Misery Business (Sequel to Never Let This Go) *Paramore*

Chapter Twenty-Five: News To You

Taylor's P.O.V.

Jeremy and Kat don't know about Hayley being back in the hospital again, I'm too confused and conflicted to say anything about it, even though it's been another week. It's mid October, and I don't want her to be in the hospital for Christmas. What am I even saying? I'm still completely disgusted from almost a month ago when she kissed Chad. I haven't spoken to her since. For some reason, I find myself not hurting as much as I thought I would, or, should be.

It's really odd. You would think that I'd be in bed all the time and not doing anything, but all I feel is emptiness...numbness. Not a single emotion is showing through me, as if everything I can possibly feel was just poured down the drain. It's a horrible thing in a situation like this. I want to feel something but no matter how hard I try, I can't. I want to be mad or sad but it won't come to me. It's as if I expected something like this to happen.

I need to tell Jeremy and Kat though, they are worried. Even though Hayley is the last name I want to let slip from my mouth, or even into my brain, I have to tell them. So without warning, I find myself at their doorstep. I can't avoid the fact forever to she put herself into that damn hospital. "Taylor, hey," Jeremy says opening the door. He looks concerned, so he probably can see the lack of sleep in my eyes. He opens the door and motions for me to come inside, so I do.

We sit on the couch and Kat walks in with Bliss. "Kat can hear this too, right?" Jeremy asks me not knowing what I'm going to say.

"Of course," I respond as she sits down with a confused look, Bliss in her arms. "I know where Hayley is," I tell the two after a moment of hesitation.

"Is she alright?" Kat asks looking panicked.

"I don't know. She's in the mental hospital," I explain looking down and rubbing my eyes.

"What? Why would she be there? I hate she hated them," Jeremy replies looking completely lost.

"I don't know. I called her mom and she said she doesn't want visitors, a.k.a. us," I state quietly as they take in the information.

"I don't care. She's like my little sister, I'm going to visit her today," Jeremy responds standing up.

"Jeremy, she doesn't want to she us at all," I explain trying to change his mind. One thing is true though, Hayley means a lot to Jeremy and he isn't going to let anything stand in the way of that. They're basically family.

"I don't care," he tells me. With that, he is out the door, leaving Kat completely shocked about what just happened. We look at each other in sympathy for the love we have for these people. She knows Jeremy is hurting, and Hayley knows she lost me.

-----

Hayley's P.O.V.

I'm in the day room, playing the old intro you used for Emergency on The Final Riot! tour back in 2007. A couple of other people are playing cards, some watching TV, and some reading or drawing. It's a peaceful area for us to stay; it isn't stressful or too loud. Some people get visitors at this time, but Mom visits me every other day, and today isn't that day.

I find myself singing The Only Exception as I play the piano, and some people listen, others smile and continue what they were doing. I like it here, I honestly do. It's different than the one in Mississippi where I was forced. I am safe here, and I was ready to be here. I don't have to leave if I don't want to, and I don't. I probably won't for a while, too. I feel safer than I have in eight months.

The next song I play is When It Rains, but when I still have one for chorus left, a familiar voice greets me, and I panic. It's Jeremy's voice. My heart stops for a moment and I look up at him with wide eyes. "Hayley, are you alright?" he asks me as I move toward  the far end of the stool, away from my best friend. I don't want to see him though, when I see him I see the memories. I can't get close to anyone anymore, I might hurt them, or Angela and the men.

"You need to leave," I say sternly to him. I have a feeling he can sense the new fear I have and can't cover up. I'm terrified someone will get hurt now, it isn't fair to them. It isn't fair to anyone actually.

"W-Why?" he asks. "If this is about kissing Chad, I'm sure that you have a good reason of doing it,"

"Please leave," I tell him with a shaky voice.

"Hayley, I know you're in a bad place, but why are you acting this way? Why are you scared of me?" Jeremy asks me sounding more broken than ever. Thing is, if we stay close, he will ten times more broken in the end.

"Jeremy, sometimes it's better to stay away after a mistake. All I've done is hurt you, and you sure don't deserve it. You don't need me," I explain. "Taylor doesn't want me, I kissed my ex-boyfriend. You don't need me, you just think you do. I'm wanted dead, and I'm the reason a little girl was killed. It's time for you to forget about me,"

He looks at me completely offended. His eyes are red now, and it's my fault. I can't let that get to me, my fear might eat me alive. If I don't want that, I can't look to him, meaning he must leave. Jeremy doesn't agree though and won't leave, so I will. I get up, and run to my room, a single tear running down my cheek.

Sorry it's so short, writer's block sucks. I have a lot planned for the far future though!