Friends can break your heart too

And I'm always tired, but never of you

-gnash, i hate you, i love you

April 4, 2016: 7:47 a.m.

"Watch it!" The driver honked his horn ferociously.

I glared, flipping him off as I walked across the street. All the other cars had stopped, but he was the idiot who didn't follow and was about to run me over along with a group of other pedestrians.

Granted we weren't using the crosswalk, but still; pedestrians were always right.

Unless I was driving.

Getting back on the sidewalk, I made my way toward Hurricane. There was some kind of accident close to the building so it was going to be hard getting dropped off there.

My Uber thought this was better and as much as I wanted to get into the studio while exerting the least energy possible, I had to admit she was right.

Today wasn't a good day. I felt crappy and the only reason I was leaving my place was because I was scheduled to be in the studio. Cooper hated when I missed sessions and I didn't need him on my ass right now.

Walking through the doors, I took off my hood no longer needing it.

"Hey, Reece," Maia greeted me with a salute as she made her way toward the exit.

I nodded, stuffing my hands in my jacket pockets. Continuing on my way, I walked toward the elevators waiting for one to open. I stepped in trying to keep my eyes open despite the weight of my eyelids.

Last night was my first actual full night of sleep, courtesy of Lexi Wiggins. Even so, I felt drained and would rather be back in my bed.

I eyed the man who stopped the doors from closing as he rushed in. He looked like a mess and didn't try to hide it as he took his place between me and another woman I didn't know.

My eyes fell back on the doors as another body slipped through the closing doors. My body stiffened as I tried not to react to her presence.

Just my freakin' luck.

McKenna eyed me before turning around and facing the now closed doors.

A part of me was happy knowing she was okay after she stormed out of the auction. I know it was stupid, but things happen and I would be lying if I said a part of me wasn't worried that could have been the last conversation we would have.

It was a very somber thought I'm glad I don't need to follow up on.

I remained quiet as the elevator doors opened and closed allowing people in and out. I was pretty sure this was the longest ride I've been on.

As the door opened to let another person out, I realized that we were the only two people left. The universe just loved messing with me. I could practically feel the tension in the enclosed area, but all I could do was stare at the numbers as it got closer to our floor.

Just as the last number became unlit, the ground shook underneath me. I stumbled back, holding onto the wall as the elevator came to a stop and the lights turned off.

"What the hell was that?" McKenna asked, her voice frantic.

I could faintly make out her features in the now-dark elevator. "I don't know," I said looking around for any sign of assurance. There was nothing. "I think we're stuck."

"No shit, sherlock." McKenna said sarcastically.

"You asked," I said rolling my eyes forgetting that she couldn't see me all that well.

Pulling out my phone, I texted Cooper grateful I still had a signal. McKenna began pacing in front of me, her phone to her ear. "C'mon, Kiara," she muttered. She cursed, turning off her phone.

I'm guessing she had no luck.

"I don't have a signal in here," she said frustrated.

My phone vibrated, turning my attention back to it. "It's Cooper," I told her, "Said it was a power outage."

"Great," McKenna said waving her arms, "Tell him where we are."

"Really? I was just going to ask him to order a pizza."

"Don't be a jackass."

"Or what? You're going to slap me?" I asked recalling the night before.

"It's a tempting offer," she said. Getting tired of pacing, she moved to the corner furthest from me and leaned on the wall. "Does Cooper know how long?"

"He hasn't replied back yet," I informed her, not even trying to hide my resentment.

"I can't believe this is happening," McKenna sighed, massaging her forehead.

"Don't worry. It won't be long. You'll be able to get back to your perfect little life in no time," I muttered.

"My perfect little life?" I could feel McKenna's glare on me, but the lack of light made it easier to look in her direction.

The charity gala may not have ended on the best note, but I got something out of it. I saw just how put together McKenna was. She had her whole life together and even more, she was helping out other people and didn't even see how great she was!

I knew a lot of people, but everyone I knew was a mess in one way or another. It came with the territory. Whether it was a tragic upbringing or an addiction, people around here weren't whole. Looking at McKenna now, I couldn't ignore the jealousy coursing through my veins.

"Yeah. That's what I said," I answered, taking a deep breath as I rubbed my eyes. Exhaustion rolled over me which made me hate having to come here even more.

