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Dedication: LustEnvy for reading the Wattpad version and buying the published version. Thank you! <3

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Dry.

Everything felt dry. Slowly, I parted my lips. I attempted to talk but no sound came out. My eyelids felt like they were crusted together.

"I think she's awake," I heard a voice say.

"Hayley?"

My other senses slowly were coming back but I felt extremely groggy and disorientated.

Dry. Stiff. Painful.

An unearthly sound filled the room. It didn't take me long to realize that the sound was coming from me. My eyes fluttered open and clear, crystal blue eyes met mine. I squinted, trying to comprehend where I was. The bare white walls surrounding me were unfamiliar. Fortunately, the boy in front of me was.

"Hales," he murmured, his hand cupping my cheek. His thumb tentatively stroked my cheek, and I automatically leaned into it.

"Water," I mouthed, my voice inaudible. Somehow he understood me and filled the empty plastic cup beside me. The cool liquid ran down my throat easily. I croakily cleared my throat a couple times. It felt like I hadn't spoken for months.

My entire body felt stiff and rigid. My stomach was tense and sore. Slowly, I moved my hands underneath the sheet laid over me. I was wrapped in a bandage.

Slowly, images started to flood my brain. Colin stood stock-still as he waited for me to understand what was happening. Ameika was hovering uneasily behind him, furiously biting her nails. Jeremy was passed out in a position that I'd guess would be extremely uncomfortable.

Mr. Johnston. Imogen. The entire thing felt like a dream. Surely, it couldn't be real. Those things just didn't happen. Surely this entire ordeal has just been a sick joke of some sort. I could not be here in hospital after being stabbed by my best friend. It just couldn't be real.

"Did it really happen?" I whispered, staring into Colin's unblinking gaze. His upper lip was split, but the cut looked like it was healing. He had a dark bruise underneath his left eye and his jaw seemed slightly swollen. Other than those obvious injuries, he appeared to be fine.

Slowly, he nodded.

I squeezed my eyes close, images of that night bombarding my brain. A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the things Mr. Johnston said to me. He killed my father. After such a long time wondering who could possibly have done this to me, it was all answered. Some drug-dealing psychopath. I always wanted closure and now I had it. It wasn't exactly what I had had in mind.

"You're okay now," Colin murmured to me. His thumb ran across my dry lip. He tilted my head back so that I was looking into his eyes. "I won't ever let anyone hurt you again."

"He killed my father."

"I know."

"He tried to kill me. Again."

"I know. He can't hurt you anymore, Hayley. He's locked up."

My brain turned blank. I stared at Colin for a moment. "What?"

"Same with his psycho bitch girlfriend," Ameika spat. I jumped a little, having forgotten she was there at all. Pain seared through my abdomen and I sucked in a startled breath.

"You okay?" Colin asked instantly. I waved him off lethargically.

The door to my room opening caused my head to whip to the side. Anthony entered, carrying a cup of coffee. He looked as exhausted as I felt. He cracked me a lopsided smile.

"Glad to see you're back in the land of the living," he said lightly, taking a small sip.

"Doesn't feel too great to be back," I admitted faintly, giving him a weak smile. It meant a lot to me that he was here.

"I bet."

Colin's hand touched my thigh and I sighed. Having him here automatically made me feel so much better.

"How's Chase?" I asked suddenly.

Colin grimaced, shaking his head slightly. "Not too good. He took off two days ago and no one has heard from him since."

"Oh God." I sighed, my eyes squeezing shut. "I hope he doesn't do anything stupid."

"By the sound of it he just needs some time to himself," Ameika pitched in and offered me a small smile. "He will be fine, Hales."

"I hope so."

I heard a strange snorting sound and Jeremy suddenly twitched, emerging from his coma-like sleep. He slowly reeled into sitting position and gaped around the room as if trying to figure out where he was. Jeremy also looked a little bruised and battered from the ordeal. No one offered to help him figure out what was happening. We just waited for his mind to slowly get up to speed. He turned his eyes to me and grinned.

"Hey."

"Hey." I laughed softly. The muscles in my stomach tightened and I cringed, biting down on my tongue. It was definitely going to be painful the next few days.

He rubbed his face roughly and groaned. Silence settled over the room as none of us really knew what to say next. I watched silently as Jeremy fumbled for his phone, withdrawing it from his pocket. His eyebrows rose as he read what was on the screen.

"Chase sent me a text. He said he's okay and not to worry about him. He's staying at his aunt's place."

A wave of relief rolled over me, knowing that he was alright.

"Thank God, the idiot had me worried," Colin muttered.

A soft knock on the door had us all startled. My mouth physically fell open as I saw who was there.

My grandfather.

He hadn't changed much since I saw him last. Although I probably wasn't paying too close of attention to his physical appearance as he had been leaning over me, screaming in my face. The room was eerily silent as we stared at each other.

"Let's go," Ameika murmured softly, gathering her things. Silently, Colin got up after giving my knee a quick, reassuring squeeze. He grabbed Jeremy's hand, hauling him to his feet. Jeremy was giving me a mixture between a worried and confused look as he was being forcefully dragged from the room. Anthony followed them out and the room dramatically emptied.

I looked back to my grandfather. Not a word was exchanged between us as we just stared. I had no idea what to say to him. The fact that he was here at all was astonishing.

