TO HAYDEN FROM BELLA

She had a...

Wednesday. Fourth week of school.

"Aye! Whats up? I just ran into my Aunt and she's being so bitchy. I left my Biology project at home and the dumb teacher went and complained to Ivy. So guess who has to write an apology letter? You mind staying back this evening to keep me company while I write it?"

"Not now Hayden." I said softly trying to hide the fact that I was crying.

"Whats wrong?" He asked.

"M..my boyfriend."

His face turned sour as if his heart broke into a million pieces but it couldn't be.

"Ohhhhhh." He slowly replied. He decided to put my happiness before his. "Talk to me. You know I'm always here for you."

I was so glad that I had Hayden. He was the only person who I could openly talk to and get advice from. When the world felt like it was going to end, Hayden was the answer.
I had a boyfriend. Yes I did. Our relationship lasted eleven months. Eleven horrible months. Kent was only there like an ugly ornament sitting on a shelf in the heart of a beautiful mansion. He was selfish and never understood me.

During summer vacation at the start of my relationship with Kent, I went camping with my family to welcome home my nineteen year old cousin. He traveled a lot and i've never met him until then. At first I thought he was the best because we had a lot in common and I didnt have siblings so he was like a brother to me. He was also a chef so he taught me many things in the kitchen. One night we were in a room by outselves watching Netflix with no intentions of chilling. He started touching me inappropriately and I didn't know what to do so I pretended like I never felt it. Then later into the night he asked "Didn't you realize what I was doing?"

"Umm.. yeah" I said uncomfortably.

"Well.."

I was too tired and I didn't know how to reply. I also didn't want to make a scene so I just went to sleep. I woke up just in time to find him staring at me which was pretty creepy. "Can we have sex?" He asked. Let's just leave it at that. I didn't allow him to and he didn't force me to agree on anything so I made it clear that he would never touch me again and nobody should find out about what happened unless I see it fit. He agreed and we ended it there.

I told no one about that incident except Kent who misinterpreted me and thought I cheated on him. He threatened to tell my family. I apologized to Kent and asked him to put it behind us thinking it would be the best thing for the relationship; to put his feelings before mine. After days of arguing and emotional stress, he eventually agreed and the relationship started getting better from there. Well at least I thought it was.

Today I found out that Kent was cheating on me.

I explained it all to Hayden.

"Its never your fault" He said. "Always remember that and don't be so hard on yourself. I think you should break up with him because you don't deserve any of this."

"Yes of course. I know I have to breakup with him but it just hurts me after eleven months of sacrifice for that relationship... how will I ever move on?"

"B. Listen to me. You need to stop putting other people before yourself. You need to detach from that asshole. You have my shoulder to cry on and I promise you I will always be here." he replied.

"I thought he was the one. I knew it.. I thought I knew it. I thought it felt right."

"The best relationships are the ones you never saw coming."

"To be honest, holding on to that relationship with Kent made no sense. He made the same mistakes over and over and all he ever said was sorry each time. Have you ever encountered people like that in your life? It sends me crazy."

"A mistake repeated more than once is a decision. Don't torture yourself anymore B, the relationship is too toxic and it will hurt me to see you suffer."

It seems as though Hayden had the answers to all my questions and doubts. I embraced him in a big hug. His hugs felt genuine. They were literally warm and cozy. It was the only warm and cozy thing in my life at that moment.

"Hayden you know I really appreciate you right? I'm so glad that I met you." I said to him while a tear rolled down my cheek.

"I'm glad I met you too. If only you knew how important you are to me too. Come on wipe those tears. Fuck this apology letter, we have somebody to breakup with."

Hayden called Kent from my phone and gave him a nasty tongue lashing. Kent with his immature personality was shocked and tried his best to point all fingers at me but Hayden wouldn't tolerate any of it. I sat there drenched in tears of both sadness and happiness when Hayden stood up for me. I've never met someone so sincere as him and it was clear to see he wanted better than the best for me.

Hayden was a hopeless romantic. His past relationships weren't that great. He sometimes felt lonely but when Bella came into his life, there was suddenly light. When he found out about Kent, he thought there was definitely no chance with her so he made up his mind to keep his feelings to himself and just be there for her as the best friend he already was.

Weeks after things started to take a turn and both Hayden and Bella started questioning their emotions.