Watch Me

Chapter Eleven

Chapter eleven! Oh my gosh!! I can't believe it's here already! But anyways, I hope you guys like it.

Enjoy!

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Chapter Eleven

Haley's POV

I stare into the kind eyes that Ethan's wearing. Why is he doing this? I never asked for him to be here for me, or to even care, but he does. He cares a lot, even though I broke his heart. I toyed with it like it was nothing.

"I'm sorry," I blurt in a whisper. He looks confused at this. I clamp my mouth shut and take my face away from his warm hands.

"For what?" he asks.

Oh goodness. Why did I even say anything? This is going to be really awkward. "Nothing, never mind."

"Nobody apologizes, then says it was for no reason. What is it for, Hales?"

Hales? Oh boy. I'm gonna crack. I'm gonna-- "For hurting you. I'm sorry."

He takes in a deep breath, then runs a shaky hand through his hair. "It doesn't even matter anymore," he says coldly. "I'm over it, I'm over you."

My heart sinks. Over me? But he tries to save me from the one person I can't save myself from. He gives me rides home and looks out for me. "Over me?" I say. I look at the floor and avoid his eyes.

"No, Haley, I didn't mean--"

"But that's just what you meant. Leave me alone then, Ethan."

I turn on my heel and take a step, but his hand grips my arm and pulls me back. "Haley, I didn't mean that. I meant that I don't care about what happened. That was three years ago and I'm over it. I don't like you like that anymore."

I look up into his eyes with loads of confusion. Every word he says still doesn't register correctly in my head. "I need to go," I say coldly. I yank my arm from his grasp and ignore the burning that's happening in my skin. It still hurts from a few days ago, and my dad hasn't stopped hitting me in the arms and legs lately; it's the only place he can think of for bad punishment right now.

I whirl on my heel again, but I don't get stopped this time. I head off to my class and see Tara, Rachel, and their other friend, April, walk down the hall with their arms linked, with Tara in the middle. They stop just in front of me and glare, their icy stare burning into my skin. "Look who's back," says Rachel.

"Yeah. She looks like shit," Tara says, laughing along with April.

"I wouldn't be talking, Tara. Do remember that I beat the shit out of you," I snap, ignoring the pain in my body.

She laughs and looks at both of the girls before laying her eyes back on me. "Haley, I feel sorry for you," Tara says back, as if she actually does.

"Why? You have no reason to."

"Well, look at your life. Need I remind you about your parents."

"Careful, Tara. That's where you went wrong last time you talked about them. Need I remind you of the beating you received?" I say in a bitchy tone, but it was a sarcastic kindness that I love.

"Whatever. Maybe I shouldn't remind you. After all, I know everything anyway."

"And how's that?"

"Our childhood. It's embarrassing to even think that you and I used to be best friends, but we were. And I remember what happened when she died and how crazy your dad turned out. But though I know, I don't pity you. I actually laugh because I know that at least I don't have to deal with you anymore, and it isn't me receiving the beatings everyday when I come home from school," she backfires.