Chapter 2

Dean and I drive to the park with our own cars. I park next to him and we both jump out at the same time. He hurriedly walks to the cafe whereas, I’m doing the complete opposite. “Can you perhaps walk faster?” He says to me, pulling me by my hand. I look at our hands together, not noticing that we’ve already made it to the cafe. 

“This coffee is too strong.” I hear a familiar voice say. I look up from our intertwined hands and see Halsey spilling coffee onto the ground. I pull away from Dean’s hold and rush to her. I grab her by the arm, stopping her from spilling any more. Halsey tries to escape it but I tighten my grip.

“What are you doing?! Leave me alone!” She shouts. “Help!” She adds. 

“Shut up!” I yell back. My face goes red from anger. Dean keeps his distance. “What is this? What are you doing, Halsey? I let you out thinking I could trust you. I shouldn’t even be here, you’re grown up. Now, do me a favour and stop fighting and let’s go home.” Halsey starts looking sorry but I don’t buy it, still frustrated by her actions. We walk to my car together and both get in it. 

“I’m sorry.” She softly says. 

I sigh. “It’s okay.” I say with a small smile. “Just don’t let that happen again.”

>>>

When we get back home, I go upstairs to my room, leaving Halsey to my mom. My phone starts vibrating.

Dean: I’m sorry about your sister.

Me: Why are you talking to me? It’s not like she’s dead.

Dean: It seems like you’re always pushing me away, even when I try to help.

Me: Maybe because I don’t need your help.

Dean: Hailee…I know you don’t like me very much, but I also…

Me: You also what?

Dean: I like someone else, is what I want to say.

Me: I’ve always known you were wasting Halsey’s time. 

Dean: How exactly?

Me: No guy hangs out with his girlfriend’s friends and leaves her out. You ignore her calls and I’m sure you know the rest.

Dean: Quite observant you are.

I sigh, getting bored of talking to him.

Me: Yeah, whatever. I have to go. I’ve got better things to do.

Dean: Goodnight, Hailee. Sweet dreams.

I roll my eyes and put my phone under my pillow. My door slightly opens before Halsey’s head peaks through the opening. “Hailee, do you mind if we talk?” She asks shyly. 

“Sure, come in.” I say, patting the space next to me. She hurries to me and hugs me. She starts to cry. 

“I think Dean is cheating on me. That’s why I was behaving the way I was. I saw him flirting with a girl at the park and I’m sure they exchanged numbers.” Halsey tells me in tears.

“I- “ I hesitate to come up with anything to comfort her, thinking I’ll probably be helping to excuse him. Halsey sits up and wipes her tears. “I’m breaking up with him tomorrow.” I bite on the inside of my mouth. 

“Do what your heart tells you to.” She nods and leaves my room. I sigh and get under my blanket as I let sleep take me.