The Alliance

Chapter 20

"I still can't believe you through the paint at her," I shake my head, chuckling.

"She deserved it," He defends.

"Did she?" I ask, smiling.

"Who was that guy?" He questions suddenly, "That knew you?"

"Oh, that's Daniel. He's my math tutor," I clarify.

My phone rings and Hayden jumps. I laugh while grabbing my phone, enjoying that i feel less anxious. My laughter stops when I see Alisha calling. I answer it anyway since she doesn't call often.

"Hi Alisha," I greet.

"Hey girly," She sings, "Just thought we should have another meeting about the letters,"

"Now?" I ask, and Hayden glances at me.

"Are you free now?"

"Well..." I glance at Hayden, "I guess?"

"Okay, well Kiana and Nevaeh are on their way to my house. They'll be here in 20 minutes," Then she pauses, "I'm sorry, I didn't even ask how your day is going. That's friendship 101," She tsked at herself.

"My day's going good," I reply, and Hayden raises his fist in triumph. I smile.

"Good," She yawns, "I just woke up like 30 minutes ago, and since my brother isn't here I figured I could have you guys over," She explains, and I clear my throat.

"Right," I agree, "Well, I'll be there soon, okay?"

"Can't wait, I've missed you," She says, then I hang up.

"Hayden?" I ask.

He turns his head slightly toward me to tell me he's listening with his eyes on the road.

"Why aren't we telling Alisha about us?" I ask, and he stays silent for a few seconds.

"What would we say?" He counters.

I have to think about his question, "I don't know. It just feels like we're lying to her,"

He chews his cheek in thought, "We shouldn't say anything yet,"

"Why?" I ask.

He glances at me, then back to the road, "We're just hanging out," he explains, "And until we do anything else, we don't have to tell her. What would we tell her, right now?" he asks me.

"Umm..." I consider, "That we're friends?" I ask, confused. Until we do anything else? Does he plan for this to go somewhere? My nerves shoot up, and my palms get sweaty. Are we even friends?

"Right," He agrees, then blows out a puff of air, his adams apple bobbing, "But if we don't stay friends, we'll be lying to Ali,"

I tilt my head, "I guess?" Then I shake my head, "It feels wrong, Hayden. Alisha won't hate us for being friends,"

"What if she does?" he retorts, "We've already been lying to her for a few days," His jaw ticks, and he tenses, and I feel surge of fear shoot through me.

"She won't," I reassure, trying to stop the shake in my voice as I shift closer to the door.

"What if she makes you choose between us?" He asks, and I furrow my brows.

"Hayden, she wouldn't do that,"

He doesn't answer, and I tell him to drive me to his houe with him, and that I'm going to tell Alisha the truth.

He parks in his driveway, and I reassure him as we get out that Alisha won't be mad.

I see Kiana's car and knock on the door.