6 Chapter 5
Haylee didn't go to great lengths to prepare for that date. She was still very suspicious and then she wasn't meeting Percy for fun anyway. Like him, she too had her reasons to approach him.
She waited for him sitting on the steps, with her back to the front door.
She didn't have to wait long. Percy arrived on time.
He didn't open the door for her but let her get into the car, like when he gave her a ride to school. It all started in a very friendly way. Nothing too formal.
Percy already had cinema tickets.
In that small town, the cinema had no many seats and wasn't even very busy to tell the truth.
After the movie, they decided to have dinner together. But Percy didn't take her to some fancy restaurant. They ate slices of pizza in his car, spending the time chatting.
It was all really perfect.
They found out they also had interests in common. They listened to the same music, they read the same books.
But the evening couldn't last forever. «It's late. I'll take you back.»
Percy helped her put on the seat belt.
Their faces were close enough to touch, but he got back to his place and started driving. He had already made a mistake once in school, in the hallways. He didn't want to make another one.
Even when he stopped in the driveway he wondered whether or not it was the right time. He didn't know how he was supposed to say goodbye to her.
On the contrary, Haylee didn't look very embarrassed.
«So… see you on Monday.» Percy said, still holding the steering wheel.
Haylee looked at him out of the corner of her eye. «If you're holding back for what happened in the hallway… you don't have to do it anymore.» she said very directly.
Percy widened his eyes. Haylee practically told him it wouldn't be a mistake, if he tried to kiss her this time. He let go of the steering wheel and reached out to Haylee's face. But before he could kiss her, she was the one who reached out and made the first move.
«Good night Percy.» she said, then got out of the car and went back into her house.
Her mother was already asleep, so Haylee walked slowly up the stairs. She didn't want to wake her up.
She quickly got changed and put on her pajamas. She got under the blankets and fell asleep almost immediately.
But in the night, however, she heard someone screaming, or so it had seemed to her. It sounded like Byron's voice but when she looked out the window it seemed like everything was fine, no screams anymore. Maybe she had just imagined them.
The following morning there was a bright sun.
Haylee sat on the swing her mother had made for her, hanging from the branch of the only tree they had in that tiny garden.
She was reading a book she had borrowed it from the Skylar High library.
Byron watched her from the window.
His wound was now healed. But he still hadn't found the courage to talk to Haylee. He could have knocked on her door, and apologized at any time, but he hadn't. Because he didn't know what to tell her.
But he absolutely had to do something, he couldn't keep postponing and avoiding it. He had to control his stupid jealousy and apologize to her. It had been a week and if she kept getting closer and closer to Percy, it was also his fault. He never made the right move.
There was something very important that he had to take care of, and he absolutely needed her.
He waited for the following Monday. He promised himself to talk to her as soon as he got back to school.
But with Percy always around, it wasn't such an easy feat.
He needed to talk to her alone, he didn't want him around. He couldn't risk ruining everything again, with that senseless jealousy.
Byron was in the bathroom talking to Mark Johnson when Percy entered. He broke off the conversation with Mark and left, hoping to finally find Haylee alone.
But she must have already taking her lesson at that time. So he missed another chance.
«What did that guy tell you?»
Byron overheard the conversation between Percy and Mark involuntarily.
«Nothing, maybe he still hasn't recovered from that head injury. He seemed to be delirious.»
«Go to your class now, I need to make a call first.»
«Alright.»
Mark left and luckily he walked away in the opposite direction, and didn't see Byron who kept listening.
«He's keeping his distance. I don't think I need to keep an eye on her anymore. Looks like they don't get along well for sure. I don't think there will be any problems, there's no need to go with her to the prom… Yes, I get it. Her friend is harmless, so Josh will be ok too… I just need to take care of Mark now, Luna isn't doing her duty. Yes. Sure.»
Byron hid in the closet next to the bathroom. He clenched his fists as he tried to keep himself from running out and punching him.
What a bastard, he thought.
He knew there was something wrong with him. Keep calm Byron, try to calm down, he told himself. He knew what would happen if he got mad.
Byron took a few deep breaths and tried to come to his senses.
He already knew what to do.
In order not to arouse suspicion, he stayed at a safe distance from Haylee. He replaced his art class with a music one, in order not to take any lessons with her.
Percy had to keep believing that there was no good blood between them.
Haylee didn't even notice his absence. She went on as if he had never been a part of her life.
And maybe it was better that way.
