Hayden's POV

I'm growing impatient as I wait for Isla and Lucas to finish talking. Late nights at the hospital are messing with my sleep, making me flustered. I'm also a little worried. I realized that I have feelings for Isla and my biggest threat is Lucas. I shouldn't have called her "Love" in front of him, but I did and now it's too late to do anything about it.

Lucas walks by us as he leaves Isla's room and heads toward the elevators. Kaira runs after him while Nick and I head back to Isla. We find Isla asleep on her hospital bed. She's so beautiful. Looking at her, I get pissed off that so many people have hurt her. I want to make each and every person pay for the pain they have caused her.

I walk over to her and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. I can't help, but to smile. "You like her, don't you?" Nick asks.

"Of course I do. She's a great friend," I say, trying to play it off like it was nothing more.

"Cut the crap," Nick snickers. "You like her more than just a friend. Admit it."

I shrug. "Just friends."

"You know I can see right through your lie. I've caught you calling her 'Love' twice now. Hell, even Lucas caught you calling her 'Love'. I thought he was going to kill you on the spot." He laughs. "You caught feelings for her."

I run my hand through my hair. "Fine. I do have feelings for her, okay? But I don't know how she feels about me and then there is also the little problem known as Lucas. He told me earlier when we went to get the coffees that he still loves her."

"My advice is if you really like her, then take a chance. What if she really likes you too? Probably better to go after her now while Lucas has fallen out of her grace."

"I know, but he was our best friend. I'd feel like I am betraying him."

"Hayden, you have to think about yourself for once. Plus, he screwed up by kissing that whore. What's to say he won't do it again? Make yourself happy for once. I know you and I know you would never hurt her like he did. She even trusted you with a secret that no one else knows. All you can do is lay your hand on the table and let the cards fall where they may."

"I guess you're right, but I want to wait until she's better. She doesn't need anything else added to her stress now."

Nick pats my back. "Just don't wait too long."

We turn around when we hear a knock on the door. The doctor walks in. "I need to speak to her guardian or a family member. Also, visiting hours are over. Only a family member is allowed to say the night."

"She doesn't have any adult family members, but we are her roommates."

"Oh, I didn't know that," the doctor days sheepishly. "Well, then I guess I can tell the two of you. We've run several more tests and everything is back normal. We are going to release her to go home tomorrow, but she needs to take it easy for the next two weeks. If she's in school or if she works, we will give her an excuse to be off for next week." I nod to let the doctor know I understand. "She will need to keep a close eye on her blood pressure until her body has completely recovered," the doctor continues. "Just walking upstairs will probably tire her out. Please make sure she is checking her blood pressure three times a day. Also, she shouldn't be home alone for the first week. If she seems to be sleeping too much or not eating enough, please bring her in immediately."

"Thank you," I say as I shake the doctor's hand.

He nods. "Like I said previously, visiting hours are over, but since y'all would be considered family, one of you may stay the night."

Once the doctor leaves the room Nick smirks at me. "Planning on staying the night with your girlfriend?" he asks, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

"Shut up," I grumble, punching him in the arm lightly. "And yes, I'm staying the night. I'm sure as hell not going to let you stay with her.

"I see how it is," Nick jokes. "Okay, well I will see the two of you tomorrow. Let me know what time to pick y'all up." Nick then becomes serious, "if anything happens tonight call me immediately. Seriously, okay?"

"I will. Thanks, dude," I tell him as we give each other a bro's hug.

After Nick leaves, I play on my phone for a while until I get tired. Since Isla is still asleep, I decide that I will turn off the light and try to get some shut-eye in the very comfortable chair that is in Isla's hospital room. Note my sarcasm.

I turn and twist in the chair for a while trying to get comfortable until I hear giggling. At first it scares me, as it reminds me of a child's laugh in a horror movie, but then I realize it's Isla giggling. "Am I amusing to you?" I ask.

"Yes, very much so," she says with her angelic voice. "You look comfy."

I playfully roll my eyes, "Yes, Isla, I am so comfy. I wouldn't want to sleep anywhere but in this amazing chair."

She pouts. "Oh...that's too bad."

I raise one eyebrow. "Why's that?"

"I was going to ask if you wanted to lay with me, but if you prefer the chair, then be my guest."

I definitely would rather be sleeping next to her. "Well, if you insist, it would be rude for me to decline such a beautiful girl's wish." She blushes as I walk over to her and lay in the bed next to her.

'I do insist, but I don't know what beautiful girl you're talking about," she whispers. Does she really not see how beautiful that she is?

I tuck her hair behind her ear and force her to look me in the eye. "Isla, you are beautiful, and if anyone says otherwise, they are blind." She blushes and looks down.

I wrap my arms around her, and she lays her head on my chest. She soon falls asleep, but my mind won't allow for me to sleep. I keep thinking about what Nick said earlier. I do deserve to be happy. I always try to make everyone else happy and put myself last. Isla is the same way. She's always putting others before herself. What if for once we could both be happy? What if we both put ourselves first for once? Maybe together we can be happy. Being next to her, having her in my arms, makes me happy. It's been a long time since I've been able to truly say I am happy. Isla makes me happy. I want to be with Isla if she will have me. I have to tell her soon.

The thought of being in a relationship with her makes me smile, but there is still a voice in the back of my head that says she belongs to Lucas. Lucas will end up with her. She will choose Lucas over you. I'm curious what she and Lucas talked about when she had all of us leave the room earlier. Did she forgive him? Surely they're not a couple, right? She wouldn't have wanted me to lay with her if she had feelings for him, would she? Is it possible that he told her that he is Luke? Will she run to him once she finds out that he is Luke? All of these thoughts are causing my head to hurt.

