Chapter 24

A few days later, Hayden and Rob were sitting in the basement doing their homework. Rob had a lot of school work he had to catch up on. Although Anne would be a teacher when he skipped school, that didn’t mean anything to the school itself. He still had to catch up by their standards.

“Was there any truth to what you said?” Hayden asked randomly. Rob looked up, raising his eyebrow.

“When?” He asked. Hayden was quiet.

“That you’re curious, about kissing Liz.” She mumbled. Rob pulled himself up and moved to sit beside her on the couch. He took her pen out of her hand and wrapped his hands around hers.

“No.” He insisted, making direct eye contact. Hayden nodded.

“Okay.” She sighed. Rob shook his head.

“I was just being passive aggressive. I’ll watch it in the future.” He assured her. She let out a deep sigh.

“You know, I would let you. If you really wanted.” She offered. Rob laughed.

“I’m still adjusting to the idea of kissing you. I’m in no rush to kiss someone else.” He reminded her. She smiled and nodded. He made a good point.

“I just worry.” She sighed. He nodded slowly.

“I know. But, it’s not you. It’s me. I’m just not, expressive.” He explained. She nodded slowly.

“I’m worried that I’m rushing you.” She clarified. Rob shook his head.

“No, you’re perfect.” He insisted. Hayden felt her heart skip a beat. She had to break eye contact. She might have been blushing too. Rob didn’t say anything.

“Thank you.” She mumbled. Rob nodded. He let go of her hands and moved them to his lap. Hayden didn’t pick her pen back up. Rob raised his eyebrow again.

“Are you okay?” He pried. Hayden quickly shook her head, then nodded.

“Yeah. I was just thinking about the Valentine’s dance next week.” She confessed. Rob nodded.

“Don’t you normally skip school dances and functions?” He questioned. Hayden shrugged.

“I was thinking about going this time.” She sighed. Rob was quiet.

“Just to people watch. I’m not going to dance or anything silly.” She quickly clarified. Rob nodded, but didn’t say anything. Hayden tilted her head slightly.

“Actually, maybe I’ll dance with Liz. She’ll definitely be there with Brent.” She imagined. Rob sighed.

“Is this your way of asking me to the dance?” He asked flatly. Hayden shook her head.

“I’m just thinking out loud.” She insisted. Rob dropped his back against the couch.

“Really?” He questioned, rolling his head to the side. Hayden rolled her eyes.

“Yes. You’re supposed to be listening as my friend. You’re not really my boyfriend anymore, remember?” She rambled. Rob shook his head.

“Hey, I never said that.” He argued. Hayden shrugged.

“You said you weren’t ready to be a boyfriend.” She repeated. He nodded.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t wanna be.” He whined. Hayden laughed.

“You’re going to have to decide what you want. I can’t read your mind.” She lectured. He nodded.

“I want you. I just need to take this slow.” He answered. She nodded.

“Really slow.” She corrected. Rob nodded.

“Yes. Really slow.” He groaned. Hayden was quiet for a minute.

“I already told you, I don’t need anything from you. I just like being around you.” She reminded him. He nodded, leaning forward. He put one of his hands on her cheek and slowly leaned forward. She met him halfway with her lips. He had a big smile across his face.

“I’m never going to feel this way about anyone else.” He insisted.

“Good.” She smirked. They were both quiet for a minute.

“I’ll be your date. I mean, if you want.” He offered. She raised her eyebrow.

“You always skip functions.” She observed. He nodded.

“I’ve never really had a reason to want to attend.” He assured her. She smiled again.

“I would love for you to be my Valentine.” She answered. He nodded.

“As long as you’ll be mine.”

Anne had already agreed to drive Brent and Liz to the dance. She was shocked to learn that Rob and Hayden would be going along as well. She didn’t question it out loud. She just accepted that two extra people would be in the van. She didn’t have to worry about Rob, but she did have to think about the trouble Brent might get up to. Brent wasn’t a trouble-maker, but he picked the wrong friends. All of the people he hung out with were problems. Anne knew Brent was a poor judge of character. She was wary of Liz because of that. She had likely agreed to drive them so she could size up Liz in an enclosed space. Maybe Anne had even planned to intimidate Liz. Unfortunately, Hayden and Rob tagging along put that plan, if it existed, on hold. Hayden and Liz were chatting the entire drive and Anne barely got to say a word. Hayden wasn’t used to being that energetic, but Liz insisted it was just excitement. Hayden trusted her opinion because she was usually right.

The school gymnasium was decorated in red and pink hearts with streamers everywhere and balloons. There was a disco ball with heart-shaped lights spinning around and casting little moving hearts all over the place. The gymnasium wasn’t huge. The school was small and underfunded. But they did the best they could with the space they had. A majority of the students were more likely to hang around outside, listening to the music. Fewer would choose the enclosed space. Hayden preferred enclosed spaces because they felt like less of a threat. Outside, she would have to worry about every angle, or stand with her back to a wall. There could be wild animals roaming around.

“Hayden!” Liz screeched, pulling her wrist. Hayden shook her head.

“Sorry.” She muttered. Liz rolled her eyes.

“Stop daydreaming. Start living.” She insisted, motioning to the room. Hayden laughed.

“What’s wrong with daydreaming?” Rob questioned. Liz rolled her eyes again.

