Chapter 13 : The Morning Rise
HAYDEN’S POV
The morning came with all sorts of insults.
The house was quiet as if it knew what had happened last night and was waiting for me to react. I lay there for a while staring at the ceiling, my jaw tight and replaying everything I didn't want to remember.
I heard some footsteps in the hallway, some giggling and then a door opening and closing. It was Stephen’s bedroom door.
I sat up immediately.
A few seconds later the front door opened and after some mumbling it was finally shut. Someone had left and I knew it was the stranger.
I waited exactly thirty seconds before I stormed out of my room.
Stephen was in the kitchen, shirtless, his hair messed up, drinking water from a can like nothing had happened.
I groaned and he smiled as he greeted me. “Good morning.”
“Fuck you…you are unbelievable,” I said.
He glanced at me lazily. “Morning to you too, Hayden.”
“You did that on purpose. You wanted to see my reaction.”
He capped the bottle and leaned against the counter. “Everything I do is intentional. You should know that by now.”
I laughed loudly. “You fucked some random guy to prove a point?”
He tilted his head. “Oh…I wasn't proving a point. I was making one.”
I let out a low growl. “You fucking humiliated me.”
“No..” he corrected calmly. “I showed you who I am and who I can be. It is a big difference.”
It was like something inside me snapped. “You did that because you were pissed at me? Because of Ella?”
His eyes went dark. “You let Ella talk to me like I was nothing.”
“She wasn't….”
“Fuck you…” He cut in, his voice raised. “She came to you to make a complaint and what did you do? You fucked her, my girlfriend, just because you wanted to hurt me.”
“You know blaming me for Ella being a slut, isn't fair.” I shoot at him.
“Well, life isn't fair, and you are supposed to be my brother.”
I stepped closer. “So you thought screwing someone in front of me was the fucking solution.”
“What….I thought you needed to see it and feel it.”
My hands curled into a fist. “Feel what? Betrayal?”
“No….” He shot back. “I wanted to see the disgust in your face knowing that I was fucking a man and I loved it. Ever since I kissed you and found out that you were so homophobic, I swear, it was like I had your fucking reset button.”
We stared at each other, breathing hard.
“This is fucking messed up.” I finally said. “Whatever happens between the both of us….this isn't how you deal with it.”
Stephen laughed bitterly. “There it is. You always do that. You name it without owning it.”
“Name what?”
He stepped closer, his eyes scanning me. “us.''
There was a long silence that settled in for a while. “Fuck you, Stephen. There is no US.” I said in a loud voice.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. “Then stop acting like there is.”
I didn't have a response and that pissed me off. I scoffed and turned to leave. I was done with this whole drama with Stephen.
“I'm late for school. You can go screw yourself, Stephen.” I muttered “And for your information, I'm done with the trash called Ella. I am not the one to keep an unloyal bitch around.”
I grabbed my bag and walked out before he could say something that would make him punch me and kick me off the football team.
I was not losing my captain spot this year because of a silly fight with my brother.
School ran by in a blur.
Classes passed without sticking, the teacher talked, students laughed and I nodded when it was necessary but my head was somewhere else. Every time my phone buzzed, my chest tightened as I waited for Stephen to text something cruel…but he didn't.
By the time the last bell rang, my nerves were shot.
I had football practice by four, cheer practice took the field next to us, like always. I changed fast and avoided eye contact with anyone who tried to talk to me.
Then I saw Lilian.
She was waiting by the bleachers, her arms crossed with an unreadable expression. I jogged over, wiping the sweat from my head with my handkerchief.
“Hey….you wanted to see me?”
She nodded. “Yeah…we need to talk.”
I already didn't like the tone but I calmed down. “What’s up?”
She didn't waste time before she began. “I'm not happy.”
I let out a soft sigh. “About what?”
“Your girlfriend…” she said flatly “Ella.”
“She is not…”
“I don't know if you heard, but she attacked me,” Lilian cut in. “Physically, in front of my cheer team, the couch, and the fucking whole school. And I never heard you say a word to defend me.”
My jaw tightened. “That wasn't how it…”
“Hayden…” she said “there is no fucking excuse. A post would have been enough to make me not look like the Villain.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Lilian, firstly, I still have a pending case where I am being called a homophobic Bigot, remember. And secondly, Ella and I broke things off that day she came to fight you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Was it because of that?”
“No….it was something else,” I said quickly.
She studied me, clearly unconvinced. “So you are just going to let her treat me like that?”
“That won't happen again,” I said, calmly. “I promise.”
“Thats not the same as defending me.” she snapped at me.
“I know.”
She went silent, not having anything else to say. She took a deep breath and continued.
“I have detention with her today..” Lilian said. “Lucky me.”
My stomach dropped, remembering what was happening in that detention room with Stephen and me, and Stephen but I was quick to compose myself. “Seriously?”
“Yeah…” she shrugged. “I hope she doesn't make it worse.”
I exhaled slowly. “Do you want me to wait after practice?”
She hesitated, then smiled slightly. “Maybe…if you are free.”
I returned her smile. “I am.”
“Good.” She picked up her stuff and turned to leave but she paused. “Hayden… I hope you figure out whatever this is. Because I don't want to be in anything this semester."
Before I could say anything else she walked away.