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"If you had a friend that you knew you'd never see again, what would you say? If you could do one last thing for someone you love, what would it be? Say it. Do it. Don't wait. Nothing lasts forever."- One Tree Hill

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

|Present|

"So, your dad is really marrying Nichole's sister, huh?" Danielle asked.

"Yeah." I sighed.

"That sucks."

"Yeah."

We were both currently in my room lying on my bed.

I turned my head to look at her. I still couldn't get over her transformation. She was still beautiful, but really different from the friend I'd left three years ago.

"So, what happened?"

I rolled my eyes at her fake confused expression and threw a pillow at her.

"You know what I mean Danielle."

She sighed. "Life just started to plummet after you left, for all of us I guess."

"What happened between you and Bruce? You wouldn't shut up about him three years ago and now you haven't even mentioned him once." I asked her gently.

Her expression saddened.

"He broke up with me the day before he left for Dartmouth, said he couldn't manage a long-distance relationship. What we had in high-school was good but I guess I always knew in my heart that it wouldn't last no matter how badly I wanted it to. I don't have any ill feelings towards him, really. I understand that he had big dreams for himself and I couldn't be a part them. He's a good guy, I will never say otherwise. He came back for Megan's funeral and even stayed here for two weeks to comfort me."

I sniffled, "I'm so sorry you went through that. I wish I was here with you Danielle."

"Do you have any idea why Megan . . .? I couldn't bring myself to finish the sentence.

Danielle winced.

"When you left, things got really bad. Especially Hunter, he was so messed up Scarlett, it was like he lost his mind once you were gone. He ended his  friendship with Jace, he wouldn't talk to anyone, he started getting involved in dangerous things, bad people. During this time Megan was the only person who had it all together. She was like the glue holding everything together. But one day suddenly, she changed, she stopped being the Megan we all knew and loved, she didn't smile, she rarely even talked. I tried asking her what was wrong but she wouldn't talk to me. And then one day, she was just gone. . ." Danielle took in a shuddering breath. The tears running down her cheeks matched my own.

"I don't know why she killed herself Scarlett. I wish I had known so I could have done something about it. I was here all this time with her and I still couldn't save her, you have no idea how much it kills me every time I think that. Going to her funeral was the hardest thing I have ever done. And Hunter. . ."

She wiped her tear stained face with her trembling fingers. "I saw him at the funeral Scarlett and the look on his face still haunts me. He wasn't crying. He wasn't talking. I watched him as he stood silently by the open grave. Just as they lowered the casket into the ground his eyes met mine, he was looking at me but he wasn't. I saw no ounce of life in his eyes Scarlett. It was like they were burying his soul with Megan too." She shuddered.

I covered my mouth with my hand to muffle my sobs.

At that moment I was feeling all of her pain.

For the first time in three years I actually regretted leaving.

For the first time in three years I actually wished I'd been strong enough to stay. That way I would have been there for my friends when they were going through hell.

For the first time in three years my pain didn't seem important. With all my heart I wished I had been strong enough to overcome my pain so I could have been here and helped them overcome theirs.

My arms wrapped around Danielle and I hugged her with everything I had, hoping that somehow it could convey everything I wanted to say.

She hugged me back and I knew she understood.

We stayed like that for a while. Then suddenly Danielle let go of me and hopped off the bed. Wiping her tears furiously.

"Enough of this depressing talk. Let's just put the past behind us for now." She gave me a determined smile.

"Okay." I responded with a small smile of my own.

"C'mon, we're going out. I need to breathe." She told me as she helped me up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You didn't tell me we were going to a club?" I hissed in Danielle's ear.

She just gave me a cheeky grin, "You wouldn't have come if I did.  Besides today's Thursday and it's the only day they allow minors in here so . . ." She trailed off.

I just rolled my eyes at her.

The music was pretty loud and the lights were dim. All around I could see people my age laughing and dancing.

"C'mon, let's go dance. It'll definitely make us feel better." Danielle urged me.

