I am a Good Girl

Hayden's POV

I had willingly entered my Hell.
This was my fault. I put myself here now I had to suffer, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
As soon as Olivia blew out the candles, I was gone before the lights were turned back on.
The grueling hours I had just spent, listening to her rant about how God damned perfect her life was and my parents just lapping it up!
While I sit, forced to be silent or I'd make a fool of myself. It wasn't worth staying another minute, being treated like a piece of furniture.
I tugged CC through my house and out to the curb. I had never been so happy to see my car.
"Are you sure you want to leave?" CC asked, looking concerned.
"I am one hundred and ten percent sure that I'd rather sit in a sauna that was on actual fire than be in that hell!" I shouted as I searched my bag for my keys.
"Come on, it wasn't that bad" he said soothingly, rubbing his hands on my arms.
I let out a chuckle and shook my head. "Then you're blind" I said bluntly.
"Hayden..." CC struggled for words.
"I just wanna go home. I shouldn't have come. You were great though, they loved you" I said, trying my best to smile.
CC gave me a comforting smile and gently squeezed my arm. "Do you want me to drive?" He asked.
I nodded and continued to search for my keys.
"Hayden! Wait!" I turned to see my Mum bursting out of the front door.
"What?!" I shot, not meaning it to sound too mean.
"Where are you going? You haven't even had cake yet" she stated as if she couldn't read the expression on my face.
"I'm going home. I no longer want to be here" I said, finally finding my keys and handing them to CC.
"But I thought we could celebrate the engagement and have a few drinks" she offered.
"I'll celebrate at home."
"But, Hayden, we barely see you, please stay" my Mom begged, her eyes, a deep brown were soft. The wrinkles in her naturally tanned face becoming more prominent as she aged.
"I really don't want to. Not if I'm gonna be told to shut up or cut off or made to feel insignificant. I'm not having it. If you really wanna see me, maybe come down to LA, since you've never even seen my place, never met my dog, don't know who my friends are and oh! Don't know one thing about me!" I ranted, even though I shouldn't be taking it out on my Mom.
"Hayden don't be like that" my Mom snapped.
"Oh yeah? What's my dog's name? Hmm?" I pushed, testing her. I'd only told her one hundred times.
"...Hayden, this is ridiculous!" She fussed.
"You don't know, do you?" I said, not trying to sound patronizing.
"Hayden... You can't expect me to know everything..."
"Okay, what's the name of the gym I work at?" I continued, my mouth unable to stop.
My Mom opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"Unfuckingbelievable. I'm going. Don't invite me here again" my voice hard and final.
I yanked open my car door and glared at CC to do the same.
His face told me I'd regret this choice, but I don't have regrets.
He climbed in and started the engine. Without one last parting glance, we drove down the street and left San Diego.

The drive home was silent.
I was holding back tears for most of the way.
We reached my complex and CC parked in the private car park.
He shut the engine off and the silence was deafening.
I started to get out the car, but CC grabbed my arm.
"What?" I spoke softly, not letting myself cry.
"Is that really how your family treats you?" His voice soft and curious.
"Been that way for a while. They are the reason I don't see them. My Mom is the only one on my side, but she hasn't got a clue" my voice started to shake and I could feel my cheeks burn. I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself, not wanting to cry in front of CC. "We should go inside. I should feed Duke" I said reaching of the door handle.
I rushed out of the car and into the building, not waiting for CC. I couldn't believe I'd allowed myself to be so stupid. I knew this would happen, I knew I would feel this way.
CC caught up to me as I waited for the elevator and took my hand.
"It'll be okay" he said nudging me with his shoulder.
I couldn't help but smile back. "Thanks for coming and not being completely scared off. I know they are complete assholes, but I shouldn't talk..." I hung my head.
"Hey, don't talk like that. And you're not an asshole. You are great, you're beautiful, smart and sexy and... I love you" he said, grabbing my chin making me look at him.
I almost didn't believe what I was hearing. "What?" I said, feeling my eyes grow wide and my heart flutter.
"I said, I love you."
Every bit of shame and embarrassment from earlier, vanished. All I could feel, was warmth and giddiness. Nothing could make me happier.
"I love you too" I said, pushing my body into his. His arms wrapped protectively around me, making me feel more loved than I ever had in years.

Notes