Chapter 10

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Annie's POV:
I stare into my phone as the words pop up onto the screen.
Jayden Bartels has blocked you.
"This can't be h... No." I trail off. Tears form in my eyes.
"Annie, don't worry. It'll be fine. She'll come around." Hayden assures me, wrapping his arms around me. I sob before replying.
"It's not fine! My best friend hates me!" I shriek, tears flowing down my red face. Hayden keeps his grip on me.
"Annie, I promise you, you guys will figure this out." He massages my back as he hugs me tightly.
I take a few deep, shudders breaths before I speak again.
"You're right. We're best friends. Best friends don't end their friendships over a guy." I sigh. He takes my phone and rests it face down on the countertop, and let's me rest my head on his shoulder.

Hours go by. Days. Not one word for Jayden. Not online, not in the real word. Nothing.
When I woke up this morning, everything just felt... Off. Hayden was already awake, sipping his coffee while thinking deeply. I don't know what he's thinking about, but he's so deep in thought that he didn't even notice me tip-toe into the kitchen. Its only when I pour myself some water that he snaps out of it, looking over at me with empty eyes. Something's wrong, I can tell.
"Morning." I say, raising an eyebrow.
He mutters something back, and I assume it's something along the lines of a greeting.
"You okay?" I ask, talking a seat next to him on the bar stools.
He twists his chair around so he's facing me. Suddenly, he grabs my hands, resting them on my knees. He rubs my knuckles, which he does when I'm stressed out.
"Hayden..." I say, confused. I have no idea what's happening.
"Annie. I love you. I love you so much." He reminds me.
"Is everything okay?" I ask. Now he's scaring me.
"I love you so much, and I can't let you put me before your best friend. She was always by your side. Not me." His hands slip away from mine.
Wait.
"Goodbye Annie." He stand from the chair, grabbing his backpack from the counter and walking to the door.
"No. What? Hayden, Hayden don't leave-"
I run after him, but the door is already closed before I reach him. I open the door and desperately try to open the door to his room, with no luck.
"Hayden! You matter more! Hayden, don't go!" I cry.
"I love you." I whisper, falling to the ground with my fists still against the door.
I cried in front of the room for almost half an hour. He never opened the door.

Hayden's POV:
I'm going to regret this.
Annie's crying in front of my door. The girl I love more than anything. The girl who I just walked away from.
I just sit on the couch, listening to her silent cries and whispers. Just as I'm about to take everything back and let her in, I can hear her footsteps as she walks away. It's done.
Hayden- I hate you.
This number is the whole reason I was forced to do this. I wish I could tell Annie everything. Yet, she can't know. It'll hurt her too much. It already hurts me on the inside too.
Nothing is like it seems.

Annie's POV:
As soon I get back to the apartment, I pull out my phone. I dial Jaydens number. Luckily, she hadn't thought to block it, and answers.
"Annie, I don't-"
"Please come Jayden. I need you." I plead, interrupting her.
"I can't." She says abruptly.
"He broke up with me. I need my best friend right now." I cry. She mutters something to herself before hanging up. Great. Not only did I lose my boyfriend, but my best friend too.
I have nobody.
Suddenly, there's a knock at the front door. I run to answer it, praying that it's Hayden. Maybe he realized he messed up.
I'm not disappointed, but it's not Hayden.
It's Jayden.
I throw my arms around her almost instantly, sobbing into her shoulder. She squeezes me tight, and we stay there, hugging in the doorway, did what feels like forever.
Once were done, she closes the door and walks in. We sit down on the couch, and she wipes my tears off my cheeks.
"Now why did that ass break up with you?" She asks.
"He-he, he said its because he didn't want to come between us." I say between sobs.
"See.. That's why I was actually mad at you." She says quietly.
"What?" I say with a sniffle.
"I was upset that you were with Hayddn, yeah. But I'm honestly already over him. I was terrified. Terrified that he would come between us, and you would choose him." She admits. Now it's my turn to wipe her tears away.
"God, I'm so sorry Annie. I'm a horrible friend." She rests her head on her hands.
"Hey. We all make mistakes." I reassure her.
"I'm just glad you're here. I need you." I remind her. Even though it feels like a hole has been ripped through my heart, having her here helps just a little.
"Annie, that's not like Hayden. He loves you too much to hurt you like that." She concludes.
"He seemed upset too. I can tell he didn't want to do it..." I realize.
If that wasn't the reason, why did he break up with me?

I FINALLY UPDATED AND HAVE CONTENT TO HELP ME WRITE ON AND KEEP ME GOING YAAAY
-M

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