Beyond the Pack’s Law: My stepsister or nobody else

Hayley’s Pov

I dropped the broom and basically ran up to my room. I picked up the phone; it was a call from Aiden’s dad. I answered the call and put the phone in my ear.

“Hey, dad.” I said anxiously

“Did I wake you up?” He asked

“No.” I answered, “How could he even care about that right now? , “How’s my mom?”

“She’s fine.” He said, I couldn’t tell if he was lying or telling the truth.

“Which hospital is it? I want to come over.” I asked

“There’s no need; she’s still unconscious, so there’s no point.” He pointed it out.

“But… I just want to make sure she’s alright.” I tried to explain; my mind wouldn’t be at rest until I was completely sure she was okay.

“Hayley, I understand how you feel, but I want you to stay home, okay?” He said.

“Okay,” I said, deciding to comply.

“You’ll probably get to see her today; get something to eat and be ready. I’ve got to go.” He said that and ended the call.

I stared at the phone for a while before I set it aside.

I finished cleaning and took a shower. I got dressed, ready to meet up with my dad at any time, and went to make myself breakfast.

Being in the same kitchen where it had happened made me so uneasy, so I decided to make a sandwich since it was quick and eat it on the couch.

The house was silent, which was so unusual. Mom was a stay-at-home mom, which meant she was always in the house. The silence now felt eerie and strange; I didn’t realize how lonely this house could get.

I thought about calling Aiden to tell him, but there wasn’t much he could do, and I was pretty sure I’d break down again if I had to recount what happened.

My phone rang again.

“Finally.” I thought to myself, ready to head to the hospital.

I looked at the caller ID; it was not Aiden’s dad. Kayden’s name sent a stab of pain through my chest.

I had almost completely forgotten what had led to my fight with my mom-it was because of him.

I put the phone in my ear.

“Hey, I’m outside your house; do you want to hang out?” He said it over the phone.

“I’ll be right there.” I replied with no emotion and ended the call.

I was just a few steps away from the door, but I just stood there staring at it, wondering what I was going to do.

I walked to the door and opened it. Kayden’s regular smile plastered on his face as he stood there with his hands in his pocket.

As much as I wanted to smile like I normally do, I couldn’t; he was a lie. I needed to remember that.

“Hey, what’s up? Is something wrong?” He asked when he saw the look on my face.

He moved closer, like he was going to hug me, and I instinctively backed up, leaving the door open.

He paused, looking at me with a confused expression on his face.

“Did I do something wrong??” He asked

I tried to spit out the words; a part of me wanted to lash out, but I couldn’t get last night’s images out of my head. I could end up really hurting him if I lose control of my emotions.

“I think you should leave Kayden.” I said it plainly.

“Okay, I’ll go once you tell me what I did wrong.” He reached out again, but this time I didn’t react in time. He held my hand and titled my head to face him.

I stared into the deep pools he had for eyes.

“If only,” I thought to myself.

“Hayley?” he said.

“How much did she pay you?” I asked

“What?” He looked truly confused.

“My mom, how much did she pay you?” I said that my voice came out shaky this time. I was trying my best to stay calm, but it wasn’t going so well.

“Shit.” He said it under his breath, and I could see his jawline tightening as he clenched his teeth.

So it was true; that was all the confirmation I needed.

“Leave my house.” I pulled my hand out of his and pointed to the door.

“Hayley, it’s not like that; I swear you’re taking it the wrong way.” He pleaded

“Not like what? Kayden. You have enough money; why in the world would you agree to get paid to go out with me?” I asked, “So that was all fake? You bumping into me at the cinema, spilling cola all over your shirt, the lines, the flirting.”

He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

“It wasn’t fake. I was in the theater with my friends, and then I ran into the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. That wasn’t planned.” He said it with sincere eyes.

“Don’t patronize me.” I said

“I mean it. Yes, I met your mom, but that was after the first day she came up to me and said she heard about me from your friends. I had no idea how she even found me, but then she told me to meet you at the cafe; that was all.” He tried explaining, but I wasn’t sure what I believed anymore.

“At the cafe, when you were running an errand?” I asked. I should have known the way we kept meeting was too suspicious, but I had deluded myself into thinking it was destiny.

“She gave me some cash, but I swear, Hayley, I didn’t care about the money. I was just happy I could see you again, and then I did, and you were so amazing. I just felt like I was in love; I only met her once.” He explained

We stood there, looking at each other. His eyes were silently pleading.

“I don’t think I can do this anymore.” I said softly.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Please,” he begged.

“Kayden, please leave.” I said it again.

This time he did; he looked at me for a while, but then he left.

The door closed, and I sank to my knees. The second wave of heartache hit.