I Could Follow You to the Beginning Just to Relive the Start...

Kind of an extra long chapter today. There are lots of important things that happen but were not long enough to be their own chapter.

9. Hayley's POV

I sighed to myself as I wiped down the counter at work. The past two days had been crazy with Erin not wanting to talk to me. I really hated it and it made taking care of her hard.

The bell on the door rung and I looked up to see Josh’s smiling face. I grinned, forgetting everything and practically ran over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“Hey.” He laughed, kissing my head.

“Hi.” I sighed.

“Where have you been all weekend. I tried to call you a million times.” He said.

“Sorry, I just had a problem with my sister and things got crazy.” I explained. Just then I remembered what my sister wanted me to do. I just couldn’t do that to him or myself, but I had to. He nodded understandingly and held me tighter,

“I missed you a lot.” He told me.

“I missed you too.” I smiled, “Can we go outside and talk?” I asked.

“Yeah sure.” He nodded and took my hand.

We stood outside of the diner and I took a deep breath,

“I think we need to break up.” I said quietly.

“What?” He asked, his eyes changing from their normal happy glow to a sad and concerned look.

“Erin knows about you. And she isn’t happy.” I explained.

“I can just meet her or something. I’ll try and talk with her.” He told me.

“No, she’s not going to budge. She is going to tell my grandma…” I was about to explain what she was going to tell my grandma, but I didn’t want Josh to know. I didn’t want him to worry.

“Tell her what?” He asked.

“Nothing.” I mumbled.

“Tell me Hayley!” He begged.

“That I have no money!” I yelled, making a few people look over. Tears started to roll down my cheeks.

“Hayles… why didn’t you tell me?” He asked, wiping away my tears.

“I didn’t want you to worry.” I told him.

“Didn’t your mom and dad leave you any money behind?” He asked.

“They were going through money problems at the time, there was hardly any left. We got money from the insurance company and for other things but I won’t spend it. It’s for my sisters so they can go to college and so though won’t have such a rough time when they’re older.” I said.

“Hayley, just let me help you. We can work everything out.” He smiled softly.

I shook my head and looked down,

“Just give this time.” I insisted. Josh took a deep breath and nodded, pulling me close to him before pressing his lips firmly against mine. I kissed back urgently, wanting to make this last.

Finally Josh pulled away and rested his forehead on mine,

“Is it ok if I call you? Just to see if you’re ok?” He asked.

“Ok.” I nodded.

“I’m not going to just let you go.” He smiled.

“I don’t want you to.” I laughed softly. He finally stepped back and removed his arms from around me, making me feel cold without him,

“Well, I need to get to work.” He said sadly.

“I need to get back to work.” I nodded to Jeremy who was sitting alone with a deck of cards.

“I’ll see you around then.” Josh said.

“Yeah.” I bit my lip.

I walked into the diner, not wanting to look back. Jeremy frowned and stood up. He gave me a tight hug,

“It’s going to work out bud, give Erin time.” He assured.

“I know.” I nodded and buried my face in his shirt.

Later that night after I made dinner for my sisters and cleaned up I crawled into my bed. I laid there for a second before my phone rang. I picked it up without looking at the caller ID,

“Hello.” I said.

“Are you ok?” I heard a voice ask on the other line. I smiled and pulled the blankets over my head,

“I’m better now.” I said, “You know Josh, when most couples break up the one who was broken up with usually doesn’t call the other person later on to see if they’re ok.” I pointed out.

“Well we’re not like most couples are we.” Josh chuckled.

“Erin is going to be mad at me.” I sighed.

“I know.” He agreed.

“Let’s give this not being together thing a week.” I said, “Just to let her chill.”

“But I don’t wanna.” He groaned.

“I know. But I need to make it work with my sisters. Other than my grandma and my aunt and uncle that live in Colorado… they’re the only family I have left.” I told him.

“I understand. Family comes first.” He agreed.

“I’ll call you when this crap is over with. I just don’t want her to find out we’re secretly dating or talking behind her back and get her even more upset.” I suggested.

“Fine.” He said shortly, getting angry.

“Josh, don’t get mad!” I groaned.

“I can’t help but get mad that because my girlfriend’s sister is being stubborn we have to not see or talk to each other.” He said.

“She has every right to be angry with me.” I fought back.

“Well if you would have just told her she wouldn’t be mad.” He grumbled.

“I know Josh! Don’t make me feel worse about what happened!” I yelled, immediately hushing my voice when I remembered my sisters were sleeping in the next room. I heard a long sigh,

“Right, I’m sorry. Call me… or don’t… I don’t care right now.” Josh snapped. I heard the call end and I gently set my phone on my side table before burrying my face into the pillow next to mine; the one josh always used. This wasn’t going to be easy.

*****

Two weeks later, I was walking home from working the last shift because the car had broken down… again. I was not 50 feet from my apartement what I heard someone cough,

“You have a dollar on you?” A man asked. I turned around as he stepped out of the doorway of a store.

“No, I don’t have anything. Sorry.” I said and started to walk away. I heard his footsteps behind me,

“Now I know you’re lying to me sweetie.” He mumbled and grabbed my arm. I tried to pull away but he had to firm of a grip on me.

“Let go!” I yelled and kicked him hard in the leg.

“Bad move.” He grumbled and threw me to the ground. I groaned as my shoulder hit the pavement just next to an alley. I scrambled to get away and he cornered me against a wall. He slapped me hard across my face, right below my eye. I punched him in the chest and he simply threw me back to the ground, my mouth coming in contact with something hard, leaving me with the taste of blood. The next thing I felt was three hard kicks to the ribs. I groaned and just laid there praying it would be over soon. He grabbed my bag and rummaged through it. He threw it back at me.

“Good for nothing.” He spat and ran off.

I finally let a sob escape my throat and clutched my side. I had enough. I was just so tired. My sister wouldn’t talk to me still. I hadn’t talked to or seen Josh. I just gave up.

___________

='( I feel bad about not updating like i used to. Soooo busy. But I'm working on a pretty awesome Tayfic! That might be showing up in the next month or so =)