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

10. Erin's POV

I stuffed my hands in my pockets as I ran home. I was going to be late again. I had gotten one of my friends to watch Rachel while I was visiting my boyfriend Cory. Hayley was going to be even more pissed off at me. To be honest, I didn't care.

As I ran past an alley I heard a soft cry. I stopped and peered into the darkness. Only a single line of light cast into the alley, showing a foot. That foot happened to be wearing a pair of dirty Converses. Hayley's dirty Converses. I gasped and ran over to her.

Her lip was bleeding, she was bruised right under her eye, and she was clutching her ribs.

"Hayley." I whispered softly, touching her shoulder. She jumped slightly and opened her eyes.

"Erin... where is Rachel?" She mumbled, trying to get up.

"She's at home. What happened?" I asked, letting her lean on me.

"Some ass hole tried to mug me. I didn't even have anything." She grumbled bitterly.

"Come on. The apartment isn't far. Are you ok?" I questioned.

"No, but I'll live." She whispered.

*****

It had been two days since I found Hayley like that. She didn't stop going to work. Nothing changed. She didn't go to a hospital, call the police, or do anything. She seemed like she just gave up and didn't care anymore.

Hayley walked into the apartment holding a McDonalds bag.

"Hayley!" Rachel squealed and ran over to her, wrapping her arms around her waist.

"Hey." She smiled weakly, "I brought you guys dinner. I'm going to bed. If you need me just come in." She said and set the bag on our coffee table before walking into her bed room.

I felt sick to my stomach. I caused this. If I hadn't had made such a big deal about what she did, she wouldn't be hurting. She wouldn't have gotten mugged, and would still be with her boyfriend. She would be happy.

"Erin why won't Hayley talk?" Rachel asked softly. I opened my mouth to speak but I froze and stopped myself.

"I don't want to talk about it Rach." I mumbled and pulled the McDonalds bag over to me.

After I had eaten and cleaned up I slowly walked over to Hayley's room to see if she wanted anything. I pushed the door open and immediately a knot formed in my stomach.

Hayley was lying on her bed, a hand over hear eyes and tears staining her face. Her body shook slightly and she sniffled.

"Hayley?" I called. She jumped slightly and wiped her eyes.

"Erin! What do you need?" She asked, sitting up.

"Nothing. Are you ok?" I inquired.

"Yeah," She nodded slowly, "I'm fine. Just tired."

"Hayley... I'm sorry I caused all this." I sighed.

"No, it's not your fault, its better now. I can focus on you guys and..." She took a deep, shaking breath as she looked for the words to say.

"You need Josh. Thing aren't better. You are hurting in every way right now. You won't go to the doctor to check on your cuts and bruises from the other day and you won't call Josh. It's all my fault!" I argued.

"Erin, it's my decision. Go do your homework." She mumbled before laying back down on her bed, pulling the covers over her.

I scowled at her and closed the door. If she wasn't going to do anything about this, I was.

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