You Saved Me Once Book 1 novel Chapter 18

“Hayes!” Rochelle yells. She’s stomping on her front lawn, towards us.

Hayes is standing next to me, repeatedly asking.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine Hayes.”

I wasn’t fine. I’m not fine.

When I’m done, the air was unpleasant. Not just because of the barf, but the heavy secrets, lies, and silence drowning us.

Rochelle was now by my side, giving Hayes stink eyes. Hayes was staring at me, and I was on the verge of round 2.

When Rochelle doesn’t say anything, and we are both looking at Hayes, he gets up tight.

“Come on, what’s going on?” He sounds innocent.

I could tell you what’s going on. Hayes was with Rochelle, and someone else at the same time. I don’t know, which hurt more.

At least I wasn’t alone anymore in this. I could tell by Rochelle’s face, that she’s pissed. More hurt, then anything though.

“Hayes, this is Alex. Our childhood best friend. Alex, this is Hayes, the guy who bailed on me yesterday.” She laughs.

“Yeah, sorry about that. Family trouble.” He says.

Each time he spoke I felt warm, and safe. The tears are coming, and I feel even worse than before. Yet, just seeing Hayes, somehow makes me better.

“Just like old times.” Rochelle mocks.

“Is this a bad time?” Hayes asks.

“Of course not. Why would you think that?” She offensively asks.

“I just wanted Alex to know how all of “this” happened.” Ro-chelle tries to smile, but I could tell she was about to cry.

“I was at the cafe, on Coast Drive and you wouldn’t believe who was there talking to some girl?” She says.

“Rochelle.” I say.

I try to stop what’s about to happen. I try to take her inside, but she keeps going.

“Then it hits me, it’s Hayes, but this can’t be Hayes. The whole town thought the Bartley men were never coming back.” Anger rolls off her tongue.

“Then again, they’re never loyal.” She says.

I watch Hayes’s reaction. Every few seconds he turns to me. He’s mad.

“We get to talking. We reminisce, talk about you Alex. I flirt a little, we exchange numbers.” She says.

I really want to leave, get into my car, drive away and nev-er come back.

“Minutes later we make out in his car, then he gives me a ride home. So fucking romantic.” She spites.

“Isn’t that romantic, Hayes?” Rochelle asks.

“Rochelle, what’s wrong?” Hayes asks. He looks at me.

“Alex, what did you do?” He turns to me.

“What did I do?! Are you fucking kidding me?!” I cry.

“What did you tell her?” He asks.

He is close to me, his words hurt, they burn my throat and chills ride my back.

“Hey! This has nothing to do with Alex!” Rochelle says.

“Then why is she here?! Why did you want her here?! Why are you acting like this?” He asks.

“I’m leaving. Alex is a liar, Rochelle. I’m sure whatever she said, was a lie.” Hayes says.

“Are you with someone else?!” Rochelle asks.

I watch the first tear fall on Rochelle’s cheek. I grab my pulsing throat.

“The one person, the one person who was there for you when you came back! We talked every day Hayes, and you didn’t tell me?” She begins to cry. I hug her.

“This is fucking insane. What are you talking about Rochelle?” Hayes huffs.

He won’t stop looking at me.

Rochelle lets go of me and slaps Hayes.

“You’re such a millennial dick!” She screams.

“You know how you said you were never coming back to Versa. Maybe you should just leave again, and this time stay gone. Fuck you, we’re done!” She shouts.

Rochelle pushes him, before going inside, and slamming her front door.

It is now just Hayes and me.

“How could you?!” I shout.

I follow behind him, he’s now at his car, ignoring me.

“Hayes!” I yell.

He finally looks at me.

“Stay away from me Richards!” He shouts.

Everything inside of me tenses.

“My best friend.” I mumble.

“So, what.” He says.

“Fuck you!” I cry.

“Fuck you for ignoring me for years, and then when I come back you become a compulsive liar. A liar with the most dirt than any-one.” He’s standing over me, looking down as he speaks.

I back away, crossing my arms. Why would he say that?

“Now I’m with someone else? Are you jealous?” he asks.

I can’t be jealous. I can’t feel anything for him, I shouldn’t.

“Fuck you.” I mumble.

“Why did you just ignore me for years Alex? You had years to call, why didn’t you?” He asks.

“I couldn’t Hayes.” I stutter.

I can’t breathe.

“Why not?” He asks.

I stay silent. Because, it’s a secret.

I feel cold now. I want to cry.

“I’m sorry.” I cry.

“I’m sorry too, Little Richards.” He says.

He leans in for a hug, but I’m frozen. I can’t move, I can’t speak. He hugs me, and I cry again. This was all too much.

I let go of him. He looks at me, in pain.

“The girl from Hawaii, are you with her too?” I ask.

I want him to say no. I didn’t want him to be with anyone.

“No, Little Richards.” He says.

Now he’s silent, he looks sad. We stand in silence, face to face.

That was it.

He said nothing else. He just got into his car and drove away.

I hug myself, to try and stop the tears. I wipe the tears on my pants. Then throw up the rest of the ice cream.