1 Week Later
The group dynamic had drastically shifted. If Hayley thought John B was overprotective before she didn't know what to call him now. Everywhere she went she had a buddy. He locked all sharp objects in a drawer which she found incredibly dramatic and everyone was always trying to get her to open up. On the bright side, Hayley felt a lot better. She was still depressed but she had a support system now. She found herself sleeping better, eating better, and spending more time with her family. Hayley and JJ however took a turn for the worse, they have been walking on eggshells around each other for the last week. They barely talked. Guilt was eating up at the two of them. Lying to John B. was horrible. Especially in a family that didn't keep secrets.
JJ wakes up hearing the lights switch on. He watches Hayley stumble to the bathroom. He gets up and follows her. It wasn't the brightest idea, but he needed to talk to her. "Jes-" She starts to scream before he sticks his hand over her mouth. "Shhh. It's just me." JJ whispers taking his hand off slowly so she doesn't scream again. Hayley gave him a confused look. "What's up?" She asked dreading this conversation. "We need to talk... What are we doing?" Hayley bit her lip. "We hooked up. And you are my brother's best friend." He leaned against the door. "I can't keep lying to him." JJ sighs. "You can't tell him J. And turn around I am about to pee my pants," Hayley says sitting down to pee. JJ chuckles and turns around. "We need to figure something out. He has been my best friend since second grade. You guys are my family. I really can't ruin this. I also can't continue to lie to his face every day." Hayley sighs and flushes the toilet. "We aren't telling him anything JJ. If you regret it that much then we will just pretend it didn't happen." Hayley said annoyed turning the faucet on. "I don't regret it, Hayley. I just wish it wasn't such a fucking secret." He said trying to be genuine. "Same fucking thing." She snapped making him jump. "Moody much..." JJ muttered walking away. He slammed the door behind him making Hayley jump. He had no interest in dealing with her bullshit, especially not at 4 am. He was trying to find a solution and she was just snapping. This brought her to tears. She turned the water off and slid against the wall immediately starting to cry. JJ paused hearing her sobs. He groaned and turned around opening the door. "You alright?" He sighed looking her over from the doorway. "Yeah." She cried wiping her eyes. He slid down next to her and put an arm around her. "What's going on?" JJ asked concerned. Hayley wiped her tears embarrassed. "I'm just PMSing... I start my period tomorrow." JJ nods awkwardly. "tmi..." Hayley laughs. "I'm sorry." She says genuinely. "Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong." JJ says knowing she wasn't apologizing for her awful mood. "You said we should stop. Now you are ruining your relationship with your best friend." She said crying harder. "It was worth it. Even if it messes up John B and I it is worth it. You're worth it..." JJ chuckles wiping tears from her eyes. "I love you J." She said burying her head in his chest. "I love you too Hayley... I really don't know what to do right now." JJ mutters kissing the top of her head. "We can't tell John B. We really can't. He will lose it. We need to keep it a secret. Please JJ. He's still freaking out from last week." He sighs. "How long are you planning on keeping this a secret?" Hayley bites her lip. "2 more weeks. He just needs time." Hayley says pleading with him. He sighs. "2 more weeks. That is it." JJ sighs agreeing with her. "Thanks, J." She whispers standing up. She grabs onto the sink and drops in pain. "Woah. Hey, you good?" JJ said quickly. Hayley wraps her arm around her stomach. "Yeah, cramping." She mutters slowly sitting up. "You need anything?" JJ mutters concerned. She shakes her head. "No. I'm ok. I'm going to go lie down. Good night, JJ." She says walking down to her room. JJ sighs flopping down on the couch. This was going to be a long two weeks. Two more weeks of lying. Two more weeks of betraying his best friend.
