A Lot of Potential

I woke up the next day feeling like shit. Alex wasn't laying in bed which was not normal for him at 10:30 in the morning. I sat up, stretching my arms up over my head, creating pain in my side. I pushed myself up from the bed and gained my balance, walking out of his messy room. I quietly walked down the stairs to find him passed out on the sofa with the television on. I giggled and kissed his forehead before taking a seat at the end of the sofa by his feet.

He fluttered his eyes open, taking in the new environment. "Hey, morning."

"Morning to you too. Couldn't sleep?" I asked, crawling on top of him.

"No, my mind has been in overdrive. I came downstairs to get some headache medicine and I didn't feel like going back up the stairs so I just chilled here."

"What are you thinking about?" I rested my chin on his chest, waiting for a answer.

"Everything to be honest. You, the funeral, everything." he sighed, playing with my hair. "Are you feeling better? You also need to have your shit packed before tomorrow afternoon."

"I feel fine today. Considering the fact I left my house yesterday not knowing we were leaving tomorrow, I didn't bring anything nice to wear." I frowned. "But, I have the credit card my dad gave me for in case of emergency."

"So you want me to take you shopping?" he laughed, kissing my forehead.

"For the sake of keeping me beautiful, you would." I winked.

"You're always beautiful."

"Not always."

"All the fucking time." he shrugged, poking my nose.

"No," I shook my head. "did you tell your parents I was coming with you?"

"Not completely. I told them that you were staying with me due to family problems at your home, but I believe they're expecting Jack." he laughed.

"I'll be a huge disappointment, I know." I smiled, laughing along with him.

"No, I think they'll accept it. They pretty much take it that if I'm happy, they're happy."

"I'm happy that you're happy."

"You keep me happy. I love you." he whispered, gently kissing me.

"I love you too. Can we go now?" I giggled, jumping up.

"You're one big ball of energy today." he mumbled, pushing himself to his feet.

"I know." I grabbed his hand, pulling him to the stairs. We ran up them quickly and to his bedroom where our clothes were. I pulled on my cardigan dress and tights, adding my grey Uggs to the outfit equation. He had on a pair of denim skinny jeans, a grey shirt with a black V-neck that fit snug on him.

"Someone looks cute today." he commented, letting his hands trace my curves.

"And you look like a hobo." I giggled, kissing him. "Just kidding babe. You look sexy as you always do."

He smirked, and kissed my forehead. "You ready to go?"

"Yup." I say, walking out of the room, bouncing with every step.

"You're too quick." he laughed, following me down the steps. "Grab my jacket on the coat rack."

"Dammit. I always freaking take your jackets. I feel bad."

"Naw, baby don't."

"You know what? We're going shopping and i'll just buy my own coat." I shrugged.

"Alrightly you do that."

"I will!" I giggled, pulling the door open and hitting him with it.

"Ow!"

"Big baby."

"Shh. I am not a baby." he laughed, throwing his arms around my body and lifting me off the ground.

"Alex put me down!"

"No!" he shouted, walking us to the passenger door of his vehicle.

"Yes!" I giggled, pinching his nipple.

"Ow! What the fuck!" he laughed, placing me hurriedly on my feet and grabbing his injured chest. "You don't play fair!"

"I play dirty."

"Apparently." he snorted, pushing me into the seat. He shut the door and ran around the car and jumped into the driver's side.

"So I've been thinking." I started, biting my lip.

"About?"

"I'm still unsure about it."

"About what?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

"I sorta wanna cut my hair." I said, pursing my lips.

"Why? Your hair is fine."

"Something different." I shrugged.

"Well, if you want, I can take you to the woman who does mine. She's amazing." he said, flipping on the blinker light.

"That'd be amazing." I smiled. "Lets go shopping first, okay?"

"Alright love." he grabbed my hand and gave it a small squeeze. "I love being close to the beach and the mall."

"It's nice now. But it's too cold for the beach!"

"I promise whenever it's warmer, i'll take you to the beach." he smiled, pulling into the crowded mall parking lot.

