What is Written

Chapter 5

Hayden

I storm out of the building quickly, making a dramatic exit to my car. As I approach the front doors, I begin to see heavy, grey clouds forming in the sky. Deep rumbles sound and I curse under my breath, knowing a storm is coming. I just washed my damn car yesterday. Well, I didn't wash it, the car wash did, but still. I paid for that shit, and I usually don't, I do it myself. This is what I get for doing something different.

I step outside and I immediately feel the small patter of rain drops hitting my t shirt. I quickly make my way to my car, jumping inside to escape the rain. I hate getting wet, I absolutely hate it. If I wanted to be wet I would take shower,  damn rain.

The last twenty minutes replay in my head as I start to drive off. I don't know where I'm going, but I know that I don't want to go home yet. That girl really pissed me off. I don't know who she thinks she is, but I bet she thinks she's the shit just because she gets to interrogate me. Its not right to be able to do that, to get inside peoples minds and completely ruin them. I bet she already has a plan on how she's going to fuck up my mind. I can't believe I went off on her, though. I didn't plan to, it just came out of my mouth without warning. She looked frightened by my words, but I can tell she was trying so hard to hold back her emotions. Probably because she doesn't want to seem inferior to me, of course. I know these people like a goddamned book.

The rain begins to turn into a downpour, and I turn my windshield wipers on to the high setting. I don't mind driving in the rain. It's quite peaceful, actually. I just can't see a damn thing when it's dark out, with all of the glare from everyones headlights.

I take out my phone and decide to call Ryder. He's my friend from high school. Well, not exactly a friend. He's more of an acquaintance that I tolerate who always brings me along to parties to get shit-faced. That was back in high school though, I haven't done anything crazy since then. I do miss it, we had unbelievable nights. I smirk at the memories as I dial his number.

He picks up after the first ring. "Hayden! What's up?"

"Hi, um," I pause, "Are you busy?"

"Busy?" He asks and laughs, "Man, you know me, I'm always free." That is true, he doesn't do anything with his life. He doesn't go to college, he doesn't have a job. He basically lives off of other peoples money, including mine sometimes.

"Well, I'm bored." I tell him. I want to do something tonight, I'm tired of sitting around every night.

"Me and Gunner are going out to a party, wanna come?" He offers.

Fuck.

"Uh, no. Thanks," I decline his offer. I'm not going anywhere near that fucking prick.

"Why not? Is it because of Gunner? Listen man, just ignore him. He's not going to start shit again," He tries to lower me in.

I take a second and breathe. I really am that bored, but I don't want to end up in the police station again. I can't fuck this up.

"Fine," I give in to him. "Where is it?"

"That's the Hayden I love," I can tell he's smirking from the other side of the line. "Be at my place in a half hour, we'll go from there."

"Alright," I say as I hang up the phone and toss it on the passenger seat. I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, but it can't be good. It won't end well, I can tell. I curse under my breathe and I turn the car around to go back home.

...

After about ten minutes of getting myself ready, I throw on my jacket to leave my apartment. By getting ready, I mean spraying cologne on myself, brushing my hair back, and changing into a black v-neck shirt and dark jeans. Simple.

I grab my car keys from the key rack and close the door behind me. I have no idea what's going to happen tonight, I haven't gone out in a while. I do go to Gunners parties a lot, but not to drink like I used to. I go to hangout with the guys and some girls if I get lucky, which is usually always.

Ryder's place is about five minutes from mine, minus the traffic. Our apartment buildings are only a few miles apart. We did that on purpose as soon as we graduated high school, but we quickly drifted apart. So much for that.

I pull into his parking lot. His place is a lot nicer then mine, he's Gunners roommate. Like I said, he lives off of other peoples money. Gunners parents pay for the damn place, so of course it's completely gorgeous. They have a large fountain at the entrance and flowers on every door step. It makes me hate them even more.

I walk up to his door on the first floor and open it without knocking. He never locks his damn door.

"What's up man? Haven't seen you in a while," Ryder says as he greets me. I glance over at the living room to see Gunner sitting on the couch with his legs crossed on the coffee table. He has a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Pathetic.

"Nothing much," I answer him and go straight to the kitchen. I need water.

"Your face looks pretty busted, bro," he eyes my cuts and bruises. "You need stitches for that or something?"

"No," I say, "If I do, I don't care." I shrug as a gulp down a cold water bottle.

"You alright, man?" He asks as he playfully pats my shoulder. Am I? No. Will I tell him that? No.

"Fine," I give him a quick answer and down some more water. I don't want to be in the same room as Gunnner, I know he's going to start shit with me. Ryder knows that too, he just likes to antagonize a problem. That's why he's in such a good mood, he likes when there's conflict that's he's not a part of.

He peaks his head out into the living room and mumbles something to Gunner, but I can't hear it. I hear Gunners voice say something, and Ryder grabs his keys from the table. "You ready?" He asks me.

"I guess," I answer as I finish the rest of the water bottle. I downed that thing in a matter of seconds.

"Who's driving?" I ask as I eye the car keys in Ryder's hand. There's no way I'm getting in his car, that asshole hasn't been sober for months. He'll be shit faced by eight.

"I will," he tells me, and I shake my head.

"No, I am," I say, and take his keys out of his hand. I throw them back on the kitchen table and take mine out of my pocket.

"Cmon, man, you always drive," I hear Ryder complain from behind me. Gunner stays silent.

"Yeah," I sarcastically laugh, "And you always drink. Shut up and get in my car," I demand him. I've spent so many nights driving his car back home because of his irresponsible behavior. I sound like a goddamn dad, but it's true. I'm not in the mood to deal with his drunk ass in his car.

"What's up Hayden?" I hear Gunners voice say. I choose to stay silent as I exit the apartment.

"What, you're not going to talk to me? What's your problem man?" He continues. I hear Ryder try to calm him down behind me.

"Just shut up and get in the goddamn car," I spit at the both of them. I can tell this isn't going to go well tonight, and I regret giving into Ryder's request for me to come with them.