My Mistake, So Predictable

Hailey’s POV

“I need help.” I sigh into the phone as soon as the person picks up.

Jack laughs a deep chuckle on the other end, “So of course you came to person of all wisdom and smarts and deep stuff, right?”

The skunk haired kid was obviously my fist choice to go to for advice. From what I’ve been able to tell from the short amount of time I’ve spent with him since my accident, he knows Alex just as well as Alex knows himself and well basically at this point, I’m desperate.

“Something like that.” I finally reply, chuckling at his lack of modesty. “It’s about Alex. I’m pretty sure I offended him and I don’t know really how to fix it.”

“Welllll,” He drags out, and I can hear him shifting around as if he’s getting comfortable. “What’d you do? He doesn’t get offended easily so it must’ve been pretty bad.”

“Thanks for the confidence.” I laugh, rolling my eyes. “We were fooling around and he said it was good to see me laughing because I haven’t really since the accident and then I practically jumped down his throat about how hard it must have been to be around me lately.” I tell him.

A moment of silence follows and I wait patiently for him to answer, “Are. You, On. Your. period?” He speaks the words slowly and takes care to enunciate each word.

“Jack!” I exclaim, but then I think about it seriously and shake my head after a moment. “Nope, definitely not. I don’t know what’s the matter with me all of the sudden. He’s being so nice to me by having me stay here and I blow up on him.”

“Look,” He says, for the first time his voice serious and soft sounding, “I’m sure he’s not offended, just confused. Alex understands what you’re going through, he’s good with feelings.”

“Why does he have to be so perfect?” I sigh frustratingly. It’d be so easy to forgive myself for being rude to an ass of a guy, but not to someone who can forgive me without even having to think about it.

“Because he’s Alex.” He says simply, as if that makes perfect sense, “But if you want to tell him how you much you appreciate everything, I have an idea if you’re up to it?”

“Hit me.” I reply instantly.

--

Alex’s POV

“Dude, I’m pretty sure I screwed up” I say into my phone. I have it perched between my ear and my shoulder while I flip through channels on my bedroom tv. From what I can tell, Hailey had fallen asleep a few hours ago. I hope she had; she’s seemed so exhausted lately and she needs the rest.

“Did you piss in the dishwasher again?” Jack asks with a low chuckle.

“No.” Wait. “I don’t think so, that was once, asshole!” I defend. “And in my defense, it wasn’t my fault I was that drunk.”

“You give a guy a bottle of vodka and that’s how he repays you, by peeing in your dishwasher.”

“Sorry,” I shrug. “It was open and your bathroom was occupied by a puking Rian.”

“They were clean dishes!” He exclaims.

I laugh, “They were sitting there for two weeks! If anything I did you a favor!”

He grumbles for a moment and then suddenly his voice perks up, “So what did you screw up about if it wasn’t peeing on things you’re not supposed to?”

I groan, running my fingers through my hair. I really need a haircut soon, my bangs are getting too much for me to just be able to wash and then let air dry. Lazy, but at least it’s effective. “I may or may not have insulted Hailey without meaning to.” I admit and I can hear him instantly groan.

“Duude.” He sympathizes. “What happened?”

Where to start? “Well, I may or may not have told her in simpler terms that she’s been pms’ing lately and it’s good to see her smiling again except in simpler words.”

“I knew it.” I hear him hiss but he denies it when I ask so I drop it. “So what do you need help with?”

“How can I make it up to her? I didn’t mean for what I said to come across that way at all. I just really like when she’s happy and I hate when she’s sad.”

Jack doesn’t say anything for a moment but then finally, “I have an idea if you’re up to it.”

I don’t even have to think before answering,” Definitely.”

Hailey’s POV

“This better work, Jack.” I mumble, putting the finishing touches on the table. It had taken me hours to cook the extravagant dinner that Jack had gone into extreme detail with over the phone; even instagramming me pictures of dishes he thought would be good.

And I hate to admit it, but I think he had done well with his suggestions, damn. I had spent all day slaving over a chicken to make sure it wouldn’t dry out, baking the potatoes to the perfect point and then mashing them into smooth and creamy mashed potatoes- along with fresh corn and green beans from a farmer’s market stand I had passed on the way back from the store.

Just as I place the last set of silverware on the table, I hear a click in the door announcing that someone was entering. A second later and I see Alex’s dirty blonde head backing in as he pushes the door open with his butt, his hands full of what seems like… food.

“Alex?” I question and he jumps, nearly dropping the bag in his hands.

“Hey Hail-“ He slowly breaks off as he takes in the table I had carefully set. “What’s this for?” Alex questions, moving closer to the table so he can place his bag on the table next to my chicken.

“Better question” I say, nudging the plastic bag open with my hand, “What is in that bag that smells so delicious?”

He grins and smacks my hands away gently before I can see, and I give him a pout which he chuckles at. “Not until later.” Alex says and then he gestures to the table again with his hand, “But seriously what is this for?” He pests.

“I just wanted to do something special for you,” I mumble, ducking my head so he can’t see the blush climbing onto my cheeks, “I know I’ve been a pain in the ass the last week or so and I wanted to something to show you that I appreciate everything that you’ve been doing for me while I’ve been here.”

When I finish, I feel a light touch on the bottom of my chin as Alex’s fingers tilt my face up so I can’t look at the floor any longer. Under his gaze, I squirm awkwardly.

“You don’t have to do anything for me, Hails,” He murmurs with his fingers still on my chin, “I don’t mind helping you at all. I got you something because I said something dumb and I shouldn’t have.”

I laugh, jumping as the front door bangs open and a certain lanky and skunk haired kid bounds thorough.

“So did you make extra?” He asks, and I place my hands on his chest to push him away from the food as he leans over it to smell it.
“Jack, you ass,” Alex complains, grabbing him by the back of his shirt, “I asked for your help earlier, I can do the rest. Go home.”

“Wait!” I exclaim and Jack stops in his tracks, slowly turning around to face me with a guilty smile on his face. “You set us up!” I accuse him with a slight amazed chuckle in my voice.

“I haven’t had a home cooked meal in a while and I figured it was the best chance to get some.” He explains.

“Jack, why didn’t you just ask me to make you food?” I ask him, and he shrugs as a smile widens across his face.

“This seemed more fun!” He says with a wide grin and a shrug of his shoulders, “Plus.” And here he does a dangerous looking ninja spin kick move that just about causes him to tear his skinny jeans, “It made me feel like a ninja going behind your guy’s back and manipulating you.” Jack cackles and then chops the air with flat hands, “You can’t see me, can you? It’s all in the disguise HI YAH!” as he leaps out the door, I turn to Alex.

“Don’t look at me!” He says, raising his hands, “I have no idea how many times he was dropped on his head as a baby.”