Hayden's POV

It had been one week since Krystal and I stopped talking. Since then, we lost three people. Ethan, Sarah and Lee. I hardly knew them, but I was worried. What if Krystal was next? Or me? I didn't know much about what was happening to everyone but I did know it had something to do with the computers.

I have been alone the past week. Well, almost. Vivian suddenly started talking to me a lot lately. She treats me well, I guess. It's better than no company, although I wish it were Krystal instead of her.

Most of my free time was spent at the park I discovered, drawing. I also spent time in Minecraft practicing archery. I haven't been in the mood to talk to Paige or Steve lately.

As we got back from the HQ today, Krystal walked past me, not acknowledging that I was there. I had stopped reaching out to her, I just patiently waited for her to talk to me again.

The last time I tried to talk to her was a failure. She pretended like I wasn't even there. As hopeless as it seems, I haven't gave up on that crush I still have on her. Yes, I admitted it. I like her. Big deal.

Was she playing games with me, or just truly confused? I didn't know. Girls can be so confusing sometimes.

As I left for my evening trip to the park, I announced, "I'm going to the park!" and left. I wanted everyone to know where I was, just in case.

Krystal's POV

Agh, love is confusing. There are so many ways I would like to approach it, but I have no idea how. So I just stick with not talking to him. Until I can actually figure out what my feelings are. I know it sounds a little mean, considering he likes me and all, but I told him I needed some space. And thankfully, Hayden gave it to me. I needed some time to think.

But I felt bad about snapping at him. The way I reacted. I would like to apologize, but I'm afraid he would get the wrong idea about my feelings. I mean, I didn't like him like that. Right? Right.

But then why does my pulse quicken when he's around? I'm simply uncomfortable, of course! Yeah... I felt pretty convinced repeating that to myself.

"What are you doing?"

"Wha!" I sat up on my bed, startled.

In the doorway stood Shannon.

"Oh hey," I said. "What's up?"

She smirked. "Your face is red again. Daydreaming about your lover, Hayden?"

My face got even redder. "No. I was just... thinking."

"About...?"

"Complicated stuff."

"Like what?"

"Um..."

Then, I heard Hayden's voice shout, "I'm going to the park!" and the door shut.

"Come on," Shannon said. "You can tell me."

"It's funny, you're two years younger than me and you have so much more wisdom!" I exclaimed.

"Well, I do have Lexus," she pointed out.

"Speaking of that, how is it going with you two?"

She gave me a look.

"What?"

"Now you're just trying to stall. So tell me... why don't you ever talk or hang out with him anymore?"

"He doesn't either," I muttered.

"You must've done something to make him not want to talk to you."

"Well," I chewed my lip. "I might've told him to back off. Like, I need space."

Shannon looked shocked. "That was a bad idea."

"Yeah," I said. "I doubt he feels anything for me now. I've pretty much ignored him the whole week."

"Why?"

"I couldn't talk to him. I was just too confused about my feelings."

She nodded and looked away. After a minute, Shannon looked at me and finally said, "I think you're just too afraid to admit your true feelings."

I shook my head. "No..."

But was she right? I mean, I acted pretty reluctant.

So you do like him after all!

I never said that.

Sure...

I just didn't know yet. Yet.

Hayden's POV

When I arrived home from the park, no one was around. Perfect. I was wanting to go and practice archery today. I rushed to my room and shut the door behind me. I turned on my laptop and started up Minecraft. I started to slowly ease my body in, legs first, being careful to not sit on the keyboard. With half of my body in, I heard something.

"Hayden?" Lexus called. "Hayden, where are you?"

I panicked. I didn't know that he was there! So I tried to get my other half of my body out of the laptop. I pulled and pulled, but it didn't work, and the arms that supported my human part of my body were getting tired.

So I called out, "I'm in the middle of something really important now!"

"Oh," he said. "Okay. Well, I just wanted to tell you something..."

I heard his hand twist the doorknob. I struggled to get out, or maybe try to get in the laptop so he wouldn't see me, but I was too late. Lexus opened the door and saw half of my body in a laptop.