Finding Paramore

Chapter Three: The Box

Hayley

"So, is Josh your boyfriend, or...?" Taylor asks me awkwardly as we walk slowly to my house. I've honestly never thought of Josh to be anymore than a friend to me, but I've also never considered what it would be like if we dated. Do I even like him that way?

"No, just a friend," I respond carefully as we approach the front door.  "I apologize in advance for my mom and her boyfriend when they get home later," Taylor looks confused and even a bit concerned when I say this, and even I'm a little nervous as I open the door. Our house is small, but it's us. The floors are a dark wood once you walk in, the walls giving off a golden vibe. There is a staircase leading upstairs, a red carpet toward the middle. "Do you want anything to drink?" I ask trying to be polite and not scare the poor guy.

"I'm fine thank you," he responds with a small smile. I'm so glad I got paired with someone who isn't a complete jerk, it isn't even funny. Yes, I'd rather be with Josh, but Taylor is okay...I guess. Then again, we haven't gotten to the whole idea of asking questions for the essay just yet.

"Okay, let's go upstairs then," I say awkwardly. We walk up the stairs to my bedroom, the walls dark blue, and posters covering the walls. My bed is on the opposite side of the door when you walk in, darker blankets and pillows. Not the usual pink and sparkles kind of room. I have a guitar by the window on the right wall, it sort of looks like the one I use during my free time at school, actually. Nylon strings, dark wood, different brand though. I like to believe mine plays better. I have another guitar, actually, which is next to it, this one being steel stringed, and lighter in color.

"You play?" Taylor asks me looking at the two guitars. I nod yes and smile at him, as his eyes light up. So we have something in common, mister curly head? "I do too," I smile at him and look down. This is honestly the most awkward thing ever. All of a sudden, the door bell rings and I look out the window into the driveway to see who it may be. A delivery truck.

"One second, the delivery guy is here," I tell Taylor as I fast walk down the stairs to get the package. I open the door and have to sign a paper before he gives it to me, which means it's expensive. What could anyone have possibly sent that's so expensive? It doesn't even have the name Christi on it, it has my name; Hayley. I fast walk back up into my room and set it on the bed and look back at Taylor.

"Aren't you going to open it?" he asks me looking confused by my awkward actions. I look back at it and sigh, picking it up and setting it in my lap. The sticker says it's from my dad, which makes me a little nervous. "You don't have to if you don't want to while I'm here,"

"It's okay," I say grabbing a pair of scissors off of the desk and cutting open the tape. I open it to a note set on top, and tissue paper underneath it.

Dear Hayley,

I wanted you to be the first to know, that I proposed to Emma somewhat recently, and she accepted. I know this may be a lot to process, but I was hoping that you could accept my invitation to the wedding in November, and hopefully even participate as a bridesmaid.

I don't bother reading the rest of the letter as a tear slowly makes it way down my face, and I pull a beautiful, lilac, knee length bridesmaids dress from the box. "I think I'll leave you to this," Taylor says grabbing his bag from the floor.

"I'm sorry," I tell him wiping another tear away and pushing the box away, along with the letter. I honestly wish I wasn't crying, or better yet, I never opened the box in the first place. "Tomorrow?" I ask Taylor, my eyes stinging. He nods and leaves the room, walks down the stairs, and shuts the front door.

I decide to call Jeremy and tell him first, so I do. I've stopped crying mostly at this point, but I can tell my voice will noticeably crack as I speak. "Jeremy, my dad's getting married," I say through the phone.

"Are you serious? Are you okay?" he asks me worried about how I'm reacting, probably. Jeremy is like an older brother to me. He is always there when I need him to hold me up, and even though we've known each other for not too long, it feels like it's been years.

"I'm happy for him, but I think I'm just in shock," I respond trying to comprehend everything that is happening. "I don't know what to think,"

"He loves you more than anything, you know that. He wants to be happy though, and to do that, he needs to move on and start a new life I think. It'll all be okay in the end, for sure. This doesn't change your relationship with him," Jeremy replies kindly as I rub my eyes with my hands.

"Thanks, Jerm," I say through the phone now wearing a small smile.

"No problem. Will you be at the party this Friday I told you about?" he asks sounding a little more excited.

"School just started and your worried about a party already?" I ask trying not to laugh to loud. Jeremy isn't exactly one for parties, but when he knows the host, he's there. I'm usually not at the parties, but now that I think about it and the news about the big wedding, it might be nice to get my mind off of things.

"My friend Drew is hosting it! I have to go, and I need you to go too to support me!" I hear from the tall blonde through the speaker.

"Okay fine, but only if Josh will come with me, and I'm not staying for long," I tell him giving in. You can't let Jeremy down though, he's the coolest guy you'll meet. I hang up and smile a bit looking down at the box my dad sent and sighing. It truly is a beautiful dress, not for me though. I don't do dresses. I have to do this for him though, don't I? He is my dad. Slowly I pick up the letter and finish reading it.

I know this may be hard to think about at first, and that it may even seem rushed. It truly is what we want, though. If you decide not to take the dress and the role then I'm sure someone else will take the part, but you were number one on the list. Don't worry if you don't want to. I'll understand. I love you and hope you're doing okay up in Franklin, call soon.

Sincerely,

Dad

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