What I Wish You Knew | ꪜ

Chapter Forty Nine

To Mom,

49. Goodbye, forever and always, Hayley Peterson.

Hayley's POV

Something soft brushed against my skin. It was warm and gentle but despite that, it still roused me from my slumber. I peeled my eyes open and was met with a bright streak of light that enveloped the room. Hovering above me was Parker, his hand pressed against my cheek, caressing it softly.

At the sight of me staring, he retracted his hand, "I didn't mean to wake you," he whispered. I couldn't find it within me to answer at first as I began to recall the events of last night. I wouldn't be surprised if his father hates me for ruining his party. And most of all I hope Parker doesn't hold it against me as well.

"Are you hungry? Do you wanna go back to bed? It's only 8 am." It's as if I was mute. I desperately wanted to respond but each time my lips part I keep getting shoved back to last night. I remember stumbling through the front door, trying to distance myself from my mother and every person in there.

The sky rotated around me as I stumbled on the uneven ground shifting beneath my feet. Despite the chilly weather, every bone in my body felt abnormally warm, cocooning me in its suffocating grasp as I flailed around for some sort of stability.

With no more strength within me, my trembling feet gave in and I went crashing onto the grass somewhere on the Nguyen's property. At that time I didn't care, all I wanted to do was rip away the clothing wrapped around my flesh, taking away every breath from my tightened throat.

My trembling hands grasped the grass beneath my fingertips and the other frantically tugged at my dress to free its hold on me. I parted my lips to breathe but was met with a sharp intake of breath that felt as if it never made its way down to my lungs. "Hayley, Hayley, hey, hey, breathe."

Hands wrapped around my face and through my blurry vision I could make out the features of Drayton, tears trickling down his cheeks, his bloodshot eyes peering into mine as incoherent words tumbled through his quivering lips.

Although I could feel my body jerking as I sobbed I couldn't hear it. Everything went on deaf ears: the crickets which were once chirping outside, the click-clacking of shoes that shuffled against the floor, my sobs, my brother's voice. It all went mute and all I was met with was nothing but silence.

Before I knew it my face was buried in my brother's chest, my shivering arms failing to hold onto him. I could feel my knees digging into the dirt that scraped my delicate flesh, my nails, my hands but all I wanted to do was close my eyes and let the pain wash away.

I didn't know when but eventually another pair of arms wrapped around me, then another and another until it felt as if I was huddled by nothing but warmth. Maybe it was the feelings of comfort or safety but for the first time I got my wish and my eyes fluttered as they grew heavier and heavier.

Till darkness consumed me.

"Hayley?"

I blinked once, then twice until Parker's blurry face came back into focus. I sat upright and pulled the duvet off of me as my eyes travelled around my room. To my surprise, laying beside me still fast asleep was Jenna and splayed across my bean bag was Landon.

They were still dressed in their clothing from last night, however, their clothes were all riddled with dirt. "I–you guys slept here?" I finally managed to speak. Parker nodded his head, "of course. We couldn't leave you alone. Not when you needed us the most."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. When they all crashed onto the grass and hugged me one by one I wondered what they were doing but it's the only reason I passed out and got to take my mind off of what happened: it's because they were there.