Chapter 19

There were a lot of whispers the Monday that Rob returned to school. Hayden stood by his side, regardless of what other people were saying. She knew the kind of person Rob was. She knew the kind of person Jessica was. She never doubted that Rob was innocent. She just suspected he was guilty of something else. She was right too. After telling her about Josh, his demeanor changed again. He was more relaxed around her. He didn’t twitch away when she brushed against him. In fact, he almost seemed into it, but there were people around. Still, Hayden took it as a sign they were making progress. He was letting his walls down.

Jessica wasn’t coming back to school. She had been kicked out for her false accusations and act of vandalism. She had to go to a special school for delinquents who have been kicked out of regular school. Hayden felt a little bad for her. At the same time, she acknowledged that Jessica made her own decisions. No one told her to burn down the tree house except for the voices in her head.

Hayden was trying to be more outspoken about the situation with Wayne. She was tired of everyone treating her like a tease. She had dealt with that enough growing up because she only had male friends. It wasn’t her fault she got along better with the guys. It always seemed to make other girls jealous. Eventually, other girls shunned her completely. She was used to that happening. She didn’t have any friends at school anyway. Samantha went to a different school. Elizabeth went to a private school. Here, Hayden only really had Rob. He had Brent, who showed endless support for his brother. He could have buckled under peer pressure, but he never backed down. That family was fiercely loyal to one another. There was no getting in between them.

“This feels, childish.” Rob groaned, motioning to the pile of boxes. Hayden laughed as she finished counting them. She was making a tally on a clipboard while Rob watched.

“It’s for a good cause.” Hayden reminded him. He shook his head.

“I don’t really trust any of these charities. Half of them end up being scams.” He continued.

“Robert, can you show a little enthusiasm?” Hayden begged. Rob rolled his eyes.

“It’s January and they want us to go door to door.” He reminded her. She nodded.

“It’ll be good for you. You haven’t been getting out of the house enough.” She insisted. Rob sighed.

“I know.” He groaned. His lack of enthusiasm was suffocating in the room.

“It’s not all bad. I’ll be with you.” She added. Rob smiled, looking over at her.

“Everything’s better with you.” He agreed. Hayden rolled her eyes, but she knew she was blushing.

“We have to try, at the very least.” She pout, handing one of the boxes to him. He rolled his eyes again, but put the box into the bag they were bringing.

“Are we sticking around here?” Rob groaned. Hayden smiled.

“We’re going to the neighborhood behind Jessica’s. You know, the really rich people.” She boasted.

“They’re middle class.” Rob corrected. Hayden shook her head.

“It’s rich to us.” She reminded him. He let out an exaggerated sigh.

“How far is the walk?” He groaned. Hayden shrugged.

“It’s just further down Grennon, only a couple of minutes away. I promise.” She assured. Rob nodded.

“Now, can you put on your most charming smile and try to sell some chocolate bars?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest for dramatic flair. Rob laughed.

“To be clear, I’m only doing this for you.” He stated. Hayden nodded.

“I appreciate that. But it won’t help if you have a sour attitude.” She noted. Rob nodded.

“I’ll do the best I can to feign excitement and enthusiasm.” He promised with a bright smile Hayden laughed as she started shaking her head. She grabbed a second box and handed it to him. After that, it was time to get dressed up warm and brave the cold with a goal to sell chocolate to the unsuspecting neighborhood. Hayden didn’t care how cold it was. She was excited to be able to go out and do something with Rob, even if it was something stupid.

The rich neighborhood wasn’t far. It wasn’t exactly rich, as Rob had pointed out. It was just wealthier than the neighborhood they were in. In between their houses was another project on Penny street. It was even worse. Hayden knew there was a coke dealer living in one of the units with two boys around her age. One would have been a bit younger. Her name was Connie. Hayden knew of her because of her uncle, Tommy. Sometimes, Hayden wished she could completely forget about Tommy. It was hard. Rob was right, her choice of bedroom certainly didn’t make it easier. She just wanted to try and face what had happened and move on from it. She was thinking that replacing the memories might be the way to do it. She already knew who she wanted to be with. He was all she could think about. Even bundled up to face the cold, she couldn’t stop herself from picturing him undressed and exposed. She liked the idea of him being vulnerable with her, more than actually doing something with him. She wanted him to feel that comfort. She felt it for him. He was the first person she felt that way about, like she didn’t have to pretend. She could be real with him. Always. She wanted him to be that real with her.

“Where are you?” Rob asked, nudging her shoulder with his own. Hayden shook her head.

“Um, I was just lost in thought.” She simplified. Rob nodded, though it was hard to see through his scarf. Hayden laughed as she shook her head. He was such a dork, but she found it oddly charming.

“Which side of the street do you want to start on?” Rob asked, motioning down the street.

