Just as I Begin to Fade

Fifty Three. Happy

Stevie was more than satisfied to see Gwen come and visit her in the hospital, only because it fortified the idea of there being nothing wrong with her, however the teen did admit to getting into a fight.

"I'm so glad you're okay, I knew there was something wrong that you weren't telling me."

"Yeah," she nodded and took a seat on the chair and crossed her legs.

She was wearing a pair of loose-fitting, straight-legged jeans with a belt, a black cropped ACDC tee shirt and her heavy coat to go over it all. She looked normal, like herself besides the bruised cheekbone.

Bobby and Lindsey soon entered with some tea and coffee for the girls since Karen had been in and out of the hall all day, working on separate matters while tending to Stevie and Lori had left once everybody returned.

"You should put ice on your knuckles, baby," the blonde advised. "Can someone get her some ice, please?" she looked between the boys.

"I'm okay, mom, they'll be fine..." she opened and closed her hands. "Don't worry about me," she assured them.

"How did this fight start?" the blonde wondered, then looking between the two teens.

"I was um... We were at a party, and this chick kept bothering me about getting arrested. She got drunk and she followed me to the bathroom and she just started fighting with me. She pulled on my earring really hard and she stretched the piercing," she showed her the way her hoop spun around on her left earlobe. "Anyway, she hit me first---I mostly blocked her until somebody else came to get her. Bobby then came to help me because the girl's boyfriend came and started messing with me and then got wild and started trying to fight with Bobby. Which..." she looked back at her new boyfriend, "he clocked him once and then got into a fight with the guy's friends. Stupid fight," she waved it off. "We're okay..."

"You shouldn't go to those parties, not unless they're at your house," she told the older teen. "They can be so dangerous as it is."

"I know, we don't plan on going to anymore, any time soon," she admitted. "Night from hell, when I should have been here. Or at least with you."

"It's not your fault, Gwen. But I was wrong to start using again..."

"Where did you even get it from? Your dealer hasn't been around for a minute, especially not since I read him the riot act."

"It doesn't matter."

"It does to me," she explained.

"I really don't want to be center of attention anymore, nor do I want to cause you anymore problems, Gwen... You'll just be upset and it'll be a big deal, believe me."

"Lori already told me she took you to get it, so she told me she knew you did have it on you."

"I don't know why she said that," she shook her head. "Probably covering for me, but it's not true, I was really desperate, so I called somebody else and he brought it to me. Frankly, before you freak out, it was before we moved into your place, Lindsey. It was that Sunday..."

"That would explain a lot," he assured.

"I was only using a little bit. Gwen, you know all the hiding places. Right now, I can't remember where I put it, but I'm sure you can find it---just get rid of it."

"Yeah..." she nodded, obeying the order because she knew she would anyway.

"And your mom has something to tell you, so go ahead, Stevie," Lindsey then urged.

"What?" she creased her brow.

He then cocked his brow.

"Oh, yeah, Gwen... So, like, I just found out. 'Member how you used to say you always wanted a little brother or sister?" she smiled innocently.