Chapter 2: What happened?

Marissa blinked a couple of times more before she got accustomed to the light in her room. She looked around her surroundings trying to think of where she was and what had happened when her eyes landed to her mother and her best friend.

"Mom, what's wrong with Summer?" Marissa said worried as what might have happened to her fury little best friend to be lying there with her mom caressing her back.

"Marissa?" Julie said shell- shocked. She's awake! Finally!

"Yes mom. Now, what is going in with Summer? Why is she in a… hospital?" Marissa asked after she finally realized where she was.

"What do you remember? Summer's fine. I just asked her to sleep for a while. She's been so exhausted but was too stubborn to sleep. You're the one who is in the hospital, sweetie." Julie said as she came closer to Marissa's bed.

Marissa doesn't know what could have caused her to be in the hospital. The last thing she remembered was being with Summer, Seth and Ryan in the model house for a goodbye party they threw for her.

"I know that I said goodbye to Summer and Seth… Then, Ryan and I left to go to the airport to see dad. Oh my God! Did you tell dad I'm gonna be late because I'm here? He could be worried sick! What time is it anyway?" Marissa asked. She had no idea how long she had been in here, but she thinks it's at least a few hours. Maybe I could still take the next plane to Hawaii to see dad.

"Sweetie, what day is it today?" Julie asked pretty scared as to what her daughter might say.

"May 18th 2006? Well, I think the 19th would be much correct since it seems like it's after midnight. Why?" Marissa answered while Julie looked like she'd been punched in the gut which scared Marissa. How far off was my guess on the day was?

"Mom, what's going on? What happened? Why am I here? Mom?!" Marissa asked worried and confused. She didn't even notice the tears falling down her cheeks. She can't remember what could have caused her to be lying in a hospital. I don't feel any pain. That's a good sign, right?

"Sweetie, you had an accident while you were on your way to the airport with Ryan. You've been here for the past 7 months…in coma. We didn't know when you were going to wake or if you'll ever wake up. Summer here hasn't slept since she found out that you may wake up one of these days. I'm so happy you're finally awake! You really scared us." Julie said with tears in her eyes as she hugged her daughter.

Marissa's tears were falling faster now as she heard what had happened. Ryan…

"Oh my God! What about Ryan? Is he alright? He's alright, right? Nothing happened to him, right? He's fine? How did this accident happen? Was anyone else hurt?" Marissa asked wanting to know everything she missed. She tried to sit up but Julie stopped her.

"Marissa you're too weak, just stay still. Ryan's okay. He only had a few scratches. The accident happened when you and Ryan were on your way to the airport. A car crashed in to Ryan's car. It was Volchok's. The car fell down towards the edge of the cliff. But before it did, Ryan was able to get you out. A minute or so later, the car exploded. You fainted before the ambulance was able to get to where the two of were. Somebody must have called the ambulance 'cos you and Ryan left both your phones in the car. The doctor said later that if you had arrived at the hospital a few minutes later that he would not have been able to save you. Oh Marissa, you have no idea how happy I am to see you awake!" Julie said as she hugged Marissa again, but was still careful not to hurt her daughter. Marissa was full on crying now in her mother's arms after hearing what had happened. She fell asleep in her mother's arms, a few minutes later.

When Marissa woke up the next morning, she hoped that everything that had happened was just a bad dream. A nightmare forever etched in her memory. But when she saw the needles stuck in her arm, the hospital gown she was wearing, she knew it was real. She was in the hospital because a guy couldn't understand what 'no' meant. She lost 7 months of her life because of Volchok.

She searched the room for her mother only to find Summer sitting on the chair looking at the pages of magazine disinterestedly. She was happy to find Summer there, near her. She felt better and safe. But then something had hit her, "Why aren't you at Brown?" Marissa asked confused and a bit shocked.

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again, thanks to kaila