Moving In With The McDonoughs (a Before You Exit Fanfiction)

Chapter 20

I didn't realise that I was holding my breath till I actually needed to inhale again. Haley hadn't said anything for about a minute or so and it seemed like forever! The tension was thick in the air. Riley, Toby and I were glancing at each other and I could tell that those two were as nervous as I was. Toby started biting his nails, as he did when he got nervous, and I placed my arm around his shoulders. Braiden let go of Haley's arm and she walked behind him, over to one of the lamp posts that were situated all over the lawn and stopped.

Haley's POV:

I walked over to the lamp post nearest to me and was kind of glad that Braiden had let go of my arm. I was still struggling with words and a battle was going on in my head. I still had the chance NOT to tell Braiden but I also knew that I had to let someone from Before You Exit know, other than Connor, Riley and Toby. I let my gaze fall on the steel lamp post and froze. What the? I was definitely seeing things in the dark... right? I blinked a couple of times but the reflection from the lamp post didn't change. Why was I seeing Connor, Riley and Toby crouching in the terrace above the front lawn? I knew I couldnt turn around because then they would know that I has spotted them. I had to confirm my assumption. I slowly went to Braiden.

"Uhh, Braiden?" I said rather cautiously.

"Yeah?" he replied. 

"This might sound stupid but could you go to that lamp post and tell me what you see, please?" he gave me confused look but did what I asked. A while later, he slowly turned his head to me and raised his eyebrows. I nodded. So, I wasnt seeing things after all! He came to me slowly and rubbed his neck with hand.

"Uhh, what are they doing there?" he whispered.

"No idea but I'll definitely ask them later," I whispered back, making him laugh. I smiled.

"So what was that 'something' you had to tell me?" he asked. I gulped. Oh boy! What do I do? I took in a deep breath. Here goes nothing! 

"First, can I have your number so that I can keep in contact with you?" I asked, realising a second later what I had actually asked. A small smile appeared on his face and on mine, too. 

"Yeah... Sure," he said while taking out his phone. I did the same and we exchanged numbers. He was still smiling when he put his phone back. I glanced at Connor, Riley and Toby from the lamp post and saw them exchanges glances. I rolled my eyes. I'll deal with them later, I thought to myself. Speaking of later, I suddenly realised I wont have a 'later' if I didn't hurry with the news. I looked at Braiden with a serious face and saw his smile disappper. Oh, how I hated that moment! 4 out of 5 of BYE was going to know the truth about the next day.

"Braiden, you do know that I'm an orphan, right" I asked him and he nodded.

"Well, every location that I'm sent to... I dont spent a lot of time in them... In one destination, I mean," I went on with hopes that he would catch the hint without me stating the whole thing but he just nodded.

"Yeah, so?" he asked, I sighed. I turned and stood facing no one in particular but I could see both Braiden and the boys from the corners of my eyes. I felt miserable! I looked down and then back up.

"I'm... I got a call from Mr. Simon a few days ago. He's in charge of my allocations and... He told me something that I really didn't want to hear! Not after knowing you guys for so long," I looked at Braiden with a frown on my face. He had furrowed his eye brows and folded his arms. I continued talking.

"I never understood why Mr. Simon told me never to get close to one family I lived but after living with you... With the McDonoughs, I finally understood what he meant..." I was interrupted by a gasp sort of sound that came from Braiden's mouth. It was more like he exhaled sharply from his mouth. I turned to him. His arms fell limp to his sides and he had tilted his head to the side and extreme sadness showed on his face.

"No... Haley, please tell me you dont mean that..." he broke off and looked like he was about to cry. That was it. My tough wall shattered to pieces and I ran into Braiden's arms and buried my face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around me tightly and I heard him sniff and exhale from his mouth. He was controlling his emotions. I, on the other hand, was letting my emotions out in the form of tears.  

Toby's POV:

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?! Why did Haley just run into Braiden arms? IS SHE CRYING? Why was she crying... Wait, why is BRAIDEN crying? I looked over to Riley and Connor to ask them what was going on but they also looked extremely sad. Was I the only one who didn't know what Haley had meant? Apparently! Connor sighed sadly and Riley placed his arm around his shoulder briefly and they both got up. Wait a second! The snooping's over? How come? I just got up and followed them. Once we were inside, I bombarded them with questions. 

"Guys, what was that all about? What did Haley mean? Why did she run into Braiden's arms? Was she crying? Why was..." I was interrupted by Connor.

"TOBY GIVE IT A REST, WILL YA?!?!" he shouted at me. I froze in shock. Connor NEVER shouted at me, not even when he was frustrated. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Riley had already walked halfway towards his room with his head hung low. He stopped and turned.

"Do Mom and Dad know?" he asked Connor in a weak tone. He shrugged.

"I dunno... Guess we'll have to ask them," he replied. He suddenly sounded tired. 

"Do Mom and Dad know what?" I asked Connor in a small voice. He looked at me and his frustration was gone. He swung his arm around my shoulders and leaned our heads together. We started walking to our rooms. He hadn't answered my question yet! I was about to say so when he spoke up.

"Toby... Haley's leaving," 

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OH MY GOODNESS!! This chapter has SSOOO much emotion in it that I felt a lump forming in my throat while writing it! :( HALEY'S LEAVING!!! :''''''(

WARNING: The story will be a bit sad from now for a couple more chapters so grab your tissue boxes! I already have mine nearby. Anyways, I hope you like the chapter! 

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Peace! xx