Star-Crossed Lovers

Chapter 19: Goodbye

I was a complete nervous wreck. I wasn't sure if I was even coming or going. My head felt dizzy as I stood staring at my cupboard with my clothes thrown on the floor. I've been searching whole day for the perfect outfit for tonight since Hunter and I are hanging out. I know that it's not a date but maybe one day we could have one. I'm going to be alone with him so I have a chance to get him to like me and I so badly want him to like me. But with Hunter you never know because he hides how he feels which is inconvenient. I wanted Hunter's eyes to light up when he saw how good I looked. I remembered how Morgan looked at the party, she was wearing a short dress that looked like a fucking t-shirt but maybe Hunter liked such things? I sat on the knees and dug through my clothes that were on the ground. Ah, I picked up my mini velvet dress that was slim fitting. It was long sleeve and shoulder cut. I put it on and my ass made me look like I could be a Kardashian. I looked at myself in my mirror and damn this dress was short. I never wore this dress before because it was too short but it was necessary. I wanted to impress Hunter so bad. My hair I tied up in a messy bun and I put a plain black choker on with my black vans. I made sure to beat my face up with that new Chanel and made a wing liner so sharp that if he tried to move close he'd get cut. I put my maroon lipstick on and puckered. I actually looked great as I posed in the mirror.

There was a knock on my door that startled me. "Come in." I said. The door slowly opened and in came Haynes. He was fully dressed in a slim navy suit, except his tie was undone and hung around his neck.

"Sorry, I thought-" He began but I cut him off.

"It's fine." I assured him with a smile.

Haynes took a step in and closed the door behind him. He put his hands in his pants' pockets and stroud towards me shyly. At last, after watching Haynes look down, he lifted his face up and his eyes shot big after fully scanning me. "You look amazing...a little short but still amazing." He said, referring to my dress.

I couldn't help but blush. Whenever Haynes complimented me it made me feel good about myself because I knew that he meant it. I rolled my eyes before answering. "I'll take the compliment and you can keep the criticism."

He lightly chuckled at my humorous comment. "Are you going somewhere?" He asked once he settled down.

"Yes"

"Date?"

I shook my head. "Just going out with a friend."

"Sure" Haynes winked at me causing me to blush. "I just wanted to let you know that Lance is still in the wind. We haven't been able to track him down."

My heart suddenly raced at the sound of his name. I felt my body tense like it was a reflex. "Haynes...you need to catch him. I don't want to live in fear my whole life. What if Lance finds us again?" My voice was shaky and I felt how my eyes started tearing. My bottom lip trembled as I spoke. "Please catch him. I don't want to move again."

"Hey..." Haynes said softly and closed the space between us as he stepped closer. His hands were placed on my shoulders and I felt the warmness it carried. "Look at me." He demanded, but I couldn't knowing how vulnerable I looked in this moment and continued staring down. Haynes brought his hand to my chin and slowly lifted it up till our eyes met. I saw the soft, kindness in his and I hoped that he didn't see the pain in mine. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you okay?" He promised and his words alone made my heart sank.

"You okay now? I don't want you to be upset when you're going out with your friend." He asked and I assured him with a nod. Haynes's eyes never left mine as he stood gawking at me in silence. My phone buzzed and broke the silence. Haynes let out a sigh and stepped back as I grabbed my phone from my desk to see a message from Hunter.

Hunter: I'll be there in ten.

I looked back up at Haynes who seemed very frustrated with his lips tightened before I replied to Hunter.

Me: Okay, see you soon.

I quickly sent it and put my phone back on my desk. I looked at Haynes once again and I noticed something different about him. He was wearing a different suit from his normal ones. It was a dashing navy and looked quite expensive. I crossed my arms and gave him a smile.

"And where are you going all dressed up?" I teased

Haynes forehead that was creased finally eased up and he grinned. He slid his hands in his pockets and tilted his head to the side. "I'm surprised you noticed, no one else did." He said, referring to his suit.

"That's because I pay attention to detail... something you taught me by the way."

Haynes lightly chuckled before answering. "Well if you must know I'm flying back to Seattle tonight."

Suddenly my face dropped and I felt this weird tinge of sadness inside of me. "W-why?" I stuttered as I tried to grasp it.

"Its my mom's sixtieth and I asked headquarters a while ago for time off to attend it."

"How long?" I asked eagerly which made me regret speaking, because I sounded desperate.

"Two weeks."

"Oh" I said softly as I fiddled with the tip of the cloth on my desk. I felt this overwhelming sadness come over me. Two weeks? Are you fucking serious? What if we need him here? What if Lance tracks him when he comes back? What if I miss him? Shit no. No I won't. Okay maybe I will but that's fine. It's not like he hasn't gone on leave before. They all get time off for themselves and I can't be selfish to want them around all the time. I guess I should be happy for him, except I'm not.

"Yes" He flashed me a smile.

"That's great." I tried sounding excited but I knew that he heard the devastation in my voice. "Tell your mom I say happy birthday. Oh wait don't... I don't think she knows who I am or knows what you doing." I giggled as I realised how ridiculous I sounded.

Haynes laughed and it felt good hearing him lighten up. "Yeah, that's probably not a good idea." My cheeks reddened as I felt how stupid I was. "So I just wanted to say my goodbyes." He added.

"Of course. Of course." I said and nodded. We stood staring at each other awkwardly till I threw myself into Haynes's arms and wrapped my arms around Haynes. I felt how he tensed but I shrugged it off and tightened the embrace. I buried my face in his neck as I stood on my toes to measure up to his height, except he was still taller. Haynes was leaving and I was definitely going to miss him. We may have had our ups and downs but he has been the one who has always been there for me. I knew that I could trust him, after all he has never told a single soul of what he saw that night...

__________________________

Sorry it was a little short but I wanted to end the chapter on a cliffhanger.
- I wanted some more Haynes and Emma scenes to show why they are the way with each other.
I also wanted Emma to miss Haynes a bit and understand why she misses him.

PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT