have to stay positive."

"How are you doing?" I ask softly, wanting to know what thoughts are going through my best friends mind.

Aidan shrugs, averting his eyes. I've known Aidan since we were in our terrible twos, and I've know by now that although he may be struggling inside, he isn't one to share his emotions. Which I can understand.

"I never imagined you, of all people, to be my sisters boyfriend," Aidan says, smirking. "I just don't understand what she sees in you."

"Well thanks for that," I mutter. "Why don't you think she'd be with me?"

Aidan scrunches his eye brows. "I just think it would be hard for her to be with you, knowing what happened. I didn't think she'd even want to be around you."

I go stiff, running my hand through my hair.

Aiden narrows his eyes, studying me.

"Wait, you haven't told her?" Aidan demands, his voice rising. "What the hell Austin!"

I shoot him a look. "Be quiet," I hiss.

"You have to tell her! If she's going to be with you, tell her man. Or I will," Aidan says, and his eyes burn into mine, dead serious. I nod my head, even though that is the last thing I want to do.I don't want to jeopardize my relationship and bond that I have with Emma. But she deserves the truth, even if it could destroy everything we have.

"I bring food," Andrea says, attempting to smile, setting sandwiches and water in front of Aidan and I. "Ready to go back up?" The conversation between Austin and I is dropped and the three of us make the journey back to the waiting room.

The elevator opens and I step out first. When I see a doctor talking to Kathleen and James, I follow Aiden to them. Kathleen leans into James, listening intently to what the doctor is saying.

"Emma has experiences serious trauma to the head. She may have damage to her spinal cord and frontal cortex, or nerve damage. It is unclear how much damage is done, and until she wakes up, I'm afraid we won't know the full extent."

"So she's in a coma?" Kathleen asks, tears sliding down her face.

The doctor nods. "Yes, she is," he says.

Jude steps forward. "When will she wake up?"

The doctor shrugs. "It could be a few hours, or days, even weeks."

Jude turns around, trembling and punches the wall. James grasps him by the arms, telling him to calm down but he pushes him away and walks down the hall.

"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor," the doctor says, his voice full of sympathy. "Is there any family members you should call?"

Kathleen breaks down, crumbling into James' arms. A nurse comes and speaks to them, offering to show them to Emma's room.

The doctor walks away, turning down the hall.

I don't know what to do and begin walking aimlessly, tears welling, until I turn the corner of an empty hall and slide down the wall.

Giving into my own pain, I let the ache in the pit of my heart consume me.