To Love or To Scorn

Chapter 5

January 11th, 7 more days till Student Elections

The next day at school, I told Hailee everything my parents told me the night before; the move, the election, the compromise...all of it.

I watched her reaction throughout the story; first it was shock, then confusion, and finally exhilaration at the compromise part, with just a hint of sadness.

"You have to win Em! This is perfect! It's like killing two birds with one stone!" She chattered, grinning.

"Yep. Speaking of the Election, did you write your speech yet? Knowing you, you probably gonna procrastinate till the last minute." I asked, smirking knowingly.

"Oh dear Emily, you know me too well." she replied with a toothy grin.

"Haha. Anyway, do you want to come over after school today? You don't have to work on your speech or anything, but I would really appreciate it if you can help me with it. I'm absolutely hopeless when it comes to these stuff." I let out a big dramatic sigh to prove my point.

"Alright alright, drama queen." She laughed. "I don't need to bring anything right?"

"Nope. Just bring yourself and maybe those highlighters...I really like your highlighters. You know, the neon green and orange ones?" I pretended to pout.

"You got it, boss. See you later!" She waved before walking into the school, leaving me to my thoughts. I waited a few more minutes before doing the same.
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I was too busy texting Zach to hear the doorbell rang. Yup. You heard right. Today during study hall, Zach once again sat across from me, except this time, we were full-fledged talking. I learned a lot about him during that period like how his favorite color is orange and he loves playing basketball and soccer. Believe it or not, we talked so much and a tad too loud that even the librarian threatened to throw us out. I have to admit, I had a really nice time with him, especially when he returned my literature book and gave me his number. (Score!!!)

"Emily! Hailee is here!" My mom yelled from below.

"Okay! Send her up mom!" I yelled back, still grinning like an idiot from our (Zach's and I) conversation.

Hailee then came barging in my room. "What's up E-dog?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Ever heard of knocking?" I asked.

"Ever heard of going downstairs to greet your awesome friend?" She retorted, but still smiling.

"Touché" I grinned. I noticed the stacks of magazines in her hand. "Uh, what's that?" I asked, pointing.

"Um magazines, obviously." She replied, a bit confused.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. For someone who's smart, she can be really naive sometimes.

"No Hailee, I meant what are they doing here? And where's the highlighters?".

"The highlighters are in my pockets. And as for the magazines....you have your phone, so I also need a form of entertainment." She said smartly.

"Fair enough. Let's get started." I replied, before getting a pair of earphones and one side to my ear.
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"Okay, so I think I should start off with why I want to become president. I think that can be a really strong lead-" I stopped.

"Hailee? Are you even listening to me?" I asked the girl next to me, grumpily.

"Huh? Oh yeah. That's good. But this article I'm reading is even better. It's like about this girl who outran two dogs. Can you believe it? Two freaking dogs!" She laughed.

"Where? Gimme that." I snatched the magazine from her hands and scan over the page. Sure enough, there was an article about how these two dogs were barking at this girl named Savannah and not letting her pass, but she did anyway and ran all the way back to her house with the dogs chasing her right by her heels.

I averted my eyes from the magazine. "Wow, she must be really fast. But we really should get going with this speech. I'm literally freaking out here." I said frantically.

She smiled bemusedly. "Alright. From now on, you have my complete attention."

And she kept her word. We worked on my speech for 3 and a half hours straight. Hailee then yawned loudly.

"Hey, thanks for your help today. I really appreciate it. And don't worry, I can finish the rest." I smiled at her gratefully.

"Uh huh..." She muttered, sleepily. "Hey can I sleepover tonight? I know there's school tomorrow and all but I'm just so tired..."

"Uh sure. I'll tell my mom while you call yours okay?" I gave her my phone before rushing downstairs to my parent's room.

"Mom! Dad! Do you think Hailee can sleepover tonight? We worked really hard and she's really tired right now." I asked sweetly.

"Sure!" "No." My parents said in unison. My mom frowned at my dad.

"Please mom!!!" I pleaded.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but today's a school night. And besides, what is she going to wear tomorrow?".

"Don't worry mom, I'll set an alarm and we can wake up early tomorrow. As for the clothes, she can borrow something of mine." I continued pleading pathetically.

"I don't know honey, she-" my mom started saying.

I interrupted her. "I'll do the laundry! And eat tons of fruit!" I blurted out without thinking. "Please mom. She is my first friend after my fall out with Stacy and for all its worth, I think she's already passed out." I continued, stubbornly.

"Fine. But just this once." She gave in, with a hint of a smile.

"Thank you so much mom! You're the best!" I jumped on their bed and hugged both of them before running back upstairs.
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Sure enough, Hailee was passed out on the armchair in my room. I shook her shoulders lightly.

"Did your parents agree?" I whispered.

I heard what seems like a muffled 'yes' and snickered quietly.

I then took a shower, put on my pjs, and climbed on to bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was fast asleep.