We're just friends (Waterloo road)

17

Hayden felt sick at what Tom had told her. She didn't know how to process it. Her boyfriend had been raped and he couldn't even tell her.

When she woke that morning, she saw a text from Tom. He had told her that he wasn't going into work.

Hayden knew she wanted to be with him. But she had to earn money for their baby. And despite how hard it was going to be, she had to be there for Tom.

***
Hayden went into work. Megan was there waiting. "Hey. What happened with Tom?" She asked.

Hayden sighed. "What I tell you goes no further at all. He was raped. When he and Max went out," she said.

Megan stood in shock. She looked at her. "Babes. I'm so sorry. Is he okay?" She asked.

Hayden sighed. "He text me this morning saying he wasn't coming into work. I have to go and check on him. So at lunch, that's what I'll do. But I need to talk to your lover."

Megan nodded. "Go on. He's in the office."

***
Max looked up as Hayden walked in. He smiled. "Hey. Is Tom up for another night out soon?" He asked.

Hayden shook her head. "No. He's not. He's not very well at the moment. Don't suppose you know if anything happened with Tom when you both went out?"

Max frowned. "What do you mean?"

Hayden sighed. "I can't say. But something happened to Tom. And he's in a really bad place. So did you see if anything happened?"

"No. Why?"

"Nothing. Tom is taking some time off. Personal reasons," she said.

Max just nodded. He looked at her and smiled. "Well I hope he's going to be okay. I'll put in the personal leave for him."

"Thanks.

***
Hayden's head felt like an utter mess. She couldn't believe that Tom had been through that.

She was sitting in her classroom as the tears hit her. She wanted to take the pain away from him. But she couldn't. And it broke her heart even more knowing that.

The door opened and Steph walked in. She had a smirk on her face. "Come on. Tom not in because he had a late one?" She asked.

"No. He's not very well. So we don't need your gossip," Hayden said.

Steph frowned. "How unwell?"

"Mind your own goddamn business please. It's bad enough we have the kids gossiping. We don't need staff gossiping too," Hayden said as she stood up and walked off.

Steph went to follow her. Hayden turned to look at her. "Steph. Back off. There isn't any drama or gossip here for you. So just back off!" She yelled.

***
Hayden went to Tom's. He let her in. Hayden saw how red and puffy his eyes were. She could tell he had been crying. Hayden felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

Hayden took his hand and smiled. She looked at him. "I promise you. I'm always going to be here for you. You're not alone."

Tom looked at her. He sighed. "I am alone. Because I don't know anyone who's been through this. And you haven't either. So what would you know?"

Hayden frowned and watched as he walked off. But she had no idea how Tom's attack was going to come between them. And drive an even bigger wedge between them.