March 2019

"Are you and Hayden coming out tonight?" Ricky asked as we both settled down in front of the TV.

"I defiantly am, I'm not sure about Hayden. I'll give him a text in a bit."

"How's his new job going?" Ricky asked.

"It's going well, Hayden loves it. When he gets home he talks about all the cars he's fixed, granted I have no idea what he's talking about but seeing him happy makes me smile."

"Have there been any advances in your relationship?" Ricky and I had spoken about the 'game plan' I had going on. However, it was getting increasingly harder to keep my feelings in check, neither of us had taken that next step to put a label on what we were, but I knew I had to stay strong, Hayden's health was more important than our love life.

"Not really." I sighed, "granted there have been moments where I've almost caved, it's so difficult Rick. We both know how we feel about each other, we can't rush into things, I can't risk getting hurt again."

"I know you are, sweetie. Things are starting to look up though. Hayden's like a changed man, he's progressing more and more every day, that's got to count for something."

"Yeah it does, it just shows what he's capable of when he puts his mind to it. It's a shame that it's taken this long to set things in motion, better late than never I suppose."

"Exactly." Ricky replied, "especially now that he's got a stable job like Dr James said when he got it, it's going to give him a sense of purpose, something to dedicate himself to."

"I couldn't agree more; it's so nice not having to worry anymore. We've fallen into a good little routine now, I never thought I'd say this, but I've never been so grateful for such a simple life."

"You deserve a normal life, after everything you've gone through these past few months. I'm surprised you've not had a mental breakdown."

We both laughed at his statement, even though there was some element of truth to it. I couldn't complain though, I was happy, my friends were happy, and most of all Hayden had finally turned a corner, after months and months of struggling, I was finally in a state of pure bliss.

I pulled my phone out and sent a quick text to Hayden, asking him whether he feels up to a night out with all of us. It'd be nice for us all to spend time together as a group, it felt like we hadn't been able to do it for months, but now things were a lot calmer I was determined to have a healthy balance between my work and non-existent social life.

To: Hayden

From: Lucia

Hey, hope you're having a good day!

Ricky's planned a night out & wants to know if you 're up for

it? If you are, we're all meeting at Armageddon at around 7:30.

"Have you spoken to your parents yet?" Ricky asked

The question somewhat shocked me; I don't think I'd mentioned my parents to anyone other than Hayden for weeks. It baffled me as to why Rick was bringing this up now. "No. I haven't, and to be quite honest I don't want to either. It's sad; I don't have an issue with dad, it's just my mum. I can't be around someone like that Rick, she sucks the life out of me, and after what she's done I don't think I could ever trust her again."

"I understand, but can't you talk to your dad? Just because you're not on good terms with your Mum doesn't mean you have to shut out your Dad completely."

"I know it doesn't. Honestly, I do miss my parents, especially dad but I can't do it. If I only speak to Dad, it's going to cause so much tension between the two of them. I might be a disappointment to Mum, but I refuse to let her brand me a home wrecker."

"I admire how gracious you're being. I remember when you used to be so hot-headed, you'd have charged in there all guns blazing and given them both a piece of your mind." Ricky chuckled.

"Yeah, I know." I laughed, "I don't see the point of screaming and shouting like a petulant child, it's not going to get me anywhere. If Mum wants to contact me in the future and apologise, I might consider trying to maintain somewhat of a relationship with her, but for now, it's just me, myself and I."

Ricky gave me a sad smile. I knew he understood; Rick understood better than anyone when it came to how my parents could be. On the off chance, they were home when I was younger, mum and I spent the majority of the time at each other's throats when we moved away it only got worse.

"Right, enough of all the doom and gloom, how about we turn on some trashy daytime TV?"

"You read my mind." I laughed.

We spent the majority of the day just sprawled out on the sofa, only moving occasionally to fill up the popcorn bowl. At around 6:00 PM Ricky left to get changed, I took the little extra time I had to have a quick soak in the bath.

