Shady's obsession

10.

I giggled as Hailie managed to get me into her car, grateful that she hadn't drunk much and was able to drive me safely to wherever we were going.

"Hey, are you okay?" Hailie asked with concern as she fastened her seatbelt.

"I'm fine, just having a little fun," I replied with a pout.

"I don't want you to embarrass yourself, Hazel," Hailie said gently.

"I know, I know," I sighed. "But can't I just let loose sometimes?"

Hailie didn't reply, but I could see the worry in her eyes as she glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"I sound like Justin, don't I?" she finally said with a pout.

I snorted. "Yeah, you kinda do."

"He's not so bad, you know," Hailie said, defending my boyfriend.

"He's been taking his stress out on me lately," I said, feeling the tears starting to prick at the corners of my eyes. "He's been so moody and he makes me feel like it's all my fault."

"Doesn't he love you, Hazel?" Hailie said, trying to comfort me.

"He does, but sometimes it's like he forgets that," I sniffled.

"You do deserve someone who treats you right, just always remember that," Hailie said softly.

As I cried myself to sleep in the car, I didn't notice when Hailie pulled up at Marshall's house. When I woke up the next morning, I was disoriented and confused until I saw my clothes laid out on the bed. As I got dressed, I wondered how I ended up there.

I made my way downstairs, looking for either Marshall or Hailie, but found no one .

"Did I kill you guys and hide you under the floorboards in a drunken rage?" I called out sarcastically, jumping when Marshall appeared behind me.

"I'm surprised you didn't die last night the way you were acting up," he said, holding a bag of food in his hand.

"What happened last night?" I asked, still feeling foggy from the alcohol.

"You need to eat something after all the puking you did," he said, leading me to the couch.

"I'm not hungry," I lied, but he ignored me.

"Tell me what happened with Justin," he said, looking at me with concern.

"It's nothing, really," I said with a shrug.

"You were pretty upset last night," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"He's just stressed and taking it out on me again." I said, feeling the tears starting to well up again.

Marshall's face darkened. "Did he really threaten to kill you if you leave him?"

"By reciting the most psychotic Slim Shady lyrics he could find." I rolled my eyes.

"He's not good for you, Hazel," Marshall said firmly. "You deserve better than that."

"I know," I said, wiping my tears. "But I love him, and I know he loves me too. It's just complicated."

"I get it," Marshall said with a sigh. "But please, promise me that you won't let him hurt you."

"I won't," I said, grateful for his concern. "Thanks for being here, Marshall."

"Anytime, Hazel," he said with a smile. "Now eat something, you'll feel better."