"Second hospital visit within two months. People are gonna talk, Grace." I glared up at my mother from my position on the hospital bed, playing the the IV tube,
"I'm sorry mother that I got into a car crash that could have ended with my death." I replied,
"I'm sorry, sweetie." My mom sat down and stroked my hair, "I was just expecting your father to be here."
There was a knock on the door and a nurse opened it, a large pile of food on a tray. The nurse left it on the table before leaving.
"That's a lot of food." I said, staring at the tray.
"Well, you're very underweight. We're trying to get some fat on those bones." Mom replied,
I nodded before grabbing the smashed ham sandwich. Taking a few bites, mom nodded before leaving the room.
Standing up, I went into the bathroom that was connected to my room and I threw the sandwich inside. I flushed the toilet and sat on my bed, opening the bag of potato chips and taking a bite as my mother walked back in with a coffee.
We sat there in silence for a while until my mom left to make dinner for my dad, who probably never showed up.
The girls visited, except Hanna because of her own accident, and caught me up on the whole A ordeal. They were in my room for a few hours until visiting times were over.
"He doesn't wanna see you." I turned and saw Jenna in the doorway, "And even if he did, I wouldn't let him. He's been hurt, Grace. You should be able to understand that."
"I didn't tell the police where he was." I replied,
"But look what you've done. You've made him run away. The police came to our house because of you. They found that sweater because of you." Jenna growled,
"She's right, Gracie. For once." Ali said, glaring at Jenna.
"Let me talk to him, please." I begged,
"No. I'm not gonna let anyone come between us again." Jenna said before turning around, ready to leave,
"Somebody should have come between you two a long time ago." I called out from the bed, "Maybe a social worker with a bucket of ice water."
"I can't imagine why everyone thinks you're the sweet one." She said before leaving.
I was given some pain meds and sent on my way the next morning. I spent the rest of my time trying to see if I could see Toby.
No such luck.
Three weeks later, Hanna was let out of the hospital and we were trying to move her back into her house,
"Why are you taking that off?" Spencer asked, referring to the sticker on Hanna's cast that blocked A's message,
"I'm not. I'm trying to keep it on. I don't wanna see the autograph under it." Hanna replied,
"We can get you another sticker." I commented, hopping on the counter,
"This time, why don't you try something mellower, like save the planet?" Aria asked,
"There were not a lot of choices, okay? It was either Humpty Dumpty or 'Jesus is coming, look busy'." Spencer responded,
"Oh, God, it's still there." Hanna murmured, looking at the message underneath,
"Hanna. Hanna, don't, okay?" Spencer covered the sharpied cast, "Don't look at that. Just look around you. Because you're safe, you're home and you're alive."
"Yeah, well, I thought I was safe in my hospital room too. Now, what's going on with Noel Kahn? Is he A? Have you talked to him?" Hanna questioned,
"No, I avoid him. I keep telling him I'm busy. Busy freaking out every time I look at him." Aria answered,
"Yeah, well, try being run over by him." Hanna commented,
"Who got you this panda? Sean?" Emily questioned, trying to change the subject,
"Lucas."
"Oh, sweet." Emily smiled,
"Anyone else starving or is it just me?" Hanna asked,
"Your mom said she left a special dinner for you." Aria said, going to the fridge,
"Pass. No, I want a Pop-Tart." Hanna replied,
"What?"
"I've been on hospital food for three weeks. I want something that doesn't look like it's been chewed." She said,
"Well, why don't you eat while we go get the rest of your stuff, okay?" I smiled before leaving the house, getting Hanna's things,
When we came back, there were boxes of food on the ground and Hanna was holding a box of lasagna noodles to her chest,
"Hanna? Hey, so if you're gonna stay down here tonight, then we're-"
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Down here's good." Hanna interrupted,
"What happened?" Aria asked,
"Nothing. Just, uh, knocked a few boxes down."
I leaned down to grab the food when Hanna stopped me, "No, no, no. You don't have to clean. You can go. Seriously, my mom's gonna be here soon."
"Wait. So now you want us to leave?" Emily questioned,
"You don't have to put on a brave face for us. We get it. If being alone is freaking you out... we can absolutely stay." Spencer said,
"No, no, no. I'm just... I'm fuzzy. And I think it's from this pain medication. Yeah, I need a nap." Hanna smiled,
"Okay, can we help you to the couch?" Aria asked,
"No. You have done enough. Seriously, you guys, go. Okay." Hanna responded,
"Call me?" Emily asked,
"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, me too. Any time." Aria said before we left the house.
...
Standing in my floral skirt and white tank top with a cardigan over it, I checked my hair. Hanna was having a party at her house and I was just about to leave.
"You're gaining weight, Gracie. Better starve it off."
I was making my way to the car when I saw someone on the Cavanaugh's porch.
It was Toby.
I smiled before walking over,
"Did Jenna tell you I tried to reach you? When you were still in jail." I asked, stopping in front of him.
I looked down at his ankle and noticed the monitor,
"No." He answered, looking up at me.
" Well, I did. I wanted you to know that I wasn't the one. I never told the police where you were." I replied,
"Why are you all dressed up?" Toby asked,
"I was going to go to a party." I answered,
"Was?"
"Well, now I'm gonna stay with you." I smiled, "Let me go change into something more comfortable."
I got changed into comfy cotton shorts and large, off-the-shoulder t-shirt with flip flops. Grabbing my phone, I made my way back to Toby,
"You never told me that Grace tried to talk to me." I heard Toby say,
"Why would I? What can she say now that's gonna make it better?" Jenna replied,
"She wasn't the one that turned me in." Toby responded,
"I know that."
"How?" Toby asked,
"Because I did. Toby, if you're running around like you're some kind of fugitive... ...how are you gonna prove you're innocent? You need to be home. Where you're safe."
My eyes widened as Jenna rubbed his leg.
"You could chain me to this porch and I'd still never touch you like that again." Toby glared,
Jenna smacked him, "Who do you think you're talking to?"
I walked over as soon Jenna left. I grabbed Toby's hand and led him towards his house,
"Where are we going?" He asked with a smiled,
"Your room." I answered,
Toby stopped me, still on the porch, and pulled me close,
"What are-"
Placing his hands on my neck, he placed my lips on his.
Then the butterflies in my stomach exploded.
"Wrong choice."