A/N: 27 followers and 11 have already favorited the story? Awesome. I am gushing about all the love this story is getting. I really want to do this justice for all of you. Here is the fastest I have ever gotten to the next chapter. Reason? Between this morning and tomorrow night, I am going to be super busy with work.

So I wanted to capitalize on my free time, or the calm before the storm, as I call it.

As always, please leave your reviews. What you guys said about the last chapter was just the best. If I could have feedback like that every time, I would be set!

;-)

FOUR YEARS AGO

Jade paced around her room, mind racing.

Tonight, she thought. I'll tell them tonight.

"Jade!" she heard her mom call from downstairs. "Dinner!"

The black-haired girl gathered her composure and descended the stairs to the dining room. Her dad and little brother Elias were both seated while Mom was bringing the last side dish and prepared to seat herself.

"You made it," her dad smiled in his usual sardonic manner. Easy to see where Jade got her sense of humor.

"Yeah," Jade simply responded and sat down.

They passed around the various components of the evening's supper until everyone got their full plate. Jade wanted to make her big announcement before everyone started eating but it was too late. Elias had already begun to tear it up.

Jade shut her eyes and breathed deeply. Don't be a coward, she told herself.

"Mom, dad…" she sheepishly stated, pushing her food around with her fork. "I have something to tell you."

Her father wiped his mouth and threw down his napkin like a Roman Emperor before the gladiator was about to fight the lion. Her mom just turned her head toward her daughter, concerned.

"Is this about school?" her dad asked.

"No," she shook her head. "It's nothing bad."

"Well what then?" her mother pressed.

"You know how…my age I'm starting to like…boys?"

Doom came across her father's face but at the time he was thinking that she did something regretful. Immediately picking up on the double entendre of that last sentence, Jade shifted gears.

"Well…the thing is…I think I like…girls…"

It took an extra couple seconds for it to register in Mrs. West's head but her husband understood right away. He's lived in California his whole life and he understood what being gay was. That didn't mean he liked it. And it didn't mean he condoned his daughter being one of those folk.

"Excuse me," he said standing up. "But I think I just lost my appetite." He swiftly exited the room and a contrite Mrs. West acted like the last two minutes didn't happen. Elias just kept eating, not understanding the conversation.

Jade sat there, looking at the floor. Suddenly, she lost her appetite as well.

For the longest time, her father barely said an audible word to her. They both just kind of coexisted. Jade couldn't stand being looked as that lesbian who lives in my house. She heard that very phrase one night when her parents were arguing. Her dad had a fit when he found out Jade was being permitted to attend Hollywood Arts.

"It's bad enough we live in the gay capitol of the goddamn country but now she is going to school with a bunch of goofy artists?"

"She has talent," her mom interjected. "Some parents want to nurture such things."

"Well, I won't have any part of it."

"What the hell does that mean," she shouted back.

"I'm leaving and I'm taking Elias. My only son is not going to be poisoned by this queer bullshit."

Oh fuck, Jade thought.

After that, she realized that she would rather live a lie than be responsible for her parents separating. So, she accepted the request for a date from that Beck Oliver who transferred from Canada. At first it was jarring but he proved to be a really sweet guy. There were times when the lighting was just right and his androgynous features allowed Jade to pretend enough to enjoy their more intimate moments from time to time.

At every opportunity, she would parade Beck around to her parents; particularly her father. She wanted him to think that it was only a phase (or at least a terrible idea) and she was "normal."

The damage was already done, though. After that argument, Jade's mom couldn't live with a man so heartless so she kicked him out. They didn't legally divorce but they agreed to live apart and divide the responsibility of the children, Mr. West taking Elias since it was decided he would need a father figure.

They visited all the time, Jade content with the occasions she did see her father. At least he wasn't looking at her that way anymore. In his eyes, she was still his daughter and that was enough. For a little while. Jade still blamed herself for her parents separating. If she weren't gay, if she was just like everyone else she knew, Jade's world wouldn't have been thrown into upheaval.

This was all ridiculous but tell that to a thirteen-year-old, going on fourteen.

END OF FLASHBACK

Tori made a small smile when the resident was finished extracting her blood. This certainly feels familiar, she thought. This hospital better not lose it like that other one.

Trina put her hand on Tori's back. "You feel a little better?"

"As long as I know Jade is moving a little closer to feeling better," Tori responded.

They walked out of the little room.

Trina turned to Tori. "I think now they start serving breakfast in the cafeteria downstairs. You hungry?"

"Yeah," Tori held her stomach as it growled. "I was so worried I forgot to eat something at the airport or on the plane."

"Be right back," she said before walking away.

Tori was able to find her way back to Jade's room. She had never been in this hospital before but after you see something once, it is pretty easy to remember where it is. She was stunned Mrs. West hugged her not a half second before entering the door.

"Tori," she said warmly. "I knew you'd come."

"Are you kidding?," Tori said. She showed her arm with the Hello Kitty Band-Aid. "I had to."

After seeing that, Jade's mom hugged her even tighter, a brief hindrance to Tori's breathing.

"Jade's lucky to have you girls." Mrs. West looked past Tori. "Where's Trina?"

"Went to get some breakfast. She'll be back." Tori glanced at Jade who didn't move since she was last in the room. "How is she?"

"Hanging in there, I suppose" she said as she sat down. Tori knelt beside her, holding her hand. The woman looked like she was about to unload. "I just don't know what to do anymore," she sobbed.

"It's okay," Tori said trying to be comforting.

"You don't understand. This wasn't the first time."

That Tori did not know, evidenced by her mouth agape.

"She tried to before," Mrs. West continued. "It was horrible. From what I heard a truncated version of what your sister found yesterday."

Tori rubbed her arms with her hands, contemplating that image of Jade lying dead in her own blood.

Trina returned several minutes later with waffles, bacon and fruit. Realizing she forgot the orange juice, she secreted a few from the little fridge in the room where she got the needle when no one was looking.

The three ladies ate, mostly to keep their strength up and suppress those hunger pangs.

"At least this food is edible," Trina trying to lighten the mood. "For Jade's sake anyway when she wakes up."

Tori looked at her sister, silently thanking her for trying to keep morale (or at least Mrs. West's spirits) up.

After they were done eating, Mrs. West said that she was going to try and contact her husband and son again. They needed to be here for Jade. The girls agreed to watch Jade and promised to text her mom if there is any change.

Tori looked over in the corner of the room where a sort of desk/vanity table jutted out of the wall.

There was a white laptop on it.

"What's that?"

Trina looked over and remembered what her mom said. "Oh that, it's Jade's computer from home."

"Really?" Tori said rising to her feet and walking over to it.

"What are you doing?"

"Maybe there are some clues in here," she said while picking up the laptop.

Trina shook her head. "You shouldn't, Tor. It's private."

"Look, she must have had a reason for doing this, okay?" Tori wiped back a tear. "Maybe the answer's in here."

"Her mom was considering the same thing," Trina retorted. "But she didn't want to impede on Jade's privacy."

Tori stared at her. That didn't sound like the loving mother she saw.

Trina sighed. "Fine. She couldn't figure out the password."

"Well, I bet I can," Tori furrowed her brow.