I raised my hands up and shook my head vigorously. "No way! You got me here but there's no way I'm dancing."

She gave me a pleading look.

"You go." I urged her. "I'll watch."

After a few more minutes or arguing and pleading she finally trudged towards the dance floor on her own.

I shook my head in amusement.

Guess she hadn't changed that much after all.

"Hey there darling." A raspy voice spoke in my ear.

I cringed away from the stranger. 

My eyes narrowed at the burly guy standing in front of me. He was sporting a buzz -cut and his bulky arms were covered in tattoos.

His eyes raked over me and I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

  "I haven't seen you around here before" He smirked.  

"What do you want?" I asked, keeping my tone even.

"I came here looking for a good time maybe you can help me out with that." His smirk widened "What say doll-face?"

"I think I'll pass." I scowled at him.

The next thing I knew he had my wrist in his iron grip.

"Let go of me!" I spat out as I struggled to free my hand but his grip only tightened.

"C'mon honey, don't be like that." He cooed.

I could feel my heartbeat speed up in panic.

I knew I had nothing on him physically, he would easily overpower me.

"Let go of her, Ryder." Another voice suddenly broke in.

Hunter?

I couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Adams." The man who was holding me, or Ryder, spat out.

Hunter's eyes were dark, dangerous.

He cricked his neck and curled his hands into fists and I could feel Ryder stiffen beside me.

"I'm not going to say it again. Let. The girl. Go."

"This has nothing to do with you." Ryder snarled.

Hunter took a threatening step towards us. His furious gaze trained on Ryder.

"It has everything to do with me." He growled.

Ryder chuckled coldly, like he'd suddenly gotten a sick joke.

"She your girlfriend?" He snorted.

Hunter's heated gaze trained on me, I felt my breath hitch when I saw the intensity behind it. "She's mine."

Ryder chuckled again but he finally let go of me and stepped back. 

His tone turned threatening. "I'll be seeing you in two days. I hope you're ready because I sure as hell am. You're going to lose Adams."

"Keep a close eye on her, it'd be a pity if something happened to such a pretty face." He sneered.

He gave Hunter one final glare before sauntering away.

I was still shocked to react.

"Did he hurt you?" Hunter demanded. I looked up at him and noticed the tight clench of his jaw.

"No, I'm fine." I took in a deep breath to calm myself. "Thanks." I told him softly.

I gasped when I suddenly felt his arm snake around my waist. He started moving me forward with him.

"What are you doing?" I asked in surprise. I felt embarrassed at how breathy my voice sounded.

Why does he have such an effect on me?

I cleared my throat loudly before speaking again. "Hunter, where are you taking me?"

He didn't answer, he just kept moving forward with me in tow.

We finally stopped and I realized that we were actually in the middle of the dance floor. Before I had time to protest Hunter had already pulled me to his chest and he started swaying us to the music.

I should push him away.

I shouldn't be in his arms.

But why can't I?

Why does this feel so right?

Hunter sighed.

"I missed you Scarlett. I missed you so much." He whispered.

I couldn't trust myself to speak.

"What's it going to take for you to forgive me?" He murmured.

He pulled me closer and I could suddenly feel every inch of his well-defined torso.

I tried to swallow the growing lump in my throat. I had no idea why my heart was hurting so much right now.

"You can't undo the past Hunter. I can't forgive you."

It took every ounce of strength in me to utter those words and pull away from him.

"I'm going to win you back." I heard him whisper just as I turned to walk away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Just wanted to thank you guys for being so kind and patient.

I know this book is different from what I usually write and I hope I'm not letting anyone down. I always wanted to write something that would make a difference, leave an impact, and I'm trying my best to do so. This books deals with a lot of sensitive issues so it's hard to write it because I'm so nervous. I don't want to appear insensitive or offend anyone. I literally draft each chapter like 5 times before publishing.

This book will get better as it proceeds. Don't give up on it. 

Love you all. xx