"There you go again, talking about things you have no idea about," McKenna said, her voice rising.

"If I have no idea what I'm talking about, it's because you don't let me understand."

"Do you even hear yourself, Reece?" McKenna laughed with a look of disbelief. "You don't let me understand. You've built this insanely thick wall around yourself and then expect more from me when you don't say jack! It doesn't work like that."

"That's not the way it is," I said, but faltered. The truth in her words was so clear and I've been so damn blind. She was right; I was being unfair.

"I tried to be your friend and you didn't want that-"

"I wasn't trying-"

"And frankly, I don't think I want to be your friend," I stopped, her words crashing into me. I blinked surprised at how much of an effect her words had on me. "You basically called me a slut, yesterday. And I can't keep trying with you only to be knocked down."

There was a tenderness to McKenna's tone that made my insides writhe. I was doing it again and I didn't know how to stop. I closed my eyes, flashes of December invading my skull.

The elevator began humming and the lights flickered back on. With a jolt, we were moving again. McKenna looked up at the floor numbers, relief coming over her as the doors opened for our floor.

She turned back toward me as if contemplating on saying more. "You're hiding and you're running. I don't know what it is, but you can't evade things forever, so you might as well deal with it."

McKenna walked out of the elevator. I knew this was my floor too, but my feet wouldn't move.

I couldn't stop remembering.

I should've apologized right then.

I shouldn't have let them leave.

I should have been with them.

"So are you going to tell me why you're here rather than with Jared and your mom?" Germain asked. I knew the question was coming. I had gone to a party willingly with him and Isabelle which was suspicious all on its own.

I concentrated on the road, my shoulders tensed.

"We had uh, a fight," I finally said.

"About?"

"The record deal," I told him leaving out the part where I fucked things over with Jared.

"You're still on that?" Germain asked looking over at me, shocked.

I shrugged thinking it over. I just had to wait for the tournament to be over so I could apologize and we can get on with our lives.

"Does Isabelle know?" Germain asked.

"No. She has enough things going on," I told him, turning the corner.

"She'd want to help."

"Yeah," I trailed off. We were supposed to leave the party together but Vye wanted her to stay. A year ago she wouldn't have let her best friend persuade her into it. But then again a year ago she wasn't on the cheer squad trying desperately to find ways to stay out of her own house.

I shook myself out of my thoughts. I didn't want to be the needy boyfriend. She didn't need me piling on.

"You know what I think?" Germain said not waiting for a reply, "I think you need to get over it. Not accepting the deal may have been the best thing for you or it may have been the screw up of your life. Either was it's done now and you can't change it. So just move the fuck on, you know."

I remained quiet knowing he was right, but he made it sound so easy which it wasn't.

I sighed turning onto my street. Just move the fuck on.

"What the hell?"

I looked over at Germain questioningly but his eyes were trained on something in front of us. I followed his gaze until I saw it.

My heart faltered as the red and blue lights flashed on the curb next to my house.

"Did they find your meth lab?" Germain asked.

I heard him, but couldn't find a reply as I parked on the opposite curb. There was nothing wrong with the house. Mom and Jared would've checked before they left.

I looked out the side window at the officers outside my door, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Getting out of the car, I walked toward the officers vaguely remembering Germain following. The neighbors were outside their house as well trying to find out what was happening.

"Excuse me, sir. Do you live here?" One of the police officers asked.

I nodded. The red and blue lights reflected off their cheekbones. It almost looked patriotic, I had thought.

"Do you know Jared and Olivia Zynner?" he asked.

I remembered Germain speaking up for me while my throat tightened as any words I tried to form got lost on the tip of my tongue. Of course I knew my own brother and mom, I thought. Why the hell did they know them?

"I'm sorry to inform you but there's been an accident. Your family was transported to Cascade Hospital. We can take you there if you like. Is there anybody that can-"

I remembered watching as the officer's mouth kept moving. It was like he couldn't stop talking while his partner gave me the worst sympathetic look ever.

I remembered letting the officers lead me to their squad car. I remembered Germain promising that he'll be right behind us.

I remembered my heart hammering in my chest as we took off down the road with the sirens ablaze.

I remembered the officers trying to explain what happened when all I could do was focus on not throwing up.

I remembered the hopeless look on the officers face that told me more than I needed to know.

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