Hayden,

I knew that you had left my side, but I never thought that things would get this bad. I mean, you didn't even try to help me. I knew that you were no longer there to hold my hand, but I thought that you would at least be there to catch me when I fell... to rescue me from your friends. Hayden, this haunts me. I thought... I don't know. I honestly don't even know what I thought. Like seriously, I thought that we were friends. I thought that, even with everything that we went through - especially with everything that we went through together- even after you abandoned me, that I could rely on you. At least, in some way. How stupid am I?

The funny thing is that when I woke up this morning, I thought that it would be a good day. I put on my happiest, brightest dress. Then, when I saw you this morning, I knew - I absolutely could've sworn- that it was going to be a perfect day. I put on my widest, brightest smile. I wore it all day. That is, until lunch.

Ironically, I was excited about lunch. After our little hallway "moment", I wanted to see you. I longed to see your face once more. I wanted to see that glint in your eyes when you smile. I yearned to see your cheeks form those cute little dimples. A couple of kids even stopped me in the hallway to ask why I was smiling. I shrugged my shoulders and skipped past them. Some teachers told me to stop skipping. I told giggled and sped past them, excited to be in the same room as you once again. I never expected the grand arrival that I got.

Upon entering the cafeteria, Josh arose from your table and made his way towards me. Immediately, the rest of his cronies stood up and followed close behind him. I stopped dead in my tracks. Hayden, I glanced over to your table only to notice that you were the only one left sitting there. You were watching. Josh... he saw me watching you. He cocked his head to the side.

"You like him?" He had asked. That's what he asked me. Hayden, do you know that I like you? Am I that obvious? Did you set this up as your way of turning me down?

Josh said that I shouldn't try to "worm" my way into your life. When have I ever tried to do that? I have given plenty of room. If anything, you wormed your way out of my life.

"He does not like you." Josh stated very clearly, emphasizing each word. He put it simply for a dumb person like me. Right, Hayden? Is this what you wanted?

Then, the boys began to circle. Panic settled within me. I forgot how to breath. The world began to spin. My eyes were flooded with tears that would not allow vision. My legs trembled, refusing to support me. It was like the world was collapsing around me. The boys shouted profoundly terrible words at me. They called me such terrible things. At some point, somebody else in the cafeteria joined in and threw their leftover sandwich at me. I was breaking down. Then, through the rubble of my collapsing sanity, I looked up, seeking your help - seeking you. But I couldn't find you. Do you know why Hayden? I couldn't find you because you were almost at the door. You fucking saw everything that transpired and you didn't help me! I called out your name. I screamed it with all of the energy I could muster. I scraped my throat raw, begging you to come to my aid. But, instead, you picked up your pace, quickly leaving the cafeteria with all of my remaining hope.

I crumbled into a puddle, squeezing myself into a ball and shutting myself out from the world. When I lifted my head again, the cafeteria was empty and the day was almost over. Hayden, I was too ashamed to go back to class. I hid in the bathroom for the rest of the day, listening to the gossip about me as girls whispered about me where they thought no one would hear.

The guys were less discreet about their opinions of me. They didn't even try to whisper. As I made my way off of campus, after school, names - titles - were shouted my way. Let me ask you something, Hayde. What makes me a "slut", or a "whore". What makes me a "bitch"? Is it the fact that I liked a boy? That can't be it, or every single straight girl who ever lived would be a slut. So what makes me this way? Is it the fact that I wore a dress today? Does the fact that I wore a loose, open, comfortable material mean that I am out seducing men, luring them to my bed? No... no. I am none of these things. So why was I called them, Hayden.

I was a bit nervous leaving school. I had to walk alongside the road which most of the kids had to go down. When some kids drove past me, they shouted really mean things at me. Others threw their garbage out the window. Hayden, then I noticed a car following me. It was trailing fairly close to me. When I turned down a road, it turned. When I sped it, so did it. When I slowed down, it did too. This car followed me home, imitating my movements and constantly keeping a small distance between us. Hayden, it really scared me. Even with everything that happened today, I still longed for you to wrap your arms around me and protect me from those who wished to harm me. I still wanted you to hug me and lead me back home, away from the stalker in the truck, safely. Even with everything that happened today and back in eighth grade, I still wanted you. Hayden, I still want you. I just wish that you felt the same way.

- Laura

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Chapter Five, hoozah! This is my longest chapter yet! This is so exciting! I love everyone who has been following along. Thank you, followers. Never stop being so awesome!

Share your thoughts with me! Do you like it? What do you think between the parallel sides of the story? I mean, you get to see the thoughts of both MCs. Pretty cool. Why do you guys think that Josh was such of a jerk. Do you think that Hayden will ever stand up to him and outwardly protect Laura? Do you think he can revert to his old, loving self? 

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Don't Forget To Be Awesome,

-NerdilyNerdy