What I Wish You Knew | ꪜ

Chapter Forty

To Parker,

40. I wish you knew how much fun I had.

Longer chapter ahead.
Hayley's POV

Wearing dresses has never been my forte. I usually wear them when Drayton and I go on vacation but other than that I usually opt for jeans, sweats and t-shirts. Not your stereotypical ideology of how girls are expected to dress of course but I think everyone can agree we're way past trying to please society. 

However, today I chose to wear a dress on Parker's and I date. It was a blue ditsy floral dress Drayton bought me when we visited California for a week over the summer this year, paired with white chunky heeled boots and a white jean jacket.

I didn't know where we were headed but regardless I was in between casual and formal. Knowing Parker he wouldn't take me somewhere like a fancy restaurant where I wouldn't be all too comfortable so I'm pretty confident in my outfit.

When the doorbell rang, I grabbed my phone off my bed and slipped it into the pocket of my jacket. Not having my skateboard with me was kind of like tearing a limb from my body. Ever since Parker and I began dating he'd pick me up from home and drop me off after school which limited my use of my skateboard on school days.

It's okay, that's one thing I'm willing to compromise for the sake of spending time with him. I sauntered down the stairs, shifting in my dress uncomfortably. I was nervous about how he'd react to seeing me in a dress for the first time. Whatever his response is, I still adore my look.

I pulled the door open and peered upwards, realizing the difference between our height was slightly altered much to my advantage due to my boots. His lips parted as if he were on the verge of greeting me before they clamped shut and his eyes flickered away from my face.

He blinked once then twice and dove his hand into his hair. "I uh, wow." He coughed as his lips tugged into a smile he visibly forced to keep down. "Hayley you look amazing. I mean you always look amazing but just wow." He chuckled nervously.

I could tell that he was careful with his words as if he didn't want to offend me in some way. "You like it?" I mumbled.

He nodded his head vigorously and outstretched a hand towards me. I took it in my grasp and gasped as he tugged me into his arms, hugging me tightly. "You look beautiful, as always." He said as he pulled away from my grasp, still smiling sheepishly.

"Thank you, Parker."

"Come on, let's go, we're taking the bus today." He said as he wove his fingers through mine. I locked the door behind me quickly and tumbled behind him as we trekked down the stairs and onto the streets. "The bus? I don't know when last I've taken the bus."

"The football team always takes the bus to go to tournaments but obviously that's not the public transit. The last time I've taken the public bus I was probably nine. If you don't want to take it we can always call Milton to drop off my car."

I shook my head in disagreement and slipped my hand around his arm, holding him tightly to my side. "It's okay, I wanna take it. Let's go before we miss it."

~~~

As the glass doors slid open, a gust of cool air slid across my skin, immediately enveloping me in its icy grip. Parker tugged me closer to his side as we trekked into the mall hand in hand. It was usually busy around this time especially with students who lingered around after school.