Chapter 15: Killer
When people say it's my fault, they don't always mean it. But I do. I'd unintentionally caused Gabriella to be unconscious in the hospital. Her baby could possibly grow up without a mother. You could ask why I'm being so caring after all she did to me. But Gabriella, like me, had been dealt the same hand in life, and all she was doing was trying to survive. Like me. She was a puppet in someone else's games. I knew that I was, too.
***
The bell rang, and I glanced at the boys, but mainly Haze. It had been two weeks since I was told about Gabriella, and nothing had really been the same between us all. But especially me and Haze. "The bell for the holidays, let's party", sang Quinn, slinging her arm around my shoulder. Her purple hair was in a loose ponytail, and she kept flicking it.
"We can't make it for the holidays this year", stated Gage, looking at Haze. Haze nodded, eyeing me cautiously. It was going to be me and Haze for the whole winter holidays. Fuck. Forrest stalked towards me, a loose smile playing on his lips.
"I'll see you soon, princess", he smirked, kissing my cheek quickly.
"Text me, yeah" I laughed, and he nodded. Izack rolled his baby blue eyes.
"Why are you so moody ?" I stated.
" I can't see you for two weeks. You know how horny I'll get", he moaned. I smiled, hugging him so tightly. He washed every feeling off with humor, and sometimes I needed that. Gage nodded his head toward me.
"See you later, beautiful", he managed, walking off wordlessly. Like saying any more would destroy his soul further. Tyler was last, and he watched me with this intense stare that made my knees feel like jelly. " Behave", he muttered with a little wink. I nodded.
***
Sat in the limo together. I glanced at Haze. " I'm sorry about everything", I stated, rubbing my hands together nervously. Haze studied me, his green eyes gleaming as he watched me. Ignoring me, he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. He lit it and blew smoke out, causing me to cough and choke.
" I don't care about Gabriella, but I care about my baby", he stated, no longer looking at me.
" I get that, so I'm sorry", I whispered, letting the tears glide softly down my face.
" I can't forgive you", he managed. Then he got out of the car and slammed the door shut behind him. Tears spilled down my cheeks. I sighed heavily. Letting all the emotion from the past few days scream out of me. What had I done?
***
Sitting at the dining table with Haze and his dad, silence ensued. " That baby is yours, isn't it?" he said quietly, looking at Haze. Haze nodded. "How are you to be so stupid ?" He bellowed, making me jump.
" Story was brought here to marry you, and you know why, Haze, that's why I've gone ahead and made arrangements", he said quietly. My fork clanged to my plate as I looked up. All eyes turned to me.
"What arrangements?" I asked, confused.
" I paid Gabriella's parents a very substantial fee to release Haze from Melvores contract to marry you in two months' time", panic coiled like a snake in my stomach.
"Excuse me", I whispered, rushing up. This meant I would be tied to Haze Melvore for the rest of my life.
***
Sitting in my room, I stared out the window at the vast forest, wondering if I could just escape. Escape away from everyone and then I had the best idea. Tonight, I'd leave and escape this. Haze was never going to forgive me. He was to marry me in two months' time. I couldn't do this. Grabbing my phone, I made the call. " I can't stay here right now", I managed, tears pouring down my face as I spoke.
" Here's my address", he said, and I nodded. I would go to him because everything was okay when I was with him. I'd be okay with him.
***
After a long bus ride, I stood nervously outside the address. I finally plucked up the courage and knocked on the door. He answered. Izack's blonde hair was all over the place, his blue eyes shining as he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. He cuddled up to me as we lay in his bed, staring at one another. Leaning forward, I pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. He did the same until we were entirely making out. His hands slid down my body, his mouth on my neck. I moaned his name as he kissed me, moving his hand to where I needed it most. His lips glided down my neck. "I want everything", I murmured softly. He nodded quickly. Then he made love to me, his body moving in tandem with mine. I woke up the following day and glanced at Izack as he slept beside me. He was so beautiful and handsome. I needed him.
"Look at you being a hopeless romantic", he grinned with his eyes closed. I covered my face, and he climbed over me with a bright, beautiful smile.
" I love you" he whispered. I stared up at him, and I knew this time I could say it back.
"I love you too," I said quietly. He beamed up at me as he wrapped me up in his arms. Right now, I felt so happy, comforted by his loving embrace. Getting out of bed, I put on my clothes and walked off into the kitchen. Izack lived alone, and I hadn't asked why. But that's what I knew.
" My phone is blowing up. Did you tell no one you were coming? " he managed quickly.
"No, Haze said he can never forgive me", I whispered. Izack nodded, kissing my head gently as he replied to all the texts.
"I've let them know I've got you ", he said, wrapping an arm around me. I nodded, then turned to look at him, confused.
"Why didn't he just track me ?" I quizzed.
" He deactivated it after everything," he said quietly. Slowly, I nodded. He was freaking out because he couldn't protect me. Just like his mom.
Suddenly, the phone rang, and Izack sighed heavily.
"It's Gage. I better take this," he managed, walking into the next room. Standing in the kitchen, I focused on the suburban street and looked at the children riding their bikes. I imagined my kids. Who would I have kids with? I heard Izack before I saw him, and when I turned to him, my heart dropped. He was pale and looked somewhat sad.
"What is it?" I whispered worriedly.
"It's Gabriella. She's dead", he murmured. That's when I realized nothing at Melvore would be the same again.