The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Chapter 41 (Hailey's POV)

You know the feeling where someone incredibly important that used to tell you everything suddenly stops talking to you altogether? That's how its been for me lately, and its killing me.

I know Cheryl is going through some tough shit right now. I wish I could be empathetic with her about it, but I haven't been in her place before when it comes to losing someone you love. But even if I could, she won't let me in. I thought that moment on the swings would break the ice, and it did, but only a little. She only talks to me when she has to, and jokes are thrown here and there, but we haven't ever talked about anything personal since we were at the park; that was several weeks ago.

What she told me when we were sitting on those crusty swings I believe 100%. I know she wouldn't make something up like that; I believe anything that she tells me. That's why she loves to mess with me. Well, used to love messing with me.

I wonder what it was like for her when she saw him. What confirmed that he was real. How did she feel? Happy? Relieved? Sad? Confused? I may never know.

I also wonder what it would taste like to put mayonnaise on chicken nuggets.

I have such deep thoughts at two in the morning.

I decide to test that mayonnaise theory, so I fall out of my bunk, stumbling into the kitchen. I blindly feel for the refrigerator in the dark, and when I feel the cool steel surface of the fridge, I pull it open, squinting at the sudden light. I didn't bother to put on my glasses, so trying to read the labels on everything is quite frustrating.

I soon realize we're out of mayonnaise, remembering Joe eating it out of the fucking jar last night. Disgusting mop head.

Cussing under my breath and closing the refrigerator door, I feel a cold chill. I shudder, wrapping my arms around myself, wishing I were in one on Patrick's cardigans.

I set off in the direction of the bunk area, determined to steal his red one, when I feel that chill again, but more persistent, crawling from my toes to my head. I get that weird feeling that someone is watching me, so I glance around me, seeing nothing. Paranoia really starts to seep in, so I sprint all the way to the bunk area, tripping over Andy's damn duffel bag.

I fall with a thud to the floor, waking Patrick up. Shit.

"Hailey? Is that you?" He asks in a deep sleepy voice, making me shiver again, but not from paranoia, that's for sure.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I tripped over Andy's stupid duffle bag," I whisper angrily. He chuckles, leaning out and looking down at me. His blue hair is disheveled, and he has a cute little grin on his face as he looks down at me.

"You wanna sleep with me?" Patrick asks me, making me smirk at him.

"You horny when you sleepy?"

That makes him blush ruby red, and I laugh quietly.

"I'm just kidding, 'Trick. Can I lay with you?"

He nods, scooting back. I climb up and lay down, burying my head into his chest. He wraps his arms around me, sighing contentedly. Then I remember what I came to get.

"Wait!" I whisper-yell, jumping up, hitting my head on the ceiling. "Ow, fuck."

"Are you okay?" Patrick asks in between laughs.

"I'm not okay. I'm never okay. Or alright. I'm a kid, and a killjoy. You should know that by now, Patty."

He runs his fingers through his hair, looking at me amusedly.

"You're weird at two in the morning," he states.

"I'm weird all the time. Where have you been?"