C h a p t e r 0 9

Hailey's POV

"This dish is superb Daniella. You really are a great cook!" My dad Austin beamed after taking the last bite of his meal while Daniella mouthed an I love you as a response.

Rolling my eyes, I pushed my plate away and looked at Nikki who motioned me for us to escape the table. With that, I asked to excused ourselves. We walked upstairs silently, leaving the two laughing over some lame joke my dad threw.

Pushing the door open, revealed a chaotic room. Clothes thrown everywhere. I couldn't even guessed which were the once I wore and which weren't. The blanket I used remained unfolded, and the pillows were scattered on the bed. I actually hated seeing my room like this but sometimes I was just too lazy to even pick up the mess. My brother used to clean my room everytime he walked in, that was why I wouldn't doubt it if how my night dresses and socks magically made it to the hamper, and how my bed been fixed like a Princess just made an order.

Nikki plunged on my couch that has been nearly covered with clothings I tried earlier, choosing what to wear to school.

"Eh, Hailey. Don't you wanna clean your room first?" She asked, while lifting a printed sock from behind.

It wasn't the first time Nikki went to my room untidy. So, she was not surprised at all, but the thing here right now I guess worried her a bit, like a tornado considered a visit.

I shrugged, taking my sock on Nikki's hand and throwing it back on the floor. "Not now, I guess."

"How about we set a date for a room make over? And a... how to maintain the cleanliness of your room 'seminar'?" Nikki asked, scanning my room for the other pair.

"Sure, but then again.. Not now, okay?" I muttered, as I pulled a drawer open to where I keep a stash of foods.

"So, what do you like? Chocolates, sour gummy worms, marshmallows, Oreo?" I asked.

Nikki hummed and before she could choose I quickly picked Oreo and closed the drawer.

"Wait! I'm not yet done deciding!" She whined as she grabbed a polar bear plushie from behind throwing it to me.

"Ow! I wasn't ready!" I exclaimed, putting the oreo down on top of my study table before picking the same plushie toy and throwing it back to her.

Pillow fight! I thought as we run around my room, dodging every single pillows, plushies, even clothes and...

my missing sports bra? Where did she get this? Whatever... I meant everything that could be thrown.

After that, we spent some more minutes talking about random stuffs while eating Oreos, of course. The room just looked worst than ever but I didn't mind since we were having fun.

"So has your dad opened up yet about a marriage plan?" Nikki asked, taking an Oreo and parting it before licking the vanilla filling.

"As far as I know, no." I answered, relieved. I wouldn't even want that day to come.

"But it will happen, Hailey." She foretold, even if it was ought to happen.

I let out a sigh, "Yeah I know, but whatever... It's not like I care."

"I guess you should. I feel like they're really in love with each other. I mean, love... No one can ever deny that feeling once it already hit you."

I heavily sighed, not because I disagreed on what Nikki had said, but because of the fact that she was right.

Nikki took another Oreo before speaking. "Well, let's talk about Nathan... How is he?"

"...He's still the hottest, kindest boy I've ever known... Oh! Have I told you how many classes we have together?" I beamed joyfully.

"Fudge, no! Hailey, how dare you!" She grimaced as she slapped me on my shoulder, playfully.

"I'm sorry, okay?" I laughed, "So, we actually have three subjects in common! Can you believe that?!" I exclaimed bubbly while chewing the Oreo.

"I think I do. And are you even aware that you've been spitting Oreo bits on me?"

"Oppss.. sorry." I chuckled.

Then I shyly added, "Was that a joke?"

"Nope."

When our story buckets got emptied, Nikki tried to clean up my room, when I told her not to. I stood up and walked over to the window, lifting the purple see-through curtain and tying it up giving us a view of the outside. The noisy and busy place went quiet and calm as darkness covered the sky, letting the moon and stars silently reign the night.

Nikki's POV

After keeping Hailey's room tidy, my phone suddenly rang. Pulling it out of my pocket, I looked at the caller's I.D.

"It's grandma." I mumbled to Hailey before answering, "Hey, Grandma."

"Do you plan on staying there for the night?" My grandma asked, furiously.

Oww...

"Uhm, no. Certainly, not... I'm sorry. I promise, I'll be there right away." I bit my lower lip and casted a glanced at Hailey who has her brows crimped in concern.

Moving my phone in a distant, I mouthed a question to Hailey, wanting to know about the time. She replied back by pointing at her customized wall clock in which the numbers seemed to look like insects behind the hexagon glass. On the other line, grandma kept on ranting, which I hardly focused my attention into as I read the time.

"Twelve thirty." I faintly spoke to myself, with a weary sigh.

"...Nikki? Are you even listening to a word I say?"

"Uhh... yes? I mean, yes..." I stammered, after letting out a nervous laugh.

"I know you're not. You know, you're being irresponsible with your actions, lately. I'm not liking it. If words cannot control you anymore, I guess we have to take your car from you awhile, young lady."

"No, please... I'm so sorry, it won't happen again. I'll be there in a minute. I'm already driving, see?-- Don't take my car. I'll miss driving, please!" I gave her a high-pitched plaintive cry, which I hoped she would buy.

Grandma! Hear my cries! I need my car!

