Just like Before

Chapter 26

*HAYES POV*

I've been waiting for my phone to go off. Grace said she would call me at 8:30 pm, and it's 8:42. I was lying on my back on my bed, looking around the room as if that would distract me from the thoughts eating away at my brain. It's been a month and a half. I haven't seen Grace in six weeks and it's driving me insane. We've face timed a few times but we rarely find the time to do so. usually when we are on the phone with each other, I'll be walking to class and she'll be eating, or vice versa. Sometimes we call at night, but we are both pretty much crammed with school work every night, and by the time we are done we're too tired.

Hunter was out on the quad with one of his friends catching up, so it's a perfect time for me to talk to Grace. After a few more minutes of me anxiously waiting, she finally called.

Grace!

Hayes I miss you so much!

Me too, so how have you been? We haven't talked in a few days.

I've been good, but all of this work is kicking my ass.

Yeah me too.

But you know my roommate? I finally figured out what's up with her.

Really? What is it?

It's actually really sad. I'm with Sammy right now though so I can talk about her. Anyway, she's this really nice, bubbly person, but when she was 11, she saw her mom get killed right in front of her. Then her dad left her so she was alone with her brother for a few years. He was 16 at the time. When it was time for him to go to college, he left her and went across the country. Apparently he really didn't care about her. Then she lived with her aunt for a few months and then she basically went to house after house staying for a few nights, and it's been like that for years. She would sometimes stay at a hotel for a week or two, but she had no one. Her aunt passed away, her grandparents had been dead for years, and she just grew depressed. So that's the whole story behind the painting in the dorm.

Oh my god, that's heavy. So, she told you all of this?

Yeah we've become really close lately, so I guess she just decided to open up.

Wow, well at least she's nice.

Except for when she's a bitch for a few minutes every day.

Hey, it's better than all the time, right?

Yeah, thanks for listening Hayes.

No problem. How was your day?

It was alright, I'm glad it's almost the weekend. And guess who's coming to a Virginia Tech football game in two weeks!!!

No way!!!

Yes!! Sammy, Laney and her roommate are all diving up together and Joseph will be there too!

I can't believe this, thank you Grace.

Of course, I wanted to see you play.

It means a lot.

There was a pause.

Well I have to go Hayes, I'll talk to you soon okay?

Alright, I'll miss you. It's nice hearing your voice.

I'll miss you too, Hayes. Trust me, all I've been wanting to do is hug you lately. She chuckled.

I feel the same, well talk to you later Grace. I love you so much.

I love you too, bye.

I put my phone down and smiled to myself. I need a conversation like that every day.

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*GRACE POV*

Only five and a half more weeks.

Hayes and I already scheduled the day we are going to go back home. Spring break is in the beginning of April, and we are both driving back home on April 3rd.

Today is February 13th. When I was on the phone with Hayes he never mentioned Valentine's Day, but I'm sending him something anyway. I am also very excited for the game we are going to see. I've been wanting to see Hayes play and I also love Virginia Tech football games so it works out.

As soon as I got back from my classes today, I only had a small amount of work to do, so I quickly got that done and took advantage of a Friday, to relax on my own for a few hours and then go to sleep. My sleeping schedule is pretty messed up, but this weekend I plan on getting it back on track. I've been so stressed and busy lately, and this weekend is well deserved.

When I woke up Saturday morning, or more like afternoon, I checked my phone and saw there was a text from Hayes a few hours ago.

happy Valentine's Day, Beautiful. I miss you so much. I didn't get a chance to send anything to you as a present and I'm sorry, but I hope this makes up for it:) All I've been thinking about recently is you. (when I'm not on the football field) I want to see your face in person and hold you tight. I want to hug you, I want to kiss you, I want to be with you right this instant, and I'm so sorry that I can't be. Although, look on the bright side.. when you come to the game there's a chance we will get to be with each other for a few hours that night! I'm looking forward to it, and I want you to know I'll be playing that night for you. You make my world a better place. I have been working my ass off at school because I want to be able to put a roof over your head some day. I want to make you happy, Grace. I want you to be happy and I hope I can do that. We only have a little longer until we see each other. We can do it! I hope this made you smile. I just wanted to tell you what's been on my mind for the past six weeks. I love you. -H

I found myself smiling like an idiot as I read over the text ten times. He's right, we can do this. I decided to text him back.

I miss you too Hayes, happy Valentine's Day! Thank you so much for that. It meant so much and yes I did smile:) It was better than a gift, and I'm sorry but I couldn't send you anything either. We don't need gifts though, we just need each other and that will happen. I want you to know that I have been working my ass off as well, all for the same reasons you mentioned. I want to make you happy too, and yes you are doing a fantastic job at it Hayes. That text you sent me made up for these past six weeks. I love you so much. -G

Hayes replied to my text a few minutes later. We ended up skyping for a few hours, but then he had to go to practice.

This weekend went by too quickly, and was followed by a long, draining week of school.

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A/N: Virginia Tech football games are like religious holidays in my family.

sorry for all the mushy-ish stuff

~Grace❤️