The flight back home from Italy landed pretty early in the morning, and halfway through the flight I fell asleep on Lauren's shoulder.

It was around five in the morning, and Lauren was shaking me awake. I groggily sat up and said, "What?"

"The flight's landing. We're home, Valerie." Lauren said. She got the carry-on bag I brought from the overheard bin and we headed out of the airplane and to the airport. Where all the signs were in English, the food and culture were familiar, and my sister was by my side.

"Let's go home, Val." Lauren said, taking my hand. "Your dad probably isn't awake yet." I nodded and Lauren hailed a taxi.

For New York City, the streets were oddly quiet. Reed wouldn't answer my texts, I was pretty sure she was sleeping.

The taxi pulled into my apartment complex, and Lauren and I got out after Lauren paid the driver. We ran into the building, up the stairs, and into the apartment. Thank God I had my key on me.

All the lights were off in the apartment. George's phone was gone from the kitchen table. Lauren knocked on George's bedroom door, but there was no answer.

"What's going on? Do you think your dad was going to meet us at the airport?" Lauren asked. I shrugged, that was certainly a possibility. Lauren flipped on the hallway light, then I ran in my bedroom.

"Valerie Rafferty." I heard someone say. I gasped and pressed myself against the wall.

"Penelope." Lauren and I said at the same time.

"So. Valerie." Penelope said. "Something happened to your precious little Reed."

"WHAT?" I screamed. Lauren kissed the side of my head. "IS SHE OKAY? WHAT'S HAPPENING?"

"Well, it was on the news. Nice little car crash on the side of town." Penelope said. "Reed...she can't use her legs anymore. This time...for good." Penelope said.

I threw myself in Lauren's arms and sobbed in her shoulder. This can't be happening. No. Not when she just got the surgery that changed her life.

"WHAT?" I screamed. Penelope smirked then said, "Your precious little 'girlfriend's' also in a coma."

"A WHAT?" I screamed, not stopping crying. I ran to my room and threw myself on my pillows, sobbing. I couldn't stop. I sobbed everything out, all my feelings.

If Reed died...I don't know what I'd do.

I heard the door slam and then Lauren came into my room. "Addie. It'll be okay. I promise."

"Don't call me Addie." I snapped. Lauren moved away from me and I said, "I'm so sorry..."

"No, no, no, don't be sorry, Val."

"What if she dies, Lauren? And I never see her again?"

"She won't die." Lauren said. 

"HOW DO YOU KNOW?" I yelled, and then my phone rang. It was James, one of Reed's dads.

"Val...honey, I'm so sorry to have to say this...but...Reed's in a coma." I said.

I didn't want to cry while I was on the phone with my girlfriend's father. I knew Reed was in a coma. 

"I know." I said. Lauren gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Do you know when she'll wake up?"

"Time will tell, Valerie." James said. Then he hung up on me.

"Hey. Do you want to come to the theater with me? Maybe it'll distract you from Reed and all that?" Lauren asked, and I nodded.

"Come on. Let's go break the news to your dad."

AN: I'm so sorry for the evil plan. It'll end well, Reed'll be okay, yada yada. Hope you enjoyed! Catch ya later!