Chapter Forty Five-2

I step inside and my eyes instantly go to the small table where most of the attack happened. Casting my eyes down, I walk into the kitchen, to put my flowers in a vase. As Hayden and I lay back on my bed, sometime later, I spend the rest of the afternoon filling him in about my time in hospital, including Mia's surprising confession. He also told me about his time in lock up and how Carrie visited. "Come here," he murmurs softly. I crawl onto his chest and lay my cheek on his shirt, hearing his soft, consistent heartbeat. "Thank you for choosing to forgive me," I whisper. He tightens his arms around me. "There was never a choice." *** "So, I heard something today," Hayden says to me as he gently pushes me forward. We have ventured to the park a little way from my place today, so I could get out of the house. I am sick of being cooped up in bed. I missed the outdoors too much. Even though I felt all right, I still have sore muscles and bad bruising. "Hmm?" I mumble as I continue to swing. "Harvey told me it's your birthday next week," he continues. He gives me one last push, before joining me at my side, plopping down onto the swing beside me. "It is," I agree as I let my legs swing me back and forth. "I probably won't do anything for it, considering what's happened lately. And I don't really have friends." He rolls his eyes. "Don't be stupid, of course we're doing something for it." "Why were you talking to Harvey this morning?" I questions. "He rang me." "Why did he do that?" I ask, cocking my head to the side. Harvey rang Hayden? Now that's something I never thought would happen. "Never you mind," he replies mysteriously, giving me a coy smile, his left dimple appearing on his cheek. "What are you two up to?" He dragged his fingers across his lips. "Can't say, sorry." I let out a huff of air as I dragged me feet in the soil beneath me. "When's your birthday?" "I turned 18 in January." "Oh," I reply, a little sad I missed it. "It feels weird that I didn't even know your birthday." He shrugs, running a hand through his wind-blown hair. "Just never came up, I suppose." It has been two days since I arrived home from the hospital. I am going to return to school tomorrow and am dreading every second leading up to it. I've enjoyed my time with Hayden far too much. Having him forgive me and us returning back to normal has lifted my spirits considerably. My left wrist is still bandaged, due to tearing the ligaments, but it doesn't really hurt unless I put weight on it. My bruising has faded considerably, but it's still noticeable. I am fine mentally and somewhat fine physically, so I felt no reason to skip school any longer. It's not worth trying to catch up in school work, considering I already feel behind. "It's kind of perfect, that your birthday is the weekend," he says to me with a smile. "We don't have to skip school to celebrate it." "Why, what are you planning?" I ask him suspiciously. "Nothing," he grins and I roll my eyes at him. "You're going to be so surprised with what your mum has planned." "My mum has something planned?" I ask with genuine surprise. He shrugs, as if he didn't just say she did. "You're being annoying," I huffs. "I'm always annoying." "No argument there." At first, it was a bit awkward when Hayden was over and mum would be home, considering she had him arrested and all. Well, I felt awkward. They handled it pretty well. Mum apologised to him and apologised to Heather. It is all smoothed over now, thank God. He kicks a small rock at me and I let out a laugh. Silence falls between us momentarily and I take the time to tilt my head back and gaze up at the clear sky. I let out a sigh, leaning my head against the chain I was holding. "I wonder where he is," Hayden murmurs. "Ashton?" I ask, peering over to him. Hayden and I had the 'talk' about Ashton yesterday. I told him everything. It is all out in the open now and I feel relieved that it is. We've decided to put it in the past and try to move on. "Mmhmm," he mumbles. The police have issued a warrant for his arrest but he hasn't been found yet. He must have some idea that they're after him, because he cleared his apartment and no one has seen him since his last day at school, which was also the day he attacked me. "Who knows," I replies with a sigh. "I hope he's not causing any more trouble." "Doubtful." "I'm bummed that the comp got post-poned. The scouts were coming to see you." "It's a blessing, really. Brennon had benched you anyway. Now if you're feeling okay when it comes around, you'll be able to swim, too." "Valid point. Any news on who our new swim Coach is?" "I heard it's a woman and that she's very experienced, but that's about it." "A woman Coach is exactly what we need." "Is it my turn to have a fling with the Coach?" he jokes. "Don't even joke about that," I groan. "In the past, remember?" "Right. Mia emailed me some school work we've missed out on and there's a shit load of stuff you need to do." I let out another groan, scrambling to my feet. I stretch slowly, before giving Hayden a sad smile. "We better go get it done." "I already did mine at home last night," he says breezily. "I can help you with yours though." I give him a flat stare. "You're a nerd." "If you get all your work done, I'll buy you dinner. Pizza?" Instantly, I perk up. "You know the way to my heart, Mr Cameron." He laughs, swinging his arm around my shoulder as we walk back to my house. "I think I do, Miss Connaway." --------------------