After trying to call Harvey, he didn't answer my calls or my texts.
After overthinking things far too much, I finally fell into an uncomfortable sleep.
Things didn't get better by the next morning.
I waited on my front porch for fifteen minutes and Hayden never arrived. He too, ignored my calls and texts. Letting out an exasperated sigh, I hurried to school, knowing that I was late for practice.
Walking into the locker room, I poke my head through the door to see the team lined up at the deep end of the pool. I'm not sure if I felt relieved or not when I noticed Hayden wasn't there. I guess I would have been confused if he was and hadn't picked me up.
Deciding to skip practice, considering Coach would either harass the crap out of me or ignore my presence anyway, I went back out to the lockers, trying to call Hayden again.
With no luck, I took the time to go for a walk around school to clear my head before lessons started.
An hour or so later, I was on my way to my locker, when I heard him.
"You fucking bitch," I heard Hayden growl.
My mouth fell open as I saw him stride up to Mia.
"What?" she shrieked, her eyes widening as she stared up at Hayden. I am surprised to see the usual cold look her eyes often held had been exchanged with fear.
I have never seen him look so tense in his life. The veins in his arms are protruding from his skin and his jaw clenching and unclenching. I edge towards the scene, curious to know what thisias about.
A small crowd had gathered to watch.
"You think you can mess with me and get away with it?" he snarled, his fists balling at his sides. "It was bad enough you sent me photos the first time but now that I'm happy with Grace, you're trying to manipulate me again?"
"I'm trying to help you!" she hissed and I felt my heart clench inside my chest.
"It's clearly not Grace in those photos," he snapped, his voice thick with venom as he had her pinned against the lockers. She looked so small and innocent, against his 6ft and well-built frame.
The photos... She sent him the photos.
I place a hand on my chest, feeling light headed.
She sent him the photos.
Thinking back to them, my dark hair covered most of my face. To me, it is beyond obvious that it was Ashton and I in the photos... but to someone else, they could mistake me for Carrie.
I'm guessing that Hayden has done exactly that.
Guilt gripped me so intensely that I felt sick to my core.
I should have just told him. I should have ignored what he said and just told him. I was lying to myself, thinking he would be better off not knowing. Too many people knew my secret.
I am so stupid.
"They're her Hayden!" she screamed. "She has been lying to you! When are you going to get it?"
"When are yougoing to get it?" he screamed even louder, before projecting his fist into the locker beside her head.
I cringe away at the sound as I see the genuine fear in her eyes. I have never heard or seen Hayden act like this. I felt compelled to help her but I am frozen to the ground. A massive dent now laid in the locker, in line with Mia's face.
"I fucking hate your guts Mia."
Tears began to stream down her face. "I'm trying to help you, you ass!"
She began sobbing. An enraged growl tore from his throat as he raised his hand to hit the locker again. As I saw this, I rush forward and push Hayden back, standing between him and Mia.
"Put your hand down," I snapped at him, trying to get him to see how much he is scaring her. When he stood stock-still, his hand still trembling, I continued. "Hayden, you're scaring her."
He blinked slowly, as if coming out of a trance. His hand fell limply to his side as he took a step back.
"She's trying to get between us, Grace."
"She's telling the truth," I told him quietly, my voice coming out stronger than I thought it would. "Just calm down, okay? I need to explain something to you."
"No," he said hoarsely, his eyes glistening. "You better not say what I think you're going to."
Swallowing, I move so that Mia isn't pinned anymore.
"Mia, go," I told her and she scurried away as fast as she could, throwing herself at Leisel as she began to cry.
Turning my attention back to Hayden, I look into his eyes, feeling like the worst person in the world.
"I tried to tell you Hayden," I whispered, my eyes burning with unshed tears. "You told me not to say-"
"Don't," he snarled, his jaw clenching and it almost looked painful. "Don't try and turn this back on me. I thought it was a student. Hell, I thought it was Harvey!"
Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I held my hands out. "Let me explain-"
"Fuck you," he snapped, before stalking away from me.
A gasp left my lips at his words as I watch him retreat from school. I lean back on the lockers, blinking back tears as everyone is silent, watching me.
"The show is over," I screamed, throwing my hands in the air as everyone continued to stand, gawking at me like I was some ancient artefact in a museum. They were probably trying to figure out who he was talking about.
They all looked between each other, before going about their day. Leisel sent me a small, sympathetic smile as she led Mia away.
Pushing myself from the lockers, I bolt out the doors, seeing Hayden getting into his Ute.
"Hayden!" I called out, my voice thick with tears as they poured down my face.
As fast as he got in the car, he got out again, his face a dark red as he turned to face me. Tears stained his cheeks and I felt my heart skip a beat. Oh God.
"I hate you," he spat. "You're worse than Carrie. You lied to my face, made me fall for you, acted like you were different-"
"Listen to me! The thing with Ashton was only brief and nothing serious happened. A few kisses and make out sessions. Nothing more! I didn't cheat on you because if you don't remember, you hated me then! You and all your "friends" were cruel to me and I had no one but him. So don't you dare act like the victim here."
A scream-like sound left his lips as he turned, sending his fist into the passenger side window, cracking the glass.
"You're driving me fucking mental Grace!" he screamed, tugging at his hair. "You made me fall for you. You made me... Fuck!"
Sobs left my lips as I watch him blindly hit his car. I am a complete and utter mess as I watch his anger implode.
"I didn't lie to you, Hayden," I choked out. "I tried to tell you, you asked me not to."
"You should have told me Grace," he whispered, his voice changing so drastically, so quickly. I hardly heard him as he looked at me, a pained expression on his face. "You were meant to be different."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know anything about Carrie at that point. It was a stupid, freaking coincidence. I promise I didn't sleep with him - what we had is over. I want you Hayden. I want only you."
"It's a bit late now, don't you think?" he bit out.
"No," I said to him, approaching him cautiously. "Despite finding out this way, we still have such strong feelings for each other. Don't let this change that. I can't change the mistakes I've made in the past. I can't help that he is here every day. I was dumb and stupid but you're helping me make better decisions. You're making me a better, happier person Hayden."
He ran his hands over his face roughly, leaning back against his car.
I reach out, running my hands down his bruised and bloody knuckles. Surprisingly, he didn't jerk away.
"I know Carrie hurt you and I don't want to be like her. I'm not like her. I would never cheat on you. You have to know how sorry I am."
"How do I know you're not like Carrie?" he asked, his voice making my heart drop into my stomach. "You look like her, have the same taste in guys..."
"I wouldn't do to you what she did."
"Why are you so sure?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.
"Because..." I said softly, my eyes pleading as I waited for him to look back at me. "I think I'm in love with you."
He froze. He peered through the gaps of his fingers.
"What?"
"I think I'm in love with you," I whispered, wiping my cheeks. "That's why I was so scared to tell you. I got to see how great things are being with you. I didn't want to lose that."
I watch his Adam's apple bob up and down as he dropped his hands to his side.
We stared at each other, for an excruciatingly long time, before he spoke.
"This is too much," he whispered. "I can't... I have to go."
"Hayden," I sobbed, reaching for him. "Please don't."
He shook off my hand, before sliding into his car.
"You made your bed," he said to me in a quiet, sad tone that left me breathless. "Now you have to lie in it."
With that, he tore out of the school car park, leaving me all alone.
Which is exactly what Ashton said would happen.