Chapter 12
714 Words
Eddy knew he had messed up big time. But he also knew one thing that he could still win his old friends back.
Hailey and Evy had been with him through thick and thin. He didn’t just need to clear things with Evy. He owed Hailey an apology, too. She deserved it just as much. And deep down, he was grateful that Hailey had stood by Evy when she needed someone the most.
With a faint hope that Hailey might forgive him, Eddy went to school looking for her. He had to be careful. He needed to talk to her when Evy and Owen weren’t around.
But it wasn’t easy.
Either Evy or Owen was always with her. He had seen Hailey with Owen quite a few times now, and it was obvious that they liked each other. Finally, after school, he spotted her near the football ground. She seemed to be waiting for Owen, who was busy with the coach.
Taking his chance, he walked toward her.
“Hey, Hails,” he greeted nervously.
“Oh… hey, Edward,” she replied. Shock and confusion were clearly written across her face.
“So, um… how are you?” he asked awkwardly. “It’s been a long time, huh?”
“Why now, Ed?” she asked bluntly. “It’s been two years. So why now?”
He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know how to put his emotions into words.
After a few seconds of silence, Hailey stood up and started walking away.
“Wait, Hailey!”
She turned back.
“I am really sorry,” he said quickly. “For everything I did. For the way I treated you all these years.”
“Eddy,” she replied calmly, “your sorry won’t bring those moments back. It won’t erase the fact that you betrayed our friendship for popularity. And it won’t change anything.”
“Come on, Hails,” he pleaded. “You girls used to be so forgiving. You always stood by me—”
“And what did you do?” she interrupted sharply. “You threw us away like garbage when you found someone better. You took us for granted. And where were you when we needed our best friend the most? Did you stand beside us when it mattered? No. You chose your bloody, worthless jackass friends over us.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but she didn’t let him.
“No, Eddy. I don’t want to hear your lame excuses,” she said firmly. “Just answer one thing. Why do you remember us now? When Evy left school, did you even come to me to talk? You didn't even bother checking up on me. Now, why do you suddenly want to clear the air when you could have done it two years ago? You could have stopped Evy from leaving. But you didn’t.
He was speechless.
“Cat got your tongue?” she continued. “You know what? Don’t bother answering. It’s because of Owen.”
“O—Owen?” he stammered.
“Yup, Owen,” she said without hesitation. “Because the things we three used to do together, Owen is doing with us now. Don’t deny it, Eddy. I’ve noticed the way you look at him. You’re jealous. You think he’s replaced you.” She paused, then added, “And let’s not forget—Carson has changed. He owned up to his mistakes and became a better person. Suddenly, you want to turn over a new leaf, too.” She sighed. “Eddy, I’m sorry, but as Evy said, you’ll have to earn our trust back. You messed up big time. And for God’s sake, don’t repeat your mistakes. Because if you do, our perspective of you will only get worse.”
With that, Hailey walked away.
As Eddy stood there, her words echoed in his head. And if he was honest with himself, then every single word she said was true.
He was jealous of Owen. And maybe… Carson’s change had played a role, too. But one thing was clear now.
If he wanted them back, if he truly wanted to fix what he had broken, then apologies alone wouldn’t be enough anymore.
He would have to prove it.
- Writer
