I Want You All To Myself

Twenty-Nine

Hayley's POV 

If I could describe the next day in one word, I would call it perfect. It was the best day of my life. Of course, it helped that the previous days had been hell and so this one felt, in contrast, incredible. But I have some good reasons to call it a perfect day. 

It all started when my doorbell rang at eleven thirty-two in the morning. My mom was out shopping and I was drying my hair after a shower, so when I finally heard it, it must've been ringing for a while. That's why, as I was running down the stairs, I figured that whoever was there was desperate enough to wait for me without leaving, and immediately my mind flew to one person. Josh. Of course, I shook the thought out of my mind quickly, cursing my stupid impulsive subconscious.  

When I opened the door, it was obviously not Josh I saw on the other side, but nevertheless, I was surprised.  

"Hi, Hays!" Jack greeted with a smile I hadn't seen on him in a long time. He looked a whole lot better than he had last time I'd seen him; his face had lost its frightening gauntness and the circles around his eyes were barely visible anymore. 

"Jack... Uh, hey!" I forced a grin, feeling inappropriate and dumb. After what I'd done to him, I didn't see how I still had the right to smile in front of him. But he didn't seem to mind. He practically waddled inside, pretending to examine the house a little before turning on his heels and knocking the breath out of me with a bear hug.  

"I missed you, dwarfie," he said, ruffling my still-wet hair. I passed my hands over it quickly, holding back a giggle. That's when I noticed my very BEST friend standing right beside us, just a teensy bit too far as if he was just there to make sure everything was alright.  

"Hey there, Hayley," he said when he noticed I was looking at him. 

"Hello, Alex..." He smiled feebly but it looked more like a grimace. "So, you guys want a drink or something?" The best thing to say when in danger of awkward silences.  

"Uh, Coke?" Alex said after a second. 

"Can you make me a Shirley Temple?" Jack asked enthusiastically. 

I rolled my eyes. "Will regular Sprite do?" 

He faked a pouty face and accepted the glass I handed him reluctantly. Alex was obviously holding back his laughter. I pretended not to notice while I handed him his Coke and poured myself a glass as well. 

"So what are you guys doing here?" I felt kind of rude to ask that, but I needed to know. I mean, last time we'd seen each other, it felt like a pretty definitive goodbye. I never thought we'd be having drinks at my house after that.  

There was a general uneasiness in the air following my question. Finally, Jack began, "There's something I have to tell you. I was gonna tell you over the phone but then I thought you'd take it better if I showed you instead..." 

"Showed me? So it's not a new girlfriend then?" He hadn't brought any girl with him, so my theory was failing. 

Jack bit his lip. Alex stared at him intently, seeming to anticipate his next move with clenched fists. "Just tell her, dude," he muttered through his teeth. 

Jack took a deep breath. Suddenly, a loud noise caught our attention and he turned what were to be his words into a long sigh. I ran to the door again and peaked outside. There was a very old brown vehicle parked in front of our driveway, and I understood that the noise had been a honk-a very ancient-sounding honk.  

And then, someone stepped out of the car.  

Josh's POV 

The drive to Sheridan, Wyoming had been a peaceful one. I'd ended up telling dad everything even though I'd promised myself I wouldn't. It was ok though, he didn't seem TOO angry and he hadn't turned back. I guess playing the mom card had been a good idea on my part. I mean, what if Hayley was to be my wife and our child would discover the cure to cancer or become president? Couldn't take any chances.