That Pivotal Moment

Chapter 10

Gabby

What am I doing? What am I doing? If I asked myself that one more time, I was going to freak out. Well, freak out more than I currently am. I should have never agreed to visit Hayden at the hospital. I should have never even gone to that bonfire. Hell, maybe my first mistake was getting drunk enough that I made out with him. Then we kissed again. And again. Ugh. What is wrong with me? I can't get involved with anyone. Especially someone like Hayden.

When I turned fifteen my dad made it clear that if I got involved with anybody, I would be sorry. And he proved that when I tried to sneak a date with a boy named Tony. My dad got angry and used his belt on me. It wasn't the first time he beat me, and I knew it wouldn't be the last. So, I went to school and did everything I could to not make him angry.

Which brings me to where I am now. Pacing back and forth at Bonfire Pointe, waiting for Hayden-Fucking-Price. I did not imagine I would ever be talking to Hayden Price, let alone anything else. Truth was, I didn't want to stay away from him. I couldn't explain it, but there was almost a pull I felt when he was around. Not to mention, he was on my mind constantly.

He seemed to quiet the demons in my head, and I wanted them gone forever. Was that too much to ask for? I guess so. I had Alex to worry about and Hayden showing up at my place was not a good thing. Thank god, Alex was able to make sure Hayden didn't ask for me. Who knows what could have happened?

Which is why I needed to tell Mr. Golden Boy that I can't see him around anymore. We can't talk, we DEFINITELY can't kiss, and he can't come to my place. That was over. Nothing was more important than my brother's safety. Alex is lucky our father never laid a hand on him. If he had, I would have put him in jail already.

God, what am I going to do with my life? Seriously, I can't keep living like this. It's not what my mom would have wanted.

Now that I think about it, she actually would have liked Hayden. They had similar personalities and would probably have gotten along. Forget it, Gabby. Yeah, there was no future for Hayden and I.

***

Hayden

As Brad drove off, I headed towards the secluded area where I was with Gabby that night. The memory of that night came to my mind instantly. The way she kissed me and responded to me. Even though something terrible happened with Alex, I will never forget kissing her that night.

I continued to make my way through the empty park. There wasn't anyone usually here at this time. Just some kids playing catch with their dads or throwing the Frisbees. It took me a few minutes to find Gabby. She was pacing back and forth with a cigarette in her hand.

She must have been deep in thought and didn't notice when I approached her. "Hey."

She stopped and walked towards me. "Why did you go to my house?"

Right to the point. Nice. "I needed to talk to you."

"Yeah, that's what Alex said. But you have no idea what you could have done. You shouldn't have gone there."

"I just wanted to apologize for what I said at the hospital. I was pissed off about something else and I took it out on you."

She threw out her cigarette and said, "Fine. You're forgiven. But you can't go back there again, Hayden. Promise me."

The fact that she rarely used my name made me worry. "What's going on there, Gabby?"

"It's none of your business. Just promise me."