text messages // hbr

«Forty-One»

I wake up the next morning and look at my phone. This is another habit of mine. (True though😂)

20 messages
2 missed calls
The Dolan Twins and 14 others uploaded a video
BrandonRowland's broadcast is >> anything you're doing right now! You gonna watch?

I click on the messages first to see three from my mom, two from Hunter, and fifteen from Logan. Wow, I didn't even know he had my number.

My mom just told me she was going to work and breakfast was in the microwave. I forgot it was Saturday, I forgot a lot of things. I hesitantly click on Hunter's name.

Huntaa🐥- Do you want the tickets? I'll throw them away if you don't want them.

Huntaa🐥- I'm going to your house in 15 minutes to put them in your mailbox. Have fun! I'm sure you'll bring that boy you were with yesterday.
7 minutes ago

I sigh. How do I fix this? I get up to go to the bathroom. I fix my hair and brush my teeth. I'm too lazy to do anything else. I text back.

Princess Aaron👑- just throw them away. I wouldn't go without you. You bought them, that would be selfish of me.

Huntaa🐥- I'm not wasting money. Just give them to someone else. Like I said, your new boyfriend perhaps

I don't reply. Instead, I go outside to the porch and sit on our fairly long bench. It's a very beautiful day, something to not take for granted. I just admire the view until I see a silhouette in a gray Thrasher hoodie walking up to my house. I just look down, I won't go inside. That would be rude, he walked here all alone. I continue to look down and I see two feet wearing white converse stand upfront of me.

"Here" he says coldly. I look up and shake my head. I told him I wouldn't take the tickets. "Just take the stupid tickets!" He yells making me jump. I take them and place them by me, letting my head fall back down. I feel like crying again, what someone famous can do to you. This isn't the Hunter on my screen, I would never imagine seeing him mad like this.

He never left. He just stood there. There was an awkward silence. "What's that on your chest?" he asks blankly. Like he didn't even care, I want him to. I care about him.

I look down and there were very visible bruises right where Alex pushed me. I bring my knees up to my chest and whisper "nothing." I drop a couple tears. Looking at that plays the flashbacks. I don't even know what happened to Alex after that event.

"Look, Aaron. I don't know what happened, but you don't have to tell me. I can't be mad at you. It was a stupid reason, I'm the one that said you should find more friends. I was just jealous because you never told me about him. Please forgive me?" He asked with a sincere emotion of care in his voice. I look up and there are all kinds of emotions in his eyes. I get up and just hug his torso tightly. He immediately hugs back with the same strength. "I'm sorry I'm so stupid" he whispered.

"No you're not. I understand. Logan helped me when you weren't able to be there" I whispered back.

"Do you wanna tell me where the bruises are from?" He asks sadly letting go of the hug. I nod.

"Alex" I whisper. "He pushed me against the lockers. Hard. Logan got him off of me and we ditched school. That's why we were at Starbucks" I add.

He hugged me again. "I'm so sorry princess. I could beat him if you want. Would that concert make you feel better?" he smiled. I smiled and nodded.

"You don't have to do anything except promise you'll go to the concert with me" I chuckled.

"Of course I'm going! It was so hard to say I wouldn't go girl!" He said in a high-pitched drama queen voice. We laugh.

Pain shot through my body again. I just push it to the side as always.

I feel like I'm dying. But.....
-You Make The Pain Go Away-