One Hope {A Lachlan Fanfic}

Twenty Six

"So what exactly happened?" Allie asks. The two of us are in the back while Jake is driving up front.

"L-Lachlan." I respond in between sobs. "H-he... I love him. So fucking much. And I thought he felt the same way but I guess he doesn't."

Allie doesn't respond, incredulous. "Holy shit..." She says after a while.

"Yeah. I don't know what to do." I reply, wiping the tears from my eyes. "M-my heart. It hurts so fucking much and I don't know how much I can handle."

"W-what are you saying, Caitlin?" She asks, slightly scared.

I sigh, resting my head against the side of the car. "I don't know."

It's silent for a minute, as if she's contemplating something. "Well, Cait. I'll always support you."

"Thanks Allie." I slightly smile. My eyes slightly widen. "Where are we going?"

"To get lots of frozen yogurt and movies." She replies, smiling.

A smile makes its way onto my lips as I tackle her in a bear hug. "You're the best, Al!"
~
"Punch him! Beat him up!" Allie and I yell at the same time, frozen yogurt tossed everywhere. Normally most girls would probably be crying and watching chick flicks, but not Allie and I. We're watching The Avengers right now.

"YES HULK!" I yell, but then quickly switch sides. "LOKE! NO BAE GET UP!"

"CHOOSE A SIDE!" Allie yells at me, both of us entranced by the movie.

"I LOVE BOTH!" I yell back as I watch Loke get beaten up. My heart hurts, torn between two of my favorite characters. And then Iron Man comes out of nowhere. "YES! ITS MY DAD!" I scream. Out of all of them, Tony Stark is easily my favorite. His sarcastic nature reminds me of myself. Allie slightly giggles and I smile as we both enjoy movie night.

"Wait, aren't you supposed to be on call right now?" I ask her.

"Yeah. But, I've kinda wanted to quit for ages. I love helping people, don't get me wrong. I just don't think this job is really for me." She says, and I nod in understanding.
~
"Can I use your phone for a sec?" I ask Allie, and she nods, too engrossed in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Harry Potter is easily my favorite series.

I dial a number, and he picks up on the fourth ring. "Hello? Who is this?" A familiar British accent asks.

"JJ. I need some help."
~
"I'll come and beat some fucking sense into that cunt." He says, and I slightly giggle at his overprotectiveness.

"I just wanted to let you know, I guess."

"Alright. But all the guys miss you and send their love; even Autumn." JJ responds.

"Alright. I'll talk to you later."

"And don't call Lachlan. Make him try and find you." He suggests, and I nod.

Suddenly remembering that he's on the phone, I add,  "Cool. Bye."

"Bye."
~
"I'm gonna go now, Allie." I say, but she's too absorbed. I smile to myself, walking out the door and in the direction of my apartment.

As soon as I open the door, I'm bearhugged. "Where the fuck did you go? What the fuck were you doing? Oh my fucking God, I was so worried. I tried calling you so many times I lost count." He says, breaking away and looking at me with those oh so beautiful blue eyes.

"Nothing. Where's Cassidy?" I ask.

"She left shortly after you left, why?" He asks.

"Nothing, no reason. I'm gonna go to bed." I reply, ignoring Lachlan's questions and falling onto my bed.
~
A few weeks have passed, with little sleep and tons of work. Allie quit, leaving just me and Jake. And worst of all, my worst fears have been confirmed.

"Caitlin, Cassidy and I are dating." Lachlan casually says one day as I come home from work.

"W-wha-? G-good for you." I respond, fake smiling. We've grown a lot more distant lately and I hate it. It's all thanks to Cassidy. She's a bitch and I hate her so fucking much.

"Are you okay?" He asks, and I nod.

"Perfectly fine." I reply, setting my bag down, changing in my bedroom, and starting my paperwork from the days assignments. I sigh, looking at them for a while before deciding to forget about it.
~
"Caitlin, we need to have a talk." My boss says, and I gulp, looking at him.

"Yes, boss?" I ask, already knowing his next few words.

"You're slacking off. We can't have people that slack off in our field. You better get out of this...  Slump... Or else I'm going to have no choice but to fire you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do, boss. Thank you." I respond, nodding my head in respect and exiting the room.

"What happened?" Jake asks, immediately coming over to me.

"He's giving me one chance." I respond.

"Wow. He's never been that harsh on someone." He mutters to himself, but I've heard it. My heart starts to sink even more in the pit I've already buried it in.
~
I've been really slacking off with my paperwork. Some days I haven't even been showing up to work, and I know what will happen next.

"YOU'RE FIRED!" My boss yells, slamming his fists on the table, and I flinch. "You have been slacking off way too much and it's absolutely horrendous. Pack your things and leave!" He yells, and I nod, looking down.

I quickly leave the office and pack my things, ignoring Jake's calls. As much as I love him, I can't talk to him right now.

I walk to my car, throw my small bag with belongings in in the back, and start up back towards the apartment. I check to make sure Lachlan's still recording and quickly grab a bag of cereal, running into my bedroom and quietly closing the door. I cuddle up in my bed and eat the Cheerios, staring at nothing and feeling like nothing.

"LACHLAN!" Cassidy's all too familiar voice screams, and I hug myself tighter, scratching myself with my nails as silent tears slowly roll down my face.

It hurts, it hurts way too much.

I put a hand to my heart and clutch my shirt as I become more and more heartbroken.

Why? Why me? Haven't you done enough to me, life?