I've only ever been unconscious one time in my life. Playing soccer my freshman year, I went to kick the ball, but another girl's cleat beat me to it. She also swept my foot out from under me. It all happened so fast, the ref didn't even blow the whistle. My opponent was running away with the ball as I was falling. I hit my head with a hard thud seconds later. That's when the world disappeared from my sight.

This time, I woke up to white walls. There wasn't a coach telling me to wake up, or other players carrying me off the field. In the time I had blacked out, it seems I was placed in a hospital. I looked down at the puke green gown around me.

No one was in sight of my room. Nurses passed by my room, but none stopped. Where were my parents and exactly how long had I been here?

A snore from my bedside startles me and I look to see I missed Jonas, hunched over in a chair. His arms are wrapped around a pillow. I spot a small teddy bear on the table next to him.

"Jonas." I whisper. I lean over to poke at him when I realize I have IVs running through my arms. Just like that, I'm restricted again, flat on my back.

Was this Red Raven's doing? He had me pinned against the wall, and then suddenly I was a goner. How did I get here? How on earth did Red Raven let me go to Jonas?

Please wake up, Jonas. I beg in my mind. Jonas begins to shift in his seat, waking up slowly. I didn't know my plea would actually work.

His blue eyes light up when he spots me, awake. He rushes to my side, trying awkwardly to hug me. We both laugh and save the reunion for later.

"How am I here?" I immediately start asking questions.

He scratches the back of his head, "Well, I, uh, knocked him off of you and scooped you up. You know, you're actually really light, like I carried you as if you were a baby."

"Focus." I remind him.

"So I got you here as fast as I could. I mean, yeah, Red Raven chased us, but it's almost like he gave up after a while. Probably had another town to destroy."

"You're kidding me. He didn't do anything to you?" I ask, flabbergasted. Our villain has gone soft?

"Well, no, he did try to flip my truck with his mind. I think he should've stretched, though."

I laugh, "He doesn't have telekinesis, just mind control."

Jonas puts his hands on his hips, "He doesn't have telekinesis." Jonas mocks me in a squeaky voice.

"Jonas. Where's Ash?" I suddenly panic at the realization.

"At the vending machines. She was so worried about you, Del."

"She got me that bear?" I ask. He squirms.

"Well, no, I did." He manages to stutter out the words.

I flash a sweet smile at Jonas, whose cheeks have turned red. He grabs the bear and hands it over. The soft fur is the first thing I notice.

"Hey, Jonas, can you be a little quieter when you snore? I heard you down the hall." Ash steps into the room, unwrapping a Milky Way bar. Jonas rolls his eyes and ushers over to me.

Ash jumps for joy and begins to ask me what she can do for me to make me more comfortable. I watch her wave the chocolate around and my mouth starts to water.

"I'll take some chocolate, please." I interrupt. She smiles and walks out of the room.

"How are you feeling?" Jonas sits on the edge of my bed.

"Like a loser." I murmur.

He chuckles, "You're not a loser. I mean, how are you physically feeling?"

"Like crap." I reply.

"Please, Del, give me a real answer." He pleads, taking my hand in his. I look down, feeling slightly uncomfortable at how touchy he's been lately.

"I'm not sure I'm much of a hero, Jonas. You saved me. I can't do anything right, and I still managed to get hurt."

"Stop it, Della. You're gonna use up all your strength trying to be so strong."

I ponder this for a second, "Did you steal that from the back of a cereal box?"

"Stop it." Though he grins, forcing a smile of my own.

"I just feel so... Alone. Like the walls are crashing down on me from every corner and I can't stop them all by myself." I'm referring to Red Raven, Sophia, Mickey, and keeping my own secret safe. There's too much weight to bear.

Jonas leans closer to me, "You know you're not alone. You have me by your side."

Before he continues, his phone starts to ring. Is it his parents? They're probably wondering where he's been all night.

Oh gosh. The sun is up, it's morning. My parents are going to kill me.

"Okay, yeah, room 324," He hangs up and looks at me with worry.

"Your parents are on the way up." I freeze in place.

"Jonas," I clench his arm. He winces as my nails dig in.

"My parents don't know I'm a super." I bare my teeth.

He nods and manages to pry me off. I'm not in the mood to explain anything to my parents. Where would I even begin?

"They think you got in a car accident." This news surprisingly calms me. Only momentarily, however.

"Wait, what do they think happened to you and Ash? You were in the truck too." I'm back to clenching his arm. When I glance down, I observe the dirt caked underneath my nails.

"Okay, first, declaw yourself. And I told them we landed on your side. As far as they know, Ash and I got checked out while you blacked out."

