Flatline

how did love become so violent?

How would someone react to something like this? How is someone supposed to be okay after the person they trusted ripped all security and happiness from their relationship? How is someone supposed to trust their surroundings ever again after such a terrifying experience somewhere they were supposed to be safe? How is someone supposed to love themself after their body caused them to be hurt like that?

Hayley had never been through something like this. Over the years in the media she had been sexualised and not taken seriously because she was a woman, but this was completely different. None of those people really knew her, but Lukas did. Well, he knew a version of her. He knew Hayley: a woman who loves to have fun and will do anything to distract herself from her broken heart.

This wasn't untrue. That is who she was to him, and it's more than the media could ever understand her to be.

The media knew nothing of hers and Taylor's break up, although fans were realising she had been spotted with Lukas on multiple occasions, they were set on Hayley and Taylor. She didn't want to disappoint, but she would have to let them know some way. The fans were already theorising on what was going on and Hayley had been silent about it. When Art + Friends was cancelled, she used an excuse of 'complications in the process' which could've meant anything really.

She kept seeing people questioning why she was always being seen with one person and absolutely nothing with Taylor. Zac had ignored all questions regarding the two. He knew both of them were in horrible places right now, and he wouldn't make it worse.

The comments were becoming overwhelming for Hayley. So she decided to just get it over with. She sat in front of her phone, just wanting to get it over with, so she poured her heart out in her notes.

I wasn't going to do this but all I'm seeing is questions about it. Taylor and I aren't together anymore. A+F was cancelled because none of us were in the right place to be performing. That guy you keep taking photos of me with is not my new boyfriend or rebound or whatever you call it. He was a friend that comforted me that I am no longer in contact with. Please stop commenting about him and please stop commenting about Taylor. I understand you want to know but we need time to work through our shit.

It was blunt. Very blunt and harsh, but she put it up anyway, wanting to calm the tension. It seemed to have to opposite effect, because in the next few hours, she was getting calls from friends and family, the bands manager, and Taylor and Zac. She ignored all of them, texts shooting in after each of their calls were ignored. Most asking if she was okay about the break up.

Zac came over too, looking very concerned. He was beginning to feel overwhelmed by stress with carrying the band now.

"I don't know why everyone's so concerned," She told Zac, making herself some water.

"Maybe because your statement or whatever you want to call it was really harsh and everyone knows you to be the one to say we'll be okay,"

"Well maybe things won't be okay!" She suddenly yelled, taking Zac by surprise. "Maybe we all deserve some fucking privacy right now!"

Zac took a sharp breathe in. "We chose this life, remember? You can't take this out on them. We knew what we were getting ourselves into," he followed Hayley as she stormed into her living room, lost for words.

"I—I just..." Zac waited for her response, ready to slap some sense into her. "How am I supposed to be okay, Zac?" His readiness faded as he heard the emotion that filled her voice.

"How am I supposed to...to live normally again? I feel like...like..." she put her hands over her face, trying to decide whether to tell him how much she hated herself for getting into a situation like that. He sat down next to her, predicting what it was about.

"Is this about Lukas?" She knew what he meant  and although any other time she would've denied it to come off strong, she couldn't do it this time.

"I just don't understand. He was good," Zac allowed Hayley to cry into his shoulder, not realising it had effected her so badly. "I told him what happened and he apologised—"

"You've seen him since then?" He asked. She nodded.

"He came to pick up some stuff and I needed to get my stuff from his. God, Zac. I just...I feel so disgusting every time I think about it," he honestly didn't know what to say.

"When are you going to call the police?" He said quietly. Hayley shook her head.

"I already told him I wouldn't—"

"Who gives a shit what he wants? He's an asshole. It'll make you feel better,"

"But the fans, Z. There isn't any proof it even happened. If he even did get arrested we would have to go through some really public trial and I don't think I would manage with all our fans knowing,"

"You have Taylor and I. People at the party. It's not a lot but if that's what he's like when he's drunk, then what about his next girlfriend? What if he's done it before and the other girls are just waiting for someone to speak up against him?" They stared at each other, Hayley nodding.

"Okay. Okay, I'll do it,"

—

When Taylor was asked to come in to the police station, he was feeling very nervous. No exact reason, but he was proud of Hayley for speaking up.

"So you got the door open, what was she wearing when you got in?" He thought this to be a strange question, but answered anyway.

"She was just in her bra and skirt, but why—"

"Zac pulled him off while you consoled her, then she ran away?" He remembered seeing her like that, so upset and shaken, but knew he was going to do whatever he could to help her. He nodded to the question.

"Do you know why she didn't go straight to the police then?"

"I don't know, maybe she just needed some time to process what happened," the officer didn't write anything more down.

"Did you know she saw him twice after that night?" That took Taylor by surprise. He didn't think she'd be able to see him again. He shook his head.

"She's not the villain in this," Taylor commented, feeling as if that's what he was making her out to be.

"No, I know. We just need to have every detail to make sure we don't wrongfully press charges," the officer lead him back into the waiting area where Zac was. He didn't cross paths with Hayley while he was there, staying with Zac almost the entire time.

"Where's Hayley?" He asked Zac quietly.

"They took her to the hospital for some exam a few hours ago," Zac Responded, looking around. "How are you doing?"

Taylor sighed. "I hate knowing that Hayley is going through this, but ever since we started making music again, things have been good," Taylor actually managed to smile at Zac, making Zac feel slightly better in this horrible situation.