Playing Head to Head

After the rather awkward and uncomfortable hug finally comes to an end, Charlie decides that it would be best to join Hayden outside. She figures he would want some privacy and the fresh air would also be good for him. Why does she always find herself tangled in these situations with him? They take a seat on the steps, a reasonable amount of distance keeping them apart. If the boy hadn't informed her of his unfortunate situation, she would have most definitely pushed him off and given him a black eye.

What spurred him to tell her about his folks, especially at this hour, remains a mystery to her, but at least now Charlie knows what's been gnawing away at him these last couple of weeks. Dealing with a divorce can't be easy. Of course she can't empathize but if it's like anything she's heard, it's no walk through the park. No wonder she hasn't heard much from the Knights lately.

"How long has it been going on?" she questions.

"Since the beginning of the summer," answers Hayden without batting a lash.

A pause ensues before the girl replies with, "Well that sucks." What else is she going to say? She's not going to apologize. It's not like she played an active role in their separation. There's nothing she can do about it besides try to console the guy, not that she's very skilled in that area of expertise. Shouldn't he be moping with his girlfriend? She's probably more qualified to handle this sort of issue than Charlie will ever be.

He nods stiffly, eyes focused on the step below his feet. "I know." What's he doing here?

"Does Cecilia know?" This time Hayden shakes his head while his heart clenches. "You should probably tell her," Charlie advises.

"I have no reason to," mumbles the boy.

"What do you mean by that?" Her brows furrow in confusion. "She's your girlfriend, the girl you love. What other reason do you need?"

"She's not my girlfriend. At least, not anymore." Hayden looks up, tilting his head back to keep the tears from flowing. Even he can't believe his own words.

"Knight," Charlie pauses as she turns to look at him, "what did you do?"

"I broke up with her," Hayden croaks, choking on his own words. "I broke up with the girl I love." It's as though the harsh reality has finally hit him like a ton of bricks and with quivering hands, Hayden buries his face, concealing the tears which are ready to escape.

"Why the fuck would you do that?" Charlie shouts. "Are you a fucking idiot? Who the hell does that?" Sometimes, she really can't understand people, especially the ones who claim that they're in love.

"Maybe I am," he answers without protest, his voice slightly muffled. "I'm just sick and tired of having to check over my shoulder every other second whenever I'm with her. Always worrying about getting caught. That's not what a relationship is supposed to be like. I want to be with a girl who isn't ashamed to tell the world I'm hers. A girl who will fight for me, the way I've been trying to fight for her."

"Seriously?" scoffs Charlie. There goes any sympathy she has for the guy. "You're really going to sit here and whine about how complicated and hard shit is? Welcome to the real world, Knight. No one's fucking perfect. You and her are no exception. Relationships aren't easy, anyone can tell you that. But if you really do love her, and I believe you do, you have to be willing to work through whatever obstacles come your way. You can't just throw the towel in because it gets tough."

"How would you know anything about relationships?" laughs the boy, bitterly. "The last time I checked, you've never even dated." He didn't mean to come off sounding like such an ass but he can't help it. The last thing he needs is to hear a freaking lecture about how much of an incompetent dunce he is. Trust me, he already knows that. He doesn't need to be reminded.

Charlie rolls her eyes, no longer having the slightest bit of patience left in her body to deal with this kind of stuff. "I have the most hopeless romantic as my best friend. I don't need to date in order to know that relationships aren't simple."

"Just because you love someone, doesn't mean you're meant for each other," Hayden points out. "Why do you think exes exist?"

"I don't know what to tell you then." Charlie shrugs as she climbs up to her feet and dusts off her jeans. "But I'm not going to sit here and feel sorry for your ass. You brought this upon yourself." Most people would be treading lightly, cautious of their words, especially considering the plight Hayden has. But, if you haven't noticed, Charlie has never been one to follow the status quo. Oh right, and the last time she attempted to comfort him, he misinterpreted her actions and opened the door to a series of unfortunate events!

Just look at where her damn compassion and conscience have gotten her. This is it. This is the third strike. Charlie's not going to needlessly wallow in pity or drown in misery, not anymore. She's endured plenty of things from Hayden these last couple of weeks and enough is enough. It's time for this—them—to come to an end. Right now might not be the ideal time to do this but it's not like it'll impact his life or anything. "Since you've already terminated one relationship, how about ending another?" she suggests.

Hayden drops his hand and stands tall, his eyes rounded. "Are you implying that—"

She cuts him off. "I'm not implying anything," Charlie clarifies. "I'm saying we need to fake breakup, like, today."

"But why?" This is not what he came here for. He came here for solace, for comfort, for protection.

"Because I said so," answers Charlie curtly. "Besides, you're not with Cecilia anymore. Therefore, I don't see a need for us to continue pretending to be a couple." To soften the blow, she tosses in, "I hope you feel better though. You'll pull through."

Just as Hayden opens his mouth to squeeze in another word, a third party interrupts them. "Morning, sunshine." Ethan strolls up the driveway, a luminous smile etched into his face. However, the corners of his lips start to fall back down as soon as he catches sight of the other boy standing next to the source of his affection. "Hayden," he greets stiffly upon reaching the pair.

"Ethan," he returns in the same rigid manner. The atmosphere becomes noticeably tense and Charlie alters glances between the two of them, unsure if she should intervene.

"What are you doing here this early in the morning?" Ethan questions wryly. Believe it or not, he's actually trying his best to sound pleasant and civilized, despite the searing rage rumbling inside of him, threatening to break free at any given second. After he had diligently listened to everything in Charlie's report concerning the agreement she had made with Hayden a little over a month ago, Ethan has developed a rather strong distaste for the Highland's golden boy.

