Stay

Stay lyrics from Sugarland

I've been sitting here staring at the clock on the wall

And I've been laying here praying, praying she won't call

It's just another call from home

And you'll get it and be gone

And I'll be crying

“Bloody Hell” I whispered. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me; after three wonderful years he goes and does this to me? I looked between the parchment in my hand and the proof. I was blinded. I was blinded by an evil demon I hadn`t know I had possessed. Love. I grabbed a tuff of my blazing crimson hair and pulled on it wishing I was somewhere else.

Sure we had told each other I love you but I didn`t really know what love meant until now. I watched as the love of my life quickly jumped up off my best friend and attempted to put his balled up pants back on. I watched in horror as she sat there, smirking. No way. This could not be happening to me, this was a horrible dream that I would wake up from any second. This would not happen to me. I would marry my loving fiancé and we would have a dog, and kids and a house. It shouldn`t end like this!

I started to hyperventilate thinking about what they had been doing these past several months. Clutching the now crumpled parchment in my balled hand I threw my finger at him accusingly. No words escaped my dry mouth. I stood there gasping for breath while he fastened the top button on his favourite black jeans, the jeans I gave him several months prior.

I looked around for something to grab, anything, I found the edge of the black dresser we had purchased together. We had spent months saving extra money so we could purchase the antique dresser. It the first thing we bought together. I shook my head and tried desperately to control my rapid breathing. I looked down at my trembling hands to notice a gleam of silver on the ring finger of my left hand; my engagement ring. I could feel a familiar stinging sensation clouding over my eyes as well as my judgement.

“Cass, please!” Adam begged pulls his t-shirt over his head of extremely messy black hair, “Please Casey,” He begged not continuing with his sentence. It hadn’t been a onetime thing, it had more than that. I could tell his plead and the look in his eyes; he wanted to be with her.

And I'll be begging you, baby

Beg you not to leave

But I'll be left here waiting

With my Heart on my sleeve

Oh, for the next time we'll be here

Seems like a million years

And I think I'm dying

“You!” I shrieked pointing my finger at Hallie, “You ruined this!” I cried moving my hand between me and my fiancé. Hallie`s eyes bulged in fear and surprisingly, remorse. We had been best friends since our ninth year at the private boarding school all of us had attended. A short while later I told her that I was falling for Adam, and she supported and helped me. She was the one who set us up for Christ’s sake! And now she goes and sleeps with him, my Adam, my fiancé! Not her own.

I sudden thought came to my mind. Paul. Poor Paul, he has no idea. Oh-mi-god. Shrugging him off I concentrated on not killing both of them. “And you!” I screamed at Adam, “Any idea what this is? And what it means?” I flashed him my engagement ring waiting for an answer. Those were not rhetorical questions. Adam shook his head and stepped forward with open arms. He was expecting me to just forgive him? That was the last thing I was going to do.

“I can’t do this.” I honestly sighed stepping away from my ex-fiancé and ex- best friend. I took several steps back until I was at the open doorway. “Here are my vows.” I announced in a surprisingly strong voice, “I had just come home to show you them.” I threw the crumpled parchment on the floor and with one last teary look I walked out of the door and descended down the staircase leading to the formal dining room. I was hoping that Adam would truly regret ever sleeping with her and follow and beg me to come back to him.

I was wrong.

I grabbed my thick black coat and purse and excited our flat slamming the door on my way out. I was going to do some heavy drinking at the Spinning World bar before confronting my family to tell them my dream wedding was officially off.

What do I have to do to make you see

She can't love you like me

Across town something extremely similar was taking place at the infamous Gregory Manor...

I smiled when I entered the mansion. Immediately a familiar butler came to greet me taking my coat and bags. I felt the ring inside my pocket for reassurance; I had just bought the engagement ring and planned to purpose to my long-time girlfriend now. Adjusting the bouquet full of her favourite flowers I looked around hesitant to where to start looking for her.

“Ms. Parkinson is in the Master bedroom Mister.” My long-time butler announced when he saw me question which area to search first. I nodded my head and ascended the staircase going over what I would say in my head. I paused in the corridor and checked my appearance. My bleached blonde hair hung loosely over my chiselled face; my silvery sapphire eyes stood out amongst the pale skin and blonde hair.

I whistled lightly as I opened the Master bedroom door to find all of the lights completely off and the drapes drawn not allowing any light to shine in. I looked towards the bed to find my girlfriend and best friend. Together.

Why don't you stay

I'm down on my knees

I'm so tired of being lonely

Don't I give you what you need

When she calls you to go

There is one thing you should know

We don't have to live this way

Baby, why don't you stay

My eyes widened as I watched him kiss her repeatedly the hem of her panties. My best friend and girlfriend...together. I couldn’t force my mind to wrap around the thought. He was in his famous green boxers that he wore whenever he was with a girl. This time it was my girl.

