The Improbable Clause of Missing You

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

13:

"Quinn, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"It's okay, I'm just worried about Frankie. You know how avid a supporter she was of you and Owen."

"Yea... I do."

"Honestly, I just want to see you happy, Hayley. And I can tell you're not happy with Owen right now."

I nodded, reaching for a cookie. She sighed.

"Maybe you haven't spent enough time together, and that's why he's so paranoid?"

"I suppose. I should ask him out, right?"

"Yea. See how it goes. Also, Hayley?"

"Hm?"

"Sebastian is very attractive."

I thought of his green eyes. His tall build, dimpled smile. He was also witty, smart and hardworking.

"So?"

"So you agree?"

I muffled my face with a cushion, embarrassed. "Maybe."

"You might want to think about that."

"He's attractive, but he's just a friend. And I'm seeing someone, Quinn."

"I know, I know." She laughed, hands up in surrender. "Just saying."

"Speaking of Caltrone boys, what's up on your end with Elliot?"

Her blush spoke volumes. We spent the rest of the evening talking, skirting around the topic of Owen and I and everything between that.

When I was leaving, I couldn't help but pull her into a hug.

"Thanks for being so supportive."

"Sure thing, Hayley. Hit me up whenever!"

I laughed as I stepped into my Mum's car. "See you tomorrow!"

The moment I got home, I ran up to my room, finally meeting the welcoming silence that I had subconsciously wanted all day. The flyer of the college I wanted to go to caught my eye, and I felt oddly at ease.

Sometimes, I decided, things change, but our goals still remain clear.

22:38, Hayley: Are you free tomorrow?

22:45, Owen: Yea, wanna go grab dinner?

22:48, Hayley: Sure. J

22:50, Owen: <3 Goodnight

22:53, Hayley: See you x

It felt wrong to send a heart, when I was so confused, so I simply settled for an 'x' instead. Tomorrow, then, I'd get the answers I wanted.

The next afternoon, Owen was waiting outside my class. Frankie had barely acknowledged me that day, and Quinn had unfortunately had a meeting during lunch, thus rendering me hopelessly alone.

"Hey Owen," I smiled.

"Hey, babe. How does pizza sound?"

"Really, really good."

"Great! Hey, Baxter, she said pizza's cool. Where're the rest of the guys?"

I froze, and realization dawned on me. I hadn't even noticed Baxter next to Owen.

Oh, no. This is not what I had wanted.

As Baxter left to find the rest of the guys, I turned to Owen.