"When I was younger, should have known better

I can't feel no remorse, and you don't feel nothing back

Ophelia, you've been on my mind girl like a drug

Ophelia, heaven help a fool who falls in love"

- Ophilia, The Lumineers

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Dear Laura,

It's weird. Life, I mean. Like sometimes things just abruptly change and we have no idea that said change is coming. You wake up and think that it's going to be a normal day. You go about the normal functions of life and just do the same boring stuff that you usually do. You eat the same breakfast that you normally do. You say the same formalities and greeting to the same people, then boom - your world changes. Everything is different and you're just lost, unsure of how it got that way and unsure with what to do with yourself. Like in all of the alien apocalypse movies, the humans don't know that they are going to be attacked and most of the human population will be killed off and they will have to fight for survival. They just wake up one day and go to work and school and then, boom, there is an alien spaceship heading their way, ready to attack.

Laura, this morning, I didn't know that you would enter my life, even if it was only for a little bit.

I merely woke up, alone without you by my side as is usual, and went for my Sunday morning jog around the park. The fresh air, the warm embrace of the sun, the rhythmic cry of my beating heart... they are all enough to keep my mind off of you for a bit, and god knows that it needs a break. A man can only take so much heartbreak and longing before he snaps.

On my way back, I saw Josh coming towards me from the opposite direction. He patted me on the back. He told me that he saw you, Laura, and he wanted to do something "funny". My heart sped. His phone rang, he told me. He didn't have a chance to prank you. My blood pressure returned to normal. His mom wanted him home. Apparently there was a new kid at school that he needed to show around. He spoke of how annoying it was. If she had just given him "one more goddamn moment", as Josh put it, he could have "gotten you good". But, apparently it was an emergency. I said I silent "thanks" to Josh's mom and hoped that she could understand how dearly I appreciated her and this "emergency". But, Josh kept on complaining, and I couldn't stand there any longer, Laura, listening to his negativity. I needed to see you. All I needed to say was "your mom?" and he was running towards his car, screaming profanities into the air.

I ran down the path, Laura and I vowed to myself that I would not stop until I found you. I needed to see you. Apparently, even the fresh air couldn't keep my mind off of you. I picked up my speed and sped along. My heart raced in my chest and the air was trapped in my lungs, but I could not stop, for I had not yet seen you. Then, you were there, and even though I had stopped running, the sight of you made my heart pound harder. You were so beautiful. You leapt from the top of the swing you were on, your hair cascading around you in a whirlwind of light, as it reflected the sun's golden gleam. You giggled and twirled around. You called down to Ray, still overflowing with glee. He imitated you, but he twisted in the air and landed on his arm. It snapped under his weight. You freaked. You ran to your baby brother's side as he screamed out in agony. I was frozen in shock, watching the horror unfold.

You succumbed to the weakness of uncertainty. You stepped away from your brother held your head in your arms. You rubbed your throat. You cried. You turned around, looking for something - for anything - to help you. I succumbed to your pain. I ran out from where I was standing. I ran right towards you. Laura, you saw me approach and collapsed into my arms. You melted into me and I held you close. It's a good thing that you found me. I don't know what you'd have done otherwise.

You told me that Ray was hurt. It was a good thing that you did, because holding you in my arms made me forget the rest of the world. The realization that Ray was injured, grounded me. I sprung into action, lifting Ray into my arms and putting him into my car. That's when I realized that you were not beside me. I looked down the path, where I left you, and there you were, frozen to the spot. I came back for you and carried you, too.

When we got to the hospital, so many people bombarded you with questions. They kept on asking for your parents. You told them that your father left you and your mother was on a plane. They asked again. It was almost as if you had never answered at all. It was hard on you.

They took Ray away, saying that he needed x-rays. We sat in the corner and you leaned against my chest. I took inhaled deeply. I took in the moment. I knew that things couldn't revert to how they had been. I knew that if they did, you would just get hurt.

You were shaking. I rubbed your back. You fell asleep there. You looked so peaceful. I wanted to stay with you, but I knew that I couldn't. I knew that things couldn't revert to how they had been. Your mother probably agrees. I draped my jacket over you and kissed your forehead. I inhaled. I studied your face. I said goodbye. I hoped that you would forgive me when you woke up.

- Hayden 

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Chapter eight, yay!This chapter is longer than the last one. This is so exciting!

A big thank you to my followers and everyone else who has been following along (yes, that is John Green freaking out...). Never stop being so awesome!

Share your thoughts with me! Do you like the story? What do you think of Hayden's whole insight about the changes of life? What do you think of his friendship with Josh? Was it right for Hayden to help Laura and Ray, or should he have maintained his distance from them. Do you think he should have stayed with her, or was it right for him to leave? If it was right for him, how do you feel about that?  Tell me what you think.

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Don't Forget To Be Awesome,

-NerdilyNerdy