Hayden may be considered Mister Perfect by everyone at school, but Ethan is proud to say that he's no longer a part of the naïve and oblivious crowd. Because, now, he's aware that Hayden Knight is anything but perfect.

Everyone has their own set of problems dealt to them. Their own emotional baggage they have to lug around; and, thanks to Charlie, Ethan's learned that Hayden's no different. Does the situation with Cecilia suck? Hell yeah. Does he feel bad for the guy? It's debatable. But frankly, Ethan doesn't think what Hayden did, you know, dragging Charlie into his world of chaos and drama against her will, is fair. Hayden had no right whatsoever to involve her and for someone to be that selfish stupefies even him. Also, Ethan's just a little pissed about the time he's wasted holding back whenever it came to Charlie because he didn't want to be a homewrecker. It sure would have saved him a lot of heartache.

Hayden flexes the muscles in his jaw as an overwhelming feeling of irritation and annoyance suddenly floods his system. "Can't I visit my girlfriend?" he counters.

"Knight," Charlie begins after noticing the fire igniting behind Ethan's eyes. Apparently, the hottest flame is the blue one, like the color of his irises, and she doesn't want to see her house burn down to ashes.

"You can,"—nods Ethan with his teeth gritted—"but the last time I checked, Cecilia Isles doesn't live in this area." A wicked and satisfyingly triumphant smirk dances onto his face while Hayden's knees buckle underneath him, nearly giving out. Thankfully, he manages to regain his footing with the assistance of a pillar.

"How..." his voice fades and with wide eyes filled with betrayal, he turns towards the girl. "Charlie?"

Great. More misunderstandings. "I—" she starts to explain but is quickly left unable to do so.

"She didn't tell me," Ethan says, ascending the steps in order to get to eye-level with Hayden. "You did."

Hayden snorts out loud and shakes his head. "I have no reason to disclose our agreement to you."

"Charlie, you should go inside and get ready," Ethan prods, his gaze still focused on the boy. "I think Hayden and I need to talk," he declares.

Reluctantly, she obliges. "Okay, just don't get any blood on the front porch or my dad won't leave you alone," she half-jokes, a poor way to lighten up the mood. At least she tried.

The door shuts and Ethan resumes speaking, "That's because you didn't tell me directly," he explains. "Yesterday, when you were talking to that Lenny kid about how much Charlie loved going out on the lake, I figured it out. Don't you know she gets seasick?"

"You were eavesdropping?" is all Hayden could muster.

"I didn't mean to," Ethan reasons dismissively. "It's not my fault you talk so loud."

"Talk about lack of manners," Hayden sneers.

"Says the guy who disregards people's feelings for his own personal gain," quips Ethan.

His judgmental remark causes Hayden's hands to ball up into fists. "You don't know what you're talking about," he growls.

"But I do," Ethan protests, as his voice becomes dangerous and low. "You took advantage of her, Hayden. You're no better than those asses who try to prey on drunk and vulnerable girls at parties."

"I did no such thing," he argues, disgusted at the comparison. He is not that sort of guy.

"You did. Admit it," Ethan orders, the fury inside of him beginning to seep out. "You were aware that Charlie wouldn't leave you and your girlfriend out to dry and you exploited that weakness of hers." Then, he takes a step closer to him and speaks through a clenched jaw, "Listen closely, Hayden Knight, because I'm going to make this so clear that even a rock could understand me. I like Charlie and I'm going to ask her to be my girlfriend. My real girlfriend."

Another part of Hayden's heart cracks, but he manages to keep his composure together. "Then go ahead and be my guest," he replies. "Didn't you hear? We're fake breaking up today. Why are you wasting your time telling me something I could care less about?"

"Because you like her too," is Ethan's response.

"No I don't," Hayden rejects after a moment of silence.

"You can try to deny it all you want, but I'm a guy," says Ethan confidently. "I see the way you look at her. And all of those times you ran to her when you needed help? Could you have been more obvious?" Hayden is speechless and could only cast his gaze to the ground. "You remember what I said to you the day the Three Stooges approached you and insulted Charlie right in front of your face?" He does. "I still stand by those words. Specifically the part where I said I am far more qualified to be her boyfriend than you'll ever be," Ethan finishes.

"You know what? I don't have to explain myself to you. I'm leaving." As Hayden marches down the steps, Ethan continues to glare at him.

"Good, because I was five seconds away from punching you in the face for all of the crap you've pulled." When Hayden is gone, Ethan exhales out loud, calming his frantic heart. That had been more nerve-racking than he anticipated! Thank god he didn't mess up or it would have been extremely embarrassing! Sure, he had been rude and everything but someone has to put the guy in his place.

A minute later, Charlie steps back outside with her backpack slung over her shoulder. Her presence disperses his nerves, placing him in a state of elation.  "What did you guys talk about?" she asks.

"You," Ethan states truthfully, shifting to look at her. "You're the only thing we have in common. What else would we talk about?"

She purses her lips out, nose crinkling. "Me? Really? Why?"

"That's a secret." He winks before he moves in and pecks her lips. As he retreats, Ethan finds a layer of blush settled over Charlie's cheeks while she bites back a smile.

Could this girl get any more perfect?

- - -

Author's Thoughts: I hope you guys liked this chapterrrrr. Someone (other than Charlie) had to stick it to Hayden! Also, next chapter will be on Chase, hopefully! I'd like to dedicate this update to corkymark and CentaurQueen! Thanks for supporting me! Please do leave your thoughts :)