"Okay!" I laughed, waiting for him to park. He pulled his large car in a parking hole and put it in park. He killed the ignition and turned his gaze to me. I could see the pain in his eyes, making my gut hurt. I couldn't bare it. He curled his lips into a smile, his eyes turning happy.

"You ready now baby?" he smiled wider, showing his crooked white teeth.

"Yes." I nodded, pushing the car door open carefully. We met each other at the rear of his car, taking my hand into his. I held on to his arm with my other hand, keeping myself close to him. He smiled down at our hands, probably thinking about how much he loved our closeness.

When we got to the door, he pulled his hand from mine and opened the door for me. I smiled, grabbing his hand again and pulling along with me. "Where are we going?" he asked, throwing his arm around my waist.

"I don't know. Where do you wanna go?"

"I wanna go to Urban Outfitters. I love that place." he laughed.

"I don't know where that is, nor have I ever shopped there."

"Seriously? You'll love it." he stroked my face with his hand. "It's up on the second floor, lets go."

"Okay, okay." I giggled, following him. We rode the escalator to the second floor. The store was on the left, right off the escalator. He pulled me into the store and brought me to a area where many dresses were on hangers.

"Find a pretty one." he whispered, kissing my earlobe.

"They all are." I pressed my lips together. My eyes set on a black dress with little slits in the side. I walked over to it, examining it's details.

"I like that one." he nodded. "Try it on!"

"Oh hush! You only want me to try it on because you wanna hurry and be finished!"

"Dammit, you caught me." he smiled. "I hate shopping baby, I can't help it."

"I know, I hate it too. I would make my sister do my shopping, but I'd end up with something skimpy." I sighed.

"Hey, skimpy is fine with me." he winked.

"Ugh, you're such a pig!" I giggled, kissing him quickly.

"I know."

"Good. Now where the hell are the dressing rooms?"

"Over there." he pointed to the back.

"Come on." I grabbed his hand, walking towards the rooms.

"Ah fuck me." he cursed, following me like a puppy.

I walked into the dressing room and pulled the door shut behind me. I heard him mumbling something to himself, knowing he was still there. I took off my dress I was wearing and replaced it with the new one. I absolutely loved it.

"Do you have it on yet?" he asked impatiently.

"Yes. I'm going to slowly walk out just to make you wait some more." I giggled, unlocking the door. I took a step out, watching his eyes pick up from the floor to me. His mouth opened in shock, then began smiling.

"Holy fuck." he beamed. "I do gotta say, watching you come out in that has been the best part of this already. You look fucking gorgeous and if I had it my way, that dress would be on the floor."

His words made me blush a deep red. "Does it really look that good?"

"Yes! I can't even describe how beautiful you look. I'm just speechless baby."

"I'll get it then." I said, walking back into the dressing room. "Fuck!" I ran back to where he was. "Love?" I smiled up at him, mischievousness in my voice.

"Yes?"

"Unzip me please." I giggled, turning around.

"Fine." he sighed, pulling the zipper down my back.

"Thank you." I scampered back into the dressing room. I put my clothes back on and walked out. "Lets go buy a jacket or something now!"

"This should be easy. If it has sleeves, we're buying it."

"Oh shut up." I giggled, grabbing his hands and pulling him up from his seat.

"No." he laughed along with me, reaching down and kissing me softly. "C'mon love, lets get this shit over with."

"Okay." I nodded, grabbing his hand and leading him to the coat area of the store. I browsed the selection I had and picked out a black cardigan-like raincoat. I smiled in satisfaction, pulling his hand towards the check-out desk.

"Already? Damn that was quick." he said smiling, following me.

"Just for you."

"Thank you." he winked.

"Cut it out Gaskarth." I smiled, putting the dress and jacket on the counter. The woman working the counter eyed us up and down, gawking at the sight of us holding hands.

"That'll be fifty-three dollars and forty-nine cents." she said rudely.

"Okay." I quietly said, pulling out the card and sliding it through the machine. I signed my name quickly and neatly on the screen and stepped back, watching her bag my items. She handed me the bag containing my jacket and dress. "Thank you." I smiled at her, towing Alex out of the store's doors.

