“Sophie!!!” I hear Alyssa's voice from the other end of the mall. We planned to meet each other along with Kaitlyn to buy new outfits for the summer.
“Hey Al!” I squeal like we haven't seen each other in years, though it was only yesterday.
“Oh my gosh, I just found out the best news!” Kaitlyn says.
“Spill then!”
“Kyle and Noah are having a party at the lake! I got us all invited!” When I hear it we all do a group circle and squeal. As we walk they begin to question me about Hayes.
“Have you heard from him then?”
“Well... they got back yesterday and came for dinner at my house!” I say and their eyes widen.
“He's back for summer then?”
“Yep and he told me he is going to try and make it to all the parties.”
“Aw good for you. We could tell you missed him.” Alyssa says as we enter Brandy Melville. I see a cute bralette and a pair of shorts and decide to try them on. I spot a cute drapy cardigan and pick that up as well. We head to the changing rooms to get dressed.
“Does this look cute?” I ask as I come out of the changing room.
“Omg yes! I love it!” Kaitlyn says and then looks at the top she is trying on. “How about me?”
“Yeah it's nice.” I say but there is no need. Kaitlyn knows she looks good, she just likes compliments. Alyssa is twirling in the corner, wearing a really pretty dress. Both my friends are gorgeous and, compared to them, I am an ugly frog. At least I have guy friends or my life would be a disaster.
When we are done in Brandy Melville we head to the food court. I spot a restaurant and we go inside. We sit down in a booth and skim through the menu's. As we are reading we here boy's voice come from the entrance and I look up and spot Hayes, Noah and Kyle. I wave at Hayes and the three of them stroll over.
“Hayes, long time no see!” Alyssa says and gives him a friendy hug. He slides into the booth next to me and the other boys sit on the ends to make the numbers even.
“So are you guys gonna make it to the lake party then?” Noah asks as we decide what to order.
“Obviously. We can't miss your epic parties can we?” Kaitlyn flutters her eyelashes at him. I guess he is her next target then...
“I can't wait for it. There's gonna be fireworks, pizza, a lake trampoline... Kyle's dad is borrowing it all from his friend. How cool is that?”
“So Hayes are you gonna be there?” Alyssa asks, to get a conversation going. His phones begins to buzz at that precise moment and he jumps up to take it.
“One minute guys. It's my manager.” He says like having a manager is completely normal. We all stare at him in shock.
“That kid has changed since he left. Y'know three girls have asked him for a picture today. Three. I mean I get that many girls in, like, a year.” Kyle complains.
“He seemed the same to me yesterday?”
“Well, he is like famous now so I guess we are going to have to get used to it.” Kyle says complaintively. I feel bad for him because he is used to being the star of the football team, of the basketball team, a favourite every year in the yearbook. I look over at Hayes and realise, there is something different about him. He seems older, like he knows things. Well, hanging with nine older boys must have done something to him...
He comes back to the table, smiling like nothing has happened.
“Hey, I fancy some french toast? Anyone else?”
“Yeah sure whatever...” I say bluntly, feeling differently towards him to how I felt yesterday.
“Can I take your order?” A spotty, greasy haired blonde boy has appeared at our booth to take our orders.
“French toast and a coke for me please.” Hayes says, smiling at me.
“Um can I have a caesar salad please. And tap water.” I say looking away. The others quickly order and soon we get back to chatting. I see Hayes pick up his phone again and see the contact name at the top of the screen. Taylor. He grins at the message and suddenly it hits me. What if he has a girlfriend? I look back and see the message he has sent back 'I will see you soon and will introduce you to my friends'. I frown. Why didn't he tell me he is bringing his girlfriend round?
We finish our food, pay, then head back to the shops. I blank Hayes the whole time, so he knows I am angry. We go into the bath shop and I pick out a few bath bombs. One called 'Stress be gone' which I could really use right now. I pick up a cute pink one which smells AMAZING.
“Hey guys smell this.” I say and offer it to everyone but Hayes. After I have bought what I want he comes up behind me and hugs me.
“Why are you annoyed at me?” he sings into my ear, making me blush.
“You know why.” I say and pull away.
“Soph, I have no clue what you are on about. Come here I wanna talk.” He beckons and soon I am back to him. He puts his arm on my shoulder so I cross my arms.
“You know you two would make a really cute couple.” Alyssa says when she sees us.
“Ew.” I say as a joke and make a face. He does the same.
“We are too close to date.” I state.
“Yeah obvs.” Hayes says and he doesn't look sad. All the more proof that he has a girlfriend.
…
Because Hayes and live so close to each other, we get stuck walking home together. I breath out and in heavily then decide to ask him about 'Taylor'.
“Hayes... have you got a... girlfriend?” I stutter.
“What? Where did you get that idea from?” He laughs.
“So you don't?”
“No. I would tell you if I did, you know that. But...” He hesistates, “I think I do like one girl. And you know her... really well.” Oh god, it's Alyssa or Kaitlyn. Yeah, probably Kaitlyn because... well that one's obvious.
“Oh...”
“What now?” He says, seeing the look on my face.
“Nothing...”
“Don't tell me you are annoyed at me again.” He groans and I laugh.
“No of course not.” I put on a happy face but, to be honest, it kills me to know that Hayes, my best friend, likes one of my friends.
“Well I guess this is goodbye.” He says and I see we are outside his house. Sky is perced in the window, holding her rabbit and, when she sees Hayes, runs to the front door.
“See you around Hayes.”
“Hey you should come round next saturday. I want you to meet some people.” He tells me. After this he grabs my waist and pulls me in for a cosy bear hug. “See you soon Soph. I blow him a kiss as he strolls up their drive and he pretends to catch it. As I wander off I hear Skylynn saying, “is Sophie your girlfriend?”