I still hadn't heard from Hayden when the taxi pulled up outside at around 7 PM. I double checked that I hadn't missed any of his messages and I hadn't. How odd he always answers my texts. After realising there wasn't much I could do I climbed into the back of the taxi, I was determined to have a drama free night even if it killed me.

Armageddon was surprisingly busy even though it was still early on in the evening. I found Ricky and the girls sat at a booth near the bar. Even though the lighting was at a bare minimum, I could still make out the confused expression on Ricky's face. I shrugged and returned the confused facial expression.

I slipped into the spare seat at the booth and grinned when I saw that they'd already ordered me a drink, a porn star martini. I took a sip, and it was heavenly. "Where's Hayden?" Kiara asked, "I thought he was coming with you?"

"So did I." I shouted over the music, "maybe he's just running late."

After a while of gossiping and listening to Kiara talk about how awful here colleagues were, the girls decided it was time to hit the dance floor. "I'll be there in a minute." I called after them, "just let me finish my drink."

As Ricky and I watched them both disappear into the crowd, he placed his head on my shoulder and sighed. "Is everything okay?" I asked, "you've not seemed like yourself all evening, you were fine earlier has something happened?"

"Not really." He replied, "can I be honest with you, Luce?" I nodded and waited for him to continue. "I guess I'm just lonely. I know it's stupid, but I want someone to come home to every evening, I want to go on dates and all the things you usually do when you're in a relationship. At this rate, I'm going to end up buried in the single section of the cemetery."

I rolled my eyes. "Listen to me, Mr You don't need to be a man to be happy, granted all of that stuff is great, but it's not a vital part of having a happy life. You're a successful, independent and strong man and you've done that all on your own. I get that it'd be nice to have those things, but sweetie, wouldn't you rather wait for the right man to come along rather than wasting your time loving the wrong one?"

"I guess you're right; it just gets tough sometimes. When we were younger, there was rarely a weekend where I didn't end up going home with another boy at the end of the night."

"That's because all teenage boys are Horney, Rick. Try not to let it get to you; I promise you won't feel like this forever."

Giving me a weak smile, he picked up the rest of his margarita and downed the remainder of it. "It's time to end the pity party," Ricky said as he climbed out the booth, pulling me out with him in the process. "I think we're both in need of a good dance."

I smiled and let him pull me to the middle of the dance floor. I had no idea what song was playing, I don't think anyone here did, but we all managed to dance to the beat like our lives depend on it. It felt like hours had passed, but I didn't care.

"That guy hasn't taken his eyes off you all evening." Poppy shouted in my ear. I spun round to where she'd subtly motioned and true to her word I caught the man in question red-handed. The problem was he wasn't the average creepy guy that you bump into at the club; this man was handsome. I gave him a shy smile and spun back around to face Poppy.

"Holy Shit," I replied

"Yeah, I know." Poppy laughed, "he's quite the looker, isn't he?" I nodded my head, and we both giggled.

"I'm going to get another drink; do you want one?"

"I'm good. I'll wait here for you."

Turning away from our little spot on the dance floor, I weaved my way through the packed dance floor and breathed a sigh of relief when the bar came into view. I smiled when I saw that the line for drinks was surprisingly short. While I was waiting in line I felt a pair of eyes on me; I had a sneaky suspicion that it was the guy from earlier when I turned around I was proved right.

"I'd work on your subtle approach, dude." I joked. I watched as my remark put a slight tint on his cheeks, causing me to giggle slightly.

"Yeah, it was kind of creepy. I apologise." The man chuckled

"Only a smidge." I laughed, "it's okay though, I forgive you." We both stood there for a while, just looking at each other. He was boyishly handsome and had that all-American golden boy look going on; he was attractive enough. But he just wasn't Hayden.

"I'm Peter by the way."

"Lucia," I replied

"Would it be creepy if I asked if I could buy you a drink?"