"Hayden," she mumbles into my chest.

"Yes, Love?" I try making my voice sound as normal as possible as I speak so she can't hear the fear I have from all of my thoughts.

"Why haven't you fallen asleep yet? It's late and you have a lot to do tomorrow."

I chuckle. "What do I have to do tomorrow?"

She lifts her head and looks at me. "For starters, you have to take me home. You also have to make sure that you and Nick have completely moved into our home. Then we have to pick up Isaac and Isabelle from Mrs. Ford and you have to cook me dinner." Our home. She said our home. That causes an eruption of feelings inside. First, I like the idea of anything that is 'ours' when it comes to Isla and me. Secondly, she's not making it seem like Nick and I are just guests staying with her for a while. Instead, it is mine and Nick's home too. I haven't had a home since my parents died. I mean, sure, I've lived in houses though foster care, but they weren't 'homes'. I'll finally have a home after all of these years.

She lays her head back down on my chest. "Love, you don't have to worry about tomorrow. Nick moved the rest of our stuff tonight. Mrs. Ford said she's going to keep Isabelle and Isaac for a few more days to give you some time to adjust to being home, but they're going to stop by to see you tomorrow. Trust me when I say we are definitely taking you home tomorrow. I am just as ready as you to get out of this place. Lastly, who said I'm making you dinner?" I tease and laugh.

She lifts her head looking at me again. "Did you know when you laugh your chest vibrates?" she asks, causing me to laugh harder. She laughs too. "Are you really not going to make me dinner? I thought you loved me," she giggles.

Honestly, I think I do love her, but I can't tell her that yet. "Okay, Love. I will make dinner for you."

She sits up and kisses my cheek, "Thank you, Hayden." She then lays her head back down on my chest and falls asleep. Isla, what are you doing to me?

When her breathing has completely evened out, and I know for sure that she is asleep. I kiss her forehead and whisper, "I love you." She mumbles something back that sounds like 'I love you too', but I'm pretty sure it's just my imagination. Laying with the most important person in the world in my arms, I fall asleep with the biggest smile on my face.

Lucas' POV

So call me stupid, call me sad

You're the best I've ever had

You're the worst I've ever had

And that keeps fuckin' with my head

Call me stupid, call me sad

You're the best I've ever had

You're the worst I've ever had

And that keeps fuckin' with my head

Laying on my bed, I stare at the ceiling while listening to 11 Minutes by Halsey and Yungblud. I can't sleep. I need to talk to Hayden and Nick, but neither have come home yet. Tonight is their last night here. I'm still bothered by the fact that Hayden is calling Isla Love. Everything has been so messed up lately.

I'm about to doze off when I see lights shine across my room from my window. Nick and Hayden must have come home. I look out my window and see Nick getting out of Beth's car that he and Hayden have been borrowing. I look around for Hayden, but I guess he's not with Nick. I growl in frustration, because I need to talk to Hayden more than I need to talk to Nick.

I hear Nick come upstairs and go into his bedroom. I know he's not going to want to talk to me, but I need to talk to him. I walk to his room and knock on his bedroom door. "Come in," he calls out to me.

"Hey," I say as I step into his bedroom. His room is bare. He has already moved all his stuff to Isla. It causes a sickening feeling in my stomach.

"What do you want?" he growls. I guess he was expecting Beth. "I told you already I don't want to talk to you anymore."

"Please Nick can you just hear me out. I don't want to lose your friendship. I don't want to lose Hayden, and I don't want to lose Isla. Please help me," I beg.

Nick walks over to me and shoves me hard into the wall. "It's a little too late now isn't it? You caused this, Lucas. No one else."

I push him away from me and I run my fingers through my hair. Feeling defeated, I slide onto the ground. "I know, Nick. I know it's my fault, but please. I need you and Hayden. And...and I love Isla. I can't let her go. I will do anything to make it up to the three of you!" I cry.

Nick laughs, but there is no humor in it. It's a menacing laugh. "Don't you get it Lucas. You are no good for Isla. You are no different than all the people at school who have been bullying her." He looks up at the ceiling and shakes his head. "Actually, you're worse. Unlike them, Isla trusted you. You don't deserve her. She deserves better. She deserves someone who is going to treat her with the utmost respect and love. That's not you, Lucas."

His words sting me to my core. I stand up and shove him hard, causing him to fall on the floor. "Don't tell me I'm not good for her. I do respect and love her," I growl. "What? Do you like her? Does Hayden? Do you think you or Hayden can take better care of her than me? Do you think one of you can love her more than I do? I made a fucking mistake, Nick. I'm human. Get over it."

Nick stands up and squares his shoulders at me. "Like I said, you are no good for her. Hayden would be a much better choice for her. You don't have a shot with her anyways. You've already screwed that up." Nick smirks and whispers in a low sinister tone near my ear, "While you're here crying about how much of a screw up you are, Hayden is with her at the hospital comforting her. He's taking care of her in her time of need. He's taken your role, and he's a hell of a lot better at it than you. She was in your grasp and you let her go and now there's nothing you can do about it."

"W-wait," I stutter. "Hayden likes Isla as more than a friend?" Nick nods his head. "I-I got to g-go." I run downstairs and grab my keys. I have to get to the hospital now. I have to fix this.

As I'm running out the door, Nick yells, "She makes him happy! If you were his true friend, you would want him to be happy too. They are good for each other!"

Before shutting the door, I turn and look at Nick. "I'm sorry. I love you and Hayden like brothers, but I can't let her go. She's the love of my life. Always has been, always will be. I'm not giving up on her." I slam the door and speed to the hospital. If I have to choose between losing my best friends or losing Isla, well, goodbye, Nick and Hayden.