“What the fuck!” I thundered taking several small steps into the room. My hand with the bouquet hung limply by my side as I took several more steps into the dark room.

“Baby!” A shrill screech came from under my best friend. “Crystal?” I questioned her backing up. “Blaise? How...how could you?” I could feel an unfamiliar tingling sensation creep up into my silvery blue orbs. I had only ever cried twice and the third time would not be over a girl. I told myself while trying desperately to control my sporadic breathing.

“Please Benny Poo!” I heard again, my head shot up to stare my topless girlfriend still under my best friend. “It’s not what it looks like!” She shrieked.

“Really?” I asked glaring at the both of them, “Then what is it? What could I possibly think it is?” I questioned louder than before. I threw the beautiful, hand-picked bouquet of red and white rose across the room to have it hand right next to them.

“We are over!” I screamed. “Our friendship Blaise and our relationship Crystal! I cannot believe I was going to purpose to a slut! A good for nothing whore! Both of you better be gone before I get back!”I stormed out of the room not even looking back or waiting for their response. I didn’t need one. I had never felt this way before. It felt like someone had yanked my intestines out though my throat and stuffed them hastily back in only to have them yanked out again.

I needed some seriously strong drinks, and there`s only one place to go for that. The Spinning World.

You keep telling me, baby

There will come a time

When you will leave her arms

And forever be in mine

But I don't think that's the truth

And I don't like being used and I'm tired of waiting

It's too much pain to have to bare

To love a man you have to share

I kicked a stone in the pavement and stuffed my delicate hands in my pocket before slouching and covering my cold face from the snowy wind with part of my cloak. I gazed up to notice the Spinning World sign hanging from above and squeaking slightly as the icy wind pushed the cracked board back and forth. I pushed the heavy door open and brushed off the wet snow that had landed on my shoulders. I looked around the bar to notice an empty seat in the far corner; away from everybody.

Making my way over there I noticed that many of the people here were couples. I cursed and flipped my crimson hair behind my shoulder. Looking around the room and noticing the couples sitting in the corner kissing her other passionately I suddenly had the urge to turn around and forgive Adam. But I couldn’t do that, he had already made his choice when he bedded my best friend. The bartender noticed a new customer and came over to me quickly hoping to make a few extra bucks. “What can I get you Ms.?” He questioned me while resting his hands along the edge of the inside of the bar.

My scarlet hair spread out around me as I dropped my head to the top of the bar table, “The strongest thing you have.” I told him before closing my eyes and hearing his quiet laughter while walking away. How is this funny? I thought. How is watching someone in pain funny?

I groaned when the blood started rushing to my head and sat back up to watch the bartender prepare my drink.

“A triple vodka shot!” He announced happily upon returning, “the strongest thing around.” I nodded my head and took several large gulps from the glass emptying half of it. He chuckled again before helping another customer. I sighed and rested my head once again on the bar table not caring about the strange looks I was receiving from a couple nearby.

Why don't you stay

I'm down on my knees

I'm so tired of being lonely

Don't I give you what you need

When she calls you to go

There is one thing you should know

We don't have to live this way

Baby, why don't you stay

I brushed the snow off my blonde hair as I entered the crowded bar. I glanced down at my watch 10:47. No wonder it was so busy. I made my way over to the bar and sat down in the first seat available. I glanced to my left to notice a head full of bright, crimson hair resting on the counter of the bar.

“Casey Orchid?” I asked not believing it was her here. Sure enough the girl raised her hand and looked around for the body belonging to the voice. “Ben Gregory?” Casey asked when her blue eyes landed on me. “Wow, Orchid, you look like shit.” I told her honestly.

“Thanks for the information Gregory” She spat, “as if I didn’t already know that.” She mumbled after.

“So what make you look like this, I mean you like you’ve been through hell.” I announced shifting in my seat so I could get a better look at the Orchid girl.

“I wish.” She retorted, “You don’t look much better yourself.” I snorted knowing she was right. The bartender made their way over to me but before he could even ask I told him I wanted the strongest thing he had. He laughed at me and pointed his finger to Casey. “She’s having the same thing.”

I turned to look at the girl-next-door sitting next to me to find two large empty glasses and one half full still. “Wow, I didn’t know you could hold that much Orchid.” I told her impressed how she was holding that much alcohol. I studied her carefully while waiting for my drink and noticed that her eyes were red and puffy while she had tear stains running down her freckled face. My eyes moved up and down her body, she grown into a beautiful woman as much as I didn’t want to admit it. I brought my eyes back up but a gleam of silver caught my eye.

An engagement ring.

