7/23/15

"WHAT ARE YOU doing here?" I scream as I throw my arms around my best friends neck in pure excitement.

Hayley's arms circle me as she hugs me back just as hard. "Seriously why aren't you in Chicago right now?" I ask confused.

She pulls away as she hoists her duffel bag back onto her shoulder. I had knocked it off in my shock of seeing her face behind my front door.

"When you called the other night I told my supervisor that I needed a few days off," she says. "I told her my best friend needs me," she shrugs simply as if it was that easy.

I toss my arms back around her and give her a big squeeze. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," I repeat quietly as I feel my eyes wet slightly with gratitude.

It has been exactly one week since my big blowout with Bailey at the dress shop. She hasn't been home since, and she's been ignoring my texts and calls. I know I messed up in a way that won't be fixed easily, but I just need her to give me a chance.

"So Bailey hasn't answered you yet, huh?" Hayley asks as she pulls away from my fierce hug.

I shrug trying to play it off, but I know my best friend can see right through me. "I fucked up," I tell her as my whole body sags in defeat.

Hayley tosses her arm around my shoulder and pulls me in to her side lightly. "We usually do with the ones that mean the most," she says quietly. "Now," she continues with a more chipper attitude as she pulls away from me. "Show me to your room so I can set this bag down it's beyond heavy," she says as she heaves the bag back up onto her shoulders.

"What do you have in there?" I ask. "A body?" I joke.

She just smirks at me a throws me a wink. "Wouldn't you like to know," she states. "Now onto your room!" she shouts as she comes up behind me and starts shoving me forward.

I can't help but laugh. It's the first time I've truly felt happy all summer and I needed this. Hayley gets me like no one else does. I understand now that I shouldn't have thrown away my relationship with my sister and forgotten about her while I forged a new one with Hayley. But that doesn't take away from the fact that Hayley was there for me when I was afraid to let anyone in. She stood by my side and never let me feel less, and for that I am forever thankful.

I lead her towards my room and push the door open for her. She quickly drops her bag of bricks onto the floor and flings herself onto my mattress. "Ugh, this feels amazing," she groans into my body pillow.

"Dramatic much?" I tease as I slouch onto the opposite end of my bed from Hayley.

She rolls over so she's on her back and tucks her hands behind her head. "Always," she says as she turns her head to smile at me.

I roll my eyes. "Wow, I can't believe I missed you," I state dryly.

She lets out a small laugh. "I know I'm awesome," she says completely ignoring my sarcastic comment. "Now," she starts as she rolls onto her side to face me. "Tell me about this Max man," she says as she wiggles her eyebrows at me suggestively.

I can't help the grin that blooms onto my lips at the mention of his name.

"Oh, so that good huh?" Hayley drawls with a smirk plastered across her face.

I blush unable to answer.

"So have you two..." she trails as she motions her hands in a lewd fashion.

I playfully shove her hands away. "No, we haven't for your information," I tell her.

"Why not?" she asks as if it's that simple. "He's beyond hot!" she exclaims.

My forehead drags together in confusion. "How would you know?"

"As your best friend it is my duty to know every guy you date so that you are never blindsided," she states.

I let out a single dry laugh. "So you Internet stalked him?" I ask though I already know the answer.

"Oh, I stalked so hard!" she says as she falls into a pit of giggles.

"You're the worst," I play with a smile on my face.

"And you still love me," she sings. And Hayley is beyond right. I do love her and her crazy stalking, and wild boy stories, and her huge heart that makes her a fiercely loyal friend.

I sigh before asking the question I don't really care to ask, but want to seem nice at the same time so ask anyways. "So," I pause. "How's Maxine?" I ask trying to pretend I care even one bit.

"Wow, shocked you even asked about your other bestie," she mocks.

I shake my head slightly. "What can I say," I pause with a small shrug. "I'm trying to become a better person."

"Trying being the operative word," Hayley teases.

I roll my eyes once more. "Whatever," I mumble.

"But for your information she's doing great," she says. "Still quiet, but super sweet."

"As long as you don't like the ginger more than me I couldn't care less how sweet she is," I mumble. I know I should be more mature than this, but something about Maxine's quiet demeanor rubs me the wrong way. I feel like she's always hiding something, when in reality I know she's most likely hiding nothing. Because let's be real, her life is far from interesting.

"Gray—"

I cut her off. "I'm sorry," I start. "I'm trying," I repeat as I play with ends of my dry and sun-damaged hair.

Hayley places her hand on my arm stopping my actions. "While I love the ginger, she will never be you G," she says earnestly.

I try and hide the smile that wants to consume my face at her words, but I can't stop it. This summer has been such a difficult time and it's nice to know that even through these ups and downs our friendship hasn't changed.

"Hey, want to meet some awesome people?" I ask trying to brush off the wave of unwanted emotions that want to rush through me.

Hayley slaps a hand over her chest in feign shock. "More awesome than me?"

I lift a single shoulder. "They are pretty cool..." I trail.

My best friend immediately stands and places her hands on her hips. "Well I must meet these people to double check this, because you know how awesome I am," she says seriously though I can't help but giggle. "These words are hurtful Gray, just hurtful," she speaks as she fakes sadness.

"Hurtful?" I question.

She slaps her hand over her chest once again. "Hurtful," she jokingly reiterates.

I stand up from my bed and link my arm through hers. "Well then we better leave so we can verify my assessment," I tease back.

"Most definitely," she agrees lacing her arm through mine as I lead us out of my house and towards my car.

Hayley's back, and I'm happier then I have been in a long time.

* * * * *

"And who do we have here?" Chase asks as he stands up from the table he's sitting behind.

"Chase," I pause motioning to him. "Kylie, this is Hayley—"

"Ohmygosh Hayley!" Kylie exclaims shooting out of her seat immediately at my words. "We've heard so much about you!"

"Awful things I bet," Hayley winks.

"Oh, the worst obviously," Kylie jokes back instantly as she walks over and envelopes Hayley in a hug.

Hayley laughs at Kylie's words. "I like you already," she declares.

Kylie takes a step back and Chase comes over after. "It's great to finally meet you," he says as he gives Hayley a hug as she returns one just as quickly.

We move to sit down but not before Hayley grabs my arm tightly. "Dibs," she whispers.

My face scrunches in confusion. "On who?"

"Chase, duh," she says as if I'm dumb and blind. "Why didn't you tell me more about this tasty brother," she says as she ogles Chase and rakes her eyes over him.

I want to say something, but I don't. I can't. Because it's not only not my place, but Chase is also confused right now and he might be into Hayley. So I bite my tongue and with a lazy shrug I say, "Just don't see it I guess," I say simply.

She shakes her head in response. "Fine by me," she responds before sitting down right next to Chase at the table.

Besides the unsettling nerves that lace through me about Hayley and Chase, a wave of calmness also hits me. I'm surrounded by people who love me for me, and who will stand by me no matter what. These are the friends everyone waits their whole lives for, and I have mine.

For a fleeting moment I'm happy, and I love it. I want this happiness to last, but for some reason I know it won't. So for now I smile, I sit down, and I enjoy the company of my friends. My people.