HEARTWORM <3 BAYLEN LEVINE

2

          My eyes squeezed shut as light poured into them, too exhausted to think or move. My body ached heavily, and sudden memories of why awakened in my head. My eyes shot open, all too aware of where I was now.

I needed to get out of here, now. My eyes now scanned the room for my clothes, landing on my top and shorts both at the end of his bed. I peeled myself out of Baylen's arms. 'What a fucking joke.' I cant believe I actually came here.

The slinky clothes slid onto my body easily, and so did my shoes by the door. I grabbed my phone from next to his head, my heart beating faster than what I had assumed humanly possible.

I knew there had to be texts from Gracen concerning my whereabouts, but I was in no mood to divulge that as of now. I needed to get out of here before anyone woke up.

I opened his bedroom door, taking note that Lilah's door across the hall was closed, no light peeking out underneath it. There was no bustle downstairs, indicating that everyone was asleep. Safe.

My shoes were in my left hand, less noise to make going down the stairs. I tiptoed down the hall, making sure to avoid the bottom step I knew was a little creaky. I stuck to rugs through the rest of the house, and shut the front door with a small click.

I was out of the house, but I wasn't exactly in the clear. Gracen still had questions to be answered, and my escapade with Baylen was gnawing in the back of my head. What was I thinking? Clearly not much.

My phone connected to bluetooth, the playlist I was listening to on the way here mumbling through my speakers. I put my car in gear, pulling out of the driveway and making my way to the nearest Target.

The drive isn't long, but it's not short either. He lives just outside of town, a few backroads before you reach the first stoplight. I pull into the Target parking lot, deciding now is a better time than any to answer my texts.

6:22am
gracebear: Girl i know ur not at fucking baylens I see that shit on the Life360

6:22am
gracebear: Ok wel come to the gym when ur Done bc i'm working the Front desk until noon

6:22am
gracebear: And i hope u know ur telling me every detail ;)))))

I choose to ignore her grammar and spelling mishaps, instead typing back a quick 'at target. omw in a sec' and returning to other texts.

6:12am
father dearest: Good morning sunshine ☀️ Come see me and your mom today, we miss you!

My dad. I haven't seen my parents since I left to go back to Florida a few months ago. They never seemed to grasp why I wanted to move, but supported me nonetheless, and I was extremely thankful for it.

The last text was from someone I hadn't talked to in ever longer than Baylen, and honestly someone I didn't think I'd talk to again.

3:54am
whitty: Hey Caroline

Not something I'm dealing with right now.

I gathered my mind before grabbing my phone and keys, pushing open my car door, and stepping into the warm air. It wasn't Florida hot, but it was Georgia hot. If anything, I missed the weather here. Sure, it wasn't always great, but it did feel like home.

A few steps had me through the doors of the store, making my way to the baskets nestled in a corner. I truly didn't need one, I was here for one item, but I grabbed the handle anyway.

Just a few isles down into the pharmacy section, a Plan B made it's way into my cart. Checkmate. I walked around aimlessly, mostly passing time to avoid Grace's confrontation about where I'd been.