February 2019

The next few weeks were like something out of a fairy tale. True to his word Hayden had started his counselling and he was progressing more and more every day, and I couldn't be prouder. He'd also put his plan of winning me back underway. The man was like a modern-day Casanova. Late last week I'd returned to my office after going out for lunch with a few of my friends from work.

As I opened the door to my office I was met with the most beautiful flower arrangement, the sight was breath-taking, and the sheer size of it made my office seem like a room in a dolls house.

Ricky's face or what I could see of it when I walked through the door that night was a picture. We ended up having to divide the arrangement up into four separate bunches and placed them around the house; it was a beautiful sight it was as if we were living in a florist.

"Rick." I shouted "come here a sec. I've got something to tell you." For the past week, I'd been secretly house shopping. I wasn't what you'd call a trust fund baby, but I'd had a significant amount of money deposited into my bank account after my grandparents had passed away. Leaving me enough to live comfortably and to purchase my own home, I just had to break the news to my best friend that I'd be moving out by the end of the week.

"Is everything okay?" He asks as he walks into my room. "Has something happened?"

"No, it's nothing like that. It's good news."

"Do tell. We're all in need of some good news. I swear our lives are like a series of unfortunate events." He replies as he climbs onto the bed next to me.

"So, for the past week I've been meeting with various estate agents, and after a lot of careful consideration, I've decided to buy a house. I sign the papers tomorrow, and I'm aiming to be all settled and moved in by the end of the week."

There was silence for a few moments. I could feel the anxiety creeping up on me. It'd been fantastic living with Ricky for the past four months. It's everyone's dream to live with their best friend; I just hoped that my confession hadn't hurt him.

"Rick? Say something, please. I'm so sorry if I've upset you, I just figured that I couldn't just stay here for the rest of my life. I already feel like I'm getting in the way." He suddenly pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. It shocked me slightly, and it only took me a moment before I returned the embrace. "Of course, I'm not upset, sweetie. It was just a little shock that's all. Where's the house too, are you moving far?"

What I'd failed to tell him that he was already familiar with the house, we all were. Through sheer coincidence, the people that'd been living in my old house had decided to downsize, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. "I'm moving back home, Rick. My old house went back on the market, and I couldn't help myself. I loved that house, most of our best memories were in that house. I thought that maybe we could all make some more."

"Luce that's amazing. I'm so happy for you, but can I ask you something?"

"Sure." I replied, "ask away."

"Is this purchase anything to do with wanting to be closer to Hayden? I know he's doing well, but I hear you tossing and turning at night. I know you're still worried about him relapsing, but I think he's turned a corner. His counsellor and I are constantly talking, and he's delighted with his progress."

"I know he's doing so well, Rick. It's like I've got my old Hayden back. I can't help worrying about him; I don't think I could stop even if I wanted to." I admitted.

"Is he still having the nightmares?" He asked, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

"Yeah, he is" I sighed.

Ever since he'd returned from rehab Hayden had been struggling with what I could only describe as night terrors. His counsellor had explained that sometimes when people have spent years suppressing thoughts and feelings that they can manifest in a person's subconscious state once they start reliving them. In this case, he's been reliving them in his sleep.

Last night was the sixth consecutive night I'd had a phone call from him, his breathing was always frantic, and the sheer terror in his voice broke my heart. He's refused to tell me what they were about, but Ricky and I had a rough idea. All I could do was stay on the phone with him until he calmed down enough to drift back into an undoubtedly restless sleep.

"You're good to him, Luce," Ricky said, breaking me out of my troublesome thoughts.

"I love him, Rick. Despite everything that's happened, he's my everything. Granted he's been a dick, but he needs me, and I need him. That's all there is to it."

I dropped down into my new armchair and let out a massive sigh of relief. The last few days had been a whirlwind of signing contracts and buying furniture. Moving into a house in less than a week along with working a full-time job wasn't easy, my aching body was proof of that. Everyone had pitched in to get the house ready for move-in day, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Kiara and Hayden had even managed to paint and decorate one of the guest bedrooms without tearing each other apart. Thankfully it was Friday night, and I had the entire weekend to take in my beautiful new home. Sat in my old living room I finally felt at peace, for the first time in a long time I felt whole again.

Just as I was starting to drift off my phone vibrated. Unlocking it, I pulled up the text; it was from Ricky.

To: Lucia

From: Ricky

Going to miss you tonight sweetie.

House feels empty without you.

Sweet dreams enjoy your first night

In your old new house.

I smiled at his text. Ever since I'd mentioned that I'd be moving back into my old home, he'd taken to calling it my old new house. I typed him out a quick reply and decided that seeing as this was my first night in my 'old new home', I should celebrate. Grabbing an overly large bag of cool original Doritos and the bottle of Champagne that Poppy had bought me for a house warming gift and made my way up to my bedroom.

Throwing the bag of crisps onto the bed and placing the bottle of Champagne on the bedside table, I peeled off my work clothes and changed into my favourite pyjamas, shorts and an old baggy shirt and climbed into bed. Grabbing the bottle, I twist the cork a little until the cork comes out with a satisfying pop. The Champagne was heavenly as I took a long swig from the bottle. The cold, crisp liquid tasted terrific after such a long week.

