Broken Bad Boy

PERCIE

"So, how did it go?" Hailey asked over the phone. I'd been watching her window from the street where I parked my car. The lights were still on.

"You should have seen their faces." I was not proud of what I did, of how I left. Everything didn't go as I planned, the moment my mother did not even show a little remorse to me.

"It didn't go well, I see." There was sadness in the tone of her voice.

I sighed.

"I take that as a yes."

"Can I see you?" "Percie "

"All you have to do is walk out of your house, Lee. I wanna see you." I wanted to see her. I wanted to get rid of this unsettling emotion in the pit of my stomach. I knew only Hailey could help me.

"Wait a sec." She must be studying. The surprise in her voice made my heart flutter. Then her shadow appeared on the curtain of her room. "You're here."

"Yup. Can I come? Or up to you, you come down. I just wanna talk to you." I sounded desperate because I was.

"We're talking." She must be rolling her eyes right now.

"I know, Lee. But it's okay. Just stay on the window." It wouldn't be enough, but I would take whatever she could offer to me right now.

"Don't be silly. See you in a bit," she was whispering. She must be outside of her room, down the hallway.

I unlocked my car the moment she appeared outside the door.

"Hey." Her smile was wide as she stared at me. She pressed her lips to mine before I could reply.

"I should surprise you a visit all the time."

"I thought you could use one." Her eyes lit up.

"A kiss? I could use plenty."

Her smile widened. "What are you doing here, Percie?" There was something in Hailey that could light up the entire world. Maybe her sincerity, her kindness. Everything about her was pure, and I was scared I could taint it.

"I missed you," I told her the truth. After I met my parents, I went to Roninstory, had a little chat with Remy. But I still felt empty. I still needed someone who could fill that void. I knew exactly where to find it. That was how I ended up here. "I missed you too." She framed my face with her hands, caressing my cheek with her thumb. "You okay?"

"I'll be fine now that I see you." It was adorable, and the ache in my chest intensified.

I'm madly in love with Hailey. I couldn't even last a day without seeing her, without talking to her. It was crazy.

Hailey was my comfort, my band-aid to my wound, my console to my losses.

"Everything is gonna be okay, Percie. I promise you that." She kissed me again. I loved it in her when she never hid her desires and what she wanted.

Every part of me ached, craved for her. But I couldn't take her back to our apartment. I melted to her. I took what I could get.

I raked my fingers through her hair to deepen the kiss. I wanted to taste her. She always tasted sweet that I always craved. She moaned into our mouths as our tongues battled.

Our kiss went slow, wet, and gentle. We were taking it slow as if we had the time in the world. I hoped we had.

After losing my sister, I realized we couldn't know when we would be our last time if we could even have a chance to say goodbye to the people we cared about, to the people we loved. Time mattered.

We broke the kiss with a long sigh. Our foreheads pressed each other.

"Did I disturb you?"

"No. I was just reading my book. It's late. Why are you still out?"

"I went to see Remy."

"How is he?" Her question was genuine.

"He'll be fine," I assured her.

"And you?"

I leaned back.

"You don't wanna talk about it. It's okay."

"I want to. That's why I am here."

"I thought you're here because you miss me." Her words had me smiling.

"I always missed you when you're not in arms, smartass." I held her hand, squeezing it. "My mother is still mad at me. I planned to, maybe apologize, admit my mistakes, but I snapped out when she said something terrible. They were calling my name when I left. I don't know when I can go back again."

"Give them some time."

"I have been patient. But I guess they are still in denial."

She squeezed my hand back. "Time will tell. I haven't fully recovered. That incident is still haunting me in my sleep. I can't compare your situation to mine, and I couldn't even begin to imagine what you've been going through, but in my experience, I have to remind myself that God has a plan for my brother and me. I keep our best memories together alive in my mind and my heart. Your parents, your mother will forgive you. They're still dwelling with their loss." I took her hand, planting it to my lips. "Thanks, Lee."

"You're one of the best things that have happened in my life. I'm always here for you, Percival Matthews."

***

Three days ago, I received a call from Grandpa, inviting me for a weekend. I knew it wasn't a weekend getaway, but a courtesy call.

I took Hailey with me since they kept on asking about her.

Everything was doing great before we left, but I wasn't sure if I could pull it through. It had been more than a year since the last time I drove through this intersection.

The traffic light turned green. My breathing suddenly caught in my chest. I tried to block a certain memory out of my head. My grip tightened against the steering wheel. I was sure I was blanched. I could feel the sweat forming on my skin.

Hailey didn't have any idea. She was still scrolling on her phone, sitting in the passenger seat.

I tried to balance my breathing, but it didn't help.

I went deadly cold as I recalled the image in my head.

"Oh, god," she muttered.

I squeezed my eyes shut. "Lee?" I called her name. At least I thought I remembered calling her name.

I felt hands framing my face. "Percie, breathe. Deep breathe. It's okay. I'm here. Just breathe."

I did as she said.

The honking of cars jolted me in my seat. "Lee, c-can you drive? I'm not feeling so well."

"Of course." I could feel and hear Hailey rushed to get out and help me.

I leaned against the car as I tried to take deep breaths.

Warm air rushed through my face. Sun streaked through my skin.

I opened my eyes slowly. I was outside. Cars passed by, some were mad that I caused traffic. But right now, I didn't give a shit.

Throughout our ride, Hailey kept on checking out on me.

If it happened before, I was not going to admit it, but after what we shared, I told her where it happened, and she did not even judge or show me pity.

Finally, we reached the iron-wrought gate of my grandparents' property.

"Are you ready?" I asked her when she suddenly stopped in front of the gate.

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"I'm nervous."

"Don't be." I chuckled. "It's just Grandpa and Grandma. You've already met them."

"Yeah. In the hospital."

"We can go back if you want."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't want them to think that I'm a having cold feet. Let's go and get this over with."

"Lee?"

"Don't tell them what happened in the intersection. I don't want them to worry."

"Of course." She nodded and gave me a tight smile.

"I'll see a shrink if it makes you feel better."

"Promise?"

"I'll do it for us and my sanity."

We parked in front of the house or the mansion because it was a large, impressive house surrounded by massive lawns and a golf course at the back. We entered the dramatic entrance of at least 13 rooms house with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic view.

"Oh, Hailey dear. Good to finally see you here." It was Grandma with her radiant look. I wished my mother was excited as she was.

"This is a lovely-um-" She wandered her eyes around. "Home."

"Don't be silly. You're always welcome here." Grandpa hugged Hailey out of delight.

"Good to see you, too, Grandma."

"Cool down your horses. Come here, hug Grandpa."

I sauntered closer. "Since when did we do hugs?"

He hugged me and hit my back. "Your Grandma is upset." Oh, I see.

"Why am I in trouble? What did I do this time?" I asked ignorantly.

"Yes," Grandpa answered, "but in the meantime. Help Hailey to her room. She must be tired from the ride. And you will stay in your old room." "We have a lot to talk about, Percie," Grandma said. Oh, boy.

"Can I tour Hailey first?"

"Go ahead. But we have something to discuss after dinner."

Fuck.