The Good Boy's Troublemaker ✓

Epilogue

I flatten out my crinkled black dress.

My hands shaking as I raked it through my hair. I glance at my reflection one more time, hoping no one would see the circles underneath my eyes.

I was already running late and don't have more time to cover it up. Rushing into my car I drove as fast as I could. A thought came to my head and I slowed down a bit.

Seeing all the cars, I parked mine. I jumped out of the vehicle and dashed off. Stopping when I reached the door. I took a deep breath and then opened it.

All heads turned to me as I stood there.

I only walked on and took a seat at the back. As I looked next to me, Mr. Anderson was sitting there. He offered me a smile, which I couldn't return. I scanned the room, which was filled with students, parents, and teachers.

My eyes landed on my parents, they were holding hands. Stacy was crying on Trent's shoulder and Carter on Jasper's. To say the truth everyone had red puffy eyes.

But what broke my heart was seeing Mr. and Mrs. Brown, not sitting near each other. Connor was talking, but I didn't hear a word he was saying.

It felt as if everyone had something to say.

I couldn't take any of it anymore and walked out when they said his name after what felt like the thousandth time. Taking a seat on the steps outside of the church, I place my head in my arms.

This was a mistake coming here.

The door screeched open and I stood up about to walk to my car. "Bailey, wait up!" I didn't turn around and kept on walking. I could hear footsteps behind me crunching on the ground.

He grabbed me by the waist. "Please."

I turned around and tears fell on my cheeks. "I- I can't."

"You can't just leave. He would've wanted you to be here." I shook my head.

"No! This is all my fault!" I tried to stop crying. "I'm the reason he's dead!"

"Bailey, take a deep breath. You weren't the truck that crashed into us." He sighed. "If you feel that way, image what I felt... what I still feel." He lets out a sigh. "Don't leave, not now. Please, not again."

I shook my head again.

"Bailey." He pleaded.

"I'm leaving for good. I'm never ever coming back again." He took my hand in his.

"He was dead when the ambulance arrived." He sniffed. "He died with his hand in mine." He choked out. Just when he wants to tell me more, he couldn't. His tears prevented him from talking.

I rubbed his hand.

He was full-on sobbing when I wrapped my arms around him. We stood there crying in one another's arms.

When we finally broke apart from our embrace I wanted to cry again but kept it in. "You're parents are waiting for you." They look happier without me. "You were right, your mom was alive." He was trying to change the topic.

"I'm never going to forgive myself for this."

"Hey, you did absolutely nothing wrong." I wasn't in the mood for this argument again and started walking in the way of my car.

"Bailey?" My dad called out.

Don't turn around. Don't turn around.

Someone must've told him I'm here. "You gave up on mom!" I shouted and then ran away.

"Stop running away woman!" I slipped into the driver's seat and was pulled out. "That's all you seemed to do when things get ruff."

"Parker, I don't know what to do anymore. Shaun is dead. James is dead. I... I feel dead." He wiped my tears away.

My father appeared by my side. "Princess, come home. Don't go away. This isn't your fault. Shawn's death is also not your fault. You gave James the best time of his life. Bailey, you saved your mom's life."

"I destroyed my own life."

The people were walking out of the church and I saw everyone staring at me. I almost felt ashamed. Embarrassed that they held onto me, trying to convince me not to leave again.

"Running is never the answer."

"Well, they say flight or fight. Since I'm not a strong fighter, I'm-"

My mom was also making her way to us. I hated all the attention that was now on us. On me.

Releasing myself from Parker's grip, I jumped into my car and locked the door. They pounded onto the window for me to open the door.

"Bailey, don't make the same mistake twice." My dad said in a stern voice. "This time I won't let you have your way." I ignored him and turned on the radio, starting the car.

"I'm sorry." I mouthed to Parker and drove away.

My heart was pounding furiously in my chest. It was really hard leaving this time. They didn't expect me to even show up.

I tried to figure out my next move when some car was right behind me. "You've got to be shitting me."

Looking into my rearview mirror, I saw Parker behind the wheel. I thought he wouldn't want to drive for the rest of his life. On some weird twist-up way, he caught up to me. It must've been when I was still thinking.

He was moving me to the side of the road.

"Pull over!" I could read from his mouth. I shook my head. He repeated it and I gave him the bird, speeding off.

Maybe I didn't see this coming, or maybe I did. But my dad's car was in the middle of the road, parked vertically, blocking my way to freedom. He must've taken a turn somehow.

I was cornered.

"Damn it!" I cursed slapping my wheel.

They shut the cars down and climbed out. Why are they so desperate in keeping me here? I want to go.

"We got you, you little troublemaker." Parker joked. I glared at him.

"Now princess, come on out and-" I just reversed my car out of the road and onto the sideway. Kept on driving till I passed the cars and then looked back, sticking my tongue out.

"What now Mr. Gibson?" Parker asked Bailey's dad.

"We wait. She'll be back. After all, she is a troublemaker, just like her dad." He smiled proudly.

- The end -

Chapter dedication >> KaitlynFullenkamp