Juliet's POV
I was left with the question I've been thinking about for a while.
Was I Hayes's girlfriend?
I don't think one date makes me his girlfriend.
I woke up and it was so close to the weekend. I checked my phone, and I had 2 new texts.
One from Carter, and one from Jacob.
Carter: ready for the party this weekend? It's gonna be great... :)
Jacob: I totally need your help. My date went great but I have no idea what she thinks! Find out for me?
I decided to answer Jacob first.
Me: Sure.... What are friends for, right?
Then I answered Carter.
Me: idk if I can go...I'm sick...
I lied but I'd do anything to get out of that party. Carter answered back.
Carter: Boo you whore. :(
I couldn't hold my laughter. I can't believe he just quoted Mean Girls. Then Jacob answered back quickly.
Jacob: Thank bæ! ;)
I got out of bed and did my normal morning routine.
I wore a stripped top, an army jacket, black ripped skinny jeans, and white vans.
I grabbed my bag and I totally forgot about Lesley.
"Lesley! Get up!" I shook her.
"This is the first time you woke up before me." She said as she got up and got ready.
She was ready in under 20 minutes.
"Alright, let's get coffee." I smiled as I grabbed my bags and we left.
As we walked, I talked to Lesley about my date last night.
"Looks like you guys are together." Lesley shrugged.
We walked in and Taylor was standing behind the counter.
"Do you work here too?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm usually the barista, but this time I get to actually talk to people. Oh, and we have your order memorized, by the way." Taylor said as he handed me my drink.
"Thank you...?" I smiled.
"No problem." Taylor winked as we paid for the drink then we left.
"That's really weird." Lesley said.
"I know.." I said as we walked to school.
"I mean, did they really memorize our orders?" I asked.
"I don't know. I'll see you." She said as we made it into school and went our separate ways.
I walked to my locker when Carter came up to me.
"It doesn't look like you're sick." Carter smiled.
"I'm not, I just don't want to go to the party." I rolled my eyes.
"But you have to go! It's going to be a great party!" Carter exclaimed.
"I don't like parties." I said.
"Is it because I'm Asian..?"
"Carter, I'm Asian too."
"Then what is it!"
"Every since I was in my little coma I never wanted to go to parties." I said.
"Don't worry! No drinks this party, and more importantly...there's no Melanie." Carter said.
"Of course there's going to be Melanie she gets her way into every party." I rolled my eyes.
We made our way to my locker.
"Of course there's no Melanie, she's in boarding school." Carter said.
I chocked on my coffee.
"Again?!"
"Yeah, apparently her parents transferred her to Alabama to go to boarding school."
Wow, no wonder why school seemed less irritating.
"Well I'll think about it, but don't be surprised if I don't go."
Carter left and I got my books out.
I was walking to homeroom when I passed Hayes.
"Hey." I said.
But he kept on walking.
"Oh." I mumbled as I walked to homeroom.
Was he ignoring me?
*2nd period*
I was sitting in math when Hayes stood in front of my desk.
"What?" I said.
"What?" He mocked me.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me." He said as he sat down on the seat next to me.
I ignored him for the rest of class.
What is the matter with him?
///
I walked over to my seat when-
"Juliet, can I talk to you?" Taylor asked.
"Yeah, sure." I said as he walked me over to the back of the cafeteria.
"Don't be mad, okay? Hayes is under a lot of stress-"
"Don't tell me not to get mad! Why has he been ignoring me?" I exclaimed.
"He...uh....it's about his brother Will. His parents are trying to bail him out but he doesn't have enough money." Taylor said.
"Why didn't he tell me?" I asked.
"It's a touchy subject. But, don't mention it in front of him. Okay? Last time I did he beat me up." He laughed.
"Alright. Thanks Taylor." I smiled.
I was walking back to the table when I bumped into Mahogany.
"Oh my god! I need to ask you something." I told her.
"Sure! What's up?"
"Would you go on another date with Jacob?" I asked.
"Definitely!" She smiled.
I passed Hayes on his way to his table.
"Hey can we talk?" Hayes asked.
"Sure."
"Look, I'm sorry for acting like a jerk. You don't deserve it." He said.
"It's okay. And why didn't you tell me?" I asked.
"Tell you?"
"About your brother..."
"Oh. Yeah! Well sorry, but I can't handle all of the pressure." He shrugged as he went to the table with Matt and Carter.
I walked back to Michelle and Lesley.
"Hayes was lying." Michelle said.
"What..?"
"He totally lied to you."
"Why would he do that?!"
"It's okay. Matt's been lying to me too." Lesley shrugged.
"How'd you find out?" I asked.
"I can just tell. I'm psychic." Lesley smirked.
"Alright. Alright. How am I going to confront him?" I asked.
"The same way I am, by breaking up with him."
"WHAT."
"Yeah, it'll get the truth out of him." Lesley said.
"Or I can just talk to him..?"
"Alright fine, but I'm coming with you."
I got up and we walked to Matt, Carter, and Hayes's table.
They all got quite as I sat down next to Hayes and Lesley sat next to Matt.
"Okay, what's up?"
"What are you-" Matt said.
"Why are you guys lying to me and Lesley?"
"We aren't-" Hayes said.
"If you lie to us one more time were done." I told him.
"Are you saying if we lie we're breaking up?!" Hayes freaked.
"Hayes, I'm done if you're hiding things from me." I said.
Hayes looked at Matt, for approval.
"Fine." Matt rolled his eyes.
"Five years ago, when Matt was eleven, his family became addicts. They did drugs and alcohol and they insisted Matt to do the same. He refused so they told Matt to smoke, which seemed 'safer.' So, they got him a pack of cigarettes. Every time he didn't smoke they'd beat him. So he has to pretend to smoke in front of his parents or else. So that's why Lesley found a pack of cigarettes." Hayes said.
I looked at Lesley and she had tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Lesley said.
"It's okay." Matt smiled.
"No, it's not. I was stupid and I don't care if you have to smoke to impress your parents. It's okay-"
"No, I've wanted to quit for a while. You're just helping me and I'm thankful for that. I just have to tell my parents. And I don't care what they think." Matt said.
"And if you need anything I'll be there." I said.
"Really?" Matt asked.
"Yeah."
"Then can I talk to you?" Matt got up and I followed him.
"I've been avoiding my parents so I've been living in the streets-"
"Don't say anymore. You can live with me." I offered.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Come over tonight." I smiled.
"It's no trouble at all?" He asked.
"Matt, you're like the brother I've always wanted. Of course there's no trouble at all." I said.
~.~
A/N: fun fact, I'm Asian. (Not the Korean/Chinese kind of asian, more like a "she looks like a Hawaiian but she's actually asian" Asain.) another fun fact, I think that's the only reason I'm shipped with Carter.
Love you guys. Thanks for reading!