A/N: That was a pretty ugly falling out between Jade and her friends. This wasn't easy to write because I wanted everyone to have genuine reason to be mad at Jade but I also didn't want her to be irredeemable. Yes, she messed up but I think karma gave her fair share of comeuppance. Still going on day two in the hospital after a major accident with no visitors is harsh for anyone.

Life is messy and we don't get easy answers. Before Invader Johnny came along, this was an average "Jade boohoo" kind of story. But I like this much better because we are digging deeper. And its a much better conceit as to why nobody has come by to see her rather than the contrived thing I probably would've made up.

Now onto the next chapter!

Monday morning.

The day began just as any other; the first nurses since the graveyard shift doing their rounds and the first shafts of daylight peeking through the blinds.

Jade felt a pang of hunger in her stomach. She realized how little she had eaten the day before. Originally she was dazed from the accident and was only getting something into her system as a formality so the doctors would give her medication for the pain.

But now it seemed like she was getting her appetite back. And she was starving.

Though when the nurse came in and asked Jade if she wanted breakfast, she reluctantly told her that she would wait. Jade wanted to eat breakfast with her mother. She wanted something to make this mini reunion nice and maybe break up the monotony of small talk. Conversation wasn't their strong suit as mother and daughter.

Food normally brings people together, whether it be colleges or churches looking for new recruits or the promise of cake at an office for somebody's birthday.

Jade looked at her phone to check the time. There was a clock in the room but she wasn't able to see the hands very well from her bed. So she's continued to rely on her cell. It was 7 a.m.

(Okay, visiting hours have started now. Like mom said, she couldn't get the red eye but her original flight was planned for an early Monday morning landing.)

She was aware of the flight number since her mom had her book the round-trip ticket. Jade was more patient with things involving phones and the internet than her mother. The e-check in at LAX when she was leaving was a nightmare; inundated with texts and calls about where to go and what to do. Her mom was fairly intelligent and independent. But she had a short temper and even shorter patience.

Jade wasn't broken up about her missing out on her opening night. Imagine if she was in the audience:

"I blew off my business trip for this?"

She shook her head. Jade really wanted to give her the benefit of a doubt. She couldn't let herself think this way. Your mother is your mother; warts and all. Some win the lottery, some get shit, and some don't even get a mother. Jade figured raising a teenager isn't the easiest thing in the world. And she likely wasn't the easiest to get along with.

I mean, hello, broke her stupid leg because she was petty and small toward her friend.

(Does that sound like a good person? No wonder nobody has come. Even my own mom hesitated.)

In the past Jade was able to blow off other people's insults and disdain. At the end of the day, the only opinion that mattered to Jade was her own. She could look herself in the mirror and have the confidence to face the haters and assholes. Her opinion of herself was so potent that her enemies would turn to allies, less friendship and more simping, or they would just get out of the way.

Jade West was a force to reckon with. And she presided over her kingdom that was Hollywood Arts with an iron fist.

She remembered a movie she saw recently at one of the art house theaters: Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life.

It was a gorgeous move to look at. From a visual standpoint, its probably the most arresting movie you will ever see. But from a storytelling standpoint, its a mess. We are thrown into these characters and have to figure out who is who with very little dialogue. Plus we keep jumping back and forth to present day with a bewildered-looking Sean Penn and have to figure out who he is supposed to be. Jade thought with better editing and maybe a more coherent script this could have been one of the greatest movies of all time like 2001 or Blade Runner.

But what stuck to her other than the visuals was the opening narration. It said how there were two kinds of people in the world: those that live their lives in the way of nature and those that live in the way of grace. Nature doesn't ask permission, it doesn't hesitate. It just does what it wants without prejudice. But grace seeks harmony in its surroundings rather than crushing those in its way.

Jade lived her life thus far in the way of nature. When she was upset, nail everything down because a hurricane was coming! And when Jade wanted something badly, she callously back-stabbed her friend to get it.

Tori by contrast was more like grace. And wouldn't you know it, people are drawn to her. She's respected, not feared.

Jade lived as nature. And look where that got her.

The familiar clacking of heels was audible down the hall. They grew louder and louder until they abruptly stopped.

"Jade?"

She turned over and there was Ms. West looking a little tired from her flight but otherwise well put together.

Ms. Pamela West was dressed in her white business suit. Her makeup and hair were on point; dressed to impress. If this were the 1980's she would be sporting the shoulder pads to augment the look. She was the epitome of "tough as nails" businesswoman.