"I came when you were first admitted, but you weren't awake," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

I didn't reply. My mouth was still hanging. He cleared his throat uneasily, still hovering by the door.

"How–er," he stammered, unable to meet my eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"Been better."

"I imagine so."

It was so damn awkward. I physically could feel the awkward tension between us.

"Er...you can come in," I said, slightly shifting my position. I grimaced as I shifted slightly to the left. The muscles in my stomach screamed in protest and I collapsed back down, feeling breathless.

"Are you alright?" he asked, rushing to my side. He reached out to me but stopped, as if he wasn't sure how to comfort me.

I didn't answer. A painful sigh escaped me. Awkwardly, my grandfather shuffled so that he was closer to the bed. "I know saying I'm sorry isn't enough after everything, but I am. I'm so sorry, Hayley. When your father died...I didn't deal with it well. I was selfish. I had lost a son, but you had lost a father. I didn't agree with the way you acted, but I understand. I understand that that was how you dealt with the loss. That was a coping mechanism for you—to party and distract yourself from the pain. Mine was the opposite and I couldn't understand..." His voice cracked and he looked away, biting his fist. A sob racked his body and my jaw was swinging open by this point. My heart was slamming against my ribcage and my eyes burned with tears. The tears this time, however, weren't due to the pain I was feeling. "Not only had I lost a son, but to have my only other son accused of doing those things to you...I couldn't cope. I chose not to believe you and punish you instead of listening. God, Hayley, I am so sorry."

Tears were rapidly falling down my cheeks. My mouth had turned hot. I pressed my hand to my mouth to muffle the cries that were beginning to escape. I had not expected this. Not one, little bit. I couldn't respond. All I could do was cry.

I reached out and he came forward, gripping my hand. I squeezed it. I wanted to pull him into an embrace, but I was in too much pain. A hiccup ripped through my chest and I tensed, the pain in my stomach intensifying.

"I'm sorry too," I finally blurted. "I didn't consider the fact that you had lost someone as well. I was selfish too."

After hearing his words, it became easier to breathe. Almost as though a weight that I hadn't realized was there had been lifted off my shoulders. Silence fell between us once more, but only this time, it wasn't awkward.

"It means a lot to me that you're here."

The words that left my mouth surprised me almost as much as they surprised him. His mouth opened and shut numerous times, no words coming out.

"I wish Gran was here too," I murmured.

He sank down, sitting beside me on the mattress. It was as though those words triggered something inside him. He leaned down and gripped my hand.

"Me too."

After that, I found it easier to talk to Gramps. He told me how lonely he was after Gran died, but he also shared that he recuperated little by little because he knew Gran wouldn't have wanted him to just mope around.

"School was tough at first, I will admit that," I told him and sighed. He gave me a pained expression. "I got myself in trouble a few times, but believe it or not, that school was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I met Colin, and for that, I will always be grateful."

"Are you just saying that to make me feel better?" he said with a slight chuckle, his eyes beginning to water.

"No." I laughed. "Well, maybe a little, but it is the truth."

The next hour seemed to fly by as we continued to talk. I hadn't spoken to him so much before in my entire life. It was actually nice to reminiscence with him about old memories. He shared some funny stories about my dad which was good to hear after everything I've recently been through.

We talked for another fifteen minutes before Gramps glanced down at his watch, sighed and said, "I have to go."

Disappointment stirred in my chest. We had just had a real conversation for the first time in years. I didn't want it to end so soon. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead. Wisps of his graying moustache tickled my skin. I sighed slightly, memories of him doing the same thing to me as a child rushing back to me. I didn't realize how much I missed him being a part of my life.

"Wait!" I suddenly blurted when he was almost by the door. "How–er, how did you know about me? Being here, I mean."

"The school contacted me, but it was Colin who told me the real version of events," he said and offered me a small smile. I was shocked at that. I knew Colin cared about me, but it still surprises me whenever he does stuff like that.

I was also a little worried about what my gramps thought of him considering how intimidating Colin could be. My grandfather must've noticed my trepidation because he smirked.

"I don't mind him."

A grin stretched across my face at his approval. He just shot me a playful wink in return. Before he went out, I mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I see you again sometime?"

He didn't answer right away. He took a deep breath first before he flashed me a loving smile. "I'll see you soon, Hayley."

The door swung shut behind him, and it was only then that I realized my hands were trembling. I leaned back, cringing a little with pain. That was so unbelievable.

"Is it safe to come back in?" Ameika asked, successfully pulling me from my thoughts.

"Yeah, of course, come in."

"How did it go?" she asked hesitantly, Colin in tow behind her.

A gigantic grin stretched across my face. "Really well, believe it or not."

I could physically see the relief on Colin's face as he realized he made the right choice of contacting my gramps. I smiled at him. He was amazing.

"Thank you, Colin," I said earnestly as Jeremy and Anthony followed suit.

"I'm glad to see that didn't blow up in my face." He laughed, running a hand through his hair. He moved to the side of the bed and sunk down beside me. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too," I replied and sighed.

Despite everything I've been through in the last few years, somehow I have come out okay. Better than okay, actually. Maybe not physically okay right now but somewhat okay. What happened at Downright High would scar me forever, and I would never forget it. But at the same time, I found Colin and that was enough to make me okay. I have a small group of good friends, and I have found the love of my life.

Really, what more could I ask for?

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This is the final chapter. There will be an epilogue posted right after this. I hope you enjoyed! 💜