Its Not Living (If Its Not With You)

¹5

A few days later, New Years Eve

Clay had stayed at Hannah's house the whole week. They had been having a great time, and now they were looking forward to a new year and a fresh start. The Bakers decided to bring Clay and Hannah out for something to eat on New Years Eve to thank Clay for the money, so they went to Rosie's. Even though Olivia wanted to go somewhere else, Andy assured her it was for their daughter and her boyfriend.

They got into the car at 6 o clock after a few hours of composing and songwriting. Clay would be going home the next night so they wanted to make the most out of their time together.

When they went in and ordered their food, they sat down in an empty booth. There was no one from school there, thank God. They chatted as they drank their milkshakes. When their food came, they saw a few familiar faces walking in.

Bryce Walker, Justin Foley, Marcus Cole and Zach Dempsey.

Hannah was disappointed to see to see Zach with them. She always thought Zach was an OK enough guy. She wasn't too sure about Marcus, but something seemed very sneaky about him. Justin, who was Bryce's best friend, was bad, but an angel compared to Bryce.

"Hey, Baker! Jensen! Meeting the parents?", Bryce said, giving them both rough pats on the back.

"I've met them plenty of times. Go away, Bryce.", Clay said, trying not to lose his temper in front of the Bakers, after all they had done for him.

"Oh, come on, brother! We're friends, right?", Bryce said, trying to get in beside Hannah, Clay blocking him.

"I'm not your brother and I'm not your friend. Now, go sit with your buddies and talk about the upcoming season or stuff that Liberty High jocks talk about.", Clay said, his cheeks starting to go red because he remembered the Bakers were there.

"If you guys want, we can go somewhere else, and you guys can talk with your friends.", Mrs Baker said, as she got up.

"No, Mom, they're not our-", Hannah said, but her parents were already gone.

They sighed, and the jocks sat down at another table, while Bryce sat beside Hannah, despite her and Clay's efforts to get him away from her. He put his hand on her knee.

"You know, its alright to cheat every once in a while, when its with the right person.", he whispered into her ear, making her very uncomfortable.

"Uh, what are you doing?", she asked, panicking a bit while Clay carefully tried to take Bryce's hand away from her, failing.

"Want me to get you a milkshake, Baker?", he asked her, moving his hand further up.

"No. Get away from me.", Hannah said, feeling tears welling up in her eyes.

"Just relax, Baker. Just having some fun.", he whispered, moving his hand further up.

"GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME!"

"GET THE FUCK OFF OF HER!"

Clay and Hannah each pushed him off the seat, and Justin and Marcus came to pick him up.

"What the fuck, Baker?", they said.

"Yeah, trying to finger her while her parents are just over there, definition of innocence!", Clay said, growing angrier by the second.

"No need to worry, Jensen. I'll get her someday, and I'll deal with you first, and she'll have the time of her life.", Bryce said, the evilness becoming ever so clear.

The jocks turned and left, leaving Hannah and Clay alone. Clay looked behind him, and saw no sign of the Bakers. They must've left when their "friends" arrived. He sat down beside Hannah, who was shaking and crying.

"Hey, Little Baker, they're gone.", he said, putting his hand on hers and wiping a tear from her cheek with the other, but getting no answer.

"Do you want to go home?", he asked, to which Hannah nodded her head.

He remembered that Olivia had given him the keys of the car to hold while she was paying, and he forgot to give them back. 

"OK. Do you want to wash off in the bathroom?", he asked her, and she nodded again.

He helped her out of her seat and she walked to the bathroom. Clay sighed and sat back down, and he saw Zach walking out the door. They met eyes before he left, Clay feeling confused as to why he was still there after his friends left.

When Hannah into the bathroom to wash herself, she looked at herself in the mirror. The tearstained face, the messy hair, the shaking hands, the look of violation.

"What the fuck is happening to me?", she whispered to herself.

She put water over herself, ruining the small bit of makeup she had on, but not caring. She rearranged her jacket she had gotten from Clay and her hair, and walked out to him. He stood up.

"Are you ready to go?", he said, putting an arm around her comfortingly.

"Yes.", she said, giving him a small smile.

They walked out the door and saw Hannah's parents outside, chatting. They noticed Hannah's upset face.

"Honey, are you alright?", Olivia said, almost running up to her.

"I'm fine, just had a bit of an argument with the guys. I'm alright now.", she said, giving them a smile, but knowing deep down that she wasn't alright.

She hadn't told them that Clay had given her counselling money, because she wasn't ready to tell them the truth.

The 4 of them drove home, Mr and Mrs Baker chatting away but Hannah and Clay staying silent.

A few hours later, 23:45

"Helmet. Helmet!"

Clay woke up to Hannah shaking him awake. He straightened himself up.

"What time is it, Hannie?", he asked her.

"15 minutes to 2017. Want to start it the right way?", she said, wiggling her car keys she had in her hands.

Clay smiled at her.

"OK. Just let me get dress-", he started, before getting interrupted.

"Don't worry about that Helmet. Just throw on your shoes and we'll head off now.", Hannah said with a smirk.

Clay smiled again and put on his shoes and met Hannah outside 5 minutes later.

"So, Hannah, what exactly is the plan?", he asked her when they were both in the car.

"Oh, my curious little Helmet, you'll see.", she said, starting the car.

5 minutes later, 23:55

They drove a bit out of town and they found themselves at a park. It was full, but Hannah parked near it.

"What is this, Hannah?", Clay asked her, growing curious.

"It's currently", she checked her phone, "5 minutes to 2017, and the  countdown will be starting soon. When it gets to 1, I'll switch on the stereo, and whichever song comes on will be the song that'll define next year."

Clay smiled at her, liking that idea.

A few minutes later, 23:59:55

"IN 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"

Hannah switched on the stereo, and Anobrain by The 1975 started playing.

"HAPPY 2017 EVERYONE!"

Hannah and Clay looked at each other.

"Oops, we're screwed.", Clay said jokingly.

The two of them laughed, not even thinking it could be the beginning of the end.