Jade was equal parts happy and nervous (like when someone says "I have a surprise for you!")

Still, the company was welcome and she put on her best face.

"Mom," she smiled. "How was your flight?"

Pam massaged her temples.

"Ugh, insanity. I thought less people would be flying back to LA at 2 in the morning but I was mistaken!"

She stepped closer to her daughter while surveying the room.

"You have to share a room?" she asked indignantly. "What kind of hospital is this?"

The family across from Jade briefly looked up. Jade made sympathetic eyes toward them. There was a quiet understanding between the parties. This was her mother and she can be a lot.

"They're very nice," Jade said. "Really."

(Had Jade been in a private room, she would've felt even more alone.)

"That's Lori and Ted. And their son, Jamie."

They waved politely and Pamela returned the silent gesture (as politely as she is capable).

She leaned in close to her daughter.

"First we get injured and now we're talking to strangers. Tell me, Jade; what more shenanigans are we going to get into? Maybe you will rob a convenience store next? Honestly, can I even leave the house again? Because it doesn't look like you can keep it together for a couple of days."

Jade was aghast with how her mom was acting. First she criticizes the room (and by extension Jamie and his family) and then she's throwing accusations around. So far no questions about how this happened or how she is doing.

"Are you hungry?" asked Jade, desperately trying to change the subject. "They're serving breakfast."

Pam violently shook her head.

"Oh Lord, no. I've already eaten and even if I didn't I wouldn't eat this swill."

She was apparently unaware of the nurse putting down the tray for Jamie's breakfast. From the smell of things, the boy wanted eggs and toast.

The nurse shot a glare at the woman behind her back as she exited the room.

"Mom," Jade moaned.

"What?"

(Is she really this oblivious how rude she's being? Some things never change.)

"I was hoping we'd have breakfast together. Since you've eaten, you can have some coffee..."

"No, no" she said, holding up her hand. "That won't be necessary. Besides its probably an old pot or one of those silly coffee vending machines."

Her mom was now looking intently at Jade's leg.

"How bad did they say?"

"First x-ray shows its shattered in a few places. It's going to be weeks, maybe even months..."

"MONTHS?"

Jade was startled like a dog hearing fireworks.

"Based on what the doctor said," she shakily replied. "In his experience, this level of leg injury can take the better part of a year to fully recover."

"So what are we talking about, Jade?" Pam asked, folding her arms. "Crutches? A wheelchair? How will you get around? You certainly can't drive!"

She actually didn't think of that since she got here. Of all the thoughts racing through the train station that was her mind; Jade never considered the thought that she was unable to drive until she was at least out of her cast.

"I didn't think about..."

"That's just it, Jade!" she clapped aggressively. "You weren't thinking! That's always been your problem."

Jade was going to object, but what was the use? In a roundabout way, she did bring this on herself. The flying sequence was her idea and even then it was created out of spite. And even if it wasn't, introducing such a complex special effect this late in the game is a pretty big gamble. Had the director had more sense, he would have reconsidered the stunt. But Jade wasn't dealing with the most compassionate man and he was open to suggestion.

This was all very skewed but there were no dissenting voices to be found.

Jade believed that all of this was her fault and her mother just reaffirmed that belief.

"Excuse me!"

Pamela turned and saw a very cross Lori.

"Aren't you even concerned with how she's doing? How she's feeling?"

Jade closed her eyes tightly, fighting the urge to cry. She appreciated the concern but really wished she hadn't spoken up. Jade knew what was coming next.

"Nobody is lecturing me on how I raise my daughter!" she shot back.

She turned back to Jade with a huff.

"I'm going home and laying down. I just had the flight from hell and I'm still jet lagged. I don't need this right now!"

Without saying goodbye or anything, she stormed out and those heels grew fainter and fainter.

Jade let a tear escape and it rode down her cheek.

"Jade?" called out Lori.

She just lowered her bed and pulled up her blanket.

"I just want to be alone right now," she sniffed.

A/N: The Tree of Life has its fans and I can see why. But it was one of the few movies that made me stand up at the end and go "REALLY?" If you don't want to watch it, just see the trailer. See how its a montage of fantastic but unrelated shots? Now take that 2:30 minutes and stretch it to 2 and a half hours! That is literally what it feels like to watch it!