Miss Popularity (Editing)

Safe

I woke up,for what seemed like the hundredth time, to look at the white ceiling and smell the disgusting smell of medicine. I groaned. My ribs felt cracked and my head hurt like hell.

I turned to see someone next to me and jumped in surprise.

Jackson was seated on the chair next to me, fast asleep. His dark hair shadowed the white sheets and his pale hand clutched mine.

My stomach twisted even more and my head burst in pain.

I didn't bother moving my hand from Jackson's. Instead, I reached for a glass of water with my free hand just as Jinx quietly entered the room.

"Your awake" She said quietly, smiling. "You've been out for two days". She carefully sat on my bed, trying not to wake Jackson.

"That long?," I muttered back. I took a sip of water. The liquid cooled me down and some of my concentration returned.. "What happened?" I asked her. 

"Well.." Jinx fiddled with a black jacket, "Someone...sorta...drove a car into you. You didn't get under the wheels...you sorta got bumped out of the way..." She eyed my bandages, "Hard"

"Oh," I said, wincing as I put the glass back on the table, "Who was in the car?"

"Um... Violet, I'm not supposed to discuss it yet, otherwise, according to the doctors, some high blood pressure or something will happen..."

She seemed nervous as if she didn't want to discuss this at all.

"Okay" I sighed, too tired to care. There was a silence. We watched Jackson sleeping peacefully. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was a thoughtful one.

"He stayed here for two nights and two days, by your side," Jinx said finally, gazing at Jackson. I didn't respond. "He was so worried. Sobbing and demanding to sit with the ambulance and take you here. Barely ate or slept..." 

She seemed to be talking to herself. I still didn't answer. What was I supposed to say to that? (My jaw hurt anyway)

"He was really angry when you were dating DJ," She turned to me, "You should give him a chance, Vi" She looked at me sadly,  "He deserves a chance. He's been patient"

She got up to leave. Just as she reached the door, she turned to me again and said, smiling sadly:

"But that's what love is, right? Putting someone else's needs before yours."

I managed a weak smile. "Your a good friend"

She smiled back at me and closed the door. Jackson stirred in his sleep and his hold on my hand tightened. The last thing I thought before I fell asleep was:

You know what, maybe I should give him a chance.

...

"Violet!! Yo, Violet!!!!"

"Be quiet, she is asleep"

"Oh, shut up, Anderson"

"Do not tell me to-"

"Okay, love birds, break it up"

I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Hazy figures moved around the room and my vision sharpened to reveal a crowd.

Jackson was looking at me anxiously, still sitting near my bed, Blake and DJ were behind him, glaring at each other, Jinx was trying to keep the peace and Oliver was silently leaning against the wall.

"Hi" I smiled weakly at all of them. Instantly, everyone came forward and leaned over me.

"You okay?"

"There was so much blood!"

"No one knows who did it..."

"It was really scary"

"You got lucky-"

Just then the door opened and in came Mom and Scarlet.

"Violet!" Mom and Scarlet cried at the same time and rushed over to me. Mom just started to sob while Scarlet pushed Jackson out of the way and jumped on me for a bone-crushing hug. 

Bone-crushing is painful- especially when your ribs are already cracked.

I winced in pain and shut my eyes and immediately, everyone tried to pull Scarlet off me. When the struggle ended and Scarlet was safely away from me, Mom continued to sob.

"I'm okay" I gasped, placing a hand on my ribs, my eyes watering in pain.

"Wheres the doctor? Shouldn't we give her painkillers?" Mom cried frantically.

"I'm okay" I repeated, trying to keep my voice strong.

"We were so worried!" Mom wailed.

"Yeah, You were bleeding allot" Jinx nodded.

"We didn't catch who did it..." said Jackson, frowning.

"Well, obviously, that person ran off because they were afraid of going to jail.." Said Mom, trying not to frighten me.

"Whats obvious is that's someones after her" Said Oliver abruptly. He hadn't spoken the whole time. Everyone stared at him.

"Think about it," He continued, "A murder to show how dangerous he..." ("Or she," DJ muttered, thinking about Kate) "...is, a warning on the wall and now she pissed someone off and that persons trying to hurt her!"

There was a silence as we all considered this.

"It could be Kate," said Jackson, "remember how she got mad when she found out you and DJ were dating?"

"Did you guys do anything at the dance, in front of her?" Mom asked, frowning.

"Um..we kissed in the parking lot but nobody was there" I said, avoiding Jackson gaze.

"It wasn't Kate," Jinx said. I frowned. "She was getting her prom crown when you got hit"

"What about Jenny? Her clone?" Asked Jackson.

"She was congratulating her" said Jinx.

"DJ was supposed to be King," Oliver smirked, "But her was busy with Violet"

Again, I avoided Jackson's gaze.

"Wait a moment," said Blake (we all ignored his way of speaking), "Oliver, why have you put so much thought to this?"

We all turned to Oliver who glared at Blake.

"Are you accusing me?" He spat at Blake.

"You haven't got the cleanest profile" Said Jinx matter-a-factly.

"Oliver didn't do it" I said over there argument.

They all stared at me.

"He wouldn't," I said firmly. I looked at him, "Would you?"

He shook his head. He looked shocked that I stood up for him.

"Well, we'll figure out who it is," said Mom, breaking the silence, "For now, we've got to keep an eye on you Violet"

I felt Jackson grip my hand. I smiled.

I felt safe.

Even though I knew I wasn't.