Hard Boy ✔️

78

- Everybody Wants You; Johnny Orlando -
- Hard to Believe; Wallows -
- boy x; Tate McRae -

Aurora Holland

"Rory!" Bailey exclaimed as she threw her arms around me, not seeming to care about the bags of snacks I'd been holding.

I let out a laugh as I did my best in an attempt to hug her back, failing miserably. She let go and grabbed the bags that I held in my left hand, using her free one to pull me into the house.

I hadn't been in the Jackson residence for a while. Of course, I'd assumed when Bailey was talking about the get-together that it'd be here, but you can never be sure about the Letterman girl.

Of course, if it were up to Bailey we'd have had this event much sooner. But it was hard due to conflicting schedules, the last few fancy events of the year with my dad's job, and others in the group packing and getting ready to go out of town.

This was it. This was the last time I'd be with this particular group for a long time, if ever again. Part of me was glad because I didn't want to have to deal with specific people, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel a little sad due to liking some of the people I met through the others.

I followed Bailey straight to the kitchen, helping her unpack the bags of snacks I'd brought with me. I listened as she talked, random topics coming out of her mouth as if it were never-ending. I didn't mind, I never did when Bailey spoke.

"You wanna come stay the night tonight?" Bailey then asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, I can't," I mumbled.

"Why not?" She pouted. "You know, it already sucks Cameron's getting to go on this huge trip with you guys! I'm going to miss you."

I pouted, feeling bad. "I know, I'm sorry. The way our parents did it was each of us get to invite one person. Something about if we bring a certain amount of people they get a discount?" I made the statement sound like a question, shrugging after. "I don't know. The whole sudden-money-big-business thing doesn't make sense to me. Either way, I'll miss you too."

"So why can't you stay?" She asked again, putting the last of the bags away.

"I told Miles I'd hang out with him one last time before I go. I have a lot of packing and getting ready to do as well, my parents want me home tonight. My mom's like- super set on all of us being home the next few days to prepare for the trip."

"How long is it again?" Another voice asked from behind me. I turned to see Cameron walking into the kitchen, a small smile on his face. "I've yet to start packing."

"Two months," I answered.

Cameron reached around me and grabbed one of the Capri-Suns I brought. "Cool," He smiled.

I nodded as my cheeks flushed, looking away. Bailey looked between us with a small smile, and it was then I realized she still thought something was going on between us.

"Well you'll have to both bring me something back," Bailey said anyway, thankfully not commenting on our closeness.

"Hello, my lovelies!" The sound of Elijah's voice was heard at the door.

I turned around and glanced over, seeing him walk further into the house. Miles walked in behind him, eyes immediately landing on me. He made a beeline straight to where we stood at the counter, my smile growing bigger the closer he got.

"Who's all going to this thing, by the way?" Cameron asked, bringing my attention back to him.

I turned and leaned my back against the counter, facing him completely. "I don't know everyone who's coming, mostly who I and a few others invited," I answered truthfully, "I'm bringing Katherine, Logan's obviously bringing you-" I pointed at him, flicking him in the chest.