Stay Or Sing

Chapter 11 - Hayden

Rissa Pov

I pull into the parking lot of Hayden's apartment building. I need some time to myself to think all this over. Jase has already called me several times but I've been letting it go to voicemail. I know that if he tries to find me Justin and Lexi's place will be first on the list followed by my parents place. I'm sure he won't think to look for me here.

I knock on the door and wait. A few minutes later the door opens to a confused Hayden. "Rissa?" he asks. "What are you doing here?" I say "Hi Hayden." I look up at him taking in his blonde hair and smile that's quickly truns into a frown after taking in my appearance, "Wait Ris, have you been crying? Come in here!" He says pulling me into a hug as soon as I step in and I can't help but let it all out as I start crying into his chest.

He leads me over to his sofa as I try to get my tears in control. "Hey hey hey, don't cry Ris, I'm sure that whatever is going on can be sorted out. I'm here for you," he whispers comfortingly as he rubs my back.

After a couple of minutes my tears have subsided but the feeling of helplessness remains. "You ready to tell me what's going on?" he asks while handing me a tissue. I nod in reply, taking in a deep breath. Just then his phone rings, bring us out of the deafening silence that surrounds us.

It's Jason.

Hayden shoots me a quick look before reaching for the phone and answering it, "Hey mate. What's up?" He looks as me while listening to Jason speak. He can't know I'm here. "Rissa.." No! I start shaking my head no at Hayden and mouth the words please don't tell him. He sighs before carrying on, "No Jay, I haven't seen her. I'll let you know if she turns up here. Keep me posted and I'm sure everything will work out fine." He listens some more before saying his goodbyes.

Once he hangs up he looks at me and raises his eyebrow, "Rissa, you better tell me what the hell is going on right now. You know I'm here for you even though I feel horrible for lying to him now. What did he do? Did he cheat on you?" My eyes widen in shock at his assumption, "What? No! He didn't cheat on me. Or at least not that I know of. No, he wouldn't do that. It's not that. Well it's a long story."

"Then it's a good thing that we have the whole afternoon," he says expectantly waiting for me to start. I start explaining everything to him, from the song I wrote to Andrew coming and the record deal and finally to the whole thing about me leaving and the fight Jase and I had. "I just can't believe that he's making me choose. Music has always been my life. It's my passion, I'm nothing without it but Jase is my love. He's my soul mate. How do I choose?" I end off, getting choked up again. "Ris, I don't know what the hell is going on in his brain. He loves you and he shouldn't even ask you to choose between him and music. It's ridiculous! I -" he's cut off by the sound of my phone's ring tone. I look down and see that it's Jason.

I sigh, rubbing my forehead as I feel my head start to ache and decline the call."Hay, I need a favor from you. I completely understand if you can't do this. I'll figure something else out. I can -" I ramble on not knowing how to ask him whdn he cuts me off with a small smile on his face. "Rissa. Just ask me. I told you before, I'm here for you. What do you need?"

"Is there anyway that I could stay here for a few days? I just really can't see him right now. I need to think all of this through. I feel hurt and betrayed. He promised to always be there for me and now he's basically asking me to give it up,"I say as the sense of hopelessness begins to consume me again. Hayden reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze, "Stay as long as you need to. It'll be just like when you and Justin used to come over,"he answers."Thank you so much Hay," I say giving him a hug.

"Just one question, Ris?" he says pulling away from me. "Hmm," I say in reply, looking up at him. "Why didn't you just go to Justin or Lexi? Or your parents place? Not that I mind you being here, I really don't. It's been quite quiet since Hayley left, but I would've thought that they'd be your first place to go." He's right. I could really use some girl time with Lex, and a hug from Justy but Jase would go there first. "Jase would look there first. I'm sure that he went there or at least called there before he called you just now. I can't see him yet. It's just too fresh. Even though he checked with you, I know that he won't just pop in here to see,"I answer.

"Oh, that makes sens-" he's cut off once again by my phone ringing again, this time it's Justin. I reach for it and Hayden gets up, "Answer it, I'll go make us something to drink."

Hayden was definitely the right choice. I've known him for almost 10 years and it's truly been so long since I've just stayed over here. My phone continues to ring and I take a deep breath before answering it.

"Rissa! Oh my word! Are you okay? Where the hell are you? Do you know how freaking worried we all are here!" shouts the voice of my best friend, instead of my cousin who I was expecting. I really wish I could get a hug from her or Justin right now. How do I tell them what's going on? Justin's going to kill Jase.

Jase.

If they were looking for me then they probably know what happened between Jase and I. Or they at least know that we had a fight.

The memory of him telling me to choose plays over and over again in my head and I shut my eyes in attempt to keep the tears at bay once again. "Rissa? Are you there?" Lexi says, now a bit more calmly.

"Lexi ," I say, my voice shaky as the tears threaten to fall. "Rissaaa. What's going on? Are you ok? Where are you?" she says softly, her voice filled with worry and concern. I take another deep breath trying to calm down, "I- I'm ok, physically anyway. If you want to know ask J- ask him," I say. She sighs before telling me that Justin wants to talk to me. Justin. He must be freaking out if he couldn't get ahold of me.

"Rissa! Where are you! Whats going on? Why didn't you come here? You know I'm here for you right? You're my little sister, Ris," he says. "Justin! I'm okay, don't worry about me, I'm okay. I'm going to be staying somewhere for a few days. I'm safe so please don't worry. You know why I couldn't come there. He's there. I knew he'd come to you. You know that you're the only one he's got. He needs you more than I do," I say. "Rissa, you're my sister, you come first! Just come here!" he shouts. "Justin, I'm fine. I love you. I have to go. I'll talk to you in a few days. Don't worry about me ok?" I say and hang up.

As soon as the call has ended I stop holding back and let the tears fall once again. Why did he have to do this to me? He promised me that he'd always help me and now he wants me to give up music, the one thing other than him that I truly love.

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Heyy guys!

Hope you'll enjoyed Chapter 11! Vote and comment, I'd love to hear what you guys think...

What did you'll think of our new character? Hayden!!!

As usual, see you next Monday with Chapter 12! Love you guys!

LSMusicLover 💜