“Are you sure you don't mind being here?” Haley asked, tugging on the end of her red dress. She looked stunning; her favourite red dress that extenuated all her curves and made her look perfect; wearing a pair of black heels and a pair of diamond earrings that belonged to her mother.

It was a night off, and I hoped to spend it relaxing. But, unfortunately for me, I found myself at one of Haley's many gatherings that I wasn't quite sure what it was for. Her entire office was required to be there, and she asked me to go as her date. Originally, her and Derek were supposed to go together; obviously that wasn't going to happen.

“Of course not” I half smiled, trying to sound convincing. The party scene wasn't really for me; I was just happy Tyler was here also. He had come with Erica; I had no idea they even knew each other.

“I know you're lying, but really, this means a lot to me” she smiled seeing right through my lie. She kissed my cheek and slid closer to me, slipping her arm around my waist.

“You're lucky I like you” I teased with a goofy grin.

“I am lucky” she smiled honestly, looking up to me with loving eyes.

“Hey Jamie! Haley” Erica came over with Tyler in tow. “Haley, you look great!” She added, the pair pulling in for a hug, admiring Haley's dress. I agree Erica, I thought to myself with a smirk.

“Thank you!” She smiled widely, looking to Tyler. “You don't look nearly as miserable as Jamie” she smirked and sent a wink in my direction. Tyler was a lot more outgoing than I was, what can I say?

“Hey, it's not so bad!” Tyler smiled a little, looking around the crowded ball room.

“I didn't even know you guys knew each other” I spoke up with a laugh.

“I don't even wanna talk about it” Erica muttered, looking down to her feet.

“Now I need to know!” I urged, looking between the pair of them who just looked around awkwardly, averting eye contact from each other at all costs.

“Actually now that I think about it, I don't even know how you met” Haley spoke up after some apparent deep thought.

“Just think about how you and Jamie met, expect much more embarrassing” Erica spoke softly, an awkward look on her face. I thought back to how Haley and I met, and laughed to myself a little bit. We literally bumped into each other coffee spilling every where. It was incredibly embarrassing! Though in retrospect, it was the best accident of my life.

“How can it get any worse?” She snickered, looking from Tyler to Erica.

“Well-”

“Your attention please” Derek's voice rang out, saving Erica and Tyler from having to share the embarrassing story of how they met. I held Haley closer to me as he spoke, introducing himself to the crowd and welcoming everyone. He had been funding some sort of charity project, and after that I honestly didn't pay much attention o what he was saying. The crowd seemed hung on his every word, but I couldn't help but want to punch him.

He was a cheater; a good for nothing cheater. I wasn't his fan the day I met him, and that wasn't something that was going to change anytime soon. I knew he threatened me multiple times, and honestly that scared me; but what the hell was he going to do?

Finally after what seemed like an eternity, the party was finally coming to a close. Tyler, Erica, Haley and I all made our way back to the car, laughing at a joke Tyler had told us when he popped out of no where, Jessica on his arm.

“Jamie, Haley, leaving so soon?” He asked with a smirk. I felt Haley's body tense up beside me. Erica's and Tyler's face turned to a sneer almost immediately; despite Jessica being her sister it seemed like we all had the same hostility towards him.

“The party's over Derek” Haley spoke up shakily.

“The party hasn't even started yet” he grinned Jessica returning the grin beside him. They approached us, until all six of us were standing in the party garage of whatever upscale hotel we were at; I didn't drive so I didn't pay much attention.

“Look, we have to go” Erica informed him with a sneer.

“So how's it feel to have my sloppy seconds, Jamie?” Derek ignored Erica and looked at me with fire in his eyes.

“Dere-” Haley tried to interrupt, mortified but he cut her off.

“Decide to go after a girl with a boyfriend?” He asked agitated.
“Don't you have any class?”

“I wouldn't start” I sneered, clenching my fists.

“Derek please” Haley begged, standing in between us, shivering from the cold.

“There's something Jamie hasn't told you, Haley” Derek spoke up suddenly. I looked at him with confusion; what the hell was he talking about.

“What?” Haley asked, eyebrows raised. “Stop harassing me Derek. I'm with Jamie, not you. Please, just leave me-”

“He knew” Derek spat before she even had a chance to finish. Now I understood where this was going. Oh no. Oh fuck. Oh no.

“He knew what?” She asked angrily.

“He knew I was cheating on you”

She winced at his words. I wasn't sure if she winced because of him saying he cheated on her, or because I knew.

“Haley-”I tried to approach her but she backed away, a little distraught.

“When did you find out?” She asked, ignoring my pleas. Her eyes looked hurt; like she was going to cry. I felt my heart break. I was in love with Haley. I fucking loved her. The last thing I wanted was for her to be hurting; especially because I was afraid of Derek.

“The night we went out to celebrate” I hung my head low in a whisper, closing my eyes as I spoke. I felt like the worlds worst boyfriend; and the worlds worst best friend.

“I think I should go” she whispered, looking at me sadly.

“Please don't go Haley I'm sorry I didn't tell you I-” I couldn’t say why in front of Derek. I wanted to talk about this, just the two of us. “I'm sorry” I signed heavily again, trying to approach her this time.

She didn't answer me; she simply walked past the car, and onto the street. I watched with helpless eyes as she hailed a cab, and drove off into the night.

“I told you” Derek sneered. "I told you if you didn't leave her I'd make sure of it myself she wouldn't want anything to do with you" he added, brushing past me roughly.

I fucked up. Bad

Notes