Oh my God, I think I'm lost at sea

And these silent waves are my company

And I lost the line between the sky and sea

And I'm wondering will the wind ever come for me

-The Fray, The Wind

June 5, 2016 1:36 p.m.

I'm surrounded in a black cloud. There was nothing to see or hear, but I felt it. This denseness in my body that wouldn't go away. I just knew it was a drastic change from the hollow feeling I was accustomed to.

Then I started to hear the noises. It was an annoying beeping and the buzz of more machines. It was rhythmic almost serene with the addition of my ragged breathing. I strained to listen to more, anything else that told me where I was.

No luck.

I felt sore, all over my body. Everything hurt.

My eye lids opened slowly only to be met with a blinding white light. I cringed under the scrutiny of it.

It took me a second to adjust before my eyes darted, looking at the room around me. The walls were ghost white and bare except for the tasteless painting propped up on the center of the wall.

I still didn't understand where I was. I kept looking for an indication, but couldn't find any.

I looked down at myself and it clicked.

There were wires snaking down my neck and under my gown, sticking to my chest. They were connected to some monitor on my side. Tubes were stuck into what seemed like every vein I had in my arm.

I'm in a hospital.

It rushed back to me. The hopelessness. The headlights. Wanting to scream. Shattering of the car windows. And then darkness.

I swallowed, only to be met with a burning sensation. I croaked struggling with the mere action.

My eyes flickering to my side catching something moving. I widened my eyes when I saw her.

Her eyes were flickering open from what looked like quite the slumber. Her hair was a mess as it covered half her face. Her head was resting on her palm that was propped up by the armchair.

There was a bit of drool on the corner of her mouth that she wiped as she stirred awake. She blinked slowly as she sat straight when her eyes landed on mine.

I stared at her.

She stared back, frozen.

Mustering the strength I had, I opened my mouth, "Hi." My plan to sound calm and collected failed as the word came out as a croak.

I didn't know it was possible, but McKenna's eyes grew wider as she shot up out of her chair. "Oh my god! You're awake!"

My eyes widened as she launched forward, throwing her arms around me. Pain shot through my body, but I struggled to keep it at bay.

McKenna was hugging me, tight. And as idiotic as it sounded, I didn't want her to let go.

"You idiot!"

I furrowed my eyebrows as she did exactly what I didn't want her to do and took a step back. I would've questioned her need to do a 180 on me, but my throat was too dry.

"Speeding, really?" she questioned now pacing, "You have got to be kidding me. That is the most irresponsible and idiotic thing you could ever do!"

I preferred it when she was hugging me. Unable to respond, I watched her ramble, slightly afraid.

"I swear to god, Reece. I would kill you myself if there wasn't so much media outside derailing my escape. Why would you even do that?"

She turned toward me, expectedly, but I was no longer there.

Vye.

The reason hit me like a brick. I wasn't prepared to see her. Hell, I don't think I'd ever be prepared for something like that.

Memories were one thing, but seeing Isabelle's best friend in person was something else. Every word she spoke was like a bullet and I couldn't find an exit wound.

"Well?"

I blinked focusing back on McKenna.

"Are you going to answer me or sit there like a dumbass?" she insulted, her arms crossed.

Well, so much for the sympathy.

"Water," I pointed to my throat, my voice raspy. The mere action triggered pain to explode through my body.

Holy shit, did I crash into a fucking tank?

McKenna's eyes widened, "Oh! Sorry." Her face turned crimson red as she swiftly moved to the table on my side.

A second later she was holding out a cup for me to take.

I brought the cool, angelic liquid to my dry cracked lips and took a sip. Oh sweet Jesus, that was heaven.

Finishing the cup, I gave it back to McKenna. She looked as if she was studying my every move as if I was going to break right in front of her.

I cleared my throat and met her gaze, "McKenna, I-"

"Look whose awake!"

My eyes shot to the door as a man in scrubs and a white coat waltzed in.

"Mr. Zynner nice to have you back with us," he remarked flashing a smile.

"Uh hi." He made it sound like I came back from the dead.

