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"Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor." - Sholom Aleichem.

Dedication: Juliaannec for the amazing cover! I love the use of the red, I think that reflects both Faith's looks and personality. Thank you so much!

Recap:

I blinked, not seeing clearly. With the tears in my eyes and now my concussion, I couldn't focus on anything.

I heard my name being called. I opened my car door, to see Xavier sprinting towards me.

My legs gave out and I collapsed onto the hard bitumen ground.

That was the last I remembered.

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"Ugggggggggghhhhhhhhhh," I groaned way too dramatically.

"She's awake," a heard an amused voice comment, before a rough, calloused hand gripped mine.

Just by his mere touch, I knew it was my dad. A strong surge of relief washed through me, knowing that he was here. If he was here, everything was okay.

"Faith," his voice murmured.

Slowly, my eyes fluttered open. I groaned again as my eyes felt strained from the sudden brightness.

"Don't freak out," he continued, his voice eerily calm and soothing. "You've had an accident. You're at the hospital."

"What?" I slurred, blinking.

Slowly, my surroundings become sharper as I focused. I was lying in a hospital bed, with dad holding my hand. Brooklyn sat there, a magazine on her lap. She smiled at me.

"Hey," she said. "What's up?"

Typical.

"Accident?" I repeated slowly, frowning.

"Yes, you pulled out in front of a car. You got injured more than the other driver."

"Of course," I muttered, wincing as I tried to move.

"You've got some whiplash, a bit of swelling, bruising, and you'll have some muscle pain. But no serious injuries, which is good," dad said, slipping into Doctor mode.

"Thanks dad," I said wearily. "How's my car?"

"We might need some higher pain killers if you want to discuss your car," dad joked.

"Serious," I said hoarsely. "Is it okay?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. It could be a write-off. Or it could just be very expensive to fix. We just have to wait."

I groaned, again. "Great."

"Can I get you anything?" Brooklyn offered.

"A water, thanks," I smiled.

"Michael?"

"I'll come grab a coffee, you right here for a second?" dad asked.

"Sure."

They both wandered off and I stared up at the ceiling. I was an idiot. I shouldn't have let myself get behind the wheel when I was so upset.

"Hey," a new voice said.

Swivelling my eyes, I looked at Xavier. "What are you doing here?"

"Just wanted to see if you were okay," he shrugged, looking down at his feet.

"Yeah, I am. You can go now."

He sighed. "Look, Faith-"

"No, you look," I snapped. "You made the decision to hurt me. And you did. Not kindly fuck off so I can recover in peace."

His lips parted as he stared at me. Slowly, he nodded. "Okay, if that's how you feel."

I just shook my head at him. Unbelievable.

He thinks he can cheat on me and still have a chance? Has he not learnt anything from Jacob? He's obviously stupider than I realised.

"What are you waiting for?" I snarled, glaring at the wall. "I don't want you here."

I folded my arms across my chest. I tried not to wince as my muscles screamed at me to stop moving.

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room. Tears burned at my eyes as I sat there.

I hate him for what he did to me.

***

"You sure you're ready to go to school?" Dad asked as he watched me limping around the kitchen at a painfully slow rate.

My muscles were so sore. I must have hit my knee during the accident because when I put my full weight on my left leg, my knee throbbed. Therefore, I now had a cute limp.

"I'm fine," I waved him off. "You're just bored and want to hang out."

"No!"

"Yes," I laughed. "Go out and introduce yourself to some people. You're not going to get a job if you stay here and play video games."

"I do not play video games."

"I honestly don't know why you bother to try to lie to me," I sighed.

"Me either," he laughed. "You're right. I need to start providing for you again. I should go get dressed."

"Wear something nice, please," I begged. "Honestly, your fashion styling would send your ex-wife into cardiac arrest."

"Ex-wife?" dad mused. "You mean your mother?"

"If you'd like to call her that," I shrugged.

"You're brutal."

"What's brutal is the abandonment I felt when she left."

"You're good," he nodded. "You are very good."

"Thanks."

"Ready yet?" he asked, leaning on the bench. "You've done like three laps of the kitchen."

