Not So Picture Perfect

Chapter 25

It's been two months since I left L.A., and the record label isn't too happy with me. I'm not really sure how what was supposed to be a one week break at home turned into a two month stay, but it did.

They delayed the release of my second single, and put out the music video which everyone is crazy for apparently. I wonder if Chase has seen it.

I'm packing right now, my plane leaves tonight and, Shawn is picking me up at L.A.X. then tomorrow we're going to look for apartments for me.

Things are finally starting to move fast again and honestly I couldn't be happier. I'm also stoked to see Shawn, it's been forever since I've seen him. I'm also hoping something happens between us. I don't know, wishful thinking I guess.

A soft knock on my door causes me to jump a bit, and I shift my body around so I'm facing the person in my doorway.

"Sorry love I didn't mean to startle you", Sophie chuckles. She's got a bouquet of wild flowers, a picture frame and a extra large iced coffee in her hands. 

I get up to hug her tightly, happy that She's thought of me on my last day at home, hopefully for a long time. I take the coffee and flowers happily but for some reason she holds onto the picture frame. I don't ask her about it though I just head back to my spot on the floor in front of my overflowing suitcase. 

"Hayden", she says with a little less happiness, "he gave me this for you"

I groan knowing exactly who "He" is. 

"I'll look at it later", I say gesturing for her to put it on my bed, "Help me close this".

She walks over and plops herself on top of my suit case, making it easier for me to zip it up. 

That's it. My life in Texas is coming to a close. It's been a mess but honestly I don't think I would change anything about it. I really feel like this craziness has helped me figure out what I want, and who I am.

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Its dark when I board my plane, most people around me are settling in. Getting ready to sleep. I can't though, my brain is buzzing with a million different thoughts. But, then again, when is it not?

We take off and the woman next to me immediately doses off. Thank goodness we have a seat between us. 

I decide to finally look at that picture from Chase. Reaching into my bag I pull out the picture frame. I'm nervous, but it's probably nothing right? Just something of mine that he wanted to give back probably. I hope. 

Flipping over the frame slowly my stomach twists itself in knots when I don't recognize the picture immediately. I look closely at what the picture is of. It's him and me. I'm laying on his chest asleep, and he's grinning down at me. It was taken in my room. 

I then realize what this picture was from. 

The night before I left for the job with Shawn. 

"Damnit Chase", I whispered under my breath as I began to feel tears fall down my cheeks, hot and heavy. 

I was upset, but also curious, so I flipped the frame over again and opened it. There sat a wrinkled paper all ripped and splotchy and my stomach started to churn again. 

Hayden, 

I'm sorry. About too many things for me to write on this tiny paper. I love you, you know that. I miss you sometimes still. I saw the music video, it looks good. I'm proud of you Denny, seriously I am. You don't need me, go do great shit in LA. Don't call me. Please. I'll see you when I see you.