"Not at all." I giggled "I'll have a porn star martini please."

After Peter returned with the drinks, we both stood at the bar and talked for a while. I Learnt that Peter was into agriculture and he worked for a company that was trialling different sustainable farming methods, I stood and listened while he explained why he was so passionate about the project and how they'd be able to use the result in counties less fortunate than our own.

Out of nowhere, Kiara appeared in front of me, to say she looked murderous would be the understatement of the century. "Luce, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure, I guess." I motioned to Peter that I'd only be a moment and I followed Kiara to a quieter part of the club.

"Jesus, where's the fire, Ki?" She pointed towards the lounge area of the club. As soon as I clocked what she was gesturing to, I knew why her knickers were in such a twist. "Is that who I think it is?" I hissed

"Yup, she's been all over him like a rash for the past hour."

"What and none of you thought to come and tell me?" I replied incredulously

"You looked all cosy with that guy, none of us wanted to upset you."

"I'm more than upset, Ki. I'm fucking furious. There's no one on this entire planet I hate more than Brittany Carter."

The girl had been the bane of my life back when she appeared on the scene. She may have stirred the feelings I had for Hayden, but she was obsessive, and on more than one occasion Hayden had tried to break it off with her, only to have her show up a few days later begging him to take her back.

Now there she was wrapped around him like some slutty boa constrictor, and all I wanted to do was go over there and tear out her cheap hair extensions and tell her to back off. "What are you going to do?" Kiara asked, "want me to go over there?"

"Nope" I replied, "I'll be back, this will only take a minute."

I took off in the direction of Hayden's table. My mind was racing; I couldn't go over there all guns blazing, I needed to be tactical. I checked my phone just in case Hayden had sent me a message and I'd just not heard it come through, still nothing. By the time I reached their table I was just about to lose my cool, taking a deep breath I composed myself and forced the most sickly-sweet smile on my face that I could muster.

"Oh my gosh, Brittany, is that you?" I squealed, "I haven't seen you for years!" It took a few moments for her to realise who I was, I watched as the limited brain cells she had worked double time to figure it out. Then suddenly it clicked, I watched as the realisation slapped her right in the face.

"Lucia?" she asked

"Yup it's me." I replied, "it's so good to see you haven't changed a bit." I wanted to add because you're still a boyfriend stealing bitch, but I stopped myself.

"It's good to see you too; you look so grown up." She replied I watched as she edged closer to Hayden and subtly place a hand on his thigh. I took a moment to glace over at Hayden; he looked slightly shell shocked, his gaze shifted from me to Brittany and back again. I hadn't missed the sneer on her face as she caught me looking at Hayden, she'd had her chance with him, and she blew it, years ago.

Before I could fire back with something, Brittany began talking again. "Was there something you needed?" she began, "Hayden and I were in the middle of a pretty serious conversation." She spoke to me as if I was a petulant little child, I wanted to slap her, it was taking every inch of self-control I had not to dive over the table at her, but I didn't.

"Oh, it's nothing important." I smiled, "I just wanted to tell Hayden that he's going to have to find somewhere else to sleep tonight if you get what I mean." I motioned towards the bar where Peter stood. Brittany looked at Hayden and then back at me, her mouth opened and closed like a baffled goldfish.

I looked over at Hayden, and I instantly knew the red mist had descended, it was a bitch mood, but I was in a shoot first ask questions later kind of mood. "Oh, and Brittany, just between you and me your hair extensions are showing." With that I turned and walked off, leaving the pair to digest what had just happened.

As I got back to Peter, I gave him a weary smile. "Do you mind walking me to a taxi? I'm done for the night."

"Sure." He replied, he held out his arm for me, and I took it. I knew it was a matter of time before I had to deal with the fallout from the little stunt I'd just pulled, I just hoped to god that I'd at least be home and in something a little more comfortable before the shit hit the fan.