Disclaimer: I do not own All Time Low, any band or brand, or the lyrics I use in this story

Chapter 16

"Don't forget we've got unfinished business, stories yet to unfold, tales that must be retold. And I regret not knowing when to put an end to all this madness."- Running From Lions, All Time Low.

Hayley's P.O.V.

Why was I not surprised to see Anna when I walked into school Monday morning?

Oh that's right, because she hates me.

Well, she may not hate me. But she probably wants to make amends.

I don't.

And she knows I don't, which means that she will probably screw everything up. Starting with Alex.

So why was I not surprised when he was talking to her?

I just walked by them. I wasn't in the mood to fight.

Is it good that I hear someone following me?

I turned my head slightly to see Alex. I felt a wave of relief hit me. "Hey," he said. I opened my locker.

"Why were you talking to Anna?" I blurted out. I slapped my hand over my mouth because I did not want to say that yet.

"Uh, she came up to me. How do you know her?" He said.

"Anna was the girl who caused my depression. The reason I'm here in Baltimore, Maryland," I said more aggressively than I should have.

Alex sighed. "That Anna? Really? Just to be sure." I nodded. "Hayley. That Anna is my second cousin."

"Do what!" I yelled, causing some people to look in our direction.

"Anna is my second cousin," he said again.

"I can't believe this," I whispered to myself. I slammed my locker shut and started walking in the other direction.

Well, he's not on my side anymore.

Alex's P.O.V.

I searched the cafeteria for Hayley. I finally found her sitting alone. "Hey," I sat down next to her and put my arm around her shoulders.

"Hi," she said.

"You're upset?" I said, but it came out more as a statement. She nodded, then got up and walked away. I knew she just wanted to be alone, so I didn't follow her.

"Hi Alex." Anna sat down next to me.

"Hey Anna."

She started eating her food. I just looked ahead in deep thought. I couldn't hold in what was swirling around in my mind anymore.

"Anna what happened with you and Hayley?" I finally said. She dropped her fork and her eyes widened.

"Lot's of shit," she mumbled. She turned her body to me but rested her head in her hand and looked at the same wall I was looking at. I turned so I was facing her. "Too much shit that got me in too deep and now she hates me for it. I don't blame her," she said.

My first instinct was to defend Hayley, but I'm torn between because Anna is family. I, personally, don't think Hayley should forget it. Everything that happened between them destroyed her.

"Anyway," Anna shook her head, "do you have band practice today?"

"Yeah, at Rian's house." I said.

"Can I come?" she said.

I smirked. "Hayley will be there."

"What? Why?"

"She's my girlfriend."

Her mouth formed the shape of an O. She got up but I swear she mumbled, "Not for long if I'm here," before she left.

What did I get myself into?

Hayley's P.O.V.

Guess who has two classes with Anna?

Hayley does.

Yes, I spoke in the third person. Well, thought in the third person.

"Hey, Rian."

"Hey Hayley. Coming to practice?"

"Wouldn't miss it," I smiled.

"Let's go then."

I followed Rian out to his car. I got in the back seat, knowing Jack would want the passenger seat. I saw him walk to the car with Zack, who got in next to me. We were waiting on Alex.

My jaw dropped when I saw Anna with him. I got out of the car so she could get in. Alex sat next to her. I was about to turn around and leave, but Alex pulled me on his lap and kissed me.

We got to Rian's house and was greeted by his Mom. In the basement, I sat on the bar stool and Anna sat next to me.

"Hayley," she said.

I turned to look at her. "What?" I spat at her. She flinched.

"I'm sorry, but you have to believe me when I say I'm not the same. When you left I just...I tried to think of the right way to say I'm sorry. I broke up with Tyler, broke off any contact I had with the other guys and if you don't believe that you can ask anyone back home." she said.

"But we can't keep hating each other like this. We're setting ourselves up for a disaster that might not even happen," I stopped her.

"Look, I don't want you here any more than you don't want me to hate you." I sighed. "But since you are here I need to at least make an attempt." I looked at my feet. "Can we try to get along?" I held out my hand and half-smiled. She smiled and shook it.

"One condition," I said. She nodded.

"When I say a guy is bad news, listen to me." I actually laughed a little.

She chuckled. "Deal."

For a moment there was an awkward silence between us, but that was filled by the guys playing a song. We started talking and it was like we were friends again, but I was still uneasy.

Band practice ended and Alex was happy we are trying to end this feud.

I should listen to my gut more often though, because what was about to happen would make things ten times worse.