Rough Edges

A/N: sorry it has been a long, long time since my last update but I have been crazy busy with school and other things. I promise this update was worth the wait….at least I hope it was. I will try to update more often but I really don't know with my schedule and surgery…dental surgery. Thank you all for the great reviews they really do keep me going. A special thanks to Julz. Oh hey Julz are you considering Emerson as a choice for college? …I thought you said that in one of your updates. That is my #1 choice! But I need to get my SAT scores up.  I loved all the reviews they really do keep me writing; without them I don't think I could do this. God bless, Converses Rolled Down.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my converse all stars.

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Slow, monotone beeps drowned out the sound of nurses calling out for help and the "my god…"'s. Soon, she heard relieved breaths escape that of, who she assumed was, the doctor. He called to the nurses; she could only make out so much:

"Get this girl into a room…she is okay…a lot of blood…tell her friend she is alright…looks terrible…something more to the story."

After his last words "the story" she fell into an uncomfortable and unwanted sleep. There was nothing to do but surrender to the drowsiness that was tugging at her eyelids.

A soft hand was placed atop her own, slowly rubbing the blood into her hand again. This hand was angelic, lifesaving; it seemed to know how to make Summer feel alive again, make her feel less jaded. A calming voice spoke to her: "Listen, I know you don't really know me…but I heard what happened and….well, I'm sorry. No one should have that done to them, especially someone like you. Someone so…beautiful; I'm sorry I said that, I mean I meant it but I shouldn't have said that to you. I mean you don't even know who I am. I would have brought you some flowers," the voice faintly laughed, god Summer loved the vibrations running through her as this voice spoke, and this hand stroked hers, "but I think you've got enough of those." Suddenly, a crash was heard coming from the hall and the hand detached itself from Summer's. Summer was terrified that something might have scared the voice off; she cried for its return.

Within a few seconds the hand returned, just as it had never left, still as temperate and gentle as it had been. "I knew you'd get a lot of flowers and cards," the voice paused; Summer detected nervousness in it, "so, I brought you something else, something I thought was more original. I'm ganna leave it right here, on your table for you. Maybe you can listen to it when you are better…you will get better Summer, I promise you that."

The way the voice said, 'Summer, I promise you that,' was so confident as if it knew the outcome. She felt as the hand lifted off hers, and she heard the careful footsteps that the voice made down the hall. Something that voice said calmed all of her; made her feel like she was renewed again and the rape never brought her here, something else had.

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The sun seemed brighter here, the grass greener, the smells sweeter, and definitely prettier girls. He laughed at the last thought, Theresa wouldn't have liked it but it was true.

Ryan sunk deeper into the leather, letting his muscles relax and a small grin come to his face.

"Thinking about something?" Sandy observed the boy, who seemed lost in thought.

"What?" Ryan coughed, "Oh, I wasn't thinking about anything; just admiring the car. I didn't think your kind of lawyer made this much money."

Sandy nodded, "My wife, she makes the money."

The rest of the ride was silent, except for Ryan's occasional sigh. The car reached what Ryan assumed was Sandy's home.

"You stay here I got to talk to the wife first," he hesitated about leaving the keys in the ignition.

"It's not as much fun when you have the keys," Ryan starred directly into his bush-covered eyes.

Sandy nodded; left his keys and walked inside.

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Her hand rested on her cheek as she waited for the nurse to return; she watched as shadowy figures walked amidst the women dressed in white.

"Marissa Cooper?" Someone called.

"What…yeah,"

"It's okay to see her now."

She nodded, and followed the nurse down the dark hall.

'God Summer, if you leave me I don't know how I would make it…I never meant to leave you alone at that party, this is all my fault. You told me not to leave you there; I went to get drugs while you were being…being…raped. Seeing you in that puddle of blood, screaming for me…it tore my heart out, well if I have one, I'm not sure I do at this point,' Marissa couldn't stand her own thoughts.

Her tears blinded her, making walking a very difficult task. She ran straight into a cart of food, knocking several plates to the floor all at once. She laughed at the irony; she could walk perfectly under her drugs yet a couple salty tears and she was down for the count. The nurse had already begun to pick up the shattered plates when Marissa realized she was just standing there. She inspected a section of the crimson tray; examined the sharpness and imagined the shapes it would make if she were to slash it across her porcelain skin. The nurse coughed, subtly letting Marissa know she was finished. She looked up into the green-blue eyes of this savior, this person who saved lives daily; this caring human being; who was probably disgusted by the looks and attitude of every daddy's girl that came in here-like Marissa. Out of no where the door to Summer's room opens and a figure stepped out. Marissa stood; trying to put a name with the form that stood some ten feet before her. She walked forward only to see the figure retreat to the opposite side of the hallway, turning its back to her.

She laid her hand on the door, deciding if she truly wanted to see her friend this way.

"Summer," she questioned once she had the nerve to enter the room.

No answer came.

Complete silence tore at her ears.

"I'm so sorry," she broke down; ruining her plan of being brave for Summer. "I never should have left you there," she reached out and pulled hair from Summer's badly bruised face. "Maybe if I hadn't left you wouldn't have been…raped. Yeah, they told me Summer, and I am so sorry," Marissa wept softly into her hands, "and maybe if I had been at your house earlier you wouldn't have fallen."

Honestly the only thing that keeps me typing is that little friend you all know so well...the review button. Please if you like this story and say so to your little friend I will continue. Also, constructivecriticism that's helpful as well.

Love, C.R.D