"My name is Dr. Edison. How are you feeling?" he asked, supporting his clipboard on his arm as he studied the monitor next to me.

"Like hell," I told him finding the strength to talk.

"Well that much is a given," Edison chuckled, running a hand through his thick black hair.

Then why did he ask?

"You were involved in a pretty nasty crash."

"So I've heard," I told him looking over at McKenna to see her glaring at me from behind Edison.

Yup, definitely no sympathy there.

Seeing that my attention was diverted, Edison looked over at the source. "McKenna! It looks like you're awake as well," he greeted with another welcoming grin.

Surprised, she looked at Edison replacing the scowl on her face with a smile. "Yup," she chuckled.

He knew McKenna? How long was I out?

"You should have seen this one," Edison nodded in McKenna's direction, "she hasn't left your side since."

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, surprised. I looked over at McKenna to see her blushing scarlet as she looked at anything but me.

"Yeah. Quite a keeper I'd say," Edison went on.

"You don't say," I tried to suppress the smile that was threatening to take over my face.

I love this dude.

"Yeah," he chuckled, "Anyways, we had to rush you into surgery. You had some internal abdominal bleeding and suffered a leg fracture. You got banged up pretty good so you'll probably feel sore for a while. We took-"

"I have a what?" I cut him off struggling to sit up.

I take my love back. This idiot was on drugs. There was no way in hell I hurt my leg.

I propped up on my elbows, ignoring the pain, when I saw it. My left leg was covered but it was easily noticeable that it was bigger than my right.

"We have a splint in place right now. Once the swelling goes down, we'll have you fitted for a cast," Edison went on.

I swallowed, the effects of the accident finally hitting me. I had done this.

It was my fault.

"The other driver," I asked unable to look away from my broken leg.

"She's fine. She was driving a pickup truck. Got away with a few minor scrapes," It was McKenna's now gentle voice that answered, "Cooper has been handling it."

I nodded my shoulders relaxing. I don't know what I'd do if-No. I can't go there. God, I was so stupid. I just can't stop fucking up.

"Luckily, it was a minor fracture. You will have to be on crutches for at least eight weeks," Edison continued.

He probably thought I was still concerned about my leg.

"Okay," was all I could say as I looked up at him, "Thanks."

He nodded with a small smile.

"I'll leave you to rest for now-Oh!" He stopped in his tracks and turned back towards me, "I already informed your father, but you are very underweight for your age. You're quite lucky you didn't walk away with more injuries."

"Thanks," I muttered.

Just another problem to add to the list.

"I'll allow visitation for a bit, but then I suggest you get some rest."

I watched him leave before my eyes landed back on McKenna.

She had her arms crossed as she gave me the meanest death glare. "Underweight? You seriously are the most idiotic person I have ever met!"

"You know you really need to decide what you want. One second you're pissed. The next you're nice and caring," I told her.

"Don't be a smart ass."

"I'm just saying it's hard to keep up."

"Fine, I'll stick with being pissed." McKenna declared crossing her arms.

"Glad that's cleared up," I muttered. "Wait," I hesitated going back to what the doctor said. "My father is here?"

McKenna nodded rubbing her arms as she sat back down in the chair. "He went down to the cafeteria with Cooper last time I heard," she told me.

I nodded surprised. I mean, I shouldn't be surprised. He is my father after all, but still.

Then another thought struck me.

I looked over at McKenna again. "Weren't you supposed to be in Washington?"

"I was until I got a call from Cooper telling me you were here," she accused her icy glare resurfacing.

"Oh," I mumbled. "Won't Noah be mad you left him for my hospital bed?" The question slipped out before I had a chance to restrain my curiosity.

McKenna shifted in her seat looking slightly uncomfortable. "Why do you care so much about my relationship?"

"I don't," I shrugged only to have another jolt of pain sear through my body, "Why? Do you want me to care?"

McKenna held my gaze, her eyes calculating. She clenched her teeth as she turned down to look at her phone, "We broke up."

My eyes widened as her words sunk in. "Wow," I stated dumbly. "I'm sorry," I followed not liking the gloomy look she was supporting.

