The Dating Game

Chapter 23: The Dinner From Hell (part 1)

Haylee's Point of View

The wind blew my hair lightly around my face, making a few pieces stick to my clammy skin. I took a deep breath as I looked up, the sky turning shades of red, yellow, orange, and pink. The sky looked beautiful, and to any other person, the sky would make them happy. But the sky has no effect on my mood. Even as I stare at its beauty, I can still feel the tears rolling down my cheeks.

It's sunset now, maybe around 7ish, but I don't have the power to pull out my phone to look at the time to see if I'm correct. I've been sitting in the field for more than five hours, just sitting here and crying. Coming to the field probably wasn't the smartest decision, because all I thought of was him when I was here. I could almost see all those memories that we had here. I could remember when we had a sleepover out here underneath the stars on a summer night, or the time when we played hide and seek from dusk 'till dawn. All of these happy memories burned in the pit of my stomach, making me feel sick.

I've never felt so depressed in my life. I feel more depressed than the day Grace gave me that goody bag of 'gifts'. It was like I was trapped in my own mind without a way out. My mind was a maze that you couldn't get out of. You just had to keep walking, running into dead end after dead end, having to face the monsters that lurked in the crevices of your mind. I was trapped. My body felt numb, probably because I was still in the same position that I was in more than five hours ago. The chilly air didn't help either. I could feel it on my skin, causing goosebumps to form wherever it touched.

My eyes stung with all the crying I've done. My throat felt dry from all the coughing and screaming I've done. My body was numb from the dropping temperature as it neared nighttime. I knew I would have to go home soon, that way I would'nt be in danger of pneumonia.

My eyes glanced towards my phone that was on the ground beside me as it rang out, disturbing the quiet atmosphere around me. It was my mum again. When I say again, I mean for the seventh time. Her and my father had probably finished work early and they were probably already home. Since it was close to the dinner, they were probably wondering why I wasn't home, getting ready myself.

I listened intently as the ringing stopped, followed by my mother's worried voice as it rang through my voicemail.

"Haylee please come home love. I don't know where you are but I know you can hear me. It's getting late and the weather is supposed to get worse. Please come home Haylee". My mothers voice sounded panicked and frightened. I heard her breathing after she finished speaking, probably hoping that I would pick up. Guilt suddenly spread through me, eating at my insides. While I was trying to get away from the world, I was leaving my parents in the dark. They had no idea where I was. They probably thought I had been kidnapped or died somewhere. I couldn't let them feel worried for me when I knew I was physically fine.

Without wasting another second. I grabbed my phone and pressed the green ACCEPT button just before my mother ended the call.

"I'm coming home" I choked out before ending the call, not allowing my mother to utter another word. I slowly stood up, my muscles aching from their still position. I wobbled a little, but eventually I got my footing again and started on the journey back home.

As I walked, I continuously rubbed my hands along my arms, trying to get some sort of warmth back on them. It was really cold. I didn't expect to be out this late. I was still only wearing my white v-neck and some jeans. It's definitely not the best outfit appropriate for night weather in London.

About 20 minutes later, I found myself walking through the front door of my house. I let out a deep breath as the warm air wrapped itself around my body, sending tingles all over my body. As I turned the corner, I spotted my parents sitting next to each other on the couch. My mother was in her dress for tonight, which was a scarlet red dress with black heels. My father was dressed in a tux, with his air neatly combed and gelled without a strand out of place. Their heads snapped in my direction when they heard my footsteps.