Harmonies of the Heart | 🧡 Jailey 💙 | The Music Freaks

Chapter 5: Close Enough to Fall

(A/N) Please read this author's note before commencing!!!!

Hailey admired her freshly manicured nails, now a sparkly black. The last job Hailey did on her nails had long since worn out, the polish chipping at the edges - Unfortunately it wasn't a very good strategy to prevent herself from biting them. Shannon took her and Bethany earlier that day to get them done professionally, and now they looked sparkling new.

It was the day of the prom, and the club was buzzing with excitement. They gathered in the Austin-Wickhams' living room, awaiting their ride to prom. Luke's mum was there, having previously been engaged in conversation with Zander and Hailey's. And Sean's mum (who was there not with her husband) had driven him and Milly to their house. Sean's younger sister was with them too, and now stood with her mum.

As for the club members, all were present except for Jake.
Hailey fiddled with her thumbs in nervous excitement.

"I can't believe you won't be there with us, Milly," Luke was saying, sitting across from her and Sean on the couch. He rubbed the back of Zander's hand as he sat beside him.
"I know... It would've been cool if they could've had a senior-junior-sophomore prom," responded Milly, placing her hands behind her head. "But that does sound like a stupid idea. At least I get to see you guys off in a limo!"
Sean grinned at her. "And get to spend your prom with Elliot, without us there to tease you."
She smirked back, giving him a punch in the arm.

"Mocktails, anyone?" asked Shannon, walking into the room with two generous glasses of soda and juice. Bethany and Michael followed her from the kitchen with three of the remaining four.
Milly whooped as the group gratefully took their drinks.

Shannon brought in the last glass and set it down on the coffee table, looking up at Hailey. "Is Jake on his way?"
"Yep, he's just a minute up the road now," Hailey said, placing her phone away in her glittery black handbag.
Her mum clapped her hands together, and exclaimed, "I'm so excited for you! Your first boyfriend."
Hailey flushed. "He's not my boyfriend, Mum."
"If you say so~"
Hailey sighed, but she imagined that one day it might come true, and despite herself that thought made her smile.

Luke's mum shook her head in disbelief. "You look so beautiful, Hailey."
"Thank you, Kathy," Hailey responded, smiling bashfully. Then a realisation hit her. "Oh, right! I almost forgot the earrings. Mum, could you please help me?"
Shannon followed her daughter down the hallway.

Meanwhile, Jake's mum parked the car on the curb by Hailey and Zander's house. Jake adjusted his tie in the mirror, quietly breathing out. Milo sat in the back seat in a jacket and trousers.
"Alright, you got everything?"
"I'm only bringing my phone."
"Okay, cool."
Jake looked down at his phone to text Hailey that he had arrived.

"I'm still wondering if we should have taken Hailey personally," said Scarlett, as if she had read his mind.
"Don't worry Mum, we all agreed to go together regardless of whether anyone had dates. Zander and Luke are going together, and that would have just left Sean by himself."
"Alright, it's just the first time you've ever taken a girl out." His mum gave him a small smile that made him self-conscious.
Milo popped his head in between the two seats. "It's not the first time either of us has taken anybody out-"
Jake pushed Milo by the head back onto the seat. "Taking a girl to 7-11 after school to get a Slurpee doesn't count as taking her out. Dingus."

The three walked to the front door and rang the doorbell.
"Jake's here!" Exclaimed Milly, leaping up from her seat.

Michael opened the door with a warm welcome to Jake and his family.
Milly jumped in to hug Jake, then leaned back to study what he was wearing. "Wow, looking fancy, my dude."
Jake wore a black shirt under a dark teal suit, to match with Hailey, and a long necklace instead of a tie. He grinned back at her in thanks.