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When something horrible happens, it's like your mind shuts down for 5 seconds. In those 5 seconds you think of your decisions, all of them. If I could have prevented this. And the answer was yes. I could've prevented all of this.

I could've prevented those guys grabbing Taylor and throwing her back into the car after the gun shot went off.

I could've prevented Jade yelling and running, chasing after the car Taylor was in as they drove away.

I could've prevented Cash from pulling out a gun of his own and aiming at the car that was driving away, the car that Taylor was currently in.

But most of all, I could've prevented Hailey from getting shot. And that's what hurt me the most right now.

My legs took off towards Hailey and so did Abel. Bella was on her knees trying to get Hailey to stay awake.

Tears rolled down my face as I grabbed Hailey's hand and looked at her.

"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault." I cried.

"No, stop Jacks. It's ok, I forgive you Jackie." She choked out slowly.

I smiled sadly while continuing to cry. "Valerie." I said while tears continued rolling down my face. "It's Valerie."

Hailey smiled slightly through the pain I could see in her eyes. The sound of an ambulance coming into hearing distance.

-

Hailey Esta didn't make it on the way to the hospital. At age 22, Hailey died from a gunshot.

Bella was broken, completely heartbroken that one of her friends went so young.

Jade couldn't handle it, Jade had never been good with things like this. She hid her feelings well and put up a tough front. She hated that her friend had to go so young.

As for me, no words could even begin to describe how responsible I felt for Hailey getting shot. I hated myself. I was mad at myself for everything that I had done that led up to this moment.

"Baby, say something." Abel spoke softly to me as we sat in the car heading to the hotel Abel was staying at.

I wasn't crying, I wasn't speaking. I was just angry, at myself, at those people who shot Hailey, at the world for taking her.

Abel sighed and leaned his head back.

"Valerie, I want you to move in with me."

I turned to face him.

"What?" I asked, my voice sounding broken.

"It's not safe anywhere anymore. I don't know if you want to go back to New York but wherever you go, I'll follow you. I want you to move in with me, I need to be there with you. I want to make sure nothing like this happens to you. We can go wherever you want Val, it doesn't have to be New York. We can go to LA, or Malibu with your sister. Or-"

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