Something's Gotta Give ღ Haylex

long live the problem child

Hayley was released later that day. Her family was all gathered around, but she wanted to ride home with Alex. She felt like he was the only one that could help her figure out what was true and what was from her dream.

She sat in the passenger seat and looked out the window as he drove. She leaned her head against the window and watched the unfamiliar path home.

"In my mind, I haven't been to this house in seven years," she said quietly. Alex glanced over, but quickly returned his eyes to the road. He furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to come up with something to say.

"Seven years is a long time," He said. She sat up straight again, not realizing that she'd said anything out loud.

"Oh... yeah. It's weird to think about," she said, leaning her head against the window again. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes.

Alex pulled into the driveway just a few minutes after Hayley's family did. Alex and Hayley got out of the car, and wandered inside with everyone else. Her parents forced her to sit on the couch and 'take it easy.' They offered her water and food, but she was fine. Everyone sat around and stared at her.

"I can't believe you're finally home," Andrew said. She smiled, but he looked down at his hands. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault-"

"No, no, don't go there," Hayley quickly spoke up. She really didn't want to have a family cry session.

Hayley and Alex went up to her room that night. She paused after entering the room, and Alex almost ran into her. He put his arms around her, and kissed her cheek.

"Will you tell me more about this alternate universe?" He asked. She left his arms and went to lay down on her bed. He sat down next to her and turned to face her.

"You," she started and then put her hands on his cheeks. "Couldn't die."

"Well that would be nice," he said with a small laugh. She moved one hand to his shoulder and pushed him lightly.

"And we had sex. After that, I couldn't die. We were like a super couple."

"Sex?"

"Yeah... like the baby-making thing."

"We haven't actually done that yet," Alex said with a nervous laugh. He laid down next to her and looked at her. She sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

"But we broke up, and I got together with your brother when I moved to London. Then I moved to France and you kidnapped me... and Tom later. And then I think that was the end."

"Wow, your brain really came up with something."

"Yeah... you're not really immortal or whatever, right?"

"No, and I also don't have any siblings living in England."

"Oh, yeah, you're an only child," she said and looked back at him. Alex kissed her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"I've missed you so much," he whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers. He pulled her as close as he could, moving his head on top of hers.

"I can't breathe," she whispered, laughing softly. He loosened his grip a little, but still kept his arms around her. "It's nice to feel normal again."

"You didn't feel normal in the alternate universe?"

"I watched you die like forty times. Do you think that's normal?"

"Whoa, really? That's brutal."

"You always came back at midnight."

"This is the real world, though, and I won't be coming back. Neither will you," he reminded. He stared intently into her eyes. He felt like there was a part of her that wasn't understanding.

"Yeah," she shrugged. "It's a bit overwhelming being back in reality." She buried her face in his chest. He was the only thing that was familiar.

Alex squeezed her tighter again. He rested his head on top of hers and sighed. He ended up falling asleep after a while. His grip loosened on Hayley, and she rolled over in his arms. She got up from the bed and wandered downstairs.

The TV was on, giving off light in the living room. Andrew was asleep on the couch in an uncomfortable position. Hayley tried to walk as quietly as possible. She turned into the kitchen and flipped on the light. She glanced behind her to make sure that she hadn't woken up her brother.

She climbed on top of the counter closest to the fridge. She pulled herself up and looked on top of the fridge. She knew her dad would still have the small gun up there. She reached over and picked it up. She checked to make sure it was loaded, and then got down.

She sat down at the table with the gun in front of her. She bit her lip as she looked out the window. She knew what she was contemplating was a serious matter. She couldn't get Tom's voice out of her head. You have to remember me. She couldn't figure out how to get back to him, so she thought maybe if she died she'd see him again.

She was happy with Alex. She knew that he loved and cared about her, but she couldn't get the alternate universe out of her head. She knew it couldn't be real, but she couldn't let it go.

She sat there all night, lost in her head. Andrew was the one that found her. He woke up early because he had school. He turned the TV off and wandered upstairs. After he got dressed and grabbed his backpack, he went into the kitchen. He jumped as he saw her sitting there. He walked over and slowly reached for the gun.

"What are you doing, Hay?" He asked cautiously. He picked the gun up and put the safety on. He set the gun behind him. "Hayley?"

"Andy?" She asked. She looked over at him with her tired eyes. He sat down next her, and took her hands. He pulled her around slightly so she was facing him. He looked into her eyes and tried to get her to look at him.

"Hayley, what's going on? How are you feeling?" He asked. He ran his fingers over her freezing hands. Her eyes still looked glazed over and distant, so he got up. He helped her out of the chair, and then up the stairs.

He woke Alex up and had Hayley sit down on the bed. Andrew told him what he found downstairs, and left the two of them alone. Alex sat up a little more and wrapped his arms around Hayley's waist.

"Hey babe," Alex said quietly. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the pillow again. "Aren't you tired?"

She didn't give a response, so Alex leaned forward and looked up at her. "Hayley? What's going on?"

He pushed the blankets back, and put his legs over the edge of the bed. He took another look at Hayley, and then got up. He went across the hall to her parents. He knocked, and then went in. They were both still asleep, so he woke her dad. He told him what was going on and what Andrew had told him. They both went back over to Hayley's room, but she was gone. Alex ran downstairs and searched, but she wasn't there. Luckily, the gun was, but they still had to find her.

A/N: Happy new year everyone! Hope 2016 is great for everyone. (Oh also, one more chapter left)