When Athena woke up, she found herself in a hospital room with CC, her mother and her father standing around the bed.

"You're awake!" CC leaned down and pecked a kiss on her lips.

"CC... Not with my parents here..." Athena's cheeks flushed a bright pink color.

There was a knock on the door and the doctor came in the room. "Well, Athena, looks like you're free to go." The doctor said.

"Wait, what happened to me?" Athena said.

"You were shot in the leg but not to worry, the bullet just grazed by your leg. It didn't go into the muscle or shatter any bones. You lost a lot of blood and you passed out on your way here last night but we were able to replace some of the blood and your leg should be okay to walk on. It may feel a little sore but that's normal and should go away within the next few days."

"Oh... Okay, thank you."

The doctor smiled and left the room. CC helped Athena out of the bed and helped her walk to the door.

"Athena, wait." CC stopped her outside the elevator. "You know how much I like you; love you, even. I know it's taken me so long to officially ask you but I was hoping I could finally call you my girlfriend."

Athena smiled and stood on her tip toes to kiss him. "Of course, CC--my knight in shining armor." She reached for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

When the elevator reached the first floor, they walked to the lobby where Athena's parents were waiting. Athena hugged her dad and then her mom before returning to CC's side.

Paul smiled. "I approve. CC, my boy, you're a good guy. I think you'll be just perfect for my Athena."

"Thank you, sir." CC responded.

"But just remember, what I said before still stands."

"I promise I won't do anything but protect her. I would like to keep my balls, that's for sure." CC said.

Athena's attention this whole time had been focused on the glittery ring on her mom's finger.

"Mom-" Athena began but her mother cut her off.

"Your father and I have some news for you." She looked down at the ring on her finger and then back up at her daughter. "We're getting re-married."

"Wait..." Athena tried to process it all. "To each other?"

Beth giggled. "Yes, sweetie, to each other."

"Oh my god!" Athena exclaimed.

This had to be the happiest moment in her life. She had the greatest boyfriend any girl could ever ask for and now her parents were getting back together. For once, everything was going right.
***
The minute they arrived at the hospital with Athena, Andy rushed to Lacey's room. All he wanted to do was see her, hold her, be with her.

"Lacey...?" Andy sat beside her bed and held onto her hand. "Do you... Do you get bullied often?"

Lacey sighed. "It's nothing I can't handle, Andy."

"Lacey, you need to get help or something. You can't keep letting them torture you like that. If you don't do something, I will."

"I'm fine, Andy. Really." Lacey reached up to brush some of her hair out of her face and Andy saw the scars. They were very faint but they were still there. Out of instinct, Andy grabbed her wrist and pulled it towards him.

"What the fuck are those?" Andy pointed to them.

"Andy, I'm... I'm... I'm sorry...I-"

"Why did you do it, Lacey?"

Lacey started to blink back tears. "I'm so sorry, Andy! I was just so lonely... They aren't new ones... Athena was always with Max and I was jealous and those girls at school would push me down and kick sand in my eyes and call me emo and a freak. I just couldn't handle it."

A tear escaped and trailed down her cheek. Andy wiped the tear away with his thumb.

"Look at me." He said. "You're not alone anymore. You have me, I'll always be here for you."

"But I don't want to bother you."

"Lacey..." Andy put his head in his hands and then looked up at her again. "If you're in danger of hurting yourself, it's never a bother. I want you to know that I'm here for you whenever you need me. I care about you. I love, you."

"Andy, it's too late for you to save me. I'm already fucked up as it is."

"No, it's not too late. It's never too late."