Ocean

Hayden said he was having some friends over. I take it they were the same people that I had met a couple weeks back at the engagement party.
I had my music playing through one earbud that was in my ears, I had my playlist on shuffle. Suddenly a familiar song came on as I softly sang along, a habit I developed a while ago, no longer fearing Hayden hearing me. Its funny how fast things have changed between us. It was a song I loved listening to back when I related to it much more strongly. I sang out the chorus softly.

"I wanna heal, I wanna feel what I thought was never real
I wanna let go of the pain I've felt so long

I wanna heal, I wanna feel like I'm close to something real
I wanna find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong"

"Somewhere you belong huh."

Hayden's voice scared me.

I spun around to see him leaning on the door frame with his shoulder, one foot crossed over the other, arms also crossed. I popped out my other earbud

"I just came to warn you my friends are going to be here any..."

He was cut off by a pounding on the door.

"...Now." He finished his statement with a smirk. He casually turned, leaving the door wide open.

I was very surprised when I heard a very female voice call out to Hayden.

Hayden responded with, "Hello Vira, Nick."
"Don't forget me!" Another female voice said.
"Sorry Nicola." Hayden responded with a laugh.
I put the book I was cleaning back on the shelf and paused my music.
"Where's the girl bro?" A new voice put in.
"Yeah." the female voice that was identify the name Vira.
"She should be down the hall, second door on your left."
I suddenly felt my pulse quicken at the thought of someone I didn't know walking in on me.
"Show me." Vira voice said, and I knew Hayden was suppressing an eye roll.
"Yeah this way."
I rushed out the door and closed it behind me before headed toward the living room the meet them.
"Hello sweetie." Hayden smiled, only because his friend were here probably.
I realized I had put my phone on the shelf instead of my book and glared at Hayden for interrupting me.

Vira was standing behind him. She saw my look and started laughing, "Looks like somebody interrupted a good book."
I smiled at her, and she seemed to understand the look.
"Wait really?" Vira smiled. "Yes!" She said with much enthusiasm. "I won't be the only nerd!"
Pushing Hayden out of the way, she took my hand s, placing my book on the table, and pulled me into our spacious living room before spinning me around laughing.
Once she let go, I stumbled back feeling dizzy and slightly sick. Lucky for me, Hayden had followed us and was there to catch me.
He held me up for the most part as I tried to get my bearings back.
"Honestly Vira, not everyone can deal with your insane behaviour." Nick said, I think it was Nick at least.
"Sorry Ocean." Vira looked sheepish.
I attempted to push off Hayden's chest, but that didn't work with his arms around me.
"You are not going anywhere." Hayden's deep voice said as his laugh caused his chest to vibrate. I glanced up at him, trying not to enjoy the sparkle in his breathtaking green eyes too much.
"What'd I miss?" Jayden, Hayden's other friend said as he let himself in. I recognised them from the engagement party.
"Not much." Nicola said. "Just the lovebirds going crazy."
"Sounds like someone's a little jealous." Jayden wiggled his eyebrow, but the look that he gave her when she flipped him off told me that he actually liked her. Although I'd never been in a real relationship, its a look I had seen many times and had photos of.
"Well are y'all ready to go to the pool?!" Nick quickly changing the subject.
I felt my throat close at the thought. My pulse started to quicken. The pool!
You can't swim so you will make a fool of yourself just like always. This will be...
My rude voice was interrupted by another voice. "Public swim isn't for another half hour. Why don't you four chill down here for a bit." Hayden said as he led me to the stairs.
I felt very nervous suddenly. What the heck was going on?
Once we were up the stairs, Hayden turned to face me.
"Look, I know this is short notice but, um, my friends are staying the night." He seemed nervous saying it.
I nodded showing it was fine.
"Um well, there's more." Now Hayden was very nervous, and it started to freak me out. "Because of the engagement, well..." he trailed off.
I nodded encouragingly, waiting for him to finish.
"YouandIhavetosleepinthesameroom." He said in a rush looking very perplexed.
I looked at him, very confused. I made the sign that, we'd come the agreement, meant again.
"Ok." Hayden took a deep breath before repeating himself more slowly. "You and I have to sleep in the same room." He rubbed the back of his head.
I looked at him blankly, before nodding.
"So, uh, grab whatever you need now cause I'm going to lock your room." He said.
I glared directly at him.
"Sorry, I will let you in if you need to be in there but its to keep Vira and them out." He said, actually looking sorry.
Sighing, I walked into my room. I found my PJs, a change of clothes and all the necessities in my bathroom.
Walking back out into the hallway with all my stuff, Hayden stood by the door, keys ready.
"Ok," he locked the door behind me before rushing forward and opening the door to his bedroom.
His bedroom was much larger than mine. It also had a bathroom walk-in closet and a balcony. On top of that it had a king-sized bed and a U-shaped couch near his TV.
I looked around, taking in all the details of the space.
"You can put your stuff on the chair over there." He pointed to one of the corners of the room near the closet door. I nodded before walking over and dumping my stuff on it.
"Hey." Hayden's voice was soft, as he grabbed my arm.
At first, I was shocked when he pulled me close to him. He didn't like to act like this unless there were people around. It was odd.
He wrapped his arms around me before whispering softly to me, "Don't worry, I'll sleep on the couch."
Suddenly I felt tears well up in my eyes. No, I shook my head. I pointed to myself.
"No, I wi..." the door burst open to reveal Nicola.
"Come on!" She yelled. "We're going to be late!"
I felt Hayden make no move to let me go.
"Ok, just let us grab our bags." Hayden said.
She nodded and skipped away.
Hayden walked into his closet and came out with two bags. He handed one to me silently and watched as I through my stuff in it.
Turning we headed out the door.