Between Me & You - n.r.

Chapter 9

Nick's POV

Weeks went by. They were slow at first. Everyday felt like a million years. I didn't have Hailee to talk to, share my music with, keep me company in the car... She was gone and she showed no sign of coming back.

All I had was my music and my drug business which was as good as over. No on was buying and I had no motivation to sell. 

Griffin will be so pissed...

I was on my way to see him for the first time in 2 weeks. I pulled into the parking lot outside the warehouse and waited. It was quiet, but silence can be loud. 

My thoughts went to all the things Griffin could do to me. He'd been known to get violent when things didn't go his way and right now, things were definitely not going his way. 

What did I get myself into?

Griffin's black SUV pulled into the parking lot and stopped right in front of my car.

He stepped out and slammed his car door. I could tell that today, he was in no mood to be disappointed which meant I was really screwed. 

"Robinson!", Griffin said loudly. "How did you do?"

I stood there in silence. He didn't want to hear my answer.

"Hey I'm talking to you!", Griffin yelled. 

"I don't have anything", I whispered. 

"Excuse me?"

"I said I don't have any money!", I yelled. 

Griffin's face hardened to something more solid than stone. 

"Robinson", he whispered. "You knew the rules when you got into this business." He began to pace in circles around me. 

"Number 1", he said, holding up 1 think finger. "Never yell at the chief. Number 2: always split the earnings equally. Number 3: Don't fail. Ever. And if you do, there will be consequences."

He stopped in front of me and I could feel the anger radiating off his skin. Fury was building up in every inch of his mortal part and I was scared. 

"3 very simple rules, Nick. I like to think I've been easy on you. Demand for drugs is low right now, I know that. But every other dealer manages to get me something every week. I couldn't help but notice that you've been distracted."

"I haven't been distracted", I said coldly.

"What ever did happen to that girl you've been hanging out with?"

"Leave Hailee out of this!", I yelled. 

"Rule Number 1! Listen Nick, I don't care about Hailee or you're 'personal problems'. I care about getting the money I deserve. You've run out of chances Nick. Prepare yourself."

Griffin got in his car and drove away before I could fully process what was happening. 

For the longest time, I had wondered what the consequence for rule breakers was and now, I was about to find out.

Hailee's POV

I was listening to a lot of music. Mostly the playlist that Nick had put together for me a while ago. 

Right now, the song coming through my ear buds was Atlas by Shannon Saunders. This one was my favourite so far. 

If you're looking for the demons to play well with your own
Then you should look no farther
Here with me you'll never have to be alone

How can you be upset that someone you weren't even dating isn't yours anymore? It doesn't make sense, but feelings never do. 

When I think about it, I'm sure that I could have loved him if he'd given me the chance. Then I remember that he did give me the chance. Then I consider the fact that just because he's not here, doesn't mean I can't love him.

It's all very confusing and I'm not sure about how I feel. All I know is that I miss him. 

Do you feel how I'm feeling

My cup is half empty

I'm sitting at my lunch table, like usual. My chemistry homework is sprawled out on the table in front of me and the music is pulsing through my ears. I'm trying to concentrate but bonding electrons and dissociation seem so unimportant right now.

I take a deep breath and look up from my notes. Across the courtyard, in the doorway to the school, I see him.

 Nick is standing there, looking at me like he did that first day in psychology class. With deep interest. 

I can't make my face form into an expression so it's blank and I know it. It's okay, I feel blank. 

Nick looks at me almost longingly and then proceeds to enter the school, leaving me confused and unsettled.

Cover your eyes
Because I don't know what this is

Nick's POV

I see Hailee. I will always see her. Now that I'm living with Griffin's wrath like a burden on my shoulders, I'm afraid to get close to her again. I don't know what Griffin will do, but if he notices her, he might hurt her.

Maybe it's better that I'm not talking to her right now. At least I know she's safe. 

The thought makes me feel less nervous. 

I think about Hailee a lot. For some reason just the thought of her calms me down.

 When I'm really nervous, I think of Hailee, all grown up, doing some kind of surgery and saving someone's life. I think the fact that Hailee is capable of a real, untainted future comforts me and I take it on myself to make sure that she gets that future. The last thing she needs is someone like me messing it up for her. 

She'll save lives, make history, do something that really means something. I know she will. 

I want to be with her when she does, but I understand if I can't. 

*********************

Hey readers,

Sorry it took so long for me to update, been busy. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter. 

Song: Atlas // Shannon Saunders (Seriously a beautiful song and her voice is amazing)

Please leave comments guys! Would love some feedback. Thanks :)

That_Epiphany