Chapter 3

It’s finally Friday and I wake up feeling very good about it. It’s the end of the week. I connect to my speaker and take it to the bathroom with me. After my simple morning routine, I head back to my room and look for an outfit to wear. I put on dark blue shorts, a black vest accompanied by a scotch flannel and my favourite Vans sneakers. I look at my phone and find messages from Dean.

Dean: Are you up yet?

Dean: When you get my messages, please respond.

Dean: We really need to talk.

Dean: Hailee?

I roll my eyes and toss my phone onto my bed. “Hailee?” My mom calls from my door. “Lisa is here.” 

“Okay, thanks mom.” 

Lisa comes in smiling from ear to ear. “Feeling happy too?” I chuckle and nod at her. Friday is inevitably the best day of the week. I pick up my phone and respond back to Dean. 

Me: We’ll talk later.

Dean: Sure thing.

I slide my phone into my back pocket and smile at Lisa who’s shaking her head to the music still playing in the background. “Let’s go.” I say before switching my speaker off.

>>>

When we get to school, I can’t help but notice Halsey talking to Dean. I know what the conversation is about, but Dean shows no expression of being bothered by it. Although, I’d say she’s doing both of them a favour. I mean, Dean did confess to me that he likes someone else. 

Halsey then walks up to us with a smile, surprisingly. “Hey ladies.” We greet her back. She stands next to me. “I know I should be sad, but I’m so excited about tonight’s party.” She squeals. Lisa looks at me, confused. I shrug at her.

“I guess everyone is. Where is it anyway?” Lisa asks. 

“Dean’s place.” Halsey answers, looking everywhere but at us. 

“Oh, okay.” We walk into the school after the bell and part ways to our different classes.

>>>

During lunch, I head to the cafeteria. Unfortunately, Lisa’s and Halsey’s lunch periods are different from mine. I order only a Yogi Sip and head for the tables outside. I take a seat on one that anyone barely uses in the corner. Just as I’m about to take a sip, I feel fingers running through my hair from behind. “Can I help you?” I ask without turning around. 

“Yeah, if I stop, you’ll listen to me. Deal?” “Okay.” I answer awkwardly. I pull my hair onto my shoulder and turn around to catch blue eyes as clear as the ocean, perfectly tanned skin and perfectly cut brunette hair. 

“You okay?” Dean asks. I nod and look away, noticing that I’m admiring him. I turn around in my seat. Dean seats himself across from me, taking my Yogi Sip and placing it next to him on the table. 

“Why would you do that? Bring it back.” I say with furrowed eyebrows. “Hailee, I…” He stutters. I look at him, a frown still on my face. “What, Dean?” 

“Remember when I had told you that I like another girl?” He asks, getting a slow nod in response. “Well, that girl is you.” He admits, scratching the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact.

In shock and clueless on how to feel, I stand up and grab my yoghurt before scurrying away. Dean jumps from his seat and follows me. When he eventually catches up, he’s stopped by Jake, his best friend. I continue on to my next class and save a seat for Lisa.

>>>

Lisa notices my change of mood as we walk out of our shared class. “Hey, what’s going on with you?” She asks. 

“I’ll tell you on the way to the house, before the party.” I calmly respond. 

She nods and pulls me, rushing to hear what I have to say. “Out with it.” She says facing me. I take a breath before informing Lisa on what had happened during my lunch break between Dean and I. She starts laughing. “I knew you liked him too. And don’t you dare deny it.” I look away and shake my head. That’s all she’s gathered from what I’ve told her. I didn’t even say anything of that sort. 

I start my car, realising I’ve just wasted ten minutes of my time. I drive us to my place and we go upstairs to start getting ready. “Right on time, ladies.” Halsey says with a warm smile. I tie my hair into a quick plait and as soon as we’re all ready to go, we drive off to the party.

Dean’s P.O.V.

“Jake, can you plug in the speakers for me, please?” I ask him as I place the drinks and cups on the kitchen counters. “No problem.” He replies. 

Twenty minutes later, the party has commenced and the house is getting extremely packed. There’s people everywhere, so I sit on the kitchen counter and enjoy a cold beer while talking to my friends. 

An hour into the party, I recognise a familiar face in the kitchen, preparing a drink. “Hey.” I greet Hailee after jumping off the counter. “Hey. Cool party.” She responds, a calm expression on her face. 

“Thanks. You look great.” I say, taking her in from top to bottom. “About earlier, are we going to talk about it?” I ask her, shouting through the loud music. She comes closer to me and leans against me, our bodies touching. 

“What’s there to talk about?” She smirks. I grab her hand and take her upstairs. “Where are you taking me?” She asks. I open the door to the guest room and pull her in before closing the door. I ask her to sit down on the bed with me. 

“I need you to understand that I really like you and that I’ve always felt this way. I don’t know the exact moment, but now I need to know how you feel and what you think. Please.” I tell her, maintaining eye contact between us. “I-” is all she can muster. I quickly lean in to kiss her.

Hailee’s P.O.V.

“I-”, I don’t know what to say to him. But before I can come with something to say, he kisses me. My stomach immediately fills with butterflies, my legs begin to weaken and my eyes close. He pulls away, leaving me even more speechless than I already was. 

He pushes strands of hair behind my ear and whispers. “I know you like me too, and I won’t give up until you’re mine.” I blush. I look down. Why am I blushing? Dean smirks at my rosy cheeks and caresses them with his warm hands before kissing me again. 

He stands up and pulls me up too. He opens the door and we both step out, going back to the party. We both walk onto the dance floor and dance together with Lisa. I then wonder to myself, where is Halsey?