"Just be here after one, and be careful." She hangs up, before I could even respond.

Sighing, I slipped my phone back in my pocket. I felt utterly disappointed in my self. I got toasted twice already, and I knew my grandma won't let it end just like that.

After dropping my shoulders, I spun around to meet Hailey's gaze. "I have to go."

"You really should..."

Hailey helped me through their front door. Passing her dad and Daniella who had already fallen asleep on the sofa while the movie played alone.

"Drive safely! Text me when you get home!" Hailey shouted, not caring if he disturbs her dad and Daniella from their slumber.

I waved goodbye before hopping in my car and drove back home. The ride was silent, obviously since I was alone with a busted radio. The intermittent glow of streetlights, brushed passed by as I approached the road ahead of me with a few worn out lampposts, creating a dark gap to the next light. A few more minutes while driving, I spontaneously casted a glimpsed at my fuel gauge, and my eyes suddenly became owl-like, noticing it would run out any minute by now... or milliseconds.

"Nooooo!-- No no no. Please, not now..." I began to panic as the car started to run slower.

and slower...

then soon halted.

"Darn it!" I muttered as I rested my head on the steering wheel.

After wasting a quick minute, I lifted my head, taking my phone to call my grandparents. To my dismay, no one answered the call. Are they doing this on purpose? I groaned in frustration and unplugged my car keys.

The house was still far. Three more streets to pass. I thought, envisioning the path to be taken before reaching home. The picture ahead of me mechanically flipped me up to being timid, nonetheless, I couldn't just stay inside the vehicle and idle. Cursing to myself, I hopped outside and decided to take a cab.

I'd rather accept the fact that my grandparents will take my car from me, other than let it get drag by a tow truck tomorrow... or, maybe not. Staring intently at my car, I sighed heavily. After unlocking my gaze to it, I looked up at the sky, and silently wished for a lifesaver.

"Three more streets." I muttered to myself.

The road was too empty, and no signs of anything, nor cabs, but just the sound of people sleeping soundly while warmly curled under their covers. Ugh! That should be me! Lifting my wrist, I looked at my watch which reads one o'clock and nineteen in the morning. I felt hopeless, after conceding my fate for the night to sleep inside the car.

A honk suddenly sliced through my thoughts, and made me blinked my eyes while focusing on a blue lamborghini halted in front of me.

Wait, the car looks familiar. I thought as I pondered, The one who overtook me at school!

The window scrolled down.

What??

Chase Grey?! Of all the guys!

"Hey." Chase greeted with a smile, but I stayed quiet, openly frustrated.

Before I could respond he spoke again, "Did you and your boyfriend had a fight, and you decided to get some air?"

He's the only one who believes that, Nikki.

"No." I simply retorted.

"Well what are you doing there?" He asked, looking at me, with his one hand hanging from the open window.

"Waiting for---"

"Wait, why haven't I received a text?" He cuts me off with a question, while he glued his eyes on his phone.

Wait, what?

"Blonde? I don't get it. Dad said he hired a brunette haired maid for the laundry." He stated, crimping his eyebrows in confusion.

Okay, what the fudge is he talking about?

"I don't think that's how dad described her looks to me lately, Maria."

"Yeah, better call him. Before you take the wrong person inside my house." He sighed, lifting his hand up to his head and clicking something on his ear with his finger.

This guy made me look like a fool.

"What's up, Cinderella... What are you doing here? Lost your shoe?" He stretched his deep voice to me, while sliding his phone on the dashboard.

"You're talking to me?" I intoned, reassuringly pointing to myself.

"Yeah smartass, it's just the two of us here, right?"

God, can you believe this guy? Ugh!

I let my eyes rolled before answering. "Waiting for a cab."

"No cabs at this time of night. What do you say, I give you a ride?"

I pressed my lips on a thin line and shrugged. "No, thank you."

"Oh, okay... Good luck." He smoothly spoke, along with his window slowly scrolling up.

No no no. Wait.. I scanned the road one last time for a cab but not even a headlight came into view.

I can't ride with him! But I can't stay and sleep here!

"Wait!" I bursted quickly, before his window reaches the top.

"Changed your mind?-- Wait, is that your car?" He inquired, peeking behind me with his window glass half across the top.

"Uh, yeah?"

"What happened?" He probed.

I hesitated to answer, and gave it away in a few seconds. "It ran out of gas."

"Why didn't you say so? Come, hop in." Chase addressed, rolling his window back down.

But..

"Uhm.." I gulped hard before looking at the time which reads one o'clock and forty eight in the morning.

What should I do? I don't even think I could trust this guy. Taking the ride with him will be equal to me meeting my tomb. But doing otherwise, will.. will kill me too.

"It's almost two in the morning." Chase intoned, while flashing a carnal look on his face.

See what I mean? That face isn't trustworthy at all. I closed my eyes and decided what the best thing to do. But in my case, there was no best thing to do.

I have to make a choice.

"O..o.. okay!" I hesitated for a moment, and after spitting the words I would regret. Chase opened the door and motioned me to get it.

This looks like hell. I thought before hopping in.

A/N: Now, there goes our hero... or nay(ro)?

Q: What do you think would happen on our next chapter? Give a guess!!! Free chocolate to whoever guessed it right!!!