~2 years later~

Hayley's POV

"I don't mind lettin' ya down easy but just give it time" I sang, very loudly, as I did the the dishes. Just as I looked at the clock to see what time it was the door opened

I wiped my hands on a towel and went out to my living room, where I found my daughter unlacing her white docs

I smiled. "Hey Bear how was school today?" I asked. She sighed and looked up at me with a small bruise on her right cheek

I sighed and took her small face in my hands. This wasn't the first time she came home like this. Usually the teacher noticed and called but sometimes she could slip by

She was brilliant for her age and two grades ahead of where she was supposed to be, she skipped preschool and kindergarten and went right to the first grade

She kept telling me the older kids were teasing her and pushing her down. The way she came home sometimes usually made me believe her

I softly kissed her cheek. "You want a snack baby?" I asked, she nodded. I took her hand and led her to the kitchen. I gave her a strawberry juice box and a pack of fruitsnacks, her favorite

"Thank you momma" she said she I sat them on the table in front of her. She was so sweet, how could someone be mean to her?

After she finished her snack she started her homework. As she was walking up the stairs to her room a paper fell out of her notebook. I picked it up and couldn't help sneaking a peak.

"Bear what's this?" I asked. She turned around with wide eyes. "They want you to advance to the second grade already!" I said with a smile

"Sweetie this is wonderful why didn't you show me this" I asked realizing the note was given to her in September and it was November

Her eyes glazed over with tears. "Maybe I didn't want to!" She yelled and rushed up the stairs. Soon I heard the door to her room slam shut

I sighed and walked up the stairs. When I walked in she was sitting on her floor staring at a picture of her, Taylor, and I at her first birthday party

I sat next to her and gently wrapped an arm around her. "What's going on sweetie" I asked. She sighed "mommy I don't wanna go to the second grade"

"Why?" I asked. She looked up at me sadly. "The kids already tease me enough" she explained, I kissed her forehead. "Sweetheart you can stay right where you are if that's what you want" I said

She smiled at me and nodded but then she frowned and looked back at the picture. "I miss daddy" she whispered. I sighed thinking about how if Taylor was here right now he'd know exactly how to handle this situation.

Things were so much easier before we split up.

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Do you hate me now?

- Love Harley <\3