What the eyes can't see || A TMF fanfic • Jailey (REWRITEN)

Last strike of pain (Remake 2023)

Jake was running hopelessly around the block and nearby stores, but no sign of Hailey.
There was a part of him falling apart deep inside, as he wandered around, with each little disappointment.
He's never felt this guilty before.
He was so overwhelmed by all the pressure around him that his body felt heavy. So heavy he just sat on the first bench he could find.
He was hopeless at this point, crying from despair.
Hailey was missing, and her headache must be killing her, they left the entire talent show on hold and worried, and the sun was setting.
All that came to his mind was to call for her father, who he luckily had saved the number, and tell him what's going on.
As he was about to press the button, he heard a familiar sob coming from a little far.
He followed the sound and came across a tree, where Hailey surprisingly was, sitting on the grass, with her head on her hands, and crying uncontrollably, ruining her mascara and her updo.

- Hailey?! What are you doing here?
Hailey lifted her head in shock. She didn't imagine Jake would actually find her.
- Jake? What are you doing here?!
- What do you think I'm doing?! You went missing for ten whole minutes!
- Ten minutes? - she repeated in disbelief, but refused to comprehend - That's not a very long time! Why would I even go far?
- Well, these were the worst ten minutes of my life.
Jake hesitated to yell, but kept himself. Hailey just stayed on the ground and went silent.
- Do you have any idea of what you just did, Hailey? I was calling your dad to help us find you. We looked everywhere for you, and I was the only one who actually went outside. The entire school is waiting for us, and you just... Disappear?!
After the last statement, Hailey didn't hold herself and got up, yelling back at him.
- Oh, so that's what you're worried about? The talent show? What, are you afraid people are going to hate you again for making them wait? Is that what you're thinking, Jake? Because you don't seem to care about my situation right now!
- Of course I do, but it's... - he began, but was soon interrupted.
- NO! No you don't! - she yelled, taking a brief pause to contain more tears from falling out her eyes. Her head was hurting more than ever. - I just got exposed to the entire high school! Now, everybody knows I have a weird emotional headache because I fell in love with the person who used to bully me in the past, and was in love with someone else! Now, everybody knows I'm an actual freak. It's not like Drew casually calling me a freak. The entire school thinks that now. How's that sound to you? Does it feel nice to you? Because to me, it feels like I am nothing but a freak.
Jake lost some of his arguments, but didn't want to fight back. He knew Hailey was damaged the most in this story.
- ...I'm sorry. - Jake mumbled, with his eyes teary from Hailey's perspective and still very overloaded about everything that was happening.
Hailey held back her words, expecting Jake to finish.
- I'm sorry I couldn't demonstrate my feelings well. Not just about you being exposed tonight, but, also, about my feelings... Towards you. - He admited, looking right into the girl's eyes after the pause.
Hailey's heart started beating faster, and her throat started burning, as if there was something she was ought to tell him as well. She didn't know what it was, but she knew something huge was coming.
After a few intense seconds, the boy looked down to Hailey's hand, and gently grabbed it. He could feel his heartbeat racing, as if there was some adrenaline rush all over his body.
He took courage from all the things he had kept from her over time, and began to speak.
- Ever since I started to get over Daisy, I've been getting closer to you, and we kept connecting and bonding so much over time. And I just... I feel so comfortable around you, Hailey. I feel better opening up to than to anyone else. Hell, I can barely even open up to my own brother. - he relaxed for a moment. - But, with you... I just... Feel something more.
After the last statement, their hearts were suddenly on the edge of their mouths.
They were beating faster, faster, faster.
Their throats were burning, their cheeks were reddening. Their sweat was colder and colder.
And that was the moment they felt it.
- ...I think I'm in love with you, Hailey.