She was getting married, probably to Michaels. “Nice engagement ring, whose the lucky guy and when’s the big day?” I questioned her trying to bring up a light topic to keep me out of my misery.

She sighed deeply and sadly, “there is no lucky guy and there isn’t going to be a big day.” She replied annoyed that I had brought the topic up. I watched as she grabbed her purse from the back of her chair and attempted to move a seat over away from me. She clearly didn’t want to talk about it and she clearly had already downed a few drinks. Casey swayed when she stood so suddenly; grabbing her waist and standing I made her sit down in the same seat before sitting back down myself next to her.

When my drink arrived I gulped the first half down straight away. We were both silent for a few minutes. The silence was a comfortable one, we both knew that the other was there yet we both didn’t say anything. I sighed loudly causing her to turn her head in my direction. I stuck my hand in my pocket and pulled out the dark red velvet case which contained the ring.

She gazed between the ring and me unsure of what to say. “There’s no lucky girl and no big day for me either.” I told her sensing she was still a little pissed from me questioning her earlier. She nodded her head in understanding before taking another swing of whatever was in her glass. “Sorry.”

“Yeah,” I paused, why was I talking to a Orchid? I already knew the fated answer to my own question; because there’s no one else. “I walked in on her and Blaise earlier and decided to come here.” I announced trying not to let my voice crack and show the pain aching in my heart.

“Sorry” was her response, “I walked in on him and Hallie earlier as well.” She admitted grudgingly. I was shocked. Micheals and Granger? I had always thought that Adam and Casey would get married while Granger and the other Orchid would run off together.

“Wow.” Was my one word response.

“Yep”

“We chose great people, huh?” I asked her turning my head slightly.

“Yep.”

I can't take it any longer

But my will is getting stronger

And I think I know just what I have to do

I can't waste another minute

After all that I've put in it

I've given you my best

Why does she get the best of you

So next time you find you wanna leave her bed for mine

I studied Ben’s appearance to notice that he was wearing a stunning black suit. “Nice suit.” I commented.

“Thanks”

“You know it’s made for business men?”

“Yep.”

“Huh.” I replied. Werent we having an intelligent conversation. I guess we were both too tired and sad to say anything more than necessary. “Why are you wearing a business suit? Don’t you hate buisness?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking him as he was Ben Gregory; the money crazed school prince. I had known his for several years and I was sure he hated them as much as he hated me.

“I used too, but then father died,” He paused unsure if he could trust me.

“You can trust me, I probably won’t remember tomorrow anyways.” I laughed at my own joke. Was I wasted or what?

“When he died I could be myself and I found out things and work weren’t as bad as I thought they were.” He finished before taking another swing of the liquor inside his glass. Did I hear him right? Did the almighty, powerful, money crazed Ben Gregory say work wasn’t that bad. I sat there, my mouth forming an ‘O’ shape in surprise.

“Huh.” I told him after awhile of staring openly at his pale face.

“Yep.” Was his only reply, we were barely talking let alone having an actual conversation without hexing each other.

“So...”he started hesitating briefly. “Why are you still wearing your engagement ring?”

I narrowed my eyes at him suddenly mad at the thought of the cheating bastard and the lying best friend. I glanced down at the silver ring still around my finger on my left hand. Why was I still wearing it? I spun the ring around with my other hand before answering, “I don’t know.”

I twisted the silver ring and wished I could go back to when Adam and I were happy. I wished that the sorrowful pain currently occupying my aching heart would cease to exist and we would live happily-ever-after...without Hallie

“Huh.”

“Yep.”

“If I were to purpose to you I would never go back on my word,” Ben suddenly said, surprising me. I glanced up longingly grateful he didn’t laugh in my face. “I would love you till death do us part.” He finished taking another long swing of liquor.

“Wow.” Was my response, even my old worst enemy would love me better than Harry.

“Want to get out of here?” I asked him suddenly almost regretting my choice of words. I didn’t want to sound like a slut but I wanted to be with him. He looked almost taken back. I watched him, waiting for an answer. He swung back the rest of his drink before dropping several galleons on the bar counter.

“Sure.” He stood and waited for me to grab my purse and coat “It’s on me.” He told me when I started to search my oversized purse for my minute wallet. I smiled grateful for the kind act.

“Thanks.” I stood and shook my head clearing the dizziness that had suddenly consumed my body.

Ben sensed that I was dizzy and wrapped his arm around my waist steadying me.

“Thanks again.” I laughed as we made our way out of the bar and back to his place...

Why don't you stay

I'm up off my knees

I'm so tired of being lonely

You can't give me what I need

When she begs you not to go

There is one thing you should know

I don't have to live this way

Baby, why don't you stay, yeah

A one night stand can change everything...for better or for worse.

_____________

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-hpf14