Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
I can hear the heavy bass of the music playing on the other side of the steel door, as I slowly lower myself to the cold concrete steps.
With my elbows on my knees, I drop my head into my hands.
I can barely breathe as my throat swells with emotion.
My entire body aches with the pain of my heart breaking.
Sitting up straighter, I grab the beer I brought out with me and take a long pull before hurling it across the stairwell. The bottle smashes against the cinder block wall, shattering into tiny pieces. Amber liquid runs down the concrete, pooling on the floor.
Fuck, I don’t want to hurt her more than she already is, but I know this is for the best. I need to let her go even if it kills me. I should have gone home and done this face to face, but I knew it would only take one look into her beautiful eyes to make me change my mind.
Taking my phone out of my hoodie pocket, I check the call and text notifications. My mom, my dad, and multiple from Hannah. I don’t look at any of them. Instead, I scroll to my text thread with Riot.
Hey...
I did it.
Riot
You, okay?
Not even a little.
Riot
Do you want me to come?
No.
Riot
For the record, I think this is the stupidest thing you have ever done.
You could just talk to her!
I wish it was that simple.
Riot
YOU are the one making it complicated.
Do me a favor…
Riot
Is it trying to help you pull your head out of your ass?!
Just keep an eye on her, she’s gonna need friends.
Riot
You know I will.
BUT I’m doing it because SHE is my friend, not because you asked me to.
I won’t be the middleman and spy on her for you. That’s not happening!
Ok.
Riot
Are you sure you want to do this?!!
No, but it’s for the best and it’s too late.
Talk soon, okay?
Riot
Yeah, let me know if you need me.
K
Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to stop the tears that threaten to spill down my cheeks. Just as I’m about to close the app, my phone chimes with another text from Hannah. Choking back my emotions, I power off my phone and silently pray she will forgive me someday.