Lover (Conrad Fisher)

8

As we pull up to the drive in, I pull out my phone to text Belly to see which car she's in. But before I even start typing, I notice a familiar red jeep, Belly standing outside of it.

"Oh hell no," I say, jumping out of the car before Gavin can even put it in park. I run over to Belly hearing her say, "He spent an entire chapter talking about Draco's wand."

"I mean Draco is hot," I say butting in as I reach the jeep. "I could spend hours just looking at his face."

"Hailey, thank God you're here," Belly says, grabbing my hand and pulling me to her side.

All the boys are laughing, besides Steven, who clearly was the one Belly was talking about. As soon as they see me, Steven and Jeremiah greet me. I look to Conrad, who was already looking at me. We hold eye contact for what seems like hours before I eventually look away still feeling his gaze on me.

I turn to Belly whispering, "I've got this." She sends me a tight smile and nods her head as she turns around and walks back to the car she was in. "What the hell are you guys doing here?"

"We're just having some fun," Jeremiah answers and all the boys let out a chuckle.

"Oh yeah?" I say letting out a fake laugh. "You know what's funny to me? Is that you guys sit there and make fun of Belly for not being mature, and then show up on her first date? I mean come on guys you can't be serious." I turn to Conrad and stare him deep in the eyes and say "Maybe you guys should spend some time looking in the mirror."

The car is dead silent until Conrad speaks up. "Let's go guys." No one argues as Steven puts the car into drive and they leave.

I get tackled from behind and can't help but laugh. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

"It's no problem, Belly," I say, turning around. "You can call me Bells. You're officially my best friend after this." She says with a giant grin on her face. My chest fills with warmth at her words and I send her a giant grin back.

"Wow, you sure did tell them," Gavin says, appearing out of literally nowhere. I giggle at his words as he comes up and grabs my hand. "I'm so sorry I interrupted your date." Belly says. "Oh so it was a date, hmm?" he says, making me blush. "It was definitely a date," I say leaning in and pecking him on the cheek.

"Well since I saved you, is it okay if Gavin and I head out?" I say turning back to Belly. "No, yeah definitely, I'm good." Belly says throwing a thumbs up.

"Alright I'll see you later Bells," I say using the new nickname she told me to us. "See you," She says, climbing back into the car.

Gavin and I walk back to his car, hand in hand. "I had a really nice time tonight with you tonight," He says leaning up against the car. "Yeah, me too." His eyes drift between my eyes and lips. We both lean in and our lips touch.

It's a slow light kiss. To be honest, I was expecting fireworks, but instead I feel warm and safe. We finally pull away from each other and he gives me a smile. "You ready?" I nod my head in response and hop in the car.

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Later that night I can't sleep. I walk to my brother's room and open the door to find him asleep. I decide that I want to walk down to the beach, so I grab my flip flops and head that way. Finally I reach the beach. It's even more beautiful and peaceful at night.

After what seems like hours of just staring at the ocean, I hear, "How was your hot date?" I jump, almost letting out a scream, whipping around to see Conrad standing behind me.

"Jesus," I say, putting my hand over my heart. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you," He says, sitting down next to me. I notice the beer in his hand, and without thinking I say, "Are you ever sober?" He looks at me and scoffs. "Are you ever not a bitch?" I can't help but laugh, and eventually Conrad joins in with me. "Be honest with me," I say looking at him. He nods his head and lets out a "sure."

"Why did you guys crash Belly's date?" He's quiet for a minute, staring out at the ocean, before turning back to me. "Honestly," He starts. "I don't know. I mean I was drunk when the idea came to me and I thought it was funny, but when we got there I started to regret it after seeing how upset she was. We were just trying to have some fun."

"Well just some advice for you," I say. "Don't show up to your childhood best friend's first date. I'll be surprised if Belly even looks at you tomorrow."

He nods his head. "She hid in her room the second she got back." I shrug my shoulders. "You should apologize tomorrow," I say looking at him. He turns his head, making eye contact with me. "I will," He says as he keeps staring into my eyes. We keep staring at each other until his eyes flicker down to my lips, snapping me out of my trance.

"Well I think I'm gonna head in," I say, breaking eye contact. We both stand up, brushing the sand off of us. As I turn to walk, I feel his hand grab my arm, turning me back around. "It was really cool how you stood up for Belly today." I look up at him and say, "She's a really sweet girl." He nods his head and says, "I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" I simply nod my head and break away from his grip.

I turn around, feeling his eyes on me as I walk away. Before I can stop myself, I whip around and say, "Goodnight Conrad."

He smiles at me and I almost fall over from how gorgeous he looks, smiling in the moonlight.

"Goodnight Hailey."