Veronica's POV

It was raining pretty hard by the time we got to my dad's house in the city and it continued to rain straight into the night. I woke up a bit after six and got myself prepared before heading down to the kitchen to make breakfast. As soon as I placed the pancakes on the plate and poured the syrup into a cup my dad came walking into the kitchen with his briefcase in hand and his cell to his ear.

I watched as he filled his cup with coffee before adding a bit of creamer. He turned and saw me sitting by the island before he ended the call to come stand near me.

"Good morning Veronica, how's the arm?"

"Its fine, I made breakfast."

"That's nice Nika but I'm already running late for work. See ya."

I rolled my eyes as my dad dropped a few bills onto the counter and headed out. Moments later I heard the screeching of his car as he drove off. I sighed deeply before heading to my room to grab my coat and umbrella. The rain was still showering us with unwanted water and I needed to see Carol before the morning visitation was out.

I grabbed my cell, the cash and one of my dad's car keys before heading out and locking the door securely behind me. I made a mad dash for the garage and was happy that the door was still open. Shaking off the little rain, I pressed the car key and was delighted to see it belonged to his new black Mustang. Smiling, I walked over and ran two fingers along the smooth paint job before I entered.

The first thing I did was inhale the sweet car scent before turning over the engine and speeding out. I blew my horn on the gate security before I careened out into the scarce traffic and towards the hospital. I was sure to get a call from my dad about taking one of his cars but then again, he'd have to care about me enough to leave his job just to scold me. I turned the radio full blast and sang at the top of my lungs as I drove with my good arm down the street. Before long I was parking the car and heading up to room 415.

As soon as I entered the closed room my heart somersaulted and my steps decreased. My mom had taken it upon herself to get her switched to a better room, one devoid of any other person and my heart broke a little as I saw her hooked up to various machines. It reminded me of mine but I knew that her reasons were way graver than mine was. I blinked away the tears as I reached her bedside.

She looked so peaceful, as though she was sleeping but I knew she wouldn't wake up no matter how hard I called out to her or tried to shake her awake. I sat down in the chair near her bed as the memories started to flood my brain and the feelings became overwhelming. I remembered when she said she loved me, I remembered when we made love at the little lake underneath those huge trees and how she promised me that we would be together forever. Maybe I was stupid to think that this was forever, that we could withstand even the harshest of times.

My shoulders sagged as the tears took over and my body shook from its intensity. I knew that if she ever woke up I'd be different, I'd ensure she knew the depth of my feelings for her, even if it meant we could never belong to one another.

"Please wake up." I pleaded quietly. "Please come back to me." I rested my head on her hand and closed my eyes as the sobs decreased.

"Am I interrupting." Came a soft voice making me jump.

I looked up to see Darcy standing at the door in her distinct jeans and tank top. I unconsciously rolled my eyes before getting up and storming over to her. She took a step back as her wild eyes stared back at mine.

"And why are you here?" I asked, anger building.

"She's my friend, why would I not be here?"

"She's your friend? You guys only saw each other like twice and one of those times you were forcing your hands down her panties." I accused.

"I-"

"Why don't you do us all a favor friend and leave us the hell alone, cause I'm sure, a girlfriend has far more privileges than just a stupid friend."

"What is your problem?! First you get mad at her for liking me, claiming that I'm the reason she is the way she is, then you're suddenly the love of her life? Why don't you pick a side because honestly a girl like her deserves better than an attention whore and I'm pretty sure she isn't gonna wait around forever."

"So what? She's going to leave me for you?" I stared incredulously at the girl before me as hatred surfaced. "She'll never leave me for a wretch like you."

"She won't have too, you'll push her away all on your own. After all, a heart could only take so much."

"Get out!" I shouted, anger getting the best of me.

"Make me." She snickered and just as I was about to lounge for her throat Carol's parents walked in.

"Does someone want to tell me what's going on here?" Mrs. Paige says and we both freeze.

"Mrs. Paige, you're here?"

"Well obviously-" She turned to face Darcy just as her husband walked in behind her. "Please tell me that the conversation I just overheard was a lie, that you girls were just jabbering nonsense like all girls do."

"What? Did the doctor say something?" Mr. Paige asked looking from one individual to the next.

Darcy and I both looked at each other, fear spewing off of us like a raging river. I knew enough of her family to know that they hated people like us and as much as I wanted to defend my relationship, now was the worst time ever.

I looked at Mrs. Paige, my eyes silently pleading with her. I'm sure she wouldn't want to start an argument in her daughter's hospital room the second they just arrived in the city.

"No darling, the doctor just said that her condition was the same but he's sure she'll wake up before Friday."

I let go of the breath I had no idea I was holding and watched as Mr. Paige walked over to the bed to kiss Carol on the forehead. I took that as a sign to leave but Mrs. Paige had other ideas.

"Austin dear, why don't you spend some time with her? I want to speak with her friends a bit and understand what really happened okay?"

"Okay."

She kissed him on his cheeks before walking out and we reluctantly followed. When we were out in the hallway she turned hard eyes towards us.

"Start talking."

I looked to Darcy but of course she was looking at her feet. I rolled my eyes at her before looking back at the woman in front of us.

"Mrs. Paige-"

"Veronica, I've known you for quite some time so please... Don't lie to me."

"I wasn't about to lie to you Mrs. Paige."

"Then tell me, why is my daughter lying in a coma?"

"I... I'm sorry."

"What did you do?" She sneered and my head snapped up to hers.

"It wasn't me, it was my crazy ex boyfriend. He couldn't stand the thought that Carr and I were happy together and he wanted me all for himself. She wasn't supposed to be there, I was supposed to be the one that got hurt not her... I'm sorry Mrs. Paige, it's all my fault."

"Anthony attacked my Carol? I don't understand, weren't all of you friends?"

"Yes but I broke up with him and-"

"What do you mean he couldn't stand the thought of you two together?"

"Am-"

"Are you trying to tell me that my daughter is a lesbian?"

"Well-"

"Don't be ridiculous! She's with that out of control young man, Brent or whoever."

"Brian? They ended things a while back. She hated not being honest and-"

"Shut up! Don't you say another word! I can't believe you would say such hateful, disgusting things while my daughter, your friend, is lying in a coma."

"Mrs. Paige-"

"Get out! Both of you and don't you dare come near me or my family ever again."

I watched as Darcy bolted, not needing to be told twice and the anger started seeping to my surface once more. How can she be so naive? How can she call herself a mother... A parent, and then turn around and deny her daughter happiness. My mouth opened to speak my mind when Mr. Paige came running out.

"She's awake!"