ANTHEM - Charles Leclerc

ONE

As the evening rolled around, the golden light from the setting sun flooded Hayley's apartment. It was Halloween – one week after her final night of the Sovereign tour, and she was finally allowing herself a chance to disconnect from the chaotic life which had plagued her for far too long. Tonight, she would be an angel – white, silk dress which hung just a little bit too short on her long legs and feathery wings which was sure to draw attention as she walked through the doors of Lewis Hamilton's London abode.

Honestly, she wasn't even sure how she'd managed to secure an invitation. They'd only met one another a few months prior at the Met Gala, and though they'd hit it off immediately, they hadn't spoken since. Lewis seemed like a lovely guy, but both of them had been far too busy to nurture their friendship.

Fastening the fluffy halo to her hair, which she'd decided to leave down in waves to provide her with some sort of comfort on her bare back, she couldn't help but feel the familiar ache in her chest. Everything was supposed to be fun and carefree, but the excitement of the night was overshadowed by the weight of her relationship with Marcus. They had been on again, off again for what felt like forever, and even though they had decided to give things another go, doubts crept in whenever she thought about him.

Marcus had started as the drummer in her live band – they'd met late one night at a pre-tour rehearsal, but Marcus had the balls to actually ask her out afterwards. They'd spent the night wrapped in sheets.

Tour was a lonely place, and Hayley had found a lot of solace in his company throughout the long days as they had dragged into months. She would never love him – they were never truly a relationship, but he was comfortable, and she must've been something, else she was sure that he wouldn't want to keep her around.

As Hayley glanced at her phone, her heart quickened with a rush of hope that he would reach out to her. Just a quick message, maybe a "Can't wait for tonight!" or "See you soon." Instead, it buzzed with a notification that made her stomach drop.

Marcus: Hey, can we talk?

The butterflies in her stomach turned into lead weights. Not again, she thought. She had dressed up for him – she'd put on her shortest dress so that she wouldn't help but attract his attention. She had imagined walking into the party with his arm in hers – a pretty smile on that boyish face as he'd down at her.

Now she felt a creeping sense of dread. She quickly typed back.

Hayley: Is everything okay?

The wait felt endless, the dots bouncing on her screen making her feel anxious. After what felt like ages, another message came through.

Marcus: I was hoping to catch up with some mates tonight instead. Can we reschedule?

"Seriously?" she muttered, staring at the screen in disbelief. They had made plans! She felt a wave of anger and disappointment wash over her.

Hayley: But you said you'd come with me!

Marcus: Yeah, but it's just a Halloween party. You'll have fun without me. Trust me, I'll make it up to you – you don't need to whine about it.

Hayley resisted the urge not to throw her phone across the room. How dare he reduce her. How was she supposed to trust him after he'd just bailed on her. He had known that she was looking forwards to Halloween.

Her fingers didn't hesitate before she tapped on Megan's contact info – hoping that her childhood best friend hadn't started the pre-drinks before her own party,

"Hey girly," Megan chirped as soon as the FaceTime opened. Megan's usually wavy hair was straightened with a splash of pink on her lips, "What's up? I thought you had that big party?"

"I did," Hayley said, twisting her silver thumb ring, "Or I do. I don't know, Megs. You'll never believe what Marcus is doing."

Megan rolled her eyes. Hayley knew that her best friend didn't approve – or even like – Marcus at all, "I have a few guesses,"

"He bailed on me,"

"Why?" Megan inquired genuinely,

"He decided that he wanted to hang out with his friends instead," Hayley sighed, putting the phone down so that it sat on her dressing pointing towards her, "He told me that he'd make it up to me later,"

"That's not good enough, babe. You love Halloween, don't you? Didn't you get that pumpkin tattoo last year?"

Hayley smiled, glancing towards her ankle, where the cartoon jack-o-lantern smiled up at her, "It's my favourite holiday of the entire year,"

"So you're still going to the party, yeah?"

"I don't know, Megs. I don't really know anyone going – I just know that it'll probably be a massive thing. What if the press are there?"

"Then it gives you the best opportunity to look hot as hell in your pictures. Go out and show him what he's missing out on."

Hayley chewed her lip as she looked at her beautiful friend – the source of joy and contentment in her chaotic life, "I wish you were here,"

"Me too. Do you think it's too late to catch a train to you?"

"Maybe a little," Hayley smiled – her first genuine smile of the night, "But you're going to come and see me soon, right?"

Megan scoffed, "I think it's your turn. Anyway – you look beautiful. When do you leave?"

"In a minute, I think. I haven't called the car around yet so I have a bit of time if you wanted to chat," She offered, but Megan gave her a little frown,

"You know that I'd love to, but I've got about a hundred strangers in my living room right now,"

"Your party is happening now?" Hayley was shocked that Megan had even answered the phone, "Go! Enjoy it!"

Megan pouted, "You didn't even ask who I was going as."

This made Hayley smile as she shook her head in disbelief, "You're Regina George – you've been Regina George every year since we were like sixteen,"

"You know me too well,"

"I love you too much as well. Go – enjoy your party!"

"I love you too, girly. See you later!"

As the phone clicked shut, the room felt even more empty than it had before. Hayley loved Megan, but sometimes she wished that her best friend could be a little closer. Perhaps the thought was selfish, but Megan was the only person who could bring her back down to Earth. She felt as though that was needed more and more nowadays.

With a touch-up of lip gloss and a final glance towards the mirror, Hayley called her driver around to the back of her building so that she'd be able to sneak away towards the Kensington location of tonight's party. It took everything in her not to bail at the last minute, just like Marcus had done to her.

Maybe she could have a good night after all.