Chapter 23

**Jason's POV**

I walked into the party and all eyes were on me. I knew it would be because I just parked my mom's new Telsa in the driveway. She was out tonight, and I took that as an opportunity to roll up to the party with her brand-new car. Of course, being 15, I didn't have a license, but I have been driving since I was 10. I greeted some people I knew and others I didn't know.

"Jason!" A voice called out behind me. I turned around and my best friend, Chase, walked towards me. "Are you crazy?" He yelled over the music.

"What?"

"Your mom is going to kill you." I shrugged, and he let out a laugh. No matter what my mother did, she couldn't control me. I was going to do whatever I want whenever I want. My counselor always told me that I would regret my decisions when I learn how to grow up but who cares? Not I.

"Have you seen Taylor?"

He shook his head. "Not for a while. The last time I saw her, she was with your cousin." I nodded. I had texted Logan earlier to look after Taylor when I was running late. My mom took her sweet time leaving the house tonight. Apparently, she had a date and it took her over an hour to get ready.

I wanted to text Taylor to ask where she was, but she hadn't reply to any of my texts tonight. I swear that girl gets mad no matter what I do. On her worst days, even when I breathe she yells and wonder why I needed to breathe. But fuck it, I love her to death.

It was the typical story; we knew each other since we were in diapers, told each other everything and eventually feelings became neutral and soon, friendship turned into something more. Before I go look for Taylor, I had to take a piss. I said goodbye to Chase and made my way up the stairs which I presume where the bathrooms were.

I wasn't familiar with this house. In fact, I had no idea who was throwing this party tonight. Although, this house wasn't nearly as big as mines, there was too many doors for my liking. I picked a random door and hope that I lucked out in finding the bathroom.

Soon as I opened the door, I regretted ever coming to this stupid party in the first place. Logan was on top of Taylor and although his body was covering most of her tiny frame, she was easy to spot. She looked lustfully at my cousin and he kissed her hard on the lips.

All the shit she put me through, this would have to be the lowest thing she had done to me. With my cousin of all people.

"Seriously Taylor!" I screamed, my blood boiling. I had put up with a lot of crap from her. They both jumped at the sound of my voice.

"Oh crap" Logan muttered. Oh crap is right.

"Jason—" I didn't even let her finish that sentence as I ripped Logan away from Taylor and threw his naked body on the floor.

"She came on to me dude" He tried to explain, "I swear."

"Yeah, it looked like you were having a rough time rejecting her." I turned my attention towards Taylor. "You are dead to me."

I left them so they could go back to whatever they were doing. I wasn't even upset. I mean yeah, I was mad that I was betrayed by my cousin and my girlfriend, but I couldn't help but thank God that I was finally free. I made my way down the stairs and went to find Chase. It was easy to spot him in the kitchen talking to his crush, Darlene.

I tapped him on the shoulder. "I'm going to get out of here." I said.

"You okay?" Chase and I been best friends forever and he knew everything about me including when I was hurting but I didn't feel like explaining things to him now since a lot people were in hearing range even with the loud music thumping in my ear.

I nodded. "I'll see you later." I needed to get the car back anyways before my mom noticed. With her dates, you never know when it would end. So far, all her dates had been a disaster and she would return home early.

I walked toward the car, but I didn't make it far as someone tugged hard on my arm. I turned around and a tearful Taylor stood in front of me. "Please don't leave." She begged.

I rolled my eyes. "Taylor King never needed anybody so I'm sure you can live without me."

"That's not true," She argued, "I need you."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have fucked my cousin." I yelled. A few gasps were heard around me, but I honestly could care less right now. I really don't want to deal with her right now.

"I am so sorry," She apologized, "But you know I have been going through it with—" I rolled my eyes and kept walking towards the car.

"What's going on?" Chase's voice carried out through the crowd as he made his way towards us while the crowd watch. Great, I can't wait to hear all the gossip on Monday.

"Not much man," I shrugged, "I'm just sick of her bullshit and I just want to get out of here."

"What did you do now Taylor?" Chase scoffed, rolling his eyes at her.

"None of your business." She hissed. I was so over this. I ignored everybody and continued towards the car. I would call Chase later to explain everything to him, but I really needed to return the car. To my displeasure, Taylor was right on my heels and as soon as I unlocked the door, she quickly got inside the car.

I sighed loudly out of annoyance and got inside the car myself. "What are you doing?" I buckled myself in.

"I need a ride home." She shrugged.

I shook my head. "Get out this car Taylor." For someone whose head was about to explode, I sure am acting calm.

"Nope." She smirked. She loved it when she got under my skin. I don't know why she acts like that sometimes but if she wants to play these games with me, I'm in.

"Fine." I huffed. I turned on the engine and the car rumbled to life beneath us. I backed out the driveway abruptly and I stepped on the gas as soon as the car was on the streets.

"Can you slow down?" She shouted. Instead of taking my foot off the gas, I pushed harder on the pedal and we went even faster, going triple the speed limit. "Are you crazy." Her voice was shaky, and I knew she was scared but she was the one who wanted to play these games.

"Where are we going?" She continued to talk.

"I thought you wanted me to take you home?"

"I do but not now. Chris is the only one home and I really don't want to be alone with him right now." She shuddered as I know is due to her thinking about being alone with Chris. Chris was her stepdad. Him and her mom got married last year and Taylor always got the creeps from him. I thought she was being dramatic at first like always, but as soon as I met him, I knew Taylor was on to something because I got the creeps from him also. Taylor didn't like the fact that her mom didn't believe her, so Taylor tried to avoid being alone with him.

"I don't care." I shrugged. She's not my girlfriend anymore so she's not my problem anymore.

"Fuck you!" She shouted, "Let me out this car." I ignored her and again, I stepped on the gas. "I said let me out this car!" I pretended I didn't hear her and turned on the radio. "Jason are you serious?" She was livid. "Let me out right now!"

In a swift second, Taylor reached over and grabbed the steering wheel and I lost control over the car. Her grip was still on the wheel as the car started to swerve. The impact came quickly and all I heard was Taylor screaming as the car tipped over the railing and soon the weight of the car was on top of us and water was beginning to form around us.

Fuck.

We must have been driving over the bridge when the car tipped, we crashed into the river. I no longer hear Taylor screaming and I looked over at her. She was unconscious as blood trickled down her forehead.

Fuck

Fuck

Fuck

I tried to keep my head above water, but the car was sinking. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and kicked the car door open. I grabbed hold of Taylor and tried to pull her out that car, but her seatbelt was stuck, and she was trapped. I swam towards the passenger's side. Maybe I could get her out on that side, but I had to act quickly because the car was still sinking, and I was starting to lose consciousness from not being able to breathe under water. I pulled on the door, but it wouldn't budge.

Fuck

I had to get some air.

I swam to the top for air and I began coughing and gasping uncontrollably. I guess I was under water longer than I thought but I couldn't think about myself right now, I had to go back for Taylor. I ducked my head back in but as I swam down the car was no longer there; it must of sank even further down when I was coming up for air.

Fuck.

I had to save her.

I swam further down but I was losing consciousness and soon, I let the darkness consume me.