But you love me

I'd be dead

Raelyn's POV:

I'm so fucking stupid.

I leaned against her door, bawling my eyes out like a kid.

I called my mother.

I went home.

I cried.

I tried to brush my teeth.

I cried more.

I glared at myself in the mirror.

And cried.

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Each day I spent trying to find a way to make it up to Adrienne. I knew that I'd broken her trust, and not only that, she'd seen me in a bad state. You can't come back from that.

But I need her to.
Adrienne is as important to me as the air I breathe, and without her, I'm not sure how long I'll survive.

I went to the gym regularly, and tried to get back into my old routine. But everything reminded me of her.

I had no rest, and I had to get damn sleep pills prescribed.

The next thing on my agenda was sorting out the big mess I'd made by joining the fight club.

I needed an out, and I knew where to get it. I'd have to rely on an old friend of mine.

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Max's POV:

I yawned, walking downstairs. Who could possibly be after me at this time in the morning. Opening the door, I froze.

'Max. Good to see you've recovered well.'

'Greyhound.' I snarled.

She tutted, and brushed me aside.

'No need to be too formal, we're friends after all, aren't we?'

'We are?' I asked, bemused.

'Oh yes. And I have a proposition for you.'

'I'm listening.'

———————-
Raelyn's POV:

With Max secured, all I needed to do was to convince the gamesman. It shouldn't be too hard.

'It's not a big ask to be honest. The boy can fight, and he's full of energy.' I finished, gesturing at Max.

'Welcome to the arena then, Max my boy!' The gamesman grinned, waving me goodbye, like it was the easiest thing in the world. Like my whole time here had been a mere playdate.

Now to get Adrienne back.

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Adrienne's POV:

Since moving away, I've pretty much just been wallowing in self-pity all day.

I miss Raelyn so much, it feels like my heart is going to explode.

I'm also pissed at her. So pissed. I don't think I'll be able to forgive her if I'm honest. I don't see why I'd need to, I've moved on completely.

————————

The next day, I was walking pensively through the road. I had a lot on my mind, with my new job at the bakery, and the last term of college about to come to an end.

Suddenly there came a screeching of brakes, and I was pulled backwards and off of the road, as a huge pick-up truck lurched by.

'Jesus shit.' I panted, looking around at the person who'd saved me.

Raelyn stared down at me anxiously.
'Are you hurt?'

I shook my head sheepishly.

She nodded simply, and seemed to be about to say something, but at that moment a motorcycle zipped between us, and without a second thought, I turned around and walked away, leaving Raelyn and my heart behind.

On the way home, I called Matt.

He picked up on the first ring, and agreed to get coffee with me. We went to one of my favourite places, and cozy tea shop which smelt of cinnamon and love.

We settled down with our drinks, and I began.

'Matt, I need you to be completely honest with me.'

Matt sighed and nodded.

'Why did she lie.' I bit my lip, slightly embarrassed.

'She had to. You need to know, Adrienne, that she never wanted to continue.'

'Then why'-

'Shh. Let me finish. This might scare you a little, but it's the truth.
If Raelyn didn't fight, they'd have gone after you.'

I stared at Matt in shock.

'Raelyn knew that. The gamesmakers were using you to get to her. If she didn't cooperate and fight, they'd kill you. Someone saw you backstage with her, and they ratted you out. Raelyn continued to fight to keep you alive, Adrienne. But it's over now, I heard that she managed to somehow find a replacement. Don't be too hard on her, she was only trying to keep you safe.'

I let what Matt had told me sink in. It wasn't because she got some thrill from fighting, it was to protect me.

If Raelyn hadn't put her life on the line, I'd be dead.

I grabbed my bag, and gave Matt a kiss on the cheek. I then raced out of the coffee shop. It was nearing late afternoon, and Raelyn would be home by now.

I ran desperately in the direction of her apartment, and rushed up the stairs. When I arrived in front of her door, I took a second to compose myself, and then I knocked.

No answer.

The corridor was dead silent.

'You all good Miss?' A man called from the other end of the corridor.

'Where's Ra- where's Ms. Greyhound?' I asked frantically.

'She left this afternoon I think. Not sure where. Sorry Miss.' The man shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

I felt my eyes watering and I rubbed them angrily, before walking off again into the night.

I was too late.

————————

Raelyn's POV:

I was too late.

Arriving back home, I was met with a concerned Mr. Gary.

He told me that a young girl had come looking for me only moments ago, and that he'd told her that I'd left.

Shit. She was going to think I gave up on her.

I thanked Mr. Gary, and entered my apartment.

I wondered why she came. Maybe it was to give me my stuff back. That would have hurt. Or maybe to tell me to leave her alone once and for all?

Feeling dejected, I called Matt.