"All of those broken pieces are going to be permanent scars."

❥

"Hannah and you were friends?", Liz assumes by what Tony has already told her. "Yeah, we were friends", Tony nods not wanting to talk about his feelings, "I'm sorry about it. You shouldn't have been told through a tape." "It's not your fault", Liz nods trying to figure out what that means. 

The accident isn't Sheri's fault. She couldn't have known it. But she should have told her. She should have told Jeff's parents so they knew that it's not his fault. He had two beers two hours ago. The police assumes it's his fault. "She's my best friend, been since we were small", Liz states knowing that this is no new information for Tony. "I'm sorry." 

"What was Hannah saying about my family, about my dad?", Liz goes on wanting to know the whole truth now that she's already hurting. She would have to heal herself anyways so she can do that about a friend and her family at the same time. "I've got no idea, to be honest. Only Jeff seems to know. Either you wait or you ask your family about it." 

"Thanks, Tony. For letting me know and sitting here with me. I appreciate that", Liz says softly, "How are you doing regarding Hannah? Do you have someone to talk to?" "I'm fine, don't worry about me." "No, Tony, you deserve someone who's there for you, too", Liz insists but Tony shakes his head stubbornly. "It wouldn't change anything about it", he insists and changes the topic worriedly, "You're hanging out with Scott a lot, right?" 

"I mean.. it we're somewhat friends. Why?", she wonders about the sudden change of topic. Tony however knows more about the tapes. He wishes he could tell her more but he's already crossed a line so he'll have an eye on her without her knowing. Hopefully she's safe around them, he worries about her friendship to the athletes. 

"Be careful, okay? If he's doing something that you don't want him to do, leave." "Tony, Scott's an angel, there's no need to worry about him. But I appreciate you caring about me. Thanks. Do yourself a favor and let others care about you, too, okay?"

Liz doesn't drive home immediately. She knows she would ask Will about this lie in their family as soon as she gets home and she knows that she's not able to handle the pain that would come with it at the moment. So she visited the first person that she thought of. 

"Hey, Jeff", she whispers sitting beside his bed and holding his hand, "It still feels so weird talking to you when we don't even know if you can hear us. But I'm thankful that you at least survived the accident. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here anymore. You're literally an angel, have I ever told you that?" Tears are streaming down her cheeks as she remembers how warmly the boy has loved her from day one. 

"I'm sorry for not telling you earlier and for pushing you away. You should know that I love you, will always do so. Today, I've found out that you found out about this secret that my family is keeping. You wanted to talk to me about it. I'm just so grateful to have someone like you in my life who cares so much about me. I just.." Her voice breaks and she lets go off his hand so she wouldn't squeeze it too hard feeling all the pain. "I wish it was me laying there. You deserve better, J."

"Don't say that, Els", Scott whispers standing behind her having heard the few last sentences. It breaks his heart to see her like that holding Jeff's hand telling him how much she needs him. But it breaks his heart even more to see how broken she is. She deserves better. 

"It's the truth, Scott. Everyone loves him, he's literally the best human being on earth and now it's him laying there. It's not fair." Scott sits down next to her and carefully lays her hand in his to show her his support. "All because of this stupid stop sign." 

"Stop sign?", Scott asks confused. "The other man didn't stop because the stop sign was missing. It wasn't even Jeff's fault. But it also wasn't the man's fault. Sheri drove against it before the accident and didn't do anything about it. Hannah tried to call someone but it was too late." "Wait.. Sheri? And she didn't do anything about it?", Scott asks raising his voice but Liz calms him down looking at him seriously. 

"Sh, Jeff", she reminds him before he can freak out and points to the boy next to them with her head, "She didn't. I know how serious her dad is when she gets home late." "That's not an excuse and you know it. Jeff could have died, the other man could have died. Jeff's still in coma. Sheri ruined his life", Scott whispers slightly angry and Liz nods. 

"That was my first thought also. But she didn't know it, Scott. She.. How could she expect it? She would have helped if she knew." "If you defend her now, you never really cared about him", Scott adds disappointedly and is about to stand up but he also sees the look in her eyes. It's empty and at the same time it's full of pain. Even more pain than before. 

"Scott, please. I'm angry at her, too. The least that she could have done is being honest and defend Jeff but us being angry about it now won't change the situation. Please, stay." She's said something about a family secret earlier.. maybe that's what is causing her this pain, Scott wonders. He sits down and her takes her hand again. "What happened?" 

"Jeff found out about a lie in my family that I know nothing about. I'm scared of asking Will about it." "How do you know about all of this?" "That's what Tony and I were talking about earlier.. Hannah made tapes before she died. She tells her side of the story and she.. I don't know why I am on them to be honest but she apologized. She knew about Sheri and she knew that Jeff wanted to talk to me about my family because apparently, my dad is not dead. That's all she said." 

"Your dad is not dead? How can that be possible?" "I've got no idea. If I was strong enough, I'd ask Will about it." "Els, you are strong enough, okay? Your the strongest person I know. You've been treated so bad by a lot of people and still, you're trying your best to be nice to everyone and make the best out of it. Come on, you'll confront Will with this lie and I'll stay right beside you." "You'd do that for me?" "I'd do everything for you. You should know that by now."