Dare to Fall

Chapter LII

< Listen to If This Is Love by Ruth B. >

I grabbed my books from my locker, ready to rush to class when Amelia startled me with her usual enthusiasm. I shot her an annoyed look, but she only plastered on that innocent smile of hers, snatching the books from my hands and beginning to rearrange them inside my locker.

"What are you doing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as she organized my notebooks according to my schedule—something she had memorized while neglecting her own.

"Didn't you hear? All students are helping to arrange the gym for the prom. The school officers want everyone to participate, or else we won't be allowed to go," she explained, her excitement bubbling over.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh yeah, right. Prom," I muttered.

Amelia tilted her head, noticing my lack of enthusiasm. "Oh! How was Trevor?" she asked, her innocent smile faltering for a moment. My heart sank. How did she know about Trevor? I hadn't even mentioned his name to her.

"What?" I forced a laugh, but it came out sounding nervous. "Ho-how... What? What are you talking about? Trevor who?" I asked, my voice betraying my confusion.

"You know, I sent you a message yesterday. He was at my house looking for you," she said, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and mischief. "He said he needs to tell you something important. So, being the good best friend that I am, I gave him your address!"

She smiled brightly as if this were some grand accomplishment. "Isn't that great? I did something good!" She placed her hands on my shoulders and bounced on her toes, but I wanted to bang my head against the locker instead.

"What the hell? Why did you do that?" I pulled her hands off my shoulders, feeling the weight of anxiety settle in my stomach. "You should've told him nothing at all. What kind of person gives a stranger her friend's address?"

"Apparently, he's not a stranger to you. Plus, I figured he wouldn't have come looking for you if he didn't know you," she defended herself, though I could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

"Just because he knows my name doesn't mean he's not a total stranger!" I shot back, frustration creeping into my voice.

"It sounds to me like you know him well enough," she countered, crossing her arms defiantly. "And stop being mad at me for what I did. I was just trying to help!"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Well, you're not helping," I said, slamming my locker shut and storming down the hallway, leaving her behind.

As I walked, lost in my thoughts, I bumped into someone. A firm grip caught my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. The anger and annoyance drained away as I recognized Cayden, the sadness in his eyes reflecting my own.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly, his fingers brushing my cheek. I leaned into his touch, instinctively craving comfort.

"I just want to get out of here," I admitted, glancing around the bustling hallway, feeling like I was suffocating.

He nodded, his expression understanding. "Just tell me where, and I'll go wherever you go." With that, he entwined his fingers with mine, and I felt a flicker of warmth amidst the chaos.

He kissed my forehead and led me outside.

***

The chill of the wind greeted us as we stepped into the open air, and I felt the familiar sensation of the beach sand beneath my feet. This was the same spot where we'd shared so many memories—the place where he had opened up about his family and where I had meant to share my own pain.

"Tell me what's wrong," he urged, leading me to a bench overlooking the waves. I sat beside him, watching the water lap gently against the shore.

"Trevor," I murmured, the name hanging heavily in the air.

"Trevor? The guy who..." He trailed off, and I nodded, feeling the weight of his unasked question.

"I thought we did our best hiding from him, but he keeps finding us. He showed up at Amelia's house the other day, and now she's gone and told him where I live." I buried my face in my hands, frustration washing over me.

"He said he needs to talk to me. I don't know what to do. I want to tell my mom, but I can't bear the thought of her leaving your dad. She loves him so much, and... I just want her to be happy." I looked into Cayden's eyes, searching for understanding.

"I want to see them both happy, you know?" I added, my voice trembling slightly.

"Hailey," he said softly, "I know you're going through a lot right now. Trust me when I say I'll protect you. I'll do everything I can, even if it means sacrificing everything for you."

I searched his eyes, trying to convey the turmoil inside me. "But what if I hurt others in the process? What if telling my mom puts her happiness at risk?"

Cayden shifted closer, his gaze intense. "Do you think we'll ever be happy together? Like your mom and my dad?" His voice was barely above a whisper as he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine.

The kiss sent shivers down my spine, igniting a storm of conflicting emotions. I pulled away, wiping my mouth with my hand. "This is... I shouldn't... We shouldn't..." I paced back and forth, my mind racing. "How many times do I have to tell you this isn't right?"

"Hailey, just calm down," he urged, but I shook my head, feeling the panic rise within me.

"Calm down? You can't keep kissing me while our parents are engaged! It's not fair to anyone!"

"Then what do you want me to do to prove I'm serious about you?" he asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

"How many times do I have to tell you I love you and I'm ready to fight for us?" He stood up from the bench, desperation etched on his face.

I stopped pacing, tears welling in my eyes. "This is wrong. Maybe we're just not meant to be. Maybe you're destined for someone else, and our parents are good for each other. We'll never be as good as they are."

Regret flooded my thoughts. I had made choices these past few weeks that haunted me, and this felt like yet another one.

"Look," I said, my voice shaky, "I love you, but we need to stop before we hurt people we care about."

As I turned to leave, Cayden's voice called out to me. "Can you just start being selfish for once? Just do something that makes you happy!"

"I've tried!" I shouted, tears spilling over. "I can't stand to see my mom sad. I won't be the reason she hurts again!"

"Then what about your happiness? What about me?" He stepped closer, his expression a mix of frustration and pain. "You won't lose your mom if you're with me. But you'll lose me if you keep choosing her happiness over yours. This is your life! You control it, and you fight for what's yours."

"I am fighting for you, but I guess I'm not worth the fight," he said bitterly as he turned away.

"Cayden, wait!" I called, but he was already walking towards his car. "I love you. I hope that's enough to change your mind."

As he drove away, I felt an emptiness settle in my chest. I sank down onto the sand, sobbing, feeling the weight of the world crashing down on me. The sky darkened, and soon, the first drops of rain began to fall, mingling with my tears.

"Great, just great," I muttered, standing up from the sand and brushing off my pants. I walked toward the parking lot, wiping the remnants of the beach from my clothes as the rain poured down, the cold droplets drenching me.

As I walked down the highway, the rain concealed my tears. I thought about the memories Cayden and I had created together, moments that had brought me joy after my father's death. I remembered how he had always been there for me, making me laugh, encouraging me, being the person I needed.

But now, he felt like a distant dream slipping through my fingers. Should I be selfish and fight for my happiness? Or should I continue to worry about the happiness of others?

I struggled with the question, my heart torn between what I wanted and what I thought was right. Am I ready to face these obstacles? Am I ready to fight for my feelings for him?