Disappeared [ Dylan Sprayberry Fanfic ]

Chapter 18

Bridget's POV
Anguish ripped through my stomach, and brought hot tears to my eyes. There he was, a mere 5 feet away...
Dylan's head snapped in Daniel's direction, anger flashing in his eyes. I felt Daniel tense beside me--eyes locked with Dylan's . Suddenly Dylan's eyes softened, he dropped his head, and a sad smile slipped onto his lips. He slowly turned his back on us, then took a step into the ballroom. Daniel looked at me, seeming to decide on something then ran towards Dylan.

He snatched up his arm all in one motion, threw him against the wall of the courtyard and slammed his fist into Dylan's face. He recoiled back, but he didn't move. Daniel pulled back to hit him again, but I lunged forward, grabbing his arm.
"Stop it!" I cried, tears and glitter running down my cheeks.
"Let me go, Bridget!" He shouted, Dylan staring back at him blankly.
"Its fine," Dylan said emptily, wiping the blood from his mouth. Daniel shook me off, and glared at Dylan , clenching his fists at his sides.
"Don't hurt him, Daniel." I mumbled, squeezing his arm.
"Why should I show him any form of mercy?" He demanded, looking down at me, then back at Dylan,
"You...Do you have any idea how fucking alone Bridget has been without you?!" Dylan looked at me, his eyes glassy with regret and shame. Daniel forced him up against the wall, clenching his teeth so hard I could hear them grinding,
"She's been trying so hard to act like it doesn't matter... you, I envy you. Not only did you have the privilege of being absent during the time she was breaking into pieces, she still wants you! You're a fucking idiot!"
I froze, staring at Daniel wide-eyed. Could he see something I couldn't? Was I really so mentally crippled to the point I was blind to the truth?

Dylan smiled as a steady stream of blood trickled down his chin,
"If she still wants me like you say, then why are you trying so hard to take my place?" His tone wasn't aggressive or accusatory, it was more curious.
Daniel let out an angry breath,
"You don't deserve her."
"I know that." He shook his head at the ground.
"Tell me--" Daniel growled,
"why did you leave her?"
"I wanted her to be happy." Dylan replied so softly I'd barely heard it. My heart jolted in my chest, all this--the pain of him leaving, the hatred, and tears was all because he believed I'd be happier without him...
Daniel punched him again, a lot harder this time--sending a spray of blood splattering against the wall.
"DANIEL!" I exclaimed, tugging on his arm again. Why does it always turn out like this? We have to hurt each other, to be able to move on...
"Listen to me." Daniel hissed, ignoring me. Dylan looked up, and waited.
"You don't want to make her sad, but the actions you've taken contradict that. I understand that better than anyone," He said looking over at me,
"if you don't want to make her cry anymore, stay. Stay with Bridget."
Dylan straightened,
"And you? Where would you fit in all of this?" Daniel paused, then released Dylan's shoulders,
"I don't."
"Daniel--" I interrupted. I didn't want to lose someone for the sake of another. I didn't want anyone to be unhappy either. There's light at the end of the road, but this isn't the way to go about it.
"Its fine, like this," Daniel turned to me, smiling,
"If I get to see you smiling again, that's enough. I'm happy if you're happy."
"Why..." I shook my head,
"why are you both like this?! You decide things for yourself without thinking about how much you could hurt someone else!" Tears ran down my face in rivers,
"Why do you put yourselves through so much pain for someone like me?"
Daniel and Dylan exchanged looks, then cracked tiny smiles.
"Its amazing how little you think of yourself, Sunshine."
"Ditto." I grumbled, swallowing past the lump in my throat.
"Its so funny," Daniel announced, looking at the blue sky and the sun bobbing in it,
"I was just about to confess my undying love for you with all the intentions of taking you away from him--and yet, here I am giving you right back. Its insane, but," He had a hell-raiser grin on his face,
"YOLO, right?"
"You know that's just an excuse to do something stupid, right?" I said skeptically. I couldn't quite believe the mood Daniel had just set.
"Exactly," Daniel tapped my nose,
"this will be the stupidest decision I ever make. And if I really thought I had a chance with you, don't doubt for a second I would've said anything other than I love you. So its nothing like self-worth or anything," He ran a finger over a fading scar on his wrist,
"I just know when I'm losing a fight, that's all." He looked at Dylan and patted his shoulder,
"If you ever leave her again, I will fucking kill you."
"I know."