Two is Better than One

DYLAN:

Seconds ticked. Minute came. Hours took over. And days passed.

And now, the day has come for us to go to Werverd High.

I’ll be honest, I’m not excited.

I packed last night and was seriously pissed because this stupid school required their students to wear uniforms.

Our uniform is so gay in my opinion.

Anyways, I saw the girl’s uniform and I swear Hayley looked really good when she wear that. And good is an understatement

I saw her and my eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

I can’t believe she can still be beautiful despite her perfection.

Ugh.

I should stop talking about Hayley. My head is so filled with her that it’s killing me. Besides, how could I pretend that I don’t like her, like her when I’m having crazy fantasies about her.

Yeah. I should stop.

Anyway, the time has come.

Hayley was beside me and-

My jaw dropped.

“What the hell is in there?” I asked her, my eyes stuck on her baggage. “Your whole freaking closet?”

“Hey, this isn’t my whole closet.” she demanded.

“Right.” I decided.

I saw her closet and believe me, it’s too filled with girl stuff that I didn’t even know why I spend my life with a girl best friend. I can’t relate to the way they dress.

I mean, they dressed like there’s no tomorrow. I don’t get why everyday was a disaster for them just because they’re having a hard time choosing what they’re gonna wear.

Trust me, I suffered a lot of that experience with a couple of my ex-girlfriends.

Moving on, I found myself staring at her baggage longer than necessary.

“What are you doing?” she asked me, her eyebrows raised.

“You’re gonna make me carry that, aren’t you?” I sighed.

She grinned. “Sometimes, I think you’re smart.”

Ouch.

“Does that mean I’m not smart?” I asked, putting my hand at my chest and acting I was hurt.

I’m a bad actor and I hate acting. So let’s just say I really was hurt.

She smirked. “Never said that.”

“Why do you think I asked that?” I rolled my eyes.

“Stop talking and just carry my stuff.”

“Yes, madam. Your slave would love to carry your baggage that probably weigh a thousand pounds.”

Her smile faded. “You’re a meanie.”

I grinned. “Gee, look who’s talking.”

She pouted and grabbed hold of her bag. She turned around with an exaggerated action that her hair hit my face.

“Ow.”

She just continued walking.

I can’t let her be mad at me.

For crying out loud, I sacrificed my whole junior year to go to a school that I don’t even like just so I can be with her.

What kind of a guy would do that?

Idiotic guys, I know.

“Hey, wait up.” I caught up with her.

She ignored me.

“Gee, Hayles. You’re being overdramatic.” I told her.

She didn’t even look at me.

“Hayley.”

No answer.

I grabbed her hand and took the stupid bag from her.

And then I sighed.

“Uh, excuse me, but do I know you?” she asked me, her eyes annoyed.

“I don’t think so.” I answered.

“Will you please let go of my baggage or else.”

“Or else what?” I pressed.

“Or else….” She looked down as if to think and she groaned. She looked at me with a tortured expression. “I can’t stay being mad at you!” she said.

I snickered. “Then don’t even think about being mad.”

“Right.” She grinned.

“So, let’s get going!” I said with fake enthusiasm. “We need to go to the school where you forced you to go with you.”

She giggled. Damn. That’s the best sound in my world. “Forced?”

“Oops.” I smiled down at her. Then I looked away. “That’s the wrong word. Let me rephrase: We need to go to a school where you made me go with you since I can’t bear if my world lost you.”

Did I seriously just say that?

I looked at her, scared that I just said the things that I wasn’t supposed to say.

But her eyes softened as well as her whole expression. Her smile brightened her whole face and those twinkle with her eyes once again appeared. “Thanks, Dylan.”

“For what?”

She looked at me straight in the eyes that I almost melted in pressure. Her eyes dazzled mine and she whispered, “For everything.”

* * *

I was sited beside the window and Hayley was between me and a guy that’s about twenty.

I noticed for the first time that the guy was looking at her with this expression. The expression that I might have whenever I looked at her.

Hayley, being who she is, glanced at the guy and she blushed.

Whoa.

No way.

Great. Another stupid rival, coming right up!

“Excuse me?” the guy whispered.

Yeah. I have good ears. Perfect for eavesdropping.

Hayley turned to me and she bit her bottom lip, some trace of her excitement in her eyes.

Like I said, I can’t quite understand girls.

I was about to say that she shouldn’t talk to strangers when the guys said…

“My name is James Marks.” With a huge smile.

Talk about creepiness.

Hayley smiled at me, her eyes lit up. And she turned around to face the stupid dude.

“Hayley Anderson.” Her voice was a tiny squeak.

Gee. I figured this guy must be extra special.

And might be hot.

I swear I don’t know.

My eyes were not meant to check guys out, for Pete’s sake.

She threw her elbow at my side.

Ow. That freaking hurt. No joke.

I turned to her, forcing a smile. More like a grimace.

She gestured a hand on my face. “This is Dylan Johnson.”

I could speak for myself, Hayley.

“Hey, James.” I just said.

He smiled nicely but not that nice for my liking.

The kind of smile you give to people you don’t really wanna talk to, something like that.

So, to make it fair, I smiled that kind of smile at him, too.

A fake smile.

“So, where you guys going.”

Dude, that’s none of your business.

Hayley smiled her awesome dazzling smile.

It would have been perfect if it was only meant for me. But apparently she was looking at James.

“Werverd High.”

“Is that far?” he asked her.

What a stupid question.

We wouldn’t be boarding this plane if it was near! Duh?

I was hoping she would snap at the guy but she nodded.

“Are you guys together?” he suddenly asked.

“Yes. We’re both going to Werverd.” She answered.

But with the guy’s expression, that wasn’t the answer he needed.

I’m going to do the right thing here, aren’t I?

Sigh.

“I’m her best friend.” I announced.

James smiled.

“So, what are your plans here?”

Suddenly, his eyes popped like he actually forgot what he’s here for.

“Oh.” He breathed. “I was going to visit my… fiancé.”

Whoa.

I wasn’t expecting that!

I grinned to myself.

I looked at Hayley and her face fell.

Good.

Damn. I am so bad.

Then she smiled at James. “Congratulations!”

Amazing. I just adore her.

No trace of disappointment, really?

After asking a question or two, Hayley ignored him. And then she rested her head on my shoulder.

Sigh.

This is the life.

“You guys made a perfect couple.” James told me, grinning.

I smiled back. “Thanks.”

You know what?

I now understand what “Don’t judge a book by its cover” thing.

Hm.

I don’t know how’s that connected.

I’m weird sometimes, I know.

But I’m beginning to like this James dude now.

Yeah. I am weird. All the time.