Chapter 3

Okay I feel super weird doing this because I have never written an author's note before but I just wanted to say (to anyone who may care) sorry for taking so long to update! My brother gave me the flu so I have been rather indisposed the past few days. Ugh. Anywho I'm feeling better now and hopefully this chapter will make you not hate me : ) Review please!!

When I woke up, I realized to my horror that I was in a hospital gown. Even worse, I was in a hospital. I jerked myself into a sitting position, instantly regretting it when the room spun violently. How long had I been unconscious? A hand reached out to steady me, gripping my shoulder.

"Thank y-" my sentence was cut off when I saw who it was.

"Paul??" I whispered in shock.

"How are you feeling?" He asked with a look of pure concern on his face.

"Umm… I don't really know. I'm dizzy and kind of weak but I don't feel any pain."

"Yet," he muttered, "They have you on heavy pain meds."

"Oh." It was extremely awkward. Here was this guy who I barely knew in my hospital room, seeing me at my worst. I wanted him to leave simply because the situation was more than a little embarrassing but at the same time, I was very touched that he had taken the time to come and see me.

"Look I'm really sorry about the way I left you the other day. I was being a jerk and I really regret taking out my frustration on you." He looked really guilty so I decided to give him a break for once, besides I was too exhausted and sore (I think the medicine was starting to wear off) to stay mad.

"Don't worry about it Paul. Hey wait, did you say the other day? What day is it? And where are my parents?"

"It's been two days and your parents literally just went home to change clothes and eat. They left me in case you woke up." He smiled a little.

I blinked. Paul was all buddy buddy with my parents? What?

"Paul… how long have you been here?"

"Since the crash happened of course. I heard about it and came straight over. I hope you don't care that I told your parents we were friends."

"Since the… you've been here for… what? Why?" Pain medication and I really don't mix.

"I was worried about you Juliet. Your car is totaled and you're lucky to be alive." A pained look crossed his face but he quickly hid it, "I should probably tell a nurse you're awake."

"Okay…" I was still confused.

He left the room and I shivered. Did it just get colder in here?

A woman in blue scrubs and white tennis shoes entered the room followed by Paul a few seconds later.

"Good to see you're up Juliet. We were worried about you." She said in a patronizing voice. Had I not been so drugged up, I probably would have been annoyed by her, "Mr. Burke, I'm going to need you to leave so I can give Juliet a quick physical." Oh he was Mr. Burke but I was Juliet. Yeah that was fair, we're the same age!

"Sure." He answered then crossed the room and kissed me on the forehead before leaving. My jaw dropped. What nerve! What just because he sat by my bed for two days I was suddenly supposed to be in love with him or something?? Yeah, the meds were definitely wearing off.

The nurse took my temperature then changed the bandages on my left knee and explained that I had fractured my right arm. Funny I didn't notice the cast until she told me that. I caught my reflection in the mirror by my bed and saw that I had stitched on my left cheek and bottom lip. She assured me that they would not leave scars and that I would have them off in a day or two. Suddenly the door burst open, making me jump about a foot in the air, and my mom burst in, tears in her eyes.

"Oh honey I was so worried!" she cried, hugging me tightly which hurt my arm.

"Ow, Mom. Arm." I squeaked.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" she jumped up and wiped her eyes off.

My dad stood behind her but didn't try to hug me, knowing it would be more harm than good.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"As good as I can be I guess. When can I go home?" I hated being here and I hated the pitying looks my parents and the nurse were giving me.

"You can leave just as soon as I give you your prescription." The nurse replied. She then went to get the doctor to write it out for me and my parents left the room so I could get dressed into the sweatpants and t-shirt they brought me. They also left me a pair of socks and my sneakers. When I had pulled my hair back and washed my face, brushing my teeth with the hospital toothpaste and toothbrush, using my left hand (so annoying!), I limped over and pulled the door open.

Paul was still there and he walked over to me with a smile of relief on his face, "Well I have to get home. I have work today. I'm really glad that you're ok, Juliet."

A wave of gratefulness that I insist was the medicine came over me and I gave him a tight hug with my good arm before saying good-bye. He was beaming as he strutted over to the elevator. My parents gave me questioning looks but I rolled my eyes and responded, "Not now. I just want to go home."

"Okay, hon. Let's go." My mom answered, getting my bag for me.

The weekend passed without much excitement and by the time it was time for school again, the stitches were out. I still had to function with a cast on my arm and a bandage on my knee but at least I had Eliza to help me. She had called me the day I got home to see if I was okay (news spreads fast around here!). I hadn't heard from Paul which I told myself was a huge relief. Every once and a while I felt a little hurt that he hadn't even called to see how I was feeling but then I told myself to stop being stupid. When school finally came, I had convinced myself that Paul just felt sorry because he slammed the cafeteria door in my face (figuratively) and that I did not in any way owe him kindness. He couldn't have cared that much if he couldn't be bothered to call me. I chain smoked the whole way to school, completely oblivious as to why I was so mad at Paul. Then again, I always had been rather aggressive, especially when driving. I put out my cigarette as I parked next to Eliza. The second I got out of the car, she jumped towards me but stopped when I put my bad arm out and screamed, "Arm!"

"Oh! Sorry!" she gave me a hug from my good side and almost cried, "I'm so glad you're ok!"

"Me too." I turned around in surprise and found that that had come from Michael. Aw I didn't know he cared.

"Thanks guys." I replied with a smile. I felt an arm wrap around my waist and jumped in surprise, turning around to see Paul grinning down at me. My eyes widened.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked in a calm but outraged voice. I'm talented.

He frowned, "What do you mean?"

I pushed him away with my good arm, "What the hell makes you think you can do that?"

"Do what?"

"Do what?? Come up behind me and grope me that's what!"

"That's hardly groping Juliet don't be so overdramatic!" I could see he was getting angry and decided to push him even farther, despite the little voice in my head telling me not to.

"Oh I'm overdramatic? I'm not the one who sat by the bed of someone they just met for two days just because of a car accident."

Paul was trembling by the time I was done and I felt like shit. What made me say all that? Wasn't I grateful? But it was too late now, I couldn't take it back and I wouldn't say I was sorry. One of Paul's friends came up when he saw the two of us fighting and put one hand on Paul's shoulder, holding out the other to shake my hand.

"Hey I'm Jared. You must be Juliet."

"Yeah." I sounded angry, but they had no idea I was only angry at myself. A pretty girl with long brown hair standing next to Jared also held her hand out.

"I'm Kim. I think we're in the same Trig class."

"Oh, yeah. Hey Kim." I actually didn't remember Kim but she seemed very nice. She was smiling sincerely at me the whole time.

"So are you telling me," Paul finally said in a tight voice, "That you're actually going to hold it against me that I did something nice for you?" I could tell he was trying hard not to yell.

"I'm just saying that before you go judging others maybe you should realize that you're not as perfect as you seem to think you are."

"I'll never understand you Juliet." He walked quickly into the forest at the edge of the parking lot, Jared on his heels. Why do all of our arguments end with Paul storming away shaking in anger?

"Shall we go to class then?" Kim asked hesitantly.

I snapped out of my daze and tried to smile at her, "Sure."