"We are bitch magnets I swear." he laughed, walking along side of me.

"I know right? Have people never seen a couple in a mall together?"

"Apparently not." he smirked. "You ready to go or do you need something else?"

"I think I'm good."

"Oh my God, do you need some shoes to match your dress?" he said, being girly.

"Alex, baby, don't do that ever again." I cracked up laughing. "You sounded gay."

"Well fuck! I wasn't supposed to sound gay, I was supposed to sound like a girl!"

"I know." I gigged, setting my eyes straight ahead. I caught a familiar face I didn't want to see. Lucas.

"Joy." Alex scoffed, squeezing my hand.

"Hey Haley!" he shouted, jogging to us.

"Oh, uh. Hi Lucas." I waved shyly.

"What are you doing here?" he laughed, trying to make conversation.

"Just grabbing a couple things."

"Oh cool, cool. I'm just here.. going to buy a, um. Engagement ring for Jenna." he nervously said.

I nodded and smiled lightly towards his direction. "Good. That'll be for the best."

"Yeah, um. Haley can I talk to you? Alone?" he shyly said, looking up at Alex. He squeezed my hand and let go, shooting me a overcareful look.

"I'll be over here." he sighed, kissing my cheek before walking away.

"What is it Lucas?" I pressed, watching his face turn pale.

"I don't know what to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I got her pregnant and I'm trying my best to be here for her. I think that marrying her would be the best thing for us and the baby. The worst part of this complication is that I don't love her. She was a easy fuck and I was just horny." he sighed, his hazel eyes glaring into mine.

"Oh, wow." was all I could manage to say.

"Don't think I'm a jerk or anything, but I knew I couldn't get in your pants so that's why I settled for Jenna. It wasn't completely her fault. It was majorly mine. I should of been the one apologizing, not her. Now I've completely fucked everything up."

"You know what? It's okay. It's time to get over everything anyway. Now that the truth's been told, I'm okay with it." I shrugged.

"I'm thankful it wasn't you." he nodded.

"What?"

"I'm thankful that it wasn't you I damaged. I'm happy that you're happy with Gaskarth."

"Thanks Lucas."

"You know what the worst part is?" he asked nervously, taking a deep breath.

"No, what?"

"Haley," he started, looking around the mall. He touched my face before speaking again. "I'm in love with you."

I gasped and slapped his hand away. "I-I, no!" I stuttered, running the opposite direction of him.

"Haley! Please! I'm sorry!" he shouted after me.

I walked around the corner quickly, turning to see if he was following me before I ran into someone. "I'm so sorry!" I apologized, pushing my hair out of my eyes to look at the person I just ran into. Alex stood there with a smirk on his face, trying his best to hold back a laugh.

"In a hurry much babe?" he laughed, grabbing my waist.

"I'm ready to leave." I murmured, grabbing his hand and yanking on it.

"Okay, calm down hotshot." he said, throwing his arm around me. I snuggled into his side as we walked towards the door. My eyes caught glance of Lucas, standing and waiting by the door.

"Haley!" he shouted, running back towards us. "I'm so, so sorry!"

Alex shot me a puzzled look, placing things together in his mind. "What the hell did you do bro?"

"I didn't do anything, I just said something.." Lucas choked, afraid to tell Alex his words to his face.

"Alex, lets just go." I said, grabbing a fist-full of his shirt and pulling on it.

He shot Lucas a death glare before giving up on my constant pulling. I pulled him through the door and found his car. He got into the drivers seat and gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles snow white. "What'd he say?"

"I don't want to upset you." I whispered.

"God dammit Haley, what did he say?" he angrily said.

"Don't use that fucking tone with me and maybe I could tell you!" I hissed back.

"Yeah, okay."

Tears began to form in my eyes, warm streams running down my cheeks. I pushed the car door open and got out, slowly walking towards the mall exit. I heard his car door slam behind me and the pounding of his shoes against the blacktop as he ran after me. I felt his hands grab my waist and pull me to a complete stop. He turned himself to face me, looking down to my tear-stained face.

