WRONG NUMBER // C.L ( #wattys2019 ) EDITING

34

"Ugh why is it so awkward between us now?" Rush asked no one in particular, throwing his hands up in the air. "I'm still me, I'm still Rush. I didn't me to hurt any of you. Why can't we just turn the page?"

"Well Rush we still happen to be stuck on the chapter where you decided to leave us for the two-facers." Hayden glared, his arms crossed over his chest. He was sitting on one of the folding chairs, in between Matt and Eric, who were both on the edge not wanting Carson or Hayden to do anything unexpected, while Greg was beside Rush.

"Are you for real, Hayden," Rush grounded I felt like i didn't fit in. I wasn't happy in our friends group, but i'm happier now can't you see that?"

"Yeah, but now we're all down in the dumps." Hayden pouted, throwing his head back in frustration.

"How is it my fault?" Rush shot back, running his hand through his hair. "I mean, i get-"

"How is it your fucking fault?" Hayden yelled, shocked that Rush was acting so clueless, getting angrier. He then closed his eyes and tried to calm his breathing. "You know what? I'm going to pretend i'm totally not annoyed by you for the next two days... only because i want Brooke to have a nice time. I'm doing it for Brooke."

As if on cue, Carson and Brooke came into view, both holding huge piles of wood.

"What are you doing for me, curly?" Brooke asked, dropping the wood on the ground.

"Nothing, don't worry bout it B." He shrugged sending her a smile.

"Alright, well, it's starting to get dark, so we should try to start some sort of fire," Carson said. "And it won't be me , because i've done way too much today."

"You collected wood," Eric squinted his eyes. "You did, like, the least amount of work today."

"Oh yeah? And what did you do, pretty boy?" Carson raised an eyebrow obviously joking with him.

"Brooke i will be in our tent." Carson announced, pointing to the tent that looked like it was the best built.

"Wait, that's Greg and-"

"Do you really want Brooke to sleep in a poorly made tent and possibly die?" Carson cut off Hayden, arms crossed over his chest.

"How would she-" Hayden stopped sighing. "You're using my soft spot for Brooke against me."

"Did it work?" Carson asked.

"Yes," Hayden nodded, stepping forward to kiss Brooke's forehead. "I don't want you to die, so you can have the better tent."

"Hayden, i wasn't gonna-"

Hayden put a finger to her lips. "Shh, it's okay. Go enjoy the better tent."

"You guys are way too dramatic for my liking." Brooke groaned, stomping to the tent Carson and her would be sharing.

"Who am i going to be sharing with?" Rush suddenly piped up.

"Uh, no one," Greg shrugged. "We're all paired up."

"How come?" Rush questioned, furrowing his eyebrows in question.

Brooke strained to hear from where she was, already in the tent. Carson has stopped walker to her, frozen in his spot. He turned around and his eye twitched as he looked at Rush. Rush looked hurt and it made Carson pause, he didn't want to make Rush feel bad. But at the same time he did. He wanted him to feel the way they all felt when Rush left them for some other two-faced people. He wanted him to feel hurt, upset and lonely, but there was something about Rush you could never replace. He brought character to this group. He was always the happy, upbeat, cheerful one. Seeing him like this hurt Carson.

"Maybe it's because your arrival wasn't in our plans," Carson responded. It was as if it was only Rush and Carson our in the woods. The tension could have been cut with a knife. "Just like you just leaving all of us."

"Cars i-"

"Don't call me that!" Carson growled, standing up straighter. "You lost that privilege a long time ago."

"Fine," he sighed. "Carson you know if i was happy, i would've stayed."

"Then why weren't you happy? didn't you like us? didn't you like the way we acted, because we're definitely not two-faced."

"That is all absolutely shit. I wish nothing changed, i love all of you guys and nothing can replace you all."

"It's hard for me to believe you when you constantly contradict yourself, Rush," Carson whispered, feeling defeated. "I wish it could be like the old time."

"It can be." Rush assured him, stepping closer.

Carson took a step back, shaking his head. "No, it can't be. And i'm sorry."

With that, Carson turned around and jogged the rest of the way to his tent, leaving Rush upset and the others stood there, admiration towards again radiating off of them.

"I'm so glad he didn't cave." Matt mumbled, receiving nods in agreement from everyone else, including Rush.

-
A/N
It's getting a bit heated on the camping trip!!

I can't believe we're so close to the end of this story. I've loved updating it and seeing all of your guys reactions. it really means a lot to me

What do you thinks going to happen in the next chapter?

Neve x