Neighbors (a Hayes Grier fanfic)

chapter 5~ late night swim

*Still Hayes' POV*

I have a feeling tonight is going to be fun. I told my mom we were going to the pool, but either way she probably wouldn't care. Brooke is cool, I haven't thought about Meredith all night. I just hope I don't somehow screw up our new friendship. I closed the front door, and waited at the end of her driveway. I saw her hide a key, under the doormat and she sprinted over to me.

"Bikes or no bikes?"

She hesitated, "Let's walk,"

•20 minutes later•

We should've taken the freaking bikes. It's not like I mind, but somehow I ended up giving her a piggyback ride. About 10 minutes into the 30 minute walk, she began complaining that her feet hurt. However, she kind of brought that upon herself, when she went barefoot. She had a bag on her back, filled with food, drinks, and only Lord knows what else. I know I just met her, but I like being around her. She causes the most beautiful kinds of chaos. I don't mind her riding on my back, because first of all, she weighs nothing. Second of all, when she laughs her breath tickles my neck. We don't need to be talking to have fun together, we don't sit in awkward silence.

"Have you been night swimming before?"

She snorted, "Of course, I love it, but never in a lake,"

I hope she likes it, "it seems really fun," I agreed.

I finally see the lake coming into view. We swam for about four hours, and then made our way back to home. As we were walking, I tripped over a bottle and busted my lip on the concrete. It was approaching about 12:00, and we knew both of our families would still be up. We finally made it home, and Brooke instructed me to sit on the kitchen counter, as I explained where the first aid kit was located.

"Okay, here we go," she paused, and tilted her head back laughing.

I love that she's always so happy.

"I've never done this before," she whispered, "You're not like the rest."

She took it in, as she cleaned my lip with something that stung.

"I'm not like the rest," she smiled, "I like that."

*Brooke's POV*

I had so much fun with Hayes last night, he's hilarious. I hope he forgot about Nash and Meredith, well, at least for the night. I hope I see him again soon.

I'm still laying in bed, trying to find the courage to get up. I stretch, and climb out of bed, examining all of the boxes. I'm happy that I'm not the one who unpacks them, I'm not very good at those kinds of things.

I quickly picked out a plain black crop top, and paired it with my light wash ripped shorts. I laid it on my bed, and remained in my pajamas for now. I'm hoping I can meet some new people in the next few days, so I'm not a complete loner. I grabbed the box of Captain Crunch, and poured Nick, Matt, and myself, a bowl. I heard them moving around upstairs, and I know they're going to want to talk about what happened last night, and why I was with Hayes, and not Nash. I jumped when I heard Nick's deep voice behind me.

"So, you know the drill, tell us everything," he said.

I sighed and told them everything, by the end of the story they were both upset.

"Don't let a guy ever treat you that way, I'm glad you hung out with Hayes, he seems more like your type."

I gulped, what is it with everyone assuming I like one of them.

"Well, I'm going to go out back and practice, I'm hoping to make varsity this year,"

I've been playing soccer, since as long as I can remember. I began practicing, as I was about an hour into it, I heard a voice.

"Beautiful kick, Armstrong," he shouted, getting ready to hop the fence. I shook my head, and jogged over to him.

"Let me see your face," I grabbed his face, and brought it closer to mine. I then realized what situation I had gotten myself into, and his eyes bore into mine, trying to guess my next move.

"Um, your lip looks a little better," I stuttered, but he ignored me.

"Go ahead," he reassured me, I leaned in, and I didn't get butterflies in my stomach, I got a stampede of rhinos. We pulled away and Hayes grinned, I wonder if he felt anything.

"Fireworks," he said, as if he read my mind.

"I'm going to the mall with a bunch of people from school later. I'll pick you up at 2:30 if you want to go, my mom is driving."

I nodded my head speechless, I hadn't said one thing since the kiss. I looked at the outdoor clock, it's 1:30. I better start getting ready, I want to make a good first impression. I tried to think about other things like California, school, puppies even. Nothing worked, I kept on thinking about kissing Hayes. It was great, it felt perfect. I just hope it didn't screw up our friendship.

I hope the mall isn't awkward. Tonight, I'm going to his house to watch a movie, with some of the people from the mall. We're going to have to talk about it eventually. I quickly took a shower, and then put on my outfit I laid out earlier. I sat down in front of my vanity, and pulled out my makeup bag. I actually want to impress Hayes. Today, I'm going to actually put on eyeliner and concealer too. I stared at myself in the mirror. I have blueish green eyes, I finally decided to wing my eyeliner. After, I got ready, I heard a knock on the door. I grabbed my purse, and answered the door, here we go.