Between Me & You - n.r.

Chapter 5

Nick's POV

The drive to Hailee's house wasn't even 20 minutes. Totally not long enough. I did start getting to know her though. The real her. Or at least the version of her that she's letting me see. 

I counted it as progress. No one else was getting anywhere with her and I found that really sad. She's one of those people who's really amazing if you give them the time of day. And that's what I intend to do.

Now though, I'm not being the good guy who drives lonely girls home. Right now I'm the bad boy who gets arrested and commits petty crimes. Right now, I'm exactly the person Hailee accused me of being. 

I'm in my car, parked outside an abandoned warehouse, waiting for someone to show up. 

I'm nervous. The someone I'm waiting for isn't someone you want to mess with. 

I'm not exactly proud of what I've been doing but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

Griffin Black is the guy I'm waiting for. The head drug dealer in our town. I, along with a bunch of other people who are as desperate as I am, work for him. Selling mostly. 50% of the money we earn from drug dealing goes back to Griffin, the supplier. 

So here I am. Waiting for the familiar back SUV to pull up and unleash a crazy drug dealer who is going to ask me for money, just like he does every week. If I don't give it to him, I'm screwed.

He never tells us exactly what will happen if we refuse him, but I know it's not something I want to find out.

A tap on my window startles me. It's Griffin who's repeatedly tapping the glass, trying to get my attention.

I open the car door and stand to face him.

"So? Do you have it?", he asks.

I reach into my jacket pocket and pull out a wad of cash. Around $300. It's been a slow week. I hold it out to him and he takes it greedily.

"This is it?", he asks after counting the bills.

"Demand is low right now", I mutter, hoping he won't lose his temper with me. I did my best after all.

"You think I don't know that?", he says, frustrated. "Life is expensive, Robinson."

"Don't I know it", I reply. 

"Well, this is good enough. Given the circumstances. People would be wanting more if it wasn't for that drug bust last year."

I nod along, too afraid to speak incase I say something wrong. The thing with Griffin Black is that he's a nice guy when you aren't pissing him off. But if you make a mistake, then you're done. 

"Alright, see you next week, Robinson. Same time, same place."

He jumps back in his SUV and drives away. I'm safe. At least for 1 more week.

+ + + + + + + + + +

The next day at school, I find Hailee at lunch right away. I don't want to waste any time today. 

"What book are you reading?" I ask as I sit down at her table.

Without speaking, she holds up the book without looking at me. The cover is a familiar one. The Great Gatsby. Even I've read that one.

"Isn't that one a little cliche?", I ask.

"Not at all", she answers. "This book is a work of art."

"Says every English teacher ever", I reply. 

She shoots a sarcastic 'shut up' look my way but I know she's just joking around.

"What do you know about literature anyway?", she asks.

"Absolutely nothing", I reply. "Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted me to drive you home again today."

"Yeah actually, that would be great."

"Okay, I'll just meet you at your locker then?"

"Yeah sure."

The end of lunch bell rings and Hailee gets up and beings to walk towards the school. She's a couple of steps away when she turns back around.

"Hey Nick", she calls. "Actually go to class today."

"Why?", I ask.

"Education matters. Just go."

I laugh to myself. "Anything for you, princess."

She turns on her heel with a satisfied look on her face.

Time to go to class.

+ + + + + + + + + +

At the end of the day, I walk towards Hailee's locker. She's there, and she's closing her locker.

I walk up and grab her hand, without saying anything. She's reluctant at first, probably because I caught her off guard, but after a couple seconds she relaxes and walks at a comfortable pace next to me.

I'm not holding her hand anymore, but my pinky finger is hooked around hers like a small but significant chain that's holding us together.

She's gets in my car and I peel out of the parking lot. 

I turn on the stereo and today the song that plays off my phone is Like A River Runs by Bleachers. 

The song starts and I sneak a glance at Hailee. She liked the song that came on yesterday and I can tell she likes this one too. 

She's looking out the window and tapping her fingers on her leg to match the beat of the song. I can tell that she's taking the lyrics into consideration and wondering how she feels about listening to them. 

When I fall asleep I can see your face
What I lost in you I will not replace

I imagine that she's listening to the song as if she was listening to someone tell a story. But I guess that's what music is - someone's story.

I will remember your light

"Let's make this a daily thing", Hailee says.

"Make what a daily thing?", I ask.

"This drive. I feel like it's something I could look forward to." She winks at me and I see it even though my attention should be on the road. She's distracting me.

"Anything for you, princess", I answer.

***************

Hey everyone!

Chapter 5 is my favourite so far.

 I hope you guys are listening to the music that I am not so discreetly including in this story. I got really positive feedback on the song that was in the last chapter (Here With Me - The Killers) so I thought I would put another one in. 

I'm thinking I will make a Nick's Car Playlist for this story because I feel like it's a big part of Nick and Hailee's relationship so far.

Thanks for reading!

That_Epiphany

P.S. Thanks to my new follower sighmaya for not only following me, but also voting and commenting on this story. Thanks so much!