The Pain that Lingers

chapter thirty-five: The Lights Go Out

Lucy 

Thinking about my conversation with Jalen has me questioning things recently. If anyone could threaten Jayden, it would be his dad. But then, it doesn't make sense. He literally just saw his dad and said he apologized to him. 

It has to be someone Jayden is close to, but distances themselves from him. 

Could it be Marcus? 

Could it be Kira? 

It could be anyone in his old group literally. 

I sigh and mentally punch myself. Harrison and I keep fake dating just to make it look unsuspicious to the person threatening Jayden. It has to look real, so I keep telling Jayden to stop coming over my house to not risk getting caught. 

Everything felt so messed up. 

I had so much going on in my life throughout all of high school. I just want one moment where I did not have to worry about anything. My dad almost got murdered, I got raped and pregnant, my 'ex boyfriend' is being threatened by some psycho, Tyler died, Alyssa almost pretended to hurt me, Alyssa pretty much hooked up with Clay behind my back. 

So much happened, it boggles me. 

Speaking of Clay, I haven't spoken to him in a while. I wonder what he is doing and how he is doing. Maybe I should facetime him or something. 

Not sure that he would to be honest. I heard he was shaken up about what happened with Tyler that night, I don't blame the kid. After all these years of our friendship, you'd think he would come around. Even with Alyssa, she has been quiet recently.

I am gonna visit Manhattan towards the summer and spend it there hopefully. I miss my old life and want to be apart of it again. Maybe once I graduate next year, I could apply to NYU. NYU has always been the school I wanted to go to. The atmosphere, the vibes it gives makes me want to live there. 

Long Island grew on me a little, not going to lie. I like it out here, theres more space, still the same amount of noise, sirens like Manhattan. Long Island still has trains, people yelling in their cars, honking and all that. 

I liked living by the beach, having a more slower paste. But I also miss the fast paste if that makes sense. Hopefully, I could live with Aunt Tara for the time being until I figure out how I could afford college and housing. 

Why am I worrying about this now? 

I don't know. 

I just am. 

I am someone who plans things ahead of time, if nothing is finished the way I want it, I'll start over until its perfected. Thats the OCD in me, but hey, perfection can either make you, or break you. 

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I'm going to make a list of everyone who I think wants to hurt Jayden, it may be a long list. Jayden used to be a jerk back then. I mean a real jerk, he has changed thankfully. I did not think he would, but he took me by surprise in a good way. 

The List 

Marcus 

Jayden's Dad 

Candace 

Ethan 

Harrison  

These are currently all the names I could think of so far. More names will pop up later. Now I have to make the connections to the names. First up, Marcus. Why would Marcus want to hurt Jayden? 

Well, Jayden stopped hanging out with Marcus when he realized what he was doing to me. Marcus has every reason to hate Jayden. They were the best of friends when Jayden moved here and became popular. It would make sense, but then again I have to really put some thought into this. 

Jayden's Dad. Jayden's Dad had two wives, three different sons. Two sons with his first wife, and the third son with another. Both wives stopped talking to him, and Jayden's Dad blamed it all on Jayden. He blamed Jayden for Julian's death. He blamed Jayden for Jalen. 

Candace, she's always had it out for us. Even though we called a truce, I still have to keep my eyes out for her. She may be faking things knowing her. She tried to cover up the lesbian act so quick with dating Jayden, that could be why she is threatening him. 

Ethan, Ethan hated Jayden for killing Nova his girlfriend at the time. Supposedly killed her, not saying he did. Ethan loosened up a bit after he got to know Jayden, but he still expresses his hate for him. 

Harrison... Could it be Harrison? I mean, since Jayden threw a punch at him thats when the texts started apparently. Who knows. I'm not saying its Harrison, but who knows at this point. 

These are all of my options here, I have to sort them in my head for it all to make sense. Maybe Karina could help me pinpoint who it was. She is smart and loves solving puzzles. She is a genius if you ask me. 

After writing in my notebook and trying to solve the pieces myself I put it down. I headed downstairs to grab some avocado toast, don't judge me. I love it. Just something about avocado toast makes me happy. 

"Eating your avocado toast again?" Logan asked from behind. I almost yelped. 

"Jesus H Christ, you scared the fuck out of me," I say with a startled expression. My hand was over my heart and Logan was laughing. 

"I wish I would have gotten that on camera," He remarks. He found amusement in my suffering. 

"Never sneak up on someone eating avocado toast," I reminded him. The consequences were, that A he would get hit in the face or B I'd put avocado in his shampoo. 

"What have you been doing?" Logan asked. Why is he asking too many questions. 

"Studying," I lied. Logan made a 'hm' sound and shrugged his shoulders. "Why what are you doing?" I asked. 

"I'm about to head to the gym," He says while grabbing his keys. 

"Alright, see you later!" I said. 

"See ya!" Logan said heading out the door. 

What a weird interaction with my brother. Is he really going to the gym? Today was his off day from practice, and school. 

Maybe I should add my brother to the list. 

Hello guys, chapter thirty five is now completed. I tried getting all of this up since I took a small break earlier. the last chapter will be coming soon, so stay tuned. Let me know what yall think!