"YeahIbetyouare," she mumbled under her breath.

"Huh?" I scrunched my eyebrows not fully hearing.

"Nothing," she gave me a small smile moving her hair behind her ear. "It's done so just got to move on. Leave it in the past."

I nodded not fully believing she was over it. "I really am sorry, you know. Whatever happened, I know you cared about him," I told her honestly. No matter how much I hated the douche, I didn't want McKenna to be heartbroken or whatever.

"I'm fine, but thanks," she shrugged but her eyes were telling a different story. I know it wasn't fair but I hated that he could have that kind of effect on her.

A knock on the door disrupted my attention as I whipped my head toward the door.

"Ah," I winced feeling the pain from the sudden movement.

"Easy there. We don't need you dying on us here," Beck's familiar voice rang out.

I chuckled, "Can't have that. Who else will put you in your place."

He grinned giving my shoulder a small squeeze before looking over at McKenna and then back at me, "Hope I wasn't interrupting?"

I shook my head hoping he hadn't heard anything, "Nope."

"Good," he grinned before sticking his hand out at McKenna. "I believe you're McKenna. Nice to finally meet you."

"Uh yeah. You too. I'm guessing you're Beck," she greeted him back.

He nodded with his usual cheesy grin plastered on his face. "Right you are. I was hoping to meet you on a more pleasing occasion but this will have to suffice."

"I'm glad my accident wasn't too much of an inconvenience," I chimed in.

"Oh it was. Had me rearranging my whole schedule. I swear I'm seeing grey hairs from all the stress you put me through."

"You needed a new look anyway," I replied my throat starting to burn from the strain of talking.

He let out a laugh as he looked me over once again, "Seriously, mate. I'm glad you're okay."

I nodded with a smile.

"I think I'm going to let you two talk," McKenna stood up looking over at me, "I'll go fill in your dad and Cooper."

I nodded a thank you again.

"It was nice meeting you too Beck," she said walking toward the door, "We've got to all hang out some other time."

"I'm going to hold you to that," he agreed turning back to me as she left the room.

"I would tell you how incredibly stupid you are, but I'm betting McKenna took care of that for me," Beck went on.

"You guessed it," I nodded.

"I like her," he smirked before taking her previous seat.

"Same here."

"Really?" he asked challenging me.

I raised an eyebrow waiting for him to continue.

"Because from what I picked up from your guys' conversation she just recently had a boyfriend that wasn't you. Which is weird because I'm sure I was told you guys have been together for months now," he accused crossing his arms.

"So you did hear," I grimaced weakly.

"You know I'm quite an inquisitive person. I may have stood at the door a moment longer than you were aware of," Beck admitted having no shame.

"Nosy is more like it."

He rolled his eyes, "So what's really going on? Is McKenna just one of those nonexclusive chicks?"

"No she-"

"Cause I'm totally for that. I'm actually going in that direction myself. Less drama and more se-"

"No she's not," I cut him off, "Cooper wanted us to fake date to help with publicity."

"To help with her start up?"

I nodded, confirming.

Beck looked at me confused, "So what do you get out of it?"

"What do you think?" I rolled my eyes at his clueless behavior. It was starting to tire me out even more. I was kind of ready to rest.

"Sex?"

"No," I would have smacked him for his idiocy if it wouldn't have caused me extreme pain to move my arm.

"Then?"

"I get back in the public's good graces. Apparently I've been in the bad spotlight for a little too long. It was starting to hurt my career."

"That doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't?"

"Any publicity is good publicity," he explained.

"Well, apparently not," I sighed.

Beck looked around wide eyed as he sunk back in his seat. "Wow. So it's all fake huh."

"More like one sided." I told him the truth, "She just sees me as a friend."

"Huh," he chuckled shaking his head.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothin'" he shrugged, "Y'all looked pretty damn couple-y to me."

"Well it's fake," I told him feeling my body give up on trying to stay awake.

"Wait."

"What?" I mumbled starting to drift off.

"So she's technically single?"

"Get out."

A/N: I just love Beck even though he may not be the best influence xD Your thoughts? What about McKenna's little news??

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Until next week!