Irish Oxytocin

Hailey | 26

❁ Chapter 26 ❁

That Weekend
3:06 pm

June was approaching quicker than I imagined it would. The weather was now hot in Los Angeles, and all its residents were starting to feel it too. The sudden change of hot weather and month six of the year brought one reality to light.
Graduation and prom were in just a couple of weeks.

To celebrate this reality, Gran was throwing Nolan a graduation party that was traditional for the Gallagher family. All our friends were invited, and I was in the process of getting ready before Daniel drove a bunch of us to the barbecue celebration.

I had prepped myself in a flowy yellow sundress that was perfect for the occasion. The hot weather meant it was time to say goodbye to my thick pants and sweaters, and welcome all the attire that made summers in Los Angeles my favourite place in the world. This beautiful yellow sundress was all my energy personified into a legitimate item. To compliment it, my hair was clipped back with the bleach waves Jamie completed with one of her cool hair wands. I actually felt pretty. It was quite wonderful.

I was putting on a pair of beige wedges when someone entered my door frame swiftly; followed by a click-clack of tall, dainty heels.

"Hey, Cor." Ella sang as she approached my vanity.
"Hi, are we leaving?" I asked impatiently.
"Yes, Chase just got here and we're loading the platters into the car." She replied, quickly sweeping black mascara over her lashes.

Ella and Daniel spent the afternoon making different dips and fruit platters to bring to the barbecue. Don't attempt to twist it, though. It wasn't Daniel's favourite activity he's ever done. Ella made these beautiful fruit kabobs on skewers for the barbecue. Daniel's, on the other hand, weren't as pretty. He can play football well, but it doesn't mean he's the most fragile being to exist.

Ella was honestly the most excited out of all of us to go. She insisted on going dress shopping as a group for the occasion, and all the girls bought matching dresses in different colours for the event.
I was yellow, Jamie was blue, 'Liyah was red and El' was white.

"I hope your not wearing your stupid Doc's again." Ella smirked, peering at me in the mirror.

I rolled my eyes and walked over to her, showing off the shoes Daniel had bought me the following Christmas.

"I promise, no Doc Martins." I smiled.
"Aw! I remember picking those shoes for you," she purred.

The smile I had immediately wiped off my face. To think I actually gave him credit for his choices.
She smirked again and put the mascara down on the vanity.

"Okay, let's go."

Ella and I raced downstairs as Daniel was pulling the last platter out of the house. Us 5 loaded into Dani's car, departing for Nolan's house.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

"Cora, can you bring my jacket and purse in?" Jamie asked quietly as she unlocked Daniel's trunk.

I grabbed the items from Chase as he held them out for me. Jamie's purse wrapped around my shoulder as I approached Nolan's front door.

Nerves were unsettled in my stomach the entire drive here. Spending the day with my friends and Nolan's family isn't what scared me, though.
It was meeting Hailey.

I had learned so much about this girl I had never seen or met in these last couple months, and she was making a big reputation for herself. According to everyone who knows her, she's delightful.
I wasn't afraid that she wouldn't like me. I was afraid I wasn't as good as she was, and I wouldn't be able to live up to the title she had set for herself.
And most importantly, I was scared Nolan was going to let me down when he sees her again. It was a silly doubt, and I trust him. But, everything that's happened this year has caused my anxiety to boil over one too many times.