The One // Magcon

»Chapter 9«

I woke up to a knock at the door. Shawn was still asleep. I looked over at the clock. It read 3:16. Who in the world was knocking on the door at 3 in the morning? I got up and rubbed my eyes. I opened the door to find Taylor.

"Why are you even up a 3 in the morning?" I asked with my morning voice.

"I couldn't sleep... I was thinking about everything that has happened. Bailey, I like you. Nothing will change the way I feel about you. Wi-" I cut him off.

"Okay, I get it. You liked me, you kissed me, it didn't work out. Can we please forget this whole thing?" I asked.

"I can't forget! I want to be with you!" he looked at the floor.

"Taylor, I understand that! I just need some space!" I raised my voice, and I heard it crack.

By then, Shawn was out of bed and by my side. He shot Taylor a glare. I wiped a tear off my check.

"I don't know what you don't understand! Back off! She wants some space!" Shawn started yelling.

Then Matt was in the hallway. I looked at Taylor and then at Shawn. Matt clenched his jaw once he saw I was crying. Shawn and Taylor started arguing. I didn't know what to do. I took off down the hall and into the elevator. Once the door shut, I slid down in the corner. The elevator beeped, meaning it was on the first floor. I stood up right before the door opened. I realized I was still in my pajamas: black leggings, a gray Nike hoodie, and black socks. At this point, I didn't care. I heard the elevator coming down. I took off outside. I didn't know exactly where I was going, but I was getting out of that hotel.

What are you doing, Bailey? You know they are going to end up finding you! Matt and Shawn won't stop looking until they find you. You can't run forever, I thought.

"I'm going to try..." I mumbled to myself.

I took off down the block. I saw the Chick-Fil-A that Shawn and I had eaten at. I wasn't far enough. I kept running. I saw a different Starbucks, not the one across from the hotel. I was probably a good 30 minutes away from the hotel. I walked inside and ordered a white chocolate mocha. I honestly didn't care I wasn't wearing shoes. They gave me my drink. I sat in the very back of the room so no one would see me. I slouched in my chair. I wondered how long it'd take for them to find me. I just wanted to be left alone. Of course I wanted to be with Matt, and of course I wanted to be with Shawn. Sometimes I just needed a break, though.

This is good for you, I thought. Let them take as long as they need. You need some time to yourself. That might just be enough time for them to find you. If they don't by late morning, then you will just have to go back.

Now that I actually thought about it, I missed Matt and Shawn. I sipped my drink and put my hood over my head. This day had already started off bad. That's just when I realized I didn't have my phone! Maybe it was good I didn't have contact with them, though. I probably sat there for 2 hours. That's when Matt bursted into the room. Once I saw him, I took my hood off. He spotted me, and I saw that he had been crying. I got up, and we both ran toward each other. His lips crashed into mine as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Then he pulled away.

"I thought you said you'd never do that again! You scared me to death! I thought you got hit by a car!" he hugged me tight.

"I'm sorry!" I started crying. "It's just... Taylor and Shawn. More arguing." I shook my head.

"I know it's hard. You can't just run away every time they start fighting, Bailey." he let go and looked me in the eyes.

"I know." I wiped my eyes with my sleeve. "I just can't believe they are fighting... and it's all because of me."

"No. It's not all because of you. Nash and Taylor are the ones who started it. You had nothing to do with it." he wiped a tear off my cheek.

"I don't know if I can do this anymore." I explained.

"Wha- what?" he looked confused and a little scared.

"Deal with them fighting over me... Matt, what do you think they're gonna do if they find out we're dating?" I felt my eyes get watery again.

"No... Bailey, are you.. breaking up with me?" I saw tears form in his eyes.

I started crying. We hugged each other tight and didn't let go. I felt horrible. The guys were fighting. I've ran away twice. I've scared Matt. Shawn is worried about me. Could this get any worse? Finally, we stopped hugging.

"Matt, I just... I don't want to cause anymore trouble." I really didn't want to break up with him.

"Please... Bailey, I love you. You don't have to do this." a tear rolled down his cheek.

"I love you too. I don't think it will work out because of Nash and Taylor." my voice cracked.

At that point, I was glad we were the only people in the room other than the workers. I didn't want anyone to see how jacked up we probably looked then.

"We just won't tell them.." he said.

"No, Matt. No more secrets. I really don't want to cause even more trouble than I already have." I looked at the ground.

He lifted my chin and planted a soft kiss on my lips. "If it will fix everything..."

"Matt, you know I don't want to." I looked into his eyes.

"I know..." he looked away.

"Maybe.. maybe after everything is back to normal." I realized he wouldn't look at me.

I let out a little sigh.

"We should get back." he finally said, still not looking at me.

I wanted to grab his hand. I still wanted to be with him. I felt terrible. I had to fight back the tears that were threatening to escape.

"Shawn was really worried..." he turned towards the door and placed his hand on my back.

We walked out the door and down the road. I wondered if he drove or if he walked the whole way.

"I ran... you scared me. I thought you were hurt or got kidnapped." he said, and then I realized I had said that out loud.

"Matt, I'm sorry." I stopped him from walking and pulled him into a hug. "Really. I'm sorry about everything that happened."

"You don't have to keep apologizing." he said with a soft tone.

I cried. He stroked my hair.

"Are you mad?" I asked.

"Yes, but not at you. I'm mad at Nash and Taylor. They don't deserve you." he whispered.

"Please don't do anything to them.." I said.

"I won't... but we should really be heading back." he put his arm around my shoulder.

We started walking back. I tried to stop crying. I could see the hotel. Matt removed his arm from around me when we got to the door. When we got inside, I saw Shawn with his head down. I guess he heard the door open because his head shot up. His eyes were red from crying. He got up and ran towards me. He hugged me so tight.

"Shawn..." I started.

"No, don't say anything. It was my fault." he whispered.

"No it wasn't.." it wasn't his fault at all.

All I remember after that was going up to the room. I buried myself under the covers of the bed.