I ponder this. If my parents have already believed the story this far, maybe I have a chance of keeping this secret. Jonas has never given them any reason to not trust him.

But what if we get busted? My parents will never believe him again. Jonas isn't a liar but if this doesn't go well, he'll never be trustworthy again.

"Della, it's gonna be okay. If we get busted, they won't hate me. Think about it. If they figure out what we were doing, then you confess your secret and they'll understand. We'll still be trustworthy." He crosses his arms with a satisfied smile.

He really doesn't know my parents. If they find out I'm a super, I won't be off the hook. I'll be grounded for life. What kind of super gets grounded?

"Della, just stop. Your parents won't stop you from saving the town. You've made national news!" He holds out the tv remote.

Hesitantly I grab the remote and turn on the tv. I flip to channel 4, and find my name plastered across the screen. A picture of Jonas and I is shown in the background.

"Now change it to channel 8." Jonas remains sitting on the edge of my bed, with a smug grin. I roll my eyes but follow orders.

There's our faces again. I flip the channel. Again. Again. My face, my suit. A proud smile spreads across my face.

Jonas jumps up and turns off the tv manually. He stretches to reach the button, revealing a sliver of his back. When I'm about to ask why he's suddenly so spastic, my parents walk in. There's no need for questions. They can't think we're tied to Rapid Glare in any way.

Mom's eyes look heavy. She's clearly tried to cover them but to no avail. Dad's hair is starting to look even more gray. One night of stress did that to them? I can't imagine what I look like. Imagination has nothing to do with how I smell. I know I smell atrocious.

"Della, oh, sweetie," Mom rushes to my side. Jonas slides the chair towards her so she can comfortably sit at my bedside. Dad slouches with his back pressed to the wall.

The vending machines must be a mile away. Ash has taken too long for just a candy bar. Mom starts to stroke my hair, regaining my attention.

"Del, you need to shower. You smell repulsive," She pauses with a twist in her face.

"Why do you smell bad?" Her nose scrunches up.

"Uh, what do you mean?" I think she'll call my bluff, but maybe I can slip under the radar.

"Della. What were you doing before the accident?"

She's making me sweat more. If she knew what was best for everyone she would stop making the situation worse. Stop asking questions, woman!

"We were working out. That's something we're all trying to work on together." Jonas butts in. I sew my mouth shut. Maybe, for once, Jonas has the right words to get us out of this.

"Oh, okay. Well, we need to get you cleaned up as soon as possible." She heads into the hall, I assume to flag down a nurse. She'll probably be awhile. It'll take her forever to find one, and when she does, she'll have endless questions.

Dad walks up to my bedside. He's never been sympathetic or emotional. He simply pats my hand with a small smile.

"Do you want anything?" Dad asks. I would really love it if I could just have peace and quiet. My heart rate has spiked up ever since they got here. Ever since I woke up, actually.

"No, I'm fine. Ash should be back soon with a candy bar. Wanna watch the game?" I hold out the remote for my dad. He's not reluctant to entertain himself. Maybe I can get some rest now. Though, Jonas' pacing is causing a chilly draft. What is he so nervous about?

"Della!" My mom calls my name from the doorway. There's a CNA by her side, hands tucked in her pockets. The young lady doesn't look too much older than me, just more tired. I take that back, we probably look about the same in terms of fatigue.

"Yes?" I respond, grouchily.

"The nurse says she will help you get to the shower --"

"Yeah, pass." I squint and pretend as if I'm deeply intrigued with the Lakers game. Mom storms over to me and I wince. Jonas starts to cough to cover his laughter.

"I'm not allowing a nurse to assist me in the shower." I roll my eyes. I didn't smell that bad and I most certainly wasn't an invalid.

Was I capable of doing anything anymore? Mom didn't seem to think so. Jonas said he would always be there for me. Did that imply I couldn't do things without him? Man, Red Raven has done some serious brain damage. I should probably get a CAT scan.

"No, of course not, honey. She's just going to make sure you get from your bed to the door okay. Come on, do us all a favor." I sigh in defeat. No peace, no quiet, no privacy. Where are the advantages to being a hero?

A/N

Hello everyone! Just a quick explanation!

If you read the previous chapter and were wondering why that first section was repeated in this chapter (Della waking up in the hospital) it's simply because the last chapter was super long and I transferred it to this chapter. Though this chapter is really long too so I just can't win.

Thank you for understanding!

P.S- I really encourage you to look up the official video for I Lived by One Republic. Above is just lyrics, but the video is truly inspiring.