Dark Side // h.s

Better Off

No matter how far we go, I want the whole world to know.

I want you bad.

And I won't have it any other way.

-Demi Lovato

Veronica's POV

I was so bored. Bored out of my mind. I was home alone with nothing to do. When you're fourteen, life sucks. You're just two years away from being able to drive, but you're also old enough to know better and too young to do anything about it.

It was seven o'clock on a Friday night. As usual, I had nothing to do. Dad was at work. Mom was all the way across the country for her job. She was a tour guide. So that meant I had no ride anywhere. It's not like it would matter anyway, Ava was on vacation and Laney was staying at her cousins for the weekend. Life was just so peachy for a girl just starting to receive the perks of being a teenager. Not.

Sighing, I turned on the TV to see if anything good was on. As I flipped through the channels, I passed the national news station and something caught my eye. There was a red bar on the bottom of the screen, words scrolling across in all caps. I paused, taking the time to read it.

PLANE CRASHES IN THE BAHAMAS.

Mom was in the Bahamas right now. I waited for the anchorwoman to begin speaking. Her face was serious and unwavering like it usually was.

"It seems that there has been a plane crash in the Bahamas. I've just been told that the people on this flight were coming back home from vacation. There were twenty people on this flight, along with tour manager, Alice Bennett."

My heart stopped beating. Had I heard her right? Did she just say that Mom had been on that flight? My eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

"It is unknown if there are any survivors at this time. The plane crashed in the Atlantic Ocean so it is very unlikely. Stay tuned and we'll keep you updated."

I dropped the remote. This couldn't be. My mom, dead? How could this be?

My Friday night was officially ruined...

I woke with my face feeling flustered and puffy. My cheeks were wet with tears from the dream I had just had.

Ever since Mom had died, that was the first I hadn't dreamed of her. Until now. I still missed her. Every single day. It's hard for a girl to grow up without a mom. And now she won't be here to help me with the babies.

Sighing, I rolled out of bed and wiped my face with the back of my hand. When I looked in the mirror, I noticed that I had dark circles under my red-rimmed eyes. I looked rough.

I still had on Harry's clothes. Sniffling, I grabbed the collar and took a big whiff. His scent was so familiar. I almost thought he was there with me, but a pounding at the door quickly interrupted that thought.

Who could that be? I thought as I shuffled to the living room, headed for the door. It was Harry. Again. I was so excited to see him, words couldn't describe. But I pushed my inner feelings down into the depths of a dark pit. That was where they needed to stay.

"What can I do for you, Harry?" I asked. It sounded so casual, like we were just acquaintances.

His puffy, red eyes looked into mine, begging. "Veronica," he breathed. It was so quiet, it was almost a whisper. "Please, baby. Come back with me. I-I need you."

I looked down, away from his pitiful gaze. I couldn't stand to see him like this. He looked like he had been internally tortured, which, I assumed, I was doing to him. I was almost to the point in giving in, but pushed my feelings down again.

"Harry. I already said no. I can't go back with you. You lied to me about everything. I can't trust you."

My words sounded so serious and it seemed with each one I spoke, it looked like Harry was getting a blunt punch in the stomach.

"B-but," he started. "I did that for us, baby," he reached for my hand. I flinched away, trying to be cold. "I'll be better. I promise."

I shook my head. "I don't believe you. Like I said before, just go home. We're better off without each other."

Did I really just say that? It was such a lie. We were meant to be together.

Harry's expression hardened and he took a deep breath. "You better brace yourself then."

And with that, he was gone. I stood in the doorway, wondering what he meant. Brace myself? For what? I chuckled slightly. He wouldn't do anything would he?

Shrugging, I shut the door and went to the kitchen to fix myself something to eat.

Harry's POV

My anger was raging uncontrollably. That was Veronica's last chance and she ruined it. Now she would pay the price. I drove down the road, searching for Ava's house. I didn't know where Jett lived, so I would ask her.

I pulled in front of a large house and put in my best poker face. I needed to be calm for this, hide my frustration.

I ambled up the steps, then knocked on the door. Thankfully, Ava answered it. Her face was clumped with make-up and she wore leggings to show off her tiny legs. She was fake. I didn't know why Veronica was her friend.

"Can I help you?" She asked, easing an eyebrow. Her eyes traveled my body, checking me out. I took no interest.

"Uh, yes please. I was wondering if you knew where Jett Grayson lived?" I asked, giving her a wide smile.

She but her lip, pushing her chest out a little. I ignored her flirting antics. "Of course! Are you a friend or something?"

I nodded. "Old friends," I said lowly, smirking.

Ava licked her color coated lips and told me Jett's address. She was so gullible.

"Thank you," I commended, going back to my car.

"Wait," she stopped me, grabbing my arm. I turned to face her. "What's your name?"

"Lincoln," I lied. If Veronica had told her about me yet, then she would find out easily who I was.

"It's nice to meet you Lincoln. I'm Ava. Are you from England?"

So she noticed the accent. I nodded.

"Cool. Maybe we could see each other again?" She winked, hinting that I ask her on a date.

"Maybe," I said before ripping my arm from her grasp. Before anything else could be said, I rushed back to my car.

I peeled away from her driveway, making an illegal u-turn. I drove fast reach Jett's house. Once there, I quickly clambered to his front door. His house was two stories. He was rich. It wasn't hard to tell. I knocked. Jett answered.

"Can I help you, sir?" He asked.

My eyes narrowed and I stepped closer. "I'll give you one warning and that's it. If I ever see you touch Veronica again, you'll end up in the hospital." I was in his face.

He looked genuinely frightened. "Whoa man," he said, "calm down."

"Don't. Tell me what me what to do," I said through clenched teeth.

"Okay, okay. Are you Ronnie's boyfriend?"

I pondered my answer. "That's none of your business." I stepped back.

Jett looked confused. "Fine. Stay away from Ronnie. Got it." He gave a thumbs up and a slight smile.

I wished he wouldn't call her Ronnie. I nodded and walked back to my car. Before getting in, I looked at him one last time.

"One warning," I said, holding a finger up.

I drove away, feeling satisfied with myself. Then i decided to devise a plan on how to get Veronica back.