"Baby, I'm sorry." he whispered, his voice cracking. I ignored his apology and turned my head to see the sun sliding down the horizon. "Haley."

"What?" I snapped, looking up at him.

"Baby, look. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a complete dick. I'm just so scared and nervous. Too many things are happening and I just can't take it. I'm close to my breaking point." he sighed.

"I know, I'm sorry too." I sniffled, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"I love you." he whispered, kissing my lips passionately.

"I love you too. Can we go home now?"

"Yeah, we need to get some sleep. We've got a long day tomorrow." he said, turning and walking back to his car. We got inside, buckling our seat-belts. He put the car in reverse and left the parking lot. We drove all the way back to his house in silence, uneasy tension building between us.

He pulled in his driveway and got out, waiting for me at the hood of his car. I slowly stumbled up the sidewalk to his front door with him, waiting for him to unlock the door and let us in. He raced up the stairs and into his room, leaving me downstairs by myself. I sighed, walking to the bathroom and pulling off my clothes. I turned on the shower, letting the hot water fall from the shower head.

I got in, letting it run down my body, taking away the aches and pains of the day. I needed to tell Alex everything that had happened at the mall. I was going to exactly do that when I was done showering. I quickly washed my hair and body and got out, throwing a towel around my small frame. I ran the brush through my hair, walking out of the door and to the stairs. I sighed before hurriedly walking up the stairs. His door was cracked, I could hear him on the other side mumbling something to himself.

"Alex?" I quietly said, pushing open the door.

"Yeah?" he asked, setting up.

"Can I talk to you?"

I watched him swallow the knot in his throat. "You're not going to break up with me are you?"

"No! I wouldn't do such thing!" I sighed, frowning at him.

"I'm sorry, I just- I feel like a dick." he stated.

"Don't. Let it go. You have every right to be pissed off."

"What do you want to talk to me about?"

"What happened at the mall with Lucas." I said, keeping my eyes glued to my feet.

"Okay, well can you do me a favor?" he asked seriously.

"What?"

"Get dressed, I find you too appealing like that." he smirked, looking at me up and down at the towel I had wrapped over my body.

"Fine." I smiled. I walked over to his closet and grabbed one of his shirts and pulled it over my body. I grabbed a pair of underwear from my bag and slipped them on. I raced over to the bed where he was, snuggling myself into his side.

"Speak." he bit his lip.

"Okay, this is all he told me. He said he wasn't in love with Jenna. He couldn't get into my pants easily so he went for Jenna, and that's what 'caused the whole problem between us all. He said he was sorry for everything and that he was happy that you and I are together and I'm not broken. Then he said-" I stopped, scared to say the rest.

"He said?" he pursed his lips, waiting for me to go on.

"He said he was in love with me." I whimpered. "Then he touched my face. I freaked out and ran away, then I ran into you. That's why I was in such a hurry." I glanced up at his flawless face to see his jaw was flexed. His body began to shake with anger.

"Motherfucker." he cursed.

"Alex, please, can we just let it go?" I begged, kissing his flexed jaw.

He inhaled deeply. "I suppose we can. Don't expect me to be nice to the little bitch."

"I don't." I giggled, hugging on to his chest.

"I love you baby."

"I love you too." I smiled, gently kissing him.

"Get some sleep, we've got a big day tomorrow." he sighed.

"I know. Babe, can I ask you something?"

"What is it love?"

"Tomorrow before we leave, is there any chance I could stop by Catastrophe and Jenna's house to tell my sister where I am?" I asked, hoping for a yes.

"Yes, but we can't be long." he nodded.

"I just wanna tell her what all has happened and that I'm here with you. And I wanna tell her that I'm gone to England with you."

"You can do that." he kissed my forehead. "Now go to sleep babe."

"Okay." I yawned, moving around to find a comfortable spot. I laid there listening to him sing a quiet lullaby again.

"Sing me to sleep. I'll see you in my dreams, waiting to say I miss you, I'm so sorry." I listened closely until his singing was replaced with faint snores. I looked up at his face, mouth wide open and eyes shut. I kissed his cheek before setting back down, drifting off to sleep myself.