"Maybe I shouldn't go," I eventually said, gnawing at my lip, the doubt I've been firmly ignoring all morning finally breaking through. I placed my hand on my stomach as it churned uncomfortably. "I don't feel like seeing Xavier."

"That's going to be hard to avoid, since you go to the same school," he teased. "And besides, why are you letting that get you down? Just ignore him. Sit with your friends and pretend he isn't even there."

"You're right. I'll do that." I nodded. "I can do this."

"You can," dad agreed.

Picking up my bag, he swung it over his shoulder, his car keys jingling as he did so. I trailed behind him as we walked out to the Ute.

A sigh left my lips as the Ute shuddered to a stop outside my school. Reluctantly, I slid from the car, a frown etched onto my face.

"Have fun!" dad called cheerily.

Grumbling under my breath, I slowly limped into school.

The stares were immediate, the whispers close behind. I sighed again. Maybe I should have stayed at home.

"Did you hear her and Xavier broke up?" I heard as I walked past a group of girls in the year below me. "Knew it wouldn't last long."

"You know what has lasted too long?" I asked sarcastically, shoulder-barging my way into the group. "My self-control in not punching you in the fucking face."

The girl who voiced her idiotic opinion, took a step back from me.

"Not so cocky now, huh?" I snarled, my voice venomous. "Even injured, I could still rearrange your ugly ass face."

The girl actually looked frightened. Maybe I should go a little further.

"Now, now, my little darling," a voice said, before two arms wrapped around me and pulled me from the now-terrified girl. "Let's not hurt the pretty, young girl."

"Pretty?" I laughed.

She was, but I just felt like being a bitch.

"Come on," Chase said, before clutching at my arm and physically dragging me away from the group.

"Should have let me get her."

"I think if you get suspended anymore, you will get expelled," Chase laughed.

And then I realised who I was actually talking to.

I stopped and looked at him. "Why are you here? You got what you wanted."

"And what's that?"

"You wanted me to break up with Xavier. You want him to feel disconnected from everyone, so that he can run back to you and your drug Lord Daddy."

He stared at me, his eyebrows raised. "So, Xavier told you?"

"About the drugs? Yeah. He mentioned it a couple of times."

"Oh."

"You're messed up," I said, shaking my head. "Really messed up."

"You don't know the full story."

"I don't think I want to." I snipped, stepping back from him. "Why don't we just stay out of each other's way, okay?"

"But-"

"Cool," I said, turning from him.

I felt Xavier's eyes on me and I purposefully didn't look up as I made my way towards my group. Jacob walked passed me and I literally face-palmed myself.

My list of people to avoid was growing longer than I wanted.

"Having fun?" Brooklyn asked with a laugh.

"So much fun," I replied dryly. "Is it too early to drink?"

"We're at school," she laughed.

"I'm taking that as a yes then," I mumbled, rubbing my face roughly.

"Come here," she said softly, before wrapping her arms securely around me.

My eyes burned but I squeezed them shut tightly, refusing to let any tears fall. I would rather die than let anyone see me show weakness like that.

"I love you," Brooklyn whispered, rubbing my back.

"I love you," I muttered, burying my head into her shoulder.

"Let's go to the movies or something tonight," she suggested. "Just us two."

"That sounds nice." My voice was muffled.

"I'll pick you up at 6."

Great. Now that was my car out of action, I really did have to endure through Brooklyn's horrible driving. I'll end up more injured than I am now, the way she jerks the car around corners.

"I'm just going to go to the bathroom before class," I said, my voice a little shaky.

"Want me to come?" she asked softly.

"It's okay," I said with a forced smile, before making my way into school.

I rounded the corner and froze. Jasmine was there, leaning on the lockers. She passed a set of keys to Xavier, offering him a flirtatious smile.

My teeth ground together.

They have messed with the wrong girl.

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Faith's okay, yay!

What do you think about Xavier turning up at the hospital? Do you think he should have tried harder to make Faith understand what happened?

And what do you think about Jasmine handing Xavier a pair of keys? What do you think that's for?