Scattered [A Mallory Winston Spin-Off]

[Chapter 2]

Oh, God...

Billie's unconscious body lies in the musty hospital bed, his head wrapped in a pale bandage. His face is bruised horribly, and he's hooked up to about five different machines, an IV, oxygen, something keeping his pulse, along with others. His nose is also busted and taped. I feel Joey's hand on my shoulder but shrug it off, walking over to him, my legs shaking.

There's already a chair sitting next to him, so I sit down in it, hesitantly resting a hand on his arm.

"Billie?" I say softly, hoping by some miracle he'll wake up. That he'll wake up now, and everything can go back to normal.

But the only reply is the steady beeping of his heartbeat monitor.

I feel tears start to drip down my face slowly, and Joey walks over, pulling a chair up next to me. We sit there in silence, not sure what to say. After some time, I turn to Joey.

"What did they say's wrong with him?" It comes out as a whisper, and he runs a hand through his hair before answering me.

"They think he has a severe concussion, but they're also worried his brain might be bleeding; a hema...hemo..."

"Hematoma?" I cut in quietly, fear suddenly instilled back in me. He nods, laughing dryly.

"Yeah. That. They took an MRI or cat-scan or something, but they said you can't always see that on it..."

I look back to Billie, emotions flying through my brain so fast I don't even have time to process them. I put a hand over his, but he feels lifeless...and it freaks me the hell out.

But I don't let go.

I continue to loosely grip his hand, brushing my thumb over his knuckles.

"Hey, Mal?" Joey says softly, and I look at him.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you...It was stupid and petty to not want you to see him because I'm jealous of how close you guys are..." He chokes up slightly, and I wait for him to continue.

"I know I shouldn't be...I guess a part of me still has trouble opening up to him since he was never there when I needed him." His words are sad, and I see a tear roll down his face. "But I shouldn't have kept this from you...he's..." He lets out a breath; clearly, he's really struggling to say all this.

"He's basically your dad too, as fucking weird as that is. He considers you his kid, Mal. He really loves you, and I shouldn't have lied to you..." He's sobbing now, and runs his hands through his hair, standing up.

"I'm so sorr-" He's cut off but me hugging him tightly as I start to cry as well.

"I'm just glad you told me now J." He sobs in response, tightening his hug around me. I snuggle my face in his shoulder, and he does the same. I feel the need to apologize since we're being honest.

"I'm sorry too, J. As much as I care about him, I did still parade into his life and fuck things up between him and your mom...So..." I bite my lip, trying hard not to cry anymore.

"...so in a way, I...this is my fault..." I can't hold back the tears, and Joey immediately pulls away, looking me in the eyes.

"No, Mal. They've always fought. It's not your fault, hear me? It's not your fault." He looks to me for confirmation, and I nod slowly, though I don't really believe him.

"Okay...I believe you..."

With that, we go and sit back down in silence, his arm around my shoulder. I hear Billie's heart beating through the monitor, and the steady sound provides some comfort. But not much, being that they have to monitor it in the first place.