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Anne pushed her way through the streets and crowds of New York City. She couldn't remember the last time it had been so jammed packed. The roads were even worse, traffic backed up several blocks. And if there was an opening, cars were racing through, taking every chance they could to get to their destinations fast. Anne Wasnt that far from the park, but it seemed like an eternity. She pulled her hat down on her head and trudged on through the snow.

Finally, she was right across the street from Cetral Park. She had a clear shot across the road and a chance to explain to Celeste she had been wrong. Looking a few times first, Ann made a break for it and ran across the street. There out of the corner of her eye she could see a car coming, far enough away to stop for her..... But to close for her to get out of the way. It was then that she realized the breaks were stuck, and it was in a split second that Anne bounced like a rubber ball off of the hood of the car, rolling on the asphalt into the curb, Unconscious.

Several of th bystanders had already pulled out their phones, all frantically dialing for an ambulance to come pick Julianne up. The police officers were pushing the crowd back, taking Celeste and prying her off Anne so they could perform basics to stop the bleeding as much as possible. Others were examining the car that Anne had hit. It had skidded off the road and ended up against a street light. The drivers was unharmed but the cars front end was totaled.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity the ambulance arrive and medics pulled Anne onto a stretcher. Her hair was matted with blood and her face pale but the medics assured she would be okay before hopping in and preparing to drive to the hospital.

Aden stood there for the longest time, in complete shock by Celeste's words. He didn't know what to do. Part of him wanted to hit the girl, her being the reason Julianne crossed that street to Central Park. But he knew that wouldn't help in the slightest. By the time his mind was thinking rationally she was gone. "s**t..." he mumbled, instantly breaking out in a run, grabbing his jacket and bolting out the front door of the cafe.

The streets were still busy but thankfully Aden Wasnt stupid enough to make the same mistake as Anne. He bolted down the road, dodging oncoming crowds and shoppers, trying to put together the clues of where exactly Celeste lived. He knew she shared the block with Julianne and lived on the top floor, but not as high up as Julianne's apartment. Piece by piece he worked it out until he was standing in front of the staircase of Celeste's building. With a deep breath, he trudged up the stairs and burst through her door, "She wants you there Celeste. The only reason she couldn't pick you was because she couldn't bear even the slightest chance of losing you. If she was wrong.... if you didn't like girls then she thought you'd hate her for being the way she is. I was a safety... She thought by picking me that it would make me happy and that you two wouldn't have to stop being friends....."

Aden sighed, trying to calm his racing heart. He walked over to the bed and sat down, a soft caring smile on his face. "She doesn't just like you Celeste, she's head over heels in love. So come on..." he reached over and took her hand, pulling slightly, "She's probably wondering what's taking us so long."

Aden sighed softly and tried to be understanding while Celeste cried into her pillow. They all had it rough right now, but maybe things would turn around from here on out. Maybe he would find another girl who he could learn to like even more than Julianne. Maybe Celeste's career would take off and maybe Anne could finally prove her worth to her family. But right that moment, there wasn't time for wondering about any of those things. He took Celeste and there they were, running back down the stairs and out onto the sidewalk. It didn't take long before they were bursting through the front door of the hospital. "Can we get in to see Julianne Hofstadter?" Aden asked firmly to the woman at the front desk. She yawned slightly, smacking her lips as she ran through her papers.

"228 B." She scowled at them before returning to her paperwork, but Aden didn't even get the chance to complain because he was off again with Celeste in tow.

Aden leaned over hands on his knees as he worked to catch his breath. As Celeste sat down, he stood himself back up again, sighing softly in relief. It was his idea for her to chase the girl down.... his idea for her to go out in such crazy, Christmas weather alone. But there was nothing to be done now except wait. He couldn't help but feel guilty, but what good would it do him? Aden gave another sigh, and when Celeste sort of offered him hot chocolate he shook his head, "No, it's fine. I'll get it. You can head inside you know... wait by her bed if you want." He pulled his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans and counted up a few ones before heading back down the hallway in search of something for them to eat or drink while they waited.

Julianne was numbly floating in a place between awareness and dreaming. Her head hurt like nothing she'd ever experienced before, but of course that was slightly obvious. Anne had never had a near-death experience before. Though no one could be blamed but herself. She'd ran out across the road. She never looked for the car that slammed into her. All Anne had been thinking about was getting to Celeste, trying to make up for her misjudgment and decision to take on Aden as a boyfriend. She'd never even asked the girl her feelings.... just assuming she wasn't like her....

Suddenly Anne felt the slightest pressure on her forehead, fingers pulling away a strand of her hair. This caused her to groan ever so slightly and raise a hand to wipe the sleep from her eyes, "Uhggg..." Close-eyed, Julianne tried to sit herself up, but could barely lift her head an inch off the pillow before wincing in pain. Then her eyes slowly fluttered open. Celeste was sitting there, eyes watering. "Hey chicky...." she said weakly, "I'm so sorry."

Anne looked around, noting that she was indeed in the hospital. Definitely something her parents wouldn't be too thrilled to hear about. When Celeste started talking about Aden she sighed softly, listening as the brunette turned her attention to her, asking if she felt alright. "No... I'm fine... nothing I shouldn't be expecting considering my head practically cracked open." Anne reached up and adjusted her pillow a bit before rubbing her eyes again. "I-I wasn't out for that long was I?" She then reached up and painfully graced her fingers along the stitches in her skull. Thankfully, all her hair was still intact, medics normally shaving it away to get to the injury.