The Photo Project (#Wattys2014)

32: That Stupid Photo Project

So hello there! This is the last chapter of TPP, but there will be an Epilogue after this. I'm sad to see this go, because I've been working on this story for a while, but, it's a good thing! I feel like I can do better as a writer, and that this story should now be left the way it is so that I can go on and write other things. I've kept to this writing system because it's what I used when I was a new-bee, starting out. But now, I feel that my writing potential is greater, and I can't wait to go on more adventures and write. I may be taking a small break from wattpad, to write on Fanfiction, just so I can learn better techniques of writing, and then I'll come back here, where all the big shots are, haha. But anyway, I just really want to thank every single one of you, even you silent readers, for reading what I wrote. I didn't even expect to get past 200 reads, and now I'm at 8,269, AND, I made Humor list a few times, which is just amazing for me. I love you all so much, and I'm so glad you were here to go on this journey with me. If it weren't for the number of reads going up, I wouldn't have continued with this story, mainly because I wasn't sure I could do it. So thank you, so so much, for sticking around. Thank you for sticking around with the totally chiche story that is The Photo Project.

I've kept you long enough, so get on with the story, haha.

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"Don't let me go." I whisper when his arms start to loosen around me.

He chuckles lightly and I can picture him rolling his eyes, and tightens his arms around me.

"Hayden?"

"Hm?"

"He didn't actually get to me.. I made it up, hoping, as a last resort, it would help you remember me."

I hear him sigh heavily and his arms pull away. He looks down at me and rubs his thumb along my cheek, rubbing away the make up.

"Thank you.

"Wait, what?" He's thanking me for making him believe Chase hurt me?

"Even though it was wrong of you, it made me remember, Isobel."

I smile slightly and nuzzle my head back into his chest, holding him tightly.

"Sheesh you've got a grip." He hisses out.

"Oh my God, Hayden, I'm sorry!" I quickly let go and look up at him nervously.

"It's fine. I'm just healing still.." He trails off and furrows his eyebrows.

"I don't want you to ever, ever cut because of me again, understood?"

"I'm sorry.. It;s just that.." Should I tell him his dad told me he was dead?.. I should..

"It's just that... That.. Well, you see. The aliens came back! They came back and they probed me, and they aren't pink anymore, they're purple now, but that's not the point, the point is that they told me that if I don't cut, they would kill all of human race, so of course, I would cut myself to help the citizens of the world, yah know? Like, I didn't want them dying because I couldn't bring myself to do it! That would be insane."

Coward. My brain mocks and I roll my eyes.

"Ooooorrrrrr.. My father called you and told you that I was dead."

My mouth falls open and I gape, looking for words to say.

"Errrmm.. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa?"

"My mom told me, she heard him talking to you that day, and so she told me a while ago. Of course, I didn't understand the significance of it then, but now I do. That asshole."

"I'm sorry, Hayden.."

"Can we go back to my room? I'd like to sit down."

I nod and grab his arm, walking with him to his room.

"I'm so glad you're back." I whisper to him as he lies down.

He motions for me to sit by him and I do, smiling down at him.

"So am I, not knowing who you were was driving me crazy."

I lay down next to him and stare into his eyes. "Chase came to my room when I was staying here."

"What do you mean? What?"

"I made them take him out, but he made it sound like things weren't over.."

He sighs and shakes his head, closing his eyes. "We'll deal with it when the day comes then, because I'm not wasting a second with you again."

"You were such an idiot, you almost died."

"Isobel.. I would rather die a thousand times before I wake up, only to know you won't be there because you're dead. I love you too much to have let you get hurt, so I don't regret it, and I'd do it a hundred times over."

Tears fill my eyes and I sniffle. "Yep. You really are stupid."

He chuckles and rolls his eyes, pulling me closer to him.

And I'd never felt happier than in that moment.

If it weren't for The Photo Project, I wouldn't have met Hayden, I would still be with Chase and his abuse. I would be depressed still, I wouldn't have this overwhelming happiness inside of me.

I wouldn't change a thing, because if it weren't for those moments, even the horrid ones, I wouldn't be in Hayden Arcane's arms, right now.

And it was all thanks to that stupid Photo Project.

Yes, it's short, but that's because I plan on making the epilogue long! If you didn't read the authors note on the top, please do so now.

THE PICTURE, is to the side, as always.