i have a problem. I keep swapping from present to past, so if u spot this . . . LET ME KNOW. Thank yo so much.

CHAPTER2.

Shot . . .

I woke up, and my first thought was, what the hell? My arm was stinging and the room looked weird. It was all white like, I dunno, paradise. But of course it couldn't be, because if It was I would be dead, and I couldn't be dead because if I was I couldn't be processing the thought that I was dead. And I don't think paradise had the disgusting smell of cleaning fluids. And if I was dead, I don't think angels could smile at you and wave a massive needle infront of you and say, "Now, I see you're awake and I see you are in pains so if you would just let me, I could give you a shot of painkillers, and you will be asleep in a few seconds flat." I wanted to scream, excuse me? NO ONE gives me weird shots without my permission! But my voice had gone, and all that came out was a horrid, embarassing croak that would have had Rob in fits of laughter. Where was Rob? he would have been here by now. I tried to turn my head round towards the door, but I had to stop because even the slightest turn would bring pain to my arm. Slowly, the pain faded away and all I could feel was darkness engulfing me and bringing me under.

Rob slept. He had been injured but not as bad as Jess, the doctors had said. Jess had been shot in the arm and on the side. She was lucky not to have died, but the doctors had said she wasn't out of danger yet. She could slip into unconsciousness anytime during the night and day. The had to keep her under control for a few weeks before they could be sure she was danger-free. Rob felt like crying. It was his fault after all. If he hadn't dumped her for no reason - because his reason, that he was scared for her when Lucas was around - hadn't counted at all. Lucas could be back in New York for all he could care, but he could still be in Indiana, hiding out. Rob hadn't seen him for years - 9 years - after a fight in the family, and even then, they weren't the greatest of friends. Lucas wanted too much from Robs life. He wanted his friends, his room, his school popularity as one of the scariest people around - he didn't want people to be scared of him, but hey, you have to earn respect somehow, right? - And he had come back a few years after Lightning Girl had become friends - ??? - with Rob. Involuntary, though he might add. He had wanted to befriend her, but with a few rude words, Rob had sent him back to New York preventing any problems. But somehow, Lucas had come back, with more in-black money than ever. His work, beating up people for money was disgusting. Rob had only beaten up people who deserved it, and if they had provoked him in anyway - calling Jess names to his face was one of 'em. Rob smiled at the doctor who came in saying, "Rob, my boy, reading the reports on you, we can let you go next week at th earliest. Hoping that their won't be any counter reactions to the medicines we are giving you now, that is." Rob sighed and slumped back against the cushions. He wanted to go NOW. He wanted to see Jess, he wanted to hit Lucas and send him packing back to New York to his fantastic job. He wanted his old life back.

Lucas lay on the back seats of his car, and thought of what happened. Of what he had done. The jealousy had gripped him so badly when he saw Jess and Rob together, He had heard Jess cry for the past two days - the windows were open and she hadn't noticed - and the way Rob had walked in, like he had every authority and reason in the world - and talked to Jess whos heart he had broken just few days earlier, saw them kissing and making up had made him see red.

This wasn't the end, though. He was gonna go back to New York and come back with a few of his pals.

The nurse who came in this time had just talked to a doctor who was visiting Rob, and told me he was fine. On the other hand, I was still in the Danger Zone. I just looked at them like they were nuts. I'd had worse, Well, not really, but getting struck by lightning was bad enough right? I mean, come on. I have a "GIFT" as the FBI still want to call it that could drive me to insanity. I don't know what happened, but it couldn't be THAT bad, right? The doctor read my expression correctly and sighed, sitting on my bed, "Um, Well . . . you have been shot. In the arm and on your side." I burst into silent laughter, yeah right!! The doctor stared at me like I really had gone insane. He shook his head and continied, "The wound in your arn isn't so deep and not so dangerous, but the one in your side is another matter. You are so lucky you haven't died. Rob is in no danger, and he can leave next week at the earliest." Rob was here? No. No he couldn't be. The doctor must've seen my panicked look as he smiled and asked if I wanted to see him. I shook my head. nodded. shook it again and then nodded again. The doctor laughed and left, appearing a few minutes later, Rob behind him dressed finely in trakkies and hoodie, and a pair of trainers that couldn't be his as he didn't have trainers the colour white. "They're gonna get ruined anyhow, so whats the point in buying 'em white when you can have 'em black?" he had told me once. Rob's mouth turned into a OH shape, and I was sure that it didn't mean anything good. The doctor took the hint and left us alone. He sat on my bed and stroked my hand like he hadn't done in ages. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the cushions. "How you feeling?" I shrugged. I looke out of thw indow and he started stroking my face, "Jess, are you still mad at me?" I nod and look away. Bad move. He grabs myface and turns me to look at him. He hisses under his breath and says, "Look, I'll tell you everything when it's clear for me." He kisses me and goes away, his shoulders hunched. I have never felt so lonely in my life. And I have never wanted my mother more than then.