Hayley's POV

Never in my life, not once did I ever think that I would end up liking Morgan Valentine as anything— not even as a friend but I grown accostumed to that part. However liking her as more than that... I really didn't think I would ever—but ever since she came back to town and how hard she tried for me to talk to her and just everything. How she came back to my classroom at lunch to eat with me even if it was just to talk about the weather or gossiping. At some point those feelings of friendship turned into something more. Especially since I hated her for most of our school life.

Morgan is the sweetest idiot, it's impossible not to like someone that is just so... caring and good.

I pushed her away time and time again in high school when we starting to become some kind of friends—even when I tried to screw that up because I was consumed by jealousy of Jessie liking Morgan more than me. Even then she was patience and pushed me to confront my feelings... no matter how badly it ended I'm glad she conviced me to do it.

When I told her that my parents abused me she didn't look at me with pity— sadness yes, but not pity. Morgan looks at me like I'm not a mess, like I'm not some broken thing that needs charity.

Jessie used to look at me like that after I told her the truth.

I like the way Morgan looks at me—it makes me feel this warm inside.

Before she came back to town I was alone— her mom was the only kind of friend I had... as depressing as it may sound. My coworkers were nice and sometimes invite me to hang out but I never felt like going. Unlike my high school days I'm not as sociable now.

I'm way too cautious when making friends now but that's something I need to work on, I know it's not good for my mental health to be so lonely but with my trust issues and kind of fucks up it's not going to be easy.

Morgan's return has also made me realize that, that I need to regain back my social life.

I got out of the shower and walked to my bedroom on my towel when my phone began to ring. It was no other than Morgan calling — I stopped the music from the speaker before answering.

"What now Valentine?"

"Someone is in a good mood." She said with sarcasm.

"I was until you called."

"Ouch, here I thought I made you happy."

You do... a lot unfortunately.

"Sorry to break your bubble." I went through my drawers to grab my underwear.

"Nah don't worry, I know your lying anyways."

I hummed and put the phone in speaker so I could put on my underwear. "Sure, what do you want?"

"Harsh, straight to the point. But to answer your question... nothing, I'm just bored and was wondering what were you doing?"

"I was showering and now I'm changing." I took my phone again, now finally on my underwear.

Morgan was quiet for a second. "Can I see?"

I arched a brow at her bold request— not entirely sure if she was joking but knowing her—she probably is.

"Why? So you can masturbate on your bed again?"

"Don't call it that!" She yelled making me laugh.

"It is called that so you're going to have to grow up and get use to it." I searched for some shorts and a shirt through my clothes.

"It's a very embarrassing word, so no."

I hummed as I put on my shorts.

"So... can I come over?" Morgan asked.

I stopped and smirked, "What do I gain from that?"

"Well I'll bring dinner and we can you know... kiss and... enjoy each others company?"

"Dinner does sound tempting."

"Is that really what caught your interest."

"Sure it was. I love Chinese, see you later Valentine."

"Wait—" I hung up the phone before she could end whatever it is that she was going to say.

I finished up getting dressed and went to the livingroom to keep watching Love Island while I waited for Morgan to come over. Ten minutes into watching I heard a knock on the door so I didn't even bother on standing to open it since Morgan would probably just barg in after that.

But then it was knocked two times more.

Maybe that's not Morgan, I wonder who could it be then.

I stood up from the couch and went to the door and hesitated before opening it up, but ultimately I did. I felt my breathing stop when I saw the one standing in there.

"What the hell are you doing here."

I haven't seen, known or spoken to Jessica Miller in eight years after she kicked out of her life but yet here she is and it made no sense. She looked perfectly fine as she's always looked and once upon a time I would have been over the clouds about her being here. Because even after what happened at that party years ago I still loved her for a long time. Jessie was my first love even if she never reciprocated my feelings, so getting her over was not an easy task. There were times where I dream about her coming over and forgiving me for that night.

I was a pathetic mess begging for someones affection, someone who didn't deserve it.

But I didn't see that before.

Six years ago I would have hugged her in the instant if she appeared like this... but not now, right now all I want is for her to go back to the place she appeared from even if she's yet to say a word.

"I— I'm just in town for the day and... wanted to see you since I heard you were here." Jessie couldn't even look at me.

"Funny that you waited almost ten years to wanting to see me Jessica. Who told you where I live?"

"That doesn't matter. And I'm sorry, I know it's been too long but I just couldn't help myself Hayley. Can we talk?" She finally looked up from her hands.

"No we can't, not now and not ever." I was fuming but I wasn't about to let her know she was affecting me.

"Hayley I just want to apologize, okay?" She sighed.

"Apology rejected then, if your feeling guilty for how you treated me— your supposed best friend then you should. I'm not going to help you with that because I do not forgive you. I needed my friend back then and you let me to rot because I kissed you once. If you could wait ten years to face me and apologize then it clearly didn't bother you at all. So get out of here and don't try to contact me again." I gave her one more look, she had her jaw clenched and embarrassment was all over her face. "Have a nice life Jessica."

With that I shut the door on her face and locked it—I stood there with my face resting against it until I heard her footsteps retreat after a few minutes. I swallowed the lump on my throat and let out a shaky breath before making my way to the couch.

I refused to cry over her again in my life, but if I did right now it wouldn't be because of sadness, it would be because I'm angry.

The nerve she has to come here with a pathetic apology.

I took breaths on the couch to try to calm myself but still some tears managed to escape from the corners of my eyes and I harshly wiped them away.

Some part of me felt lighter though—maybe this was some closure I needed. To say to Jessie's face what I felt— that I didn't forgive her.

People might think that is not good, that I should forgive and forget, but I couldn't and wouldn't.

Jessie may have not got her apology accepted by coming here but I think I got my closure with her.

Then the door was knocked on again and the doorknob moved to open it but it failed since it was locked.

That surely is Morgan.

I hurried to the door and unlocked it.

"Hey I brought Chinese," she showed me the bags on her left hand.

I ignored it and pulled her inside the apartment and into a hug.

"Hayls what's wrong?" She hugged me with her available arm. I inhaled her scent and for first time since that moment I felt myself beginning to find so calm.

"Jessie was here," I mumbled against her neck.

Morgan sighed and kissed the crown of my head.

"Come." She broke the hug and grabbed my hand—guiding me to the couch with her and opened her arms for me.

Morgan didn't push me to tell her what happened. She tried to distract me by making me eat what she brought and binge watching Love Island with me.

At some point during the night I did break and she was there to hear me without asking questions or saying anything but sweet things when I started crying until I calmed down.

It felt good to be held, to not feel alone or unwanted.

To have someone to lean on for once.

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