Always Attract ✶ Hayley Williams + Josh Franceschi

Always Attract

This is a oneshot that I'd written years ago, and never posted. I decided to edit it up a bit, and post it. Hope you enjoy!

My best friend, Dan Flint, and I were walking through the streets of Weybridge when we ran into Josh Franceschi. Now, the thing you need to know about Josh is that I kind of had a tiny crush on him in high school.  It's all over now though, completely.

"Dan-Man! Hayley! What's going on?" Josh yelled as he walked out of the shop. We both smiled and tried to look our happiest to see him. Josh and our other friends hadn't kept in touch since we graduated high school; we hadn't heard a single thing from them. Dan and I were flat mates, so we saw each other 24/7.

"Nothing much, how 'bout yourself?" Dan said, and put his arm around my shoulders. I ignored the gesture.

"I've actually just got engaged," Josh said happily. I don't really remember what Dan said to that, but I know that I wanted to scream. So maybe I lied about being over him. It was one of those things where after so long you start to lose hope, but you always remember how much you love them and want to be with them in the end.

"We actually have to get going. Keep in touch," I said, and then started fast-walking down the side walk. Dan hadn't followed. I knew that when his arm fell from my shoulders after I started walking.

When I turned around, Dan was still talking to Josh. He would look over my way and I would motion for him to follow me, but he stayed in place. Josh handed him something and they both went their separate ways.

"Wedding invite," Dan said, holding a light pink envelope towards me.

"Let's go get drunk." I grumbled as I took the envelope in one hand and grabbed Dan's hand with the other. The whole reason we'd gone out was to go to our favorite bar and I wasn't going to let some douche, aka Josh, get in my way.

"Aw, are little Hayley's high school memories coming back? Are you jealous that Josh is engaged?" Dan taunted. He was laughing and using a voice like he was talking to a baby.

"Shut your fucking mouth," I mumbled, continuing to pull him along. He pulled his arm away and slowed his pace. I turned around and made it very obvious that I was pissed.

"Dear God, you still have a crush on him," Dan said, a hint of realization in his voice. I kept my gaze on my feet instead of looking him in the eye. "Yeah, let's get to that fucking bar."

Dan linked his arm in mine and walked faster down the street. When we got to the car park, Dan stopped suddenly. I almost fell over because of how fast we were walking before.

"What?" I asked, turning to face him.

"I just remembered something." Dan said, grabbing my hand again. He lead me through the door and into the bar. Once we were inside, he moved behind me and nudged me towards a booth. While I started sulking towards the booth, Dan went to get drinks. I chugged mine; Dan took a small sip.

"You know when Josh moved out?" Dan asked; I nodded. "He left some stuff behind. The thing that stood out the most was a beaten up notebook. I read what was inside, I probably shouldn't have, but I did."

"What'd he write about?" I asked as Dan signaled for another drink for me.

"He wrote songs. And I'm pretty sure a lot of them were about you."

"Me? Why would they be about me?" Another drink was set down in front of me and I immediately started drinking.

"I'll show you when we get home and you can read through it. He wrote stuff like 'we are an example of why not to fall in love' and 'if it hurts this much, then it must be love, and it's a lottery, I can't wait to draw your name. Oh, I'm trying to get to you, but time isn't on my side. The truth's the worst I could do, and I guess that I have lied.' Maybe he did like you back." Dan said. His eyebrows were raised as he stared into his drink