XO - Hayes Grier

Chapter 11

*Gabriella's POV*

Julia. The name was so pretty, it seemed like it would be hard to spit out. But I could, since the whore was trying to take my boyfriend. Okay, maybe Julia wasn't a whore. But she was getting there. Hayes was falling for her. What guy wouldn't? She was perfect. Hayes said he only had eyes for me, Gabriella Moreno. But with Julia now in the picture, would he ever feel the same again?

*Knock knock*

"I'm here!" Ugh. Even her voice is perfect.

"I'm coming!" I yell down the stairs. I check the time on my phone. 1:17, and no texts from Hayes since yesterday. I sigh and open my front door. She's standing outside patiently, looking at her phone. Probably texting Hayes. No, snap out of it Gaby. She looks up at me, and smiles a bright smile of hers. I force a smile back, stepping out of the way to allow her into my house. She follows me up the stairs, paying attention to every detail in my house. I stand outside my room for a moment, wondering if I should let her in. She steps in my room after me, and I leave the door open. I'd done some redecorating since Taylor and Frankie had mentioned it, but it still wasn't ideal. I'd added a photo string to my white walls, and gotten rid of a few books to make room for a cactus on the middle shelf. Julia looks around, taking everything in.

"Nice room. Very aesthetic." She smirks while sitting on my desk chair. She hates it, and now she's judging me. I sit down on my bed carefully, watching her every move. She just smooths out her pastel pink shirt, and pulls down her white shorts. Those shorts are way to short on her. She just sits there, as if waiting for me to say something.

"So, what do you wanna do?" I ask, as she looks up at me. Her brown eyes strike mine, and I instantly know why Hayes couldn't stop looking at her. My hatred for her grows, and the knot in my stomach tightens. I do not like Julia at all.

"I'm fine with anything really. It's your house." She just stares at me, as if daring me to kick her out, or say something stupid. I shrug, and she sighs. "Fine. Let's talk, get to know each other. Tell me about Hayes," she finally says. I glare at her, her perfectness, her smartness, the way her eyes dance in excitement of stealing my man. This is all a game to her. Well, I'm going to win.

"Oh, Hayes is wonderful. He's so sweet, so amazing. He's really the best boyfriend ever. He'd do anything for me. We're practically inseparable." She glares at me. I can tell she hates me even more after what I've just said, and I love it. I mean, it's no secret that she befriended me to get closer to Hayes. Why not make her squirm while she tries?

Her phone lights up. So does mine. I look down at it to see a text (FINALLY) from Hayes.

Hayes💙: Hey, I'm sorry I didn't text. Busy day and all. I'm on my way over, okay?

Me: Yea, that's fine. Let me just kick Julia out so we can talk. Alone

Hayes💙: No, let her stay. I need to apologize if I gave her the wrong impression yesterday... Just, don't make her leave

I can't believe I thought that Hayes would choose me over Julia. Even if it was for only a second. "Hayes is on his way over, he'll be here soon. Because, you know, we live practically right next door. So he'll be over any minute." I smile, and she growls at me. We stare awkwardly at each other for a good two minutes. Hayes knocks on my bedroom door. Saved by the bell. (A/N: Does anyone else love that show? Because I think it's amazing. Okay I'm done now.) My mom must have let him in.

"Hey, your mom let me in... I need to talk to both of you," Hayes says, looking upset and guilty. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," I respond, stepping aside. He comes in and sits on my bed, casually like he does it all the time. Which he does. Julia sees this and her eyes narrow. Hayes pats the space next to him, looking over at me. I walk over, and the bed dips as I sit beside him. Julia's glare deepens. Hayes takes a deep breath before beginning.

"Okay, so I gave both of you the wrong idea yesterday... it may have seemed that I liked Julia. Or that I was ignoring Gaby. But it came out wrong. Julia, you seem nice and all, and you're very pretty, but... I don't like you. I like Gaby. I like Gaby a lot. More than I've ever liked anyone. And I don't want anything to come between us, especially a fan. Because that would just break my heart. So, Julia, I don't like you. And I don't want you to like me in that way. I'm not asking you to stop being a fan, but I would like it if you'd support my relationship with Gaby, and leave it alone. Also, keep it private. We're... waiting to tell the fans. But please, understand that I don't hate you, and I'd still like to be your friend. I just don't want to date you. Because as of now, Gaby is my one and only. Okay?" Julia has a look of shock on her face. I can tell that she was not expecting that speech. Hayes looks at me, and carefully places his lips on mine. It was just a peck, but it meant so much. It was a promise that he was mine, and I was his. It was a promise that I wasn't ever going to lose him to Julia. It was a promise that he'd protect me, and never let me go.

*Julia's POV* (A/N: Oh shit. Here comes the drama)

That did not just happen. I imagined that. How could Hayes like her over me? I have a perfect figure, a beautiful face. And Gaby's just... ew. Just looking at his arm wrapped around her shoulders made me sick. That should be me. Not that disgusting potato. I stand up quickly, smoothing out my clothes and pulling down my shorts. And my top to show more cleavage. I need to get out of there.

"I'm sorry, but my mom just texted me. It's time for me to go. But I'll see you guys around!"

They wave goodbye, and I run down the stairs and out the door. It was no secret that I was befriending Gaby for Hayes, but I still thought he would choose me. But I'll find a way to make him mine. I don't care what I have to do, Hayes Grier is going to forget that bitch Gabriella Moreno. He's gonna forget her, and come running to me.