5 Chapter 4
«Stay away from my son!» Carter shouted.
For the second time he had seen that car arriving, in the rain, with his unconscious son in the passenger seat.
Haylee went home. She felt so guilty, but actually she had done absolutely nothing, either time. It was Byron who unconsciously kept putting himself in danger. She was the one who rescued him, why she had to be treated this way? He should have thanked her and not kicked her out like that.
From her bedroom window, Haylee continued to look at the house next to hers.
Rachel knocked to deliver the sweatshirts she had just ironed. «What are you staring at, out of the window?»
«Nothing, I was just thinking I'm so tired of this rain.»
«It's autumn, the storm season has just begun. It will only get worse… »
«Yeah I know… »
«Didn't you say you prefer cold to heat?»
Haylee turned away from the window. «Mom it's not the cold the problem, but the rain. If we lived closer to the Skylar High, my car wouldn't get bogged down all the time.»
«We are lucky to live out of town. No nocturnal noise or the comings and goings of cars. Here it's much more quiet.»
That's what you think…, Haylee thought looking back at the house next door.
Rachel left the room. She didn't want to start the usual discussion of a hypothetical moving. It would have started with "If we lived downtown..." and it would have ended with "Why don't we just move in another town?"
But their life was, and had to stay, in Blackbones.
As promised Percy showed up in Haylee's driveway the next morning. «Your neighbor? Isn't he coming today either?»
«He still has a fever. He went out in the rain again.» Haylee answered as she got into the car. She didn't want to hear about him again. Byron had been in the house next door for two days, and had already messed up with her life enough.
Percy decided not to ask more questions, Haylee seemed quite touchy on the subject.
«So…» Percy broke the silence. «Are you free one of these evenings?»
Haylee looked at him suspiciously with the corner of her eye. «Yes, I have no plans. Why?»
«I wanted to ask you if you would like to come with me to the cinema... »
«Ok.» she answered without hesitation.
«Another thing... you don't have anyone to go to the prom with, do you?»
«No. But it seems a bit early to talk about it.»
«Just don't accept anyone's invitation.»
«Are you so sure I'll agree to go with you?»
Percy smiled, but didn't take his eyes off the road. «After the date, you will be free to decide.»
«We'll see.» said Haylee making a smirk.
When she was with Percy it was all so simple. They could talk about anything, one topic after another.
While they were at the cafeteria they laughed sitting close together, under the surprised gaze of their friends.
Amy seemed happy for them, especially since she had a chance to sit at the same table as Josh.
She had always noticed that polite boy in the crowd of aggressive football players. And he seemed to return her attention.
While Mark seemed attracted to Selene. Unfortunately for him, she had no interest. In fact she would have preferred to stay away from that table. She hated being in the center of all that attention. She couldn't stand all those gazes.
«You're allowed to smile.» Mark told her.
«You're allowed to sit further away.» replied Selene.
Mark had practically joined his chair to the girl's, even though there was plenty of space at the table. «I know. But I want to be close to you.»
«Please. Just get yourself another girl.», Selene took the tray and got up from the table. «I'm going to class.»
Percy seemed relieved that she had drifted away from Mark.
«You made her run away, you idiot.» Josh said. «That's not how you'll get her.»
«She'll be mine. I will get her soon.»
«You don't seem to have made much progress to me.»
«You should mind your own business. I have much more experience than you.»
«You have the experience, but I have a girlfriend already.»
At that moment, Amy felt her heart tear apart. She had never seen him with any girl, so she had believed she might have some chance. But maybe she had just confused his kindness.
«What?! I've never seen you with a girl!», Mark didn't want to believe that Josh had found a girlfriend before him. «No way, it can't be… »
«Yes it can… am I right Amy?», Josh suddenly laced his fingers to Amy's. She turned and he smiled at her.
«Y-yes.» Amy stammered. She didn't know if Josh was serious, or if he just wanted to make fun of his friend, but even if it was for a few seconds, she wanted to enjoy that brief moment of happiness.
Haylee looked at her puzzled. «Why didn't you tell me?»
«I was the one who asked her not to say anything.» Josh answered. «Well now you know. So I don't have to pretend anymore. Come on Amy, I'll take you to the next class.»
He didn't give her time to say anything. He held her hand tightly and took her away.
When they were far enough away from prying eyes he stopped but didn't let go of her hand.
Amy waited for him to say something.
Josh turned to her. «Sorry.» he said and Amy understood what he was going to say next.
«No problem.» she said. «Don't worry, I got it. We are all friends now. If I have to keep pretending, to help you, I will.»
Josh looked straight into those blue eyes. «Pretending?! I was apologizing for taking the initiative, without asking you.»
She looked at him puzzled.
«I said you were my girlfriend, without asking… so I will– », Amy kissed him before he could finish the sentence. He was surprised at first but then he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her back.
«What the– », Haylee shut Percy's mouth and dragged him away.
«We shouldn't bother them, don't you think? Let's go to class.»
When the lessons ended, Amy and Josh disappeared together. Therefore Selene had to undergo the continuous attempts of Mark's approach, who needed to find a girl for the school dance and above all not to disfigure, given his fame as a womanizer.
«Can you please stop it?! If you need a girl at all costs, just get a random one. There are so many in school. Stop buzzing around me!», this time Selene was really annoyed.
«She's right.» Haylee said to Mark, while her friend went away in a hurry. «Why do you keep pestering her? You just need a girl for the prom, right? I'm sure any cheerleader will be willing to go with you.», then she looked at him seriously. «But if you allow me some advice, girls are not just objects. You don't pick one at random just because you don't want to be alone or to brag to your friends. The same goes for the boys, for us, of course. You have to be with someone just because that person makes you feel good.»
«But I don't want any girl, I want her.» said Mark.
Percy looked at him. «You really like her?», his astonishment looked fake and his face didn't seem happy at all. It was as if he didn't like Selene.
«I tried many times to get close, but I always ended up making fun of her with the others. Then you started talking to Haylee and I thought I had a better chance. But I always find myself being an idiot. And she hates me more every day.»
«Actually, I think she likes you. The way she answered you earlier, I think it's a clear sign.»
«"Stop buzzing around me!" I don't think it's a declaration of love.»
«Oh boy, you should have caught the clue in the tone of her voice. Try to treat her kindlier and stay away from everyone else. Show her that you care about her. If you keep walking around the hallways hugging all those girls, she will never take you seriously. Think carefully.»
«We better go now. See you tomorrow.», Percy seemed to be in a hurry to end that conversation.
Mark walked thoughtfully to his car as Percy and Haylee walked off together.
As he drove Haylee back, Percy was quite silent.
Why doesn't he say anything? How come they have nothing to talk about?
Oh, damn, it's getting really awkward like with Byron..., Haylee thought.
Percy cleared his throat. «Don't you find all this funny?»
«What do you mean?»
«Well, I got close to you, and my friends took the opportunity to get closer to your friends.»
«In fact, thinking about it, it's really ironic. What a strange coincidence.»
But it was no coincidence at all.
It hadn't happened by chance. Someone had decided that this should be the case.