Champagne and Doritos may seem like an odd combination, but the little triangle shaped crisps were my guilty pleasure, besides I was adamant that they went with everything. There's never a wrong time for cool original Doritos, and that's how I spent my night, alternating between mouthfuls of Doritos and champagne and switching between Facebook and Instagram. It may have seemed like a boring night into some people, but it was perfect to me.

I must've fallen asleep because I found myself stirring to the sound of my phone ringing. I answered it without hesitation, instantly knowing who it'd be. "L-Luce." He stammered down the line. "Shh, Hayden it's okay. I'm here, please tell me what's going on, so I can help you." I was close to tears, but I knew I needed to be strong for him. "Do you want me to come over?" I asked without hesitation. I knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep now. I waited for a few moments before speaking again. "I can come over right now if you want me to. All you have to do is say yes."

There was another long and drawn out pause, and I was beginning to panic. I could still hear the frantic breathing on the other end, but Hayden had been silent for almost two minutes. Just as I was about to put the phone down and call Ricky, he finally answered. "Please." That was all I needed. I bolted to my bedroom door and towards the stairs.

I Hoped he still kept the spare key under the flowerpot in his garden. Thankfully when I got to his front door after a few moments of frantic searching and my hand touched something cold and metal.

Picking up the key I shoved it in the lock and threw the door open. Turning on the hallway lights and making sure the front door was locked I made my way upstairs to search for Hayden. Thankfully he was in his bedroom, but the sight that greeted me was something I'd never forget.

His whole body was drenched in sweat, and he was trembling. I slowly made my way over to his bed and placed my hand on his back. His skin was cold, but his sheets were soaked. God how I wanted to cry. I wanted to sob for the poor damaged man in front of me, his demons were putting up a fight and it was wreaking havoc on his mental state. I just hoped to god that all of this would end quickly.

"Hayden" I whispered as not to startle him, "I'm here. Please talk to me, tell me what's going on."

At the sound of my voice, he turned to me, and I caught a glimpse of his face. His eyes were bloodshot, and bags were visibly present under them. His hair was plastered to his forehead. "Blood." He whispered. "There's so much blood."

"Hayden." I replied tentatively "there isn't any blood here" I was confused, I was suddenly worried that he might've taken something, and he was having an adverse reaction to it, but his reply thankfully proved me wrong.

"In my dream." He rasped "there's always so much blood. I'm covered in it; it's like it's drowning me. I don't know where it's coming from and all I want to do is run, so I do. I run for what feels like hours until my lungs feel like they're burning and then I see it. It's a car, it's completely mangled, and I hear someone screaming, so I start running towards it. When I get there, I realise that the car belongs to me, and it's me that's screaming. I look down and I'm holding you in my arms, but you're not moving. You're covered in blood, I try to wake you up, but I can't, it's too late. You're gone."

I take a moment to digest what he's just told me. Only after it's somewhat sunk in, I realise how severe the night terrors are. I make the decision then and there that I wouldn't be leaving him tonight, not in this state. I sit down on the bed next to him and run my fingers through his damp hair. "I'm fine, Hayden. I'm here. Nothing's going to happen to me, I promise." His body relaxes slightly under my touch, and his breathing slows to a somewhat reasonable rate. Nope. Defiantly won't be leaving him tonight.

"How about I get the shower going. You can get cleaned up, I'll change the sheets on your bed and get you a cup of tea, and we can watch something funny on TV, yeah?" Much to my relief he nods and slowly gets up off the bed and makes his way to the adjacent bathroom. Only when I hear the water running, I let out a small sob, but I quickly compose myself. I need to be strong for him, now is not the time for tears.

After placing the damp sheets in the wash basket, I quickly search his room for clean bed linen. After making his bed, I make my way downstairs to make us both a hot drink. Hayden was already back in bed by the time I'd brought the drinks upstairs I placed his down on the bedside table next to him and rounded the bed to climb into the free side.

We both led there for a moment in silence. Hayden had his eyes closed, I wanted to ask him what was going on in his head, but he looked to peaceful to disturb.

"Thank you." He said after a while.

"For what?" I replied. I turned over, so I could face him properly

"For being here. For staying. For everything I guess."

"You don't need to thank me. You'd do the same thing for me." He just smiled, it was one that didn't quite meet his eyes but a smile nevertheless. "Do you want to try and get a few more hours to sleep? It's 3 A.M it's too early to get up."

"Are you going to stay?" He asked

"Yes. Unless you want me to go?"

"No, please don't go. I need you."

With that statement, he switched the bedside lamp off and turned over. Maybe it was because I was tired or that my brain was fried entirely by everything, but I moved closer to Hayden and wrapped my arms around him. It was a bittersweet feeling, memories of before the accident surfaced before everything got so messed up.

As I laid there, I made myself a promise. No matter what happens, I would never let this boy go ever again.

A/N

I hope everyones having an amazing 2019 so far ! i'll be updating His saviour 2/3 times a week until I finish the book as I have a new project i'm super excited to start.

Remeber to vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter !