You Saved Me Once Book 1

Before we leave, I run over to Hayes’s house to talk to Rochelle. Cu-riosity was going to eat me alive, if I didn’t know the truth.

I haven’t been inside Hayes’s house, in years. I’m too afraid my se-crets and lies will consume me.

I’m afraid I’ll see Ms. Kristen, I’m afraid of what she’ll say. I almost backed down entirely.

Hayes waits in the car.

I look at the ground mostly, I avoid pictures, things from the past as I walk through the house. I didn’t want to interact with the sad memories of Timmy, Hayes, truthfully all of the Bartley’s.

Right next to Hayes’s room, is Timmy’s room. Timmy’s door is closed.

This hurt more than I’d expected. I want to turn back around and leave, right now. I can’t stop staring at Timmy’s door. My hands are shaking now, I’m trying to comfort myself.

Memories are coming back; a lot was coming back.

I hear Rochelle groaning in Hayes’s room, this is enough to wake me from my memories. I walk into his room and close the door behind me.

The same blue he had since he was a boy, paint his walls. The plain desk that sit in the corner of the room, and the astrology décor that decorates his desk.

They were all in the exact same spot.

Then there’s Rochelle. She’s stretched out on his bed, asleep. Now she’s half asleep.

“Alex is that you?” She mumbles.

I walk over to the bed and stand next to her.

“Hey Rochelle, how are you feeling?” I ask.

“Worse than you, that’s for sure.” She laughs, I smile to hide the fear I felt.

Everything in this house was starting to affect me.

“Rochelle, I need to ask you something.” I say.

I hug myself and squeeze my jacket sleeves. Rochelle’s face is still buried in the blankets.

“Is it about last night?” Rochelle yawns.

I felt very uncomfortable for many reasons. I needed to leave.

“I think I had sex, last night.” I say.

Rochelle laughs. I squeeze my jacket sleeve more.

“Great for you Al, how was it?” She asks.

My stomach drops. I sit down on the floor next to the bed.

“I can’t remember it, Rochelle.” I mumble. I’m embarrassed by my words.

“If you can’t remember it Alex, and you feel okay. Well, you didn’t have sex.” She turns to me.

“You’d know if you’d had sex for the first time.” She says.

Rochelle goes back to hugging Hayes’s covers. I hug my stomach, and bite down on my lip. It felt like, if I looked at anything in the room for too long, it would crumble.

“So, you don’t know what happened either?” I ask.

“Maybe you fooled around with Jeff, or the DJ.” She says. I look away.

“Look, I’m sure we all did stupid stuff last night. It’s totally fine Alex.” Rochelle’s says.

not “totally fine”, Rochelle. This stuff matters to

on

up for talking. I’m sorry if I’m being,

about this another time.” I mumble. I move my hair from my

you get my phone, from the

the floor squeaks, it brings back memories. I wipe

the nightstand; Rochelle’s phone

a letter in Hayes’s nightstand. My letter. I pick

it,

it myself.” She

the nightstand closest

her. I’m quickly putting

I are picking up some doughnuts.

know. I told him to go get them.” She says.

ask her about my secrets I might’ve let loose last night. I feel stupid. I feel like a liar, and I’m burning up with anger. I

Rochelle’s nails

last night. Well, there’s

my stomach goes

words. I leave his

bother to wipe the

to go?”

nod, and we’re off

~~~~

where a lot of memories took

going to lighten

car ride was silent, and I avoided looking at Hayes altogether. I just felt numb

not sure if I did anything yesterday. But my lies,

decide to

to ruin the happy memories of this place, with the sad ones I thought of

in the car, watch the rain, lis-ten to Hayes’s music, and think of better

to, my past

~~~~

waiting room at Orca Manchester

I

doctor comes into the room. He’s was

acquired by many, and you must understand the health risks. I’m

~~~~

me, wakes

shouts

with lies. He enters the car, hands full

just cold.” I say.

takes off his jacket and gives it

“Thanks.” I say.

pours in the car, again. Then Hayes offers

hungry.” I

it’s breakfast.”

or eggs.” I turn to

you think I told the bakers? These three are for you.

it. I could barely chew, I’m trying to prevent tears from coming

was going to be my only meal

Hayes hasn’t started

think I did something stupid last night.”

them sweet when

He asks. I

The rain is heavy.

with you the