PURE HEROINE II 13 REASONS WHY

grieving

"There is no grief like the grief that does not speak."

❥

Two hours have passed in which the teens have arrived at the hospital after calling Jeff's parents to inform them about what has happened. Jeff's parents immdiately stormed to their car as soon as they've heard what has happened to go and see their son. But when they arrived at the hospital, they knew how serious the accident must have been by the look in the teenagers' eyes. Their look was empty just how they felt like. They rushed to sit down next to Elizabeth and Scott. 

The girl wished she could have talked to them and be there for the two adults who are family to her, but tears were still storming down her cheeks. "The doctors say we're lucky that he was found in time", Scott finally says, his voice is shaking. "He survived", his mom mumbles more to herself than the others, "He's alive." "What happened?", his dad asks hoping that he could estimate the probability that Jeff would survive the surgery. 

"We don't know it. Jeff wanted to go on a beer run. Els and I were driving home and saw his car so we stopped", Scott explains truthfully rubbing his temples with his hands. "The ambulance was already there", Liz dares to say although her voice isn't as loud. "He'll make it", Scott whispers trying to be brave for the three of them and Liz grabs Monica's hand. It's all she can do in that moment.

"Ms. and Mr. Atkins?", the doctor asks leaving the room in which Jeff still is, "The surgery went well but we still had to put him into an artificial coma. I'm sorry to tell you this but he's been seriously injured and he's not stable yet." Monica and Harris couldn't even answer. Monica was heard sobbing and Harris let his head fall into his hands. 

Liz automatically grabs Scotts hand to feel safer. "Can we see him?", Monica yet manages to ask but the doctor shakes his head. "Not yet. He still needs quietness. We will call you tomorrow in the morning to tell you more and if you can visit him in the evening." "Thank you", Scott nods being politely. The doctors are doing their best to keep him alive.

"I'll drive you home", Scott reminds Liz when they stand in front of the hospital and Liz heads into the direction of the bus station. She turns around to look at him blankly. It isn't her intention, but she can't do any different than feeling empty. Now she remembers how they planned to drive home together. 

"Thank you", she whispers and sits down next to him. Although she's hurting, she appreciates that they don't think or talk about going home together now. It's the wrong time. Liz just wants to go home, lay in bed and wait for Monica to call her. As soon as she can visit Jeff, will would drive her to the hospital.

"You need to eat something", Will mumbles softly as he sits down on her bed on monday morning. It was pretty clear to him that she wouldn't go to school for a few days. She's never missed a class but this time, it's different. It's not her leg that is hurting or her stomach, it's about Jeff. "I'm not hungry, Will." "He wouldn't want you to lay here like that, Els. Jeff would want you to be happy." 

"Don't talk about him like he's dead, okay?", Liz immediately snaps at her uncle trying to cover the pain that she's feeling, "Fine. If you want me to be happy, I am. I'll go to school today." "Els, you know that that's not what I meant. I want you to stay here until we know more about Jeff." "He wouldn't want me to lay here, right? So let me get ready", the girl mumbles getting out of her bed.

"Els, what are you doing here?", Justin asks her worriedly when he sees her entering the hallway. The other students look at her shocked and full of pity. They could see what it does to her. She's already lost some weight not having had a snack in two days. Dark circles decorate her eyes. She's cried for two days straight. "Going to school. What does it look like?", she snaps back at Justin. 

She knows he's just worrying about her, but she cannot deal with all the pain, guilt, fear and pity that she's feeling. "Ellie. We're here for you. You know that", Bryce adds softly. "I'm fine", she repeats herself bluntly and turns around to go to her first class. She leaves Monty, Justin and Bryce standing there like that. "Els", Sheri also speaks up when she sees her friend, but Liz cuts her off immediately. "Save it, I'm fine."

"Mrs. Lennox, if you were tired, you could have gone to bed earlier", the teacher warns her when she feels like falling asleep. Some teachers don't know what happens, others simply don't care about the relationship of the teenagers and how it could affect them. "I'm sorry", the girl mumbles rolling her eyes not understanding why teachers have to be so strict for a one-time mistake. She's a straight A-student. 

"Then come here and show us what equation we've been talking about." Liz groans mentally and stands up already feeling weak. She slowly goes to the front and tries to paint the equation on the blackboard when she breaks down. "Mrs. Lennox, we've got no time for stupid games!", the teacher warns her once more. 

"She's unconscious!", Monty yells and hurries over to her feeling her pulse. "I'll call an ambulance." "No, no", Monty shakes his head heavily knowing how much the girl hates hospitals. Especially now it would only hurt her more. It's not the first time that she breaks down so he knows what to do. With the other students staring at her, he takes her to the bathroom and helps her.

"Are you sure that you can go on your own?", the boy asks her about an hour later. "Yes, I just need some sleep at home", she nods already wondering why he would let her go home alone after this but she's also thankful for it. She doesn't want someone to drive her home and talk to her about how they need to keep an eye on her. "Okay, get home safely", Monty nods and hugs her softly before letting her go again. Luckily, the other students are in their classes so she's not being watched and can go to her car without being watched.

"Shouldn't you have stayed at home?", Scott's voice appears behind her when she opens her car door. She knows exactly what happened. Monty was worried about her but he knew she wouldn't listen to him so he called Scott. Only the two of them know how they feel so they could be sad together. And maybe Scott could make her eat something. The boy worries as well. He's just doing it in another way. 

"You didn't have to come", she replies coldly trying to act like everything is alright. "Shouldn't you have learned that I don't leave you alone by now?", Scott shrugs now standing in front of the girl and laying his hand on her arm. "Monty shouldn't have called you. I drive home on my own. I'm sorry that you came for nothing." 

"I'm not leaving you alone now. Come on, Els." By the way he's talking and the smile he's showing her, she can't do anything but nod and follow him. Her walls are breaking in and she's letting Scott Reed into her life for real. He's here when she needs him. He deserves to be trusted and he deserves to have someone by his side, too.