Hayden's Shelter

Chapter 10- Hayden & The Sunrise

+'+'+ We all have a Hunger +'+'+

I get home and lock the door then immediately put my phone on do not disturb. I text my mom and tell her I'm going to nap then I go take a shower and scrub the batting cage and bad feelings off of me. I scrub extra where Jessica touched my arm. I feel super dramatic and immature, but this sucks.

My 16th birthday and Tank won't be there. He'll be off in a tuxedo and probably take one of those stupid hummer limos to Jessica's cotillion. I don't even know what all that entails, but it sounds fancy and I never ever want to go to one.

I dry myself off and walk to my bedroom with the towel around my waist. Mom's texted me back. She knows that me saying I'm going to nap means I am not feeling well.

Scary Momster: Are you sick? What's wrong honey? What happened?

[Missed Call from Scary Momster]

[Missed Call from Scary Momster]

[1 New Voicemail from Scary Momster]

Me: Life sucks and I'm not even going to have a birthday party because Tank is going to a cotillion with some ugly girl and they'll get married and have eight ugly babies.

Scary Momster: I'm sorry, baby. I'm planning on surprising you with a trip back home that weekend for fireworks and a party with your friends. I guess he won't be coming with us. I'm so sorry, love. I wish I could make it better.

Me: Thanx, mo-mo. Gonna lie down and watch some stuff. Love you.

Scary Momster: Love you too. I'll pick up Chinese food and we'll watch a movie and talk about evil girls and why they are hurting my sweet baby boy. :)

Me: That! All of that! 100!

I put in my airpods and see that Tank has sent me two texts. I don't open them. I'm being a baby and I know it. I watch clips of animals doing funny stuff until I fall asleep.

+++

For the second time that day I wake up to find Tank hovering over me. This time he's sitting on my bed and rubbing my back. I'm on my side hugging the pillow with my phone propped up beside me. I look up and he's giving me those sad puppy eyes.

"I should have known your birthday. Total fail. I'm sorry." He looks so upset with himself.

"It's fine. My mom's planning a party for me in California that weekend anyway. She says I can invite someone else," I tell him. She didn't say that, but I want him to be as hurt as I am. I am a huge baby. I am not sorry about it.

"You were going to take me? That would be awesome!" he says. His face does a quick switch from sad to happy then down to crestfallen when he realizes I'll be off without him.

"Maybe Aaron will want to go," I say and instantly realize I've gone too far. His jaw clenches and I can hear him grind his teeth. 

"Please don't," he whispers. He pushes his fingers through my hair then swipes his thumb across my forehead. "Please. I know you're pissed at me and I am the worst person on earth right now, but please not him."

I roll onto my back and stare up at him. We look at each other, not sure how to fix this.

"Hayden," he inhales like the word is stuck in his throat. I reach over and put a hand on his abs. I pull him over me. He falls against my chest and laughs.