Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

I Hate You part 1

"Claudia's right. Get some rest. We'll take turns watching Billie." (Billie's mother tells me.)

"Alright...but I'm not leaving the hospital. I'm going to see Billie before sacking out."

(I return to the I.C.U. area and take Billie's hand in mine. I kiss her hand and hold it against my cheek as tears flow. I lean my elbows against the bed railing as I watch her sleep. Before I knew it...I was asleep.)

(Sometime later, Billie slowly awakens. She looks around at the ceiling. 'Where am I?" she wonders. Then she notices the wires and the steadily beeping machines. 'I'm in the hospital' she realizes...'but why?'...Bits and pieces of her ordeal begin coming back to her. She turns her head slightly, aching all over. She notices someone holding her hand, and for a brief moment she thought it was one of her attackers...but then she notices the person isn't moving. She flexes her fingers, and she feels a beard on the person's face, and dark hair. 'Dark hair...no....it can't be' she thinks. Her fingers brush the unknown person's cheek, as they slowly awaken, and lifts up his head, as Billie sees his face.)

"David?" (She whispers surprised.)

(I blink a few times, then our eyes meet.)

"Hi munchkin. Welcome back."

(The nurse comes over to attend to Billie as another notifies a doctor and Billie's family. They soon rush in and surround Billie's bed. Billie looks from one face to another, trying to take everything in, trying to make sense of her situation. Everyone is talking at once. Billie's eyes fill with tears.)

"Billie...what's wrong?" (Her mother asks.)

(Billie tries to talk, discovers her throat is sore.)

"I... can't...remember. What exactly...happened...to...me?"

"We'll discuss that when you get better." (Her mother replies.)

"I... was raped...wasn't I?"

"Rest Billie. Listen to your mother." (Her father answers.)

(Billie turns her head towards me. She slowly raises her left hand and gestures to herself.) "I... was raped."

(She points at me.) "This...your fault. You...weren't there...for me. I... hate...you."

"W-What?" (I stammer.)

(She pulls her hand out of mine.)

"But Billie...I..."

"Don't...touch me!" (She says as she turns away from me.)

(Claudia grabs my shoulders.) "David...let her and her family talk."

"But..."

"Come on."

(Claudia and I walk out into the I.C.U. waiting room. I walk over to a big window that gives a view of the parking lot outside. Claudia stands next to me and rubs her hand across my shoulders.)

"You okay?" (She asks.)

"She hates me?" (I mumble.)

"No. She doesn't hate you. She's just angry.... confused."

"I don't blame her...you know? I should've been here to protect her. That's what boyfriends are supposed to do."

"Boyfriend? So, you do still love her?"

"Yea... but I care about both of you. I'd feel the same way if it was you in that hospital bed. Maybe it's best if I have neither of you. Guess it's time to go."

"What about Billie?"

"She's awake. Guess I'm not needed now. Take care, Claudia."

"You're leaving L.A. again?"

"No. I'll be nearby...if needed." (I start walking away.)

"What about the talk we had on the beach? I meant what I said. You and Billie need one another."

"Billie doesn't need me. If that were true, she wouldn't have screwed her brother."

"David...c'mon. If you didn't still have feelings for Billie, you wouldn't be here now. You know what I'm saying is true."

"I don't know what's true anymore, Claudia. You know? Ever since that damn video, I have no idea if Billie ever loved me." (Chuckles) "Since she hates me now, I guess that answers that question. Take care."