“I think we should stay on the left, and do the right side on the way back.” She answered. Rob started walking, but Hayden stood back to watch him for a second. She smiled as she shook her head. She skipped along beside him and playfully pushed him at the first house they went to. The first house didn’t want anything. No one was home at the second house, or they were ignoring the door. The third house wanted a few bars though, which Hayden felt equaled out the other two houses. So far, they were off to a good start as far as she was concerned. The next few houses bought single bars, but it was better than nothing. They were doing really good for sales.

“I think we should skip the rest of the street, maybe go home.” Hayden blurted. Rob looked over at her and raised his eyebrow. He pulled his scarf down too.

“What are you talking about? We haven’t even done the other side of the street!” He stuttered through frozen lips and chattering teeth. Hayden groaned.

“I have to pee.” She announced. Rob nodded.

“Just ask at the next house.” He suggested. Hayden’s eyes went wide.

“Are you kidding me? I could never!” She screeched. Rob shrugged, putting his hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll ask for you.” He assured. Hayden huffed, but walked beside him to the next house. As soon as the door opened, there was a burst of warmth that made Hayden need to pee even worse. She tugged at Rob’s hand. Rob put on his best smile and sweet as Nashville tea voice.

“Could my friend use your washroom?” He asked softly. The 75 year old woman nodded and with a heavy hand, motioned to the bathroom.

“You can use the guest washroom darling.” She instructed. Hayden took off her boots and sheepishly disappeared into the bathroom. She couldn’t believe how big it was. She had enough room to get out of her snow pants and sit comfortably. She almost couldn’t hold it until she had her underwear down. She felt such relief. She washed her hands, picking up a green seashell of soap. She dried her hands on her own clothes, then bundled back up. She smiled widely as she approached Rob in the foyer.

“Where is she?” She asked quietly. Rob motioned upstairs.

“She needed to grab her wallet.” He answered. Hayden nodded, looking around. The foyer was huge. The staircase was wide open. There were family photos lining the walls up the stairs and down the hallway. There was a smell that Hayden recognized, but couldn’t quite put her finger on. She looked down the hallway to see the woman’s husband with a black pipe in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Behind him, there was a big cooking pot on the stove. By the smell, Hayden could tell it was homemade chicken noodle soup with herbs, spices, and love. She smiled to herself as the lady came back downstairs. She bought two chocolate bars, one for each of them. Hayden thanked her for the use of her washroom and the pair continued with their door to door sales pitch.

“I want to live in a place like that.” Hayden said after a few long minutes of silence. Rob nodded.

“It looked huge, was the guest bathroom small?” He asked. Hayden knew he would be curious. Neither of them had any experience being inside homes like that.

“It was so big.” Hayden gushed. Rob nodded.

“I didn’t mean the size or how nice it was though.” Hayden corrected. Rob raised his eyebrow. They went to a few more houses before she finally answered.

“I meant, somewhere that felt like it was lived in by a family. A warm, loving family that makes homemade chicken noodle soup. I just think it would be nice to walk into that feeling.” She answered dreamily. Rob smiled. He took her hand and gently squeezed.

“You’re my soup.” He complimented. She raised her eyebrow.

“Your what?” She cackled. Rob shrugged.

“You’re comforting to me, like chicken noodle soup.” He rambled. Hayden smiled.

“That’s really sweet Rob.” She observed. He shrugged again.

“I feel the same.” She added. Rob half-smiled, but he was fighting it. Hayden shook her head.

“Do you want to do the other side of the street now?” She asked, motioning over. Rob shook his head.

“We can do that side tomorrow. Split the work.” He offered. Hayden nodded.

“Although that doesn’t make any sense because we have to walk back anyways and we live on that side.” Hayden rambled. Rob looked over at her.

“What are you suggesting?” He asked.

“I’m thinking you want to talk.” She answered honestly. Rob nodded.

“I do.” He agreed. Hayden was quiet for a minute.

“Is it bad?” She asked under her breath. Rob was quiet.

“It it’s bad, then you have to tell me now.” Hayden snapped. Rob stopped walking and nodded.

“No, it’s not bad, it’s bad.” He hinted. Hayden put her hand on her chest.

“Don’t scare me like that.” She barked. Rob laughed as he followed along behind her.

“Where are we going?” He asked. Hayden motioned towards her house.

“But all the chocolate is at my place.” He noted. Hayden nodded and grabbed his hand.

“We’re done this for the day.” She insisted. Rob raised his eyebrow again.

“Then what are we doing?” He asked, almost scared of the answer. Hayden laughed.

“It’s cold outside. I thought we should go inside and make out a bit wrapped under my super warm comforter.” She answered. Rob froze. Hayden turned around. He had a smirk on his face.

“Is something wrong?” Hayden asked. Rob shook his head.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

The two of them dropped their snow clothes in the rec room and headed straight for Hayden’s bedroom. She dove into her blanket and he followed her lead. She accosted his lips the moment she could. They pressed their bodies together for the warmth that was growing around them.