Fly Away To Chicago (Completed)

Chapter Twelve- Cleaning Up

I smile & run towards the bridge when I see Tyler standing in the middle. I missed him today. I reach it & walk quickly to join him.

He sees me & he smiles slightly, but I can tell something is troubling him. It worries me.

I get to the middle & stand there quietly in silence waiting for him to start. It's an anxious, tension filled silence that has me on edge. After minutes of anxiety filled silence he clears his throat & begins.

He looks at me & his eyes bore into mine. "Hayden I've thought about everything you told me & I've made a decision. I considered every factor, big & small. This is hard to say, but I can't be with you. I have trust issues as it is & it just won't work. Besides you're here for you. Maybe, if you give me time, we can try again, but for now I just can't do it. I still want to be there for you & hang out, but romantically it just won't work. Please don't be upset. It's better for both of us." He says sadly.

He heart breaks a little. I care about Tyler. I thought he could be my new start. To do things over, but right. I thought maybe I could do a relationship the right way, but I guess not. Maybe it isn't meant to be.

I frown and nod. "I get it." I say lowly with my gaze downcast.

Suddenly his hands are on my cheeks & he forces me to look him in the eye. He bores into my own, his eyes hard.

"This isn't gonna be easy. I don't want to do this, but it's better this way. Maybe we can try again in a while. I just can't right now. I'm sorry." He says & he releases me.

I look back at him & nod. "I know. I agree." I say.

He frowns & drapes an arm over my shoulder. I glance at him sideways. "Let's go home." He says & we walk home together.

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Bennett greets us from the kitchen & we join him. Tyler & Bennett talk as I sit there sipping on a glass of orange juice. What can I say? OJ is bae.

Then I hear a loud bang & Zack, Mark, & Caden come in. I greet them happily & Zack scowls before walking away. I sigh & follow him.

Just one more mess to clean.

I follow him upstairs & knock on his door. He grumbles a "come in." & I enter. He frowns at me.

"Why are you here? I told you not to look or talk to me." He snaps.

I shake it off. No need to get him mad. "I want to fix things. I'm sorry I slapped you, but you were being rude. Also Tyler & I are ok now. We aren't together, but we're gonna be friends. We worked it out & I've never been more sorry for what I've done. Please forgive me." I say & my eyes water a little.

Zack frowns, but nods. "Ok. Ok, I get it." He says.

My heart lifts & I smile at him. "Really?" I ask.

He nods & smiles at me. "I was mostly mad cause you hurt him, but I guess we're cool now." He says & looks into my eyes. "But if you ever smack me again I'm not gonna forgive you this easily. That shit pisses me off. Im sorry what I said about you though." He says & frowns slightly.

I smile. "It's ok. I made you angry. It was my fault. I'm just glad we're ok now." I say.

He nods & smiles. "So, you wanna go to Taco Bell & then hit up Walmart for some new games?" He asks.

I nod frantically. "Yes! That'd be awesome! Do you wanna invite Jackson & Tyler?" I ask.

He nods & rolls his eyes. "Obviously." He says sarcastically.