Renegade Revival

Chapter 12: Lying to Veronica

Taylor's POV

As Hayley's car drove off, Veronica's car replaced it. I felt my stomach twist into awkward knots at the sight of her.
"Hey," she greeted as she walked in. I gave her a nod.
"Hey," I said back. The kiss I shared with Hayley replayed in my head again; a smile made its way on my face, impossible to conceal.
"What's got you in a giddy haze?" Veronica chuckled. I shook my head with a laugh.
"Nothing," I lied. What was the use of lying? "Just Hayley."
"Hayley?" Veronica tilted her head at me, confused. "Just good memories?"
"Guess you could say that," I said as I plopped myself on the couch.
"It's not like she's alive or anything." I looked over at Veronica. She bit her lip with an apology in her brown eyes. "God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, Taylor--"
"That's the thing," I chuckled. "She is. She never died, she was just in a coma!"
"Taylor," she giggled before embracing me. "I'm so happy for you!"
"She just left as you came here," I said. "She's the girl that was talking to me at the coffee shop and the one I helped at the store!"
"Really?" she gasped.
"I know! How could I have possibly missed her?!"
"Taylor?" Veronica tried, her tone sounding almost sad. She stood up and smoothed the wrinkles off her clothes.
"What is it?" I asked, still recovering from a chuckle. She blew a sigh and looked up at me with sad eyes.
"Since Hayley is... alive," she struggled, "does this mean that... you're going back to her?" I swallowed a lump of guilt, actually hating to see her hurt, even though she has hurt me with her words more than I could begin to explain.
"No," I forced out, forcing down another lump of guilt, this one feeling like bricks down my throat.
"I know she means a great deal to you," Veronica said. "If she's what you want, I can accept that."
"Veronica, I want you," I lied. Why was I lying to her? Why was lying to myself? Most of all, why was I lying to Hayley?
Veronica's eyes lit up a little as she forced a smile on her lips.
"Really?" she asked, her voice now soft. I nodded as I pulled her into a hug. I could feel myself stabbing Hayley in the back, literally. Veronica pulled away from the embrace and kissed me. Her lips were soft, but a sickening soft that made me nauseous. The thought of her kissing me made me nauseous. I quickly broke the kiss and sighed, seeing a question in Veronica's ordinary eyes. I longed for them to be Hayley's hazel eyes that sparkled for eternity.
"I'm feeling a little under the weather," I admitted as I made my way to my room. "I'll see you later, Veronica."
"Alright," she hesitated. "I love you, Taylor." I said nothing. I closed my door and sat on the floor with my back against it. In minutes, I had betrayed Hayley. I betrayed her... just like the other guys she has told me about. I didn't want to be like them; I didn't want to be one of her scars.