Chapter 2: One Wound

This story has been revamped.

Lilly was on top of a wave. This was a good time of day for surfing though Lilly only got the chance to surf on weekends. When she got off the wave she headed for the Rico's shop. It was closed but she was more interested in finding a place to sit and be alone right now.

She still couldn't believe that she was the one the school put the blame on for the incident, yes, she was the one who initiated the violence but she was also the one who ended up with the abrasion. Amber and Ashley were told to watch their tongues and then sent back to class. Lilly planted her surf board in the sand and took a seat, there was nobody around, another hour and this place will be overflowing with people.

She thought about where her life was going, if where it's been was any indication she was in for a pretty crappy life. Yes, she had great friends and a great mother but that was about it, a lot of people would say that's all you need in life but in truth, it isn't, not in today's dog eat dog world. She wondered how she was able to get through everything and then she realized why - her mother. Lilly's mother was always there for her, even in the worst of times. She was there when her father hit her and left them, through every heartbreak and through every friend fight, the sixteen year old wondered where she'd be if she didn't have her mother, or if she were to loose her, then cringed at the thought.

Two o'clock rolled around and Lilly made her way to the school skate park, the previous night she had called Miley back and told her to meet her here after school. The blond's phone chirped, she checked the text message:

"Teach wants 2 c me be there in 5"

Lilly briefly wondered if her friend was in trouble or if it was something else, either way she had an extra five minutes so she decided to grab her skateboard and pass the time. She dropped into the half pipe and grinded along the other side coming back then dropping back in. A few more trips from side to side and she had some good speed, she came down off one side and exited the half pipe, rolled around an obstacle and then up a ramp, she came back down and made a left heading to a grinding rail, what she didn't see was a bolt laying right in her path. It caught under her wheel and brought the board to an abrupt stop, throwing Lilly forward. She hit her forehead on the rail hard, right below the helmet rim and right above her eyebrows. The impact instantly knocked her out.

Miley arrived to find her friend lying face down, a trail of blood leading away from her head and into a storm drain. She ran over and turned Lilly over, her eyes were closed and the wound on her head was bad, it was going to require stitches even Miley could see that. She pulled her cell out and dialed 911.

As soon as they arrived at the hospital the doctors took Lilly into the ER, not allowing Miley to enter. She was escorted to a waiting room where she called her father, she told him what happened, or at least what she knew and Robby said he'd be right there.

After calling her father Miley called Oliver, who said he'd be there as soon as he could. When she hung up one of the nurses came to her and asked "you're admitting the blond?"

Miley turned around, offended at the rude tone the nurse had taken. "That blond has a name you know" She spat.

"Oh really? Well that's nice why don't you write it down along with yours so we can get the paperwork done" She said shoving a clipboard in Miley's face.

Miley took the clipboard and then a seat, not knowing what half of the form was asking she filled out what she understood, which was her name and Lilly's. Ten minutes passed and the nurse returned, she looked over Miley's shoulder and said "what's taking you so long?"

Miley shot the woman a glare. "Well for one I've never filled one of these out before…" That was when Oliver arrived.

"Miley! Is she alright?!" He yelled, getting everybody's attention. "What happened?!"

"Oliver, why don't you take a seat and I'll tell you what happened" The brunette suggested. The boy took a few deep breaths during which the nurse vacated then he sat next to Miley. She explained what she saw, but also said that she didn't know how it happened.

"So is she gonna be okay?"

"I don't know, they won't tell me anything" Miley replied.

An hour passed and Robby still hadn't arrived, Miley decided to give him another call. "Miles, I got an issue right now, I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Dad! I've got an issue right now, I need you here!"

"Miley I promise you I'll be there soon but trust me when I say this can't wait."

Frustrated, Miley hung up. "Where is he?" Oliver asked.

"Has an issue" Miley said.

Another two hours passed before Robby got to the hospital, as soon as he entered Miley yelled "Where were you?!" At him.

"Miles…" He hesitated, not sure of how to put it. "Before I came here I went to Ms. Truscott's work to tell her what happened…"

"She only works in the next town over, what took so long?" Miley demanded.

"Well she got really worried and left to come see Lilly, I offered to drive her but she insisted on taking her own car and…" Miley interrupted him.

"Oh, so where is she?"

"Well…" Another nurse came out and called Miley's name, getting the trios attention.

"Lillian's out of surgery…" The nurse said, this was a different nurse from the one who had given Miley a hard time earlier.

"And? Is she gonna be okay?" Miley asked impatiently.

"Well the doctors were able to stop the bleeding and close the wound but we won't know for sure if she's suffered any brain damage until she wakes up."

"For sure?" Robby queried.

"Well we checked for any outward signs, misaligned eyes and non-responsive reflexes and those tests showed that she'll make a full recovery but it's not unheard of for someone to take a severe blow to the head and not show any signs of brain damage then when they wake up… Well you get the idea."

"Poor girl" Robby commented.

"Can we see her?" Oliver asked.

"Yes you can, fourth door on the left" the nurse said pointing down the hall.

The three made their way to Lilly's room. She had white medical tape wrapped around her head; they could see her blond locks hanging out of the back, meaning they were able to spare her hair. They were also able to spare her the shame of having to be disrobed as she was still wearing her same clothes.

Miley went to Lilly's side, pulled up a seat and took her hand in hers. "Oh Lilly this is all my fault! If only I didn't have to keep you waiting…" her father put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's not your fault honey, it just happened" Miley began to tear up, that was when Lilly began to stir.

"Whoa, she's waking up already?" Oliver said.

With a labored groan Lilly shifted in the bed and opened her eyes. "Hey guys" She said quietly.

Miley jumped out of her chair and wrapped her arms around Lilly's neck in a hug, getting a gurgling sound to escape the slightly older girl. Robby pulled his daughter off and said "Hey Lilly, you okay?"

"Um… I guess, what happened to me?"

"I don't know I just found you lying on the ground at the skate park" Miley explained.

Lilly nodded then looked around the room. "Hey… Where's my mom?" She asked innocently. Robby sighed heavily, letting Miley go then putting a hand on the wall to lean on. "Mr. Stewart?" Lilly asked.

"Daddy?" All eyes were on Robby Ray, who was having trouble composing himself. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

He turned to face Lilly and made direct eye contact with her. "Lilly… I hate to have to tell you this but… Your mother's dead."

This chapter was madly hard to write, I'm actually not completely satisfied with it as is but I wanted to post it. Sorry about the cliffhanger but I thought it would be a good chapter ending. More chapters to come, please review.