Chapter 36-2

I start laughing, "I love you." "I love you too." Vera sighs heavily, "Also, did I ever tell you I had a crush on you in Caldwell." "What!?" I exclaim as I pull back to see Vera smiling at me while nodding. "Yup. I was in love with you for a solid three days before realising I wanted you more as a friend than anything else. Then I met Sam and all romantic feelings for you disappeared." Vera explains as we stare at each other for a few silent seconds. Then we begin laughing as I fall back onto her and wrap my arms around her. ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ My fingers started to ache as I continued to type, delete, then type again. I wanted to text Chase but I just didn't know how. Every message I sent either sounded like I had no fucking braincells at all or I just chicken out last minute. Hey Everett, I was just—delete. Everett, my man, my guy, my dude—delete. Chase Xavier Everett, you better fucking be on your way back—delete. Yo, asswipe. Come back or you die—delete. "FUCK!" I groan as I fling my phone to the end of my bed and bring my knees up to my chest. I run my hands down my face, absolutely fuming inside my skull. Why was this so damn difficult? I peak through my fingers across the room, glancing at the picture frame situated on top of the white dresser. It was from the day of graduation at Caldwell. It was a candid shot of the two of us kissing. I remember how my mother had raced by when she took it. It took two bottles of wine and a lot of grovelling to get her to settle on a simple, small picture frame rather than an A2 canvas in the fucking guest bedroom. I begin chuckling as I stare at it more and more. Shit, I miss him so much. Tears arise in my eyes and I lean back against the head board as I throw an arm over my eyes. Why now? I hadn't cried since Chase had left but I guess that could only last so long. But then again, I think I've been doing pretty well for someone who internally breaks down every minute of every day. I sigh out, my breath shaky as my jaw trembles and I try to keep the tears at bay. There was a knock at my door which distracts me for a second. "Hayden, honey. Dinner is ready." Mom says from the other side, "If you're asleep then—FOOD!" "I'm awake Mom." I chuckle at her loud bellow, "And I'll be down in a second." "Okay." Mom says before I hear her walk away and I rest my head back against the headboard and stare up at the white ceiling. The sun was setting and it's golden rays were shining in through the open windows. I could hear the rolling waves and focus on the sound for a bit, trying to calm myself. When I assumed I was calm enough, I throw my legs over the side of the bed and get up. I walk over to the dresser, pull out one of Chase's sweatshirt—this one a faded green—and I got to pull it over my head. But I pause half-way through when I could hear shuffling followed by the turning of the door handle. "Mom, I said I'd be down soon." I tell her again just as the footsteps move away and I'm left frowning curiously at the door. I brush it off and throw the sweatshirt over my head, letting it cover my bikini and most of my denim cut-offs. I tie my straight hair back into a messy low bun at the base of my head, letting the shorter strands fall forward and frame my face. Once I was done, I walk across the room and open the door. It doesn't open. I try the handle again. Still nothing. I stay still for a second before violently trying to open the door, banging and pulling at the door. "Hello!" I shout but I doubt they could hear me downstairs. They'd probably be dishing up dinner and the clanging of plates would drown out my panic. "Anyone?! The door is stuck!" After a few minutes of trying to get the attention of anyone, I sigh out and take a step back. What the hell? I go back to the bed and swipe up my phone. I turn the screen to me, only to realise that it was fucking dead. And my charger is downstairs in the living room. Great. This is what I deserve for being a weak, emotional bitc and attempting to text Chase too many times. But fuck it, I'll just blame it on Everett. I glance around the room, wondering how I could escape. The window. Pushing the window up, I throw my legs over the ledge. I glance down, seeing the roof below but it was too low to reach. I bring my other leg through the window and sit on the edge, staring down to the dark roof. Taking a deep breath, I slowly lower myself down to the roof. Eventually, my outstretched toes find the roof and I settle myself down. Fuck yeah. I'll be taking casting calls for the next Mission Impossible. But once again, the universe reminded me that I was Hayden Jones and that it hated me. Because the second I take a step, the roofing tile crumbles under my foot. I try to keep myself standing but that didn't last long and soon enough I was stumbling off the roof. Pain erupts in my chest as I fall into the bushes that lined the bottom story of the house. Lucky enough, they broke most of my fall but still cut my exposed skin. "Bleh bleh..." I spit out the leaves in my mouth, "...Shit." "Hayden?!" I hear the distressed call of my mother. "Did you just fall off the roof?!"" Penn asks followed by everyone else's panicked questions. I felt arms reach into the bush and pull me out. The twigs continue to cut me and I hiss out in pain. Eventually, my feet find the sweet solid ground and I realised Noah and Levi were holding me up between them. I laugh, "...I was just taking the scenic route." "Take her inside boys, I'll check for a concussion." David explains as Levi and Noah nod on either side of me. Everyone looked so worried as they stared at me with shocked expressions. My mom, Penn, Hayley and Spencer were all gawking at me with wide yes worried faces. But I wasn't focused on them. I was staring at the other visitor. In the middle of the small crowd with a ghost of a smile on her lips was none other than Emily Richards.