rogue

twenty - six

It has been three days since I last saw him.

Since he walked out of the apartment, I've had time to clean up his mess and... lose my mind in the process.

I'm extremely worried.

He hasn't replied to my messages.

He hasn't answered my calls.

I even thought about calling his mom, but I didn't want him to face any trouble because of me, assuming he's not staying with her.

I couldn't call my parents either, because if I expressed my concern to my mom, she would call Noelle, and things would escalate.

So here I am, sitting on the couch, my eyes fixed on the door, waiting for it to finally open.

"Chloe, he's an adult. I'm sure he's fine, probably staying with a friend," Hayley's voice breaks through my clouded mind.

I begged her to stay over because I couldn't bear being alone, and I'll be forever grateful that she didn't hesitate even for a second. I know she has her own worries, especially considering things didn't go as planned with Garrett. Not that I even knew she had any plans involving the football player. She didn't share more details, preferring to occupy herself with other things.

"Hayls!" I say softly. "Could you maybe ask Garrett if he's staying with him? I just need to know he's okay." I plead with her, although I already know her answer.

"I can't, Chloe. You don't know what happened. I can't contact or face him ever again. I'm sorry, I wish I could help you."

I turn to look at her and squeeze her hand. "What happened? Did he... Did he hurt you?" I dare to ask, wondering what transpired between them since she mentioned there was something between Garrett and Hayley.

She looks at me uncertainly and bites her pink lip. "He told me he loves me, and I panicked. I literally ran away from him," she admits, leaving me stunned by her revelation.

"Come again?" I squeak, struggling to believe what she just told me. Did I hear correctly?

"Yes! Before you and Finn left for your parents', he and I... well, we... you know..." She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively. And yes, I do know! "And he just blurted it out. I was so shocked that I couldn't say anything, so I took off."

My eyes widen in surprise, and for the first time in three days, my thoughts aren't solely consumed by my own problems.

I push my bangs out of my face and try to gather my thoughts. "But Hayley, when did all of this happen? I didn't know that you two were involved?"

"That's the thing!" she groans in frustration and rubs her face with her freshly manicured nails. Even in her pink leggings and white t-shirt, with the ridiculously huge messy bun on her head, she looks flawless. "We weren't... involved. We just hooked up. You know he's not my type, but he kept asking me out, and he's charming as hell, so I gave in. I enjoyed spending time with him. We had fun, but that's all. I didn't want anything more. I didn't think I wanted more with him."

"Well, damn!" I finally manage to say. "Why are we both such a mess? You find the right guy, but you're not ready to admit it to yourself, and I ruin things with the guy I've been in love with my whole life."

"Hey now, I didn't say that I-"

I glare at her, and that shuts her up. "Okay," she admits with a huff. "So what are we going to do now?"

"How the hell should I know? It's not like I've..." The front door bursts open, and I nearly fall off the couch in my haste to get up. "Finn!" I scream as I rush through the living room.