Making it.

Chapter 33 - Smashed?

My eyes scan the familiar street signs, parks, front lawns and houses passing by at a rapid speed. Though nothing about it makes me feel at home anymore. Nothing sparks that same little part of excitement in my heart the way it used to every time that I got a foot closer to her house. It feels like I'm betraying this place- like I'm betraying this entire little town for moving on, finding a new home and a new source of happiness, love and peace. For leaving it behind me after everything we have been through together since the day that I, Hailey Scott, was born on July 14th in 2003. This little town has heard my laughs, jokes, shouts, cries, prayers, whispers and thoughts. It has kept them a secret for forever until I was ready to step out and go and tell the world all about it. Though, it has also been the last straw that always held me back from growing and really living. Feeling emotions so deep and not being afraid to show it. Taking a risk, no matter what the chances are and still coming out even more alive than before. Making the most out of every situation and really finding out who I want to be, what I want to be and how I want to be treated. Now that I realise that, it makes me feel even better when I genuinely think, Thank you, town, for everything that you have done for me. But the time for us to part ways after this has officially come.

Everything stops, as do my endless thoughts and I focus on the two houses, closer to one another than all the other ones down the street.

"Thanks a lot. How much do I owe you?" I ask the taxi driver, pulling out my wallet to pay the man.

"50$ please."

Holy cow that's a whole damn lot. But I don't say that. Instead, I pull out the fifty-dollar bill and hand it to him. My fingers tightly grip the straps of my duffle bag and I swiftly open up the door.

"Have a nice rest of your day." I bid the driver goodbye and only get a muffled 'you too' as a response while the engine starts up once more and he speeds away, ready to catch his next ride, I guess.

My feet make me turn around and walk up the familiar steps to her house. I notice that they have new furniture on their little patio and frown when I see the sky starting to look dangerously cloudy and dark. That means, chilling outside with Milli and three other blankets for each of us will be a big 'no' tonight. My hand knocks on the door three fast times, the way I always do and I hear an 'I'm coming' being shouted back from Sophia.

My heart starts beating faster right before the door is swung open and as is her mouth stops moving in shock.

"Hailey!" She engulfs me in a big hug and I notice the slight bump on her stomach that leaves a bit of a space between us.

"Hailey?!" Four other voices shout immediately afterwards and I hear feet slapping on the hardwood floor until they get to me.

"What the hell-" My best friends shout at the same time before their wrap their arms around me once Sophia has stepped aside.

"Hey there." I breathe out, feeling my lungs being squeezed until it starts to get painful and they release me.

"I thought you would come for another two days." Milli slaps my arm and I shrug.

"I wanted to surprise you. We're even now, by the way." I give both of them a knowing look when I feel no other than my precious little Emily crush into my legs.

"Auntie Hay!"

"Em!" I host her up and into my arms and she wraps her hands around my neck in a loving manner.

"Hailey, it's good to see you again." Roberto gives me a side hug and I smile.

"You too."

"Come on in. We have a lot of catching up to do missy." Sophia ushers all of us back inside the house and I gesture to her definitely not only food-baby-bloated belly.