“I forgot I was talking to Mr. and Mrs. head in the clouds. Brent, let’s go enjoy the world around us.” She rambled. Brent faked a smile in Rob and Hayden’s direction. Liz took his hand and guided him into the crowd. Hayden and Rob stayed back. Hayden motioned over to the bleachers. There weren’t many people sitting down, so it was the perfect place for them. Rob followed behind her as she led him around the outside of the crowd. She climbed up a few rows. Rob sat on the second to last. Hayden scanned the room for Liz and Brent. She had already made herself space at a random table filled with people. Brent didn’t look uncomfortable, but he wasn’t socializing either. It seemed like he was just happy to be spending time with Liz. Hayden felt the same way about Rob. Even if they couldn’t be physically close, Hayden felt like he was letting her closer. Joining her for the dance was a big step for him, and she appreciated the effort it took. Hayden watched different couples on the dance floor.

“Rob, do you want to dance?” She asked suddenly. Rob looked over his shoulder at her and raised his eyebrow. Hayden laughed as she shook her head.

“Not here. Outside. Somewhere.” She clarified. Rob shrugged, then stood up. He held out his hand to her. She accepted and they headed out into the cold February air. There were a lot of people milling around outside. A few groups were huddled around. There were some kids smoking. Rob tugged Hayden’s hand and she followed him around the back of the building. There were surprisingly few people, considering the music was just as loud. Rob gently pulled Hayden into his arms and swayed her with the music. Despite the cold, Hayden could feel the warmth from Rob’s body throughout her own. She loved every second she got to be that close to him. Halfway through the second song, Rob started laughing and motioned towards the doors.

“Your lips are turning blue.” He noted. Hayden nodded.

“I’m cold.” She confessed. Rob followed her back inside. Hayden noticed that Liz was waving them over. Hayden was cautious, but led Rob to the table with Liz and her friends.

“Sit with us!” She hollered. Hayden nodded, but felt awkward sitting down. Rob sat down beside Brent like it was completely normal to be socializing. Liz grabbed Hayden’s arm and practically forced her down into one of the chairs. Hayden laughed, shaking her off. There was a sudden tap on her shoulder. Hayden turned around to see Wayne standing behind her.

“Would you like to dance?” He asked sweetly. Hayden raised her eyebrow, then motioned to Rob.

“I’m here with my boyfriend.” She pointed out. Wayne nodded.

“It’s just a dance.” He insisted. He leaned down and whispered,

“I figure you owe me one.” Rob immediately stood up and created a wall between Wayne and Hayden. Wayne smirked, but didn’t back up. Brent rose too, grabbing Rob’s shoulder.

“Don’t do something stupid.” He warned, looking between Rob and Wayne. Wayne put both his hands in the air and backed away. Brent sat down, but Rob moved to stand behind Hayden. He leaned down and wrapped his arms around her.

“Let me know when you want to leave.” He whispered. Hayden faked a smile.

“Now.”

The walk home was in complete silence. When they got to Hayden’s, Rob followed her into the house and down to the basement. He dropped down on the couch as Hayden went into her room.

“I’m sorry that Wayne ruined your night.” Rob called. Hayden peered around the corner.

“He didn’t.” She insisted. Rob half-laughed.

“Then why did you want to leave so suddenly?” He asked. Hayden didn’t answer. She came back out of her bedroom in pajama pants and an over-sized t-shirt.

“I’d just rather be here, with you.” She offered. Rob smiled.

“Really?” His voice cracked slightly. Hayden nodded. She reached forward and grabbed one of his hands, wrapping both of hers around one of his.

“Thank you.” She sighed. Rob shook his head.

“I didn’t do anything.” He dismissed. Hayden laughed.

“I know. But you would have, so, thank you.” She insisted. Rob nodded, but they were both quiet.

“Can I tell you something?” Hayden asked quietly.

“Of course.” Rob nodded again. Hayden took a deep breath.

“After the party, I thought about, if it had been you.” She spoke softly. Rob nodded.

“It should have been me.” He agreed.

“Is that why you were drinking? Was it to get rid of those thoughts?” She asked softly.

“I don’t want to do anything that might ruin things between us.” Rob sighed. Hayden nodded.

“I figured that out already.” She agreed. They were both quiet again.

“You know, my parents won’t be home until later.” Hayden hinted. Rob raised his eyebrow.

“Don’t you need to watch the kids?” He asked. Hayden shook her head.

“I wasn’t supposed to be here. They hired a babysitter.” She informed him. He was quiet again.

“What are you thinking?” He seemed cautious. Hayden laughed, pushing his shoulder.

“I just want to make-out a bit.” She assured. He moved closer to her. She took that as her invitation. She put one of her hands on the back of his head and guided him towards her. She kissed him with force, which made him smile. She lowered herself against the couch, gently pulling him down with her. He slowly positioned himself on top of her. Hayden draped one of her legs over his back and pulled him down, closer to her. She wrapped both her arms around his neck and let out a deep sigh.

“What’s wrong?” He huffed. Hayden shook her head.

“I was just thinking about how much I love you.” She answered. Rob chuckled.

“Really?” He doubted. Hayden nodded.

“Well, how much I love kissing you.” She corrected.

“Me too.” He smiled. Hayden smirked.

“Yeah I can feel that.” She teased. Rob propped himself up on his elbows.

“You can’t blame me. It’s your fault for being so sexy.” He insisted. Hayden smiled, but quickly moved her hands up between them and covered her face.

“Stop it. I’m a mess.” She groaned. He laughed as he pushed her hands away.

“You are your own kind of beautiful.” He corrected. Hayden smiled as he kissed her again.

“That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”