Suite Life With the McDonoughs

Chapter 7

Haley's POV:

I chuckled, trying to calm my racing heart.

"Umm... W-whatever it is, I think it can wait a little longer because we're still in the middle of Hide and Seek and--" I mumbled, scrambling to my feet and turning to face the door. As I did, Riley sprung up as well, his hand grabbing my wrist and turning me around to face him. Both our breaths hitched as we noticed how close our faces were.

Riley's POV:

She was so close... Haley was actually that close. After daydreaming about her all year, I could never have imagined having her that close to me. That close... Yet that far... But she was still so beautiful... The sunlight reflecting off of her... I couldn't breathe...

Haley's POV:

I swallowed as Riley stuttered to form a sentence. I smiled slightly.

"Are you sure you're not doing this to stop me from seeking Connor?" I teased quietly. That seemed to snap Riley out of his dazed trance. He laughed silently, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

"I am so much but never a cheater," he replied. I raised my eyebrows.

"Nice words, Shakespeare," I said, grinning. He grinned back.

"But you won't find Connor here though. He and Toby went below while I came up," he said. Hmm... So that meant it was up to Lindsey to find the brother left hiding. I looked up at Riley to find him looking at me in a weird way. Trying not to make a big deal out of it, I backed away a little bit, my hand slipping out of Riley's grip.

"What made you come up here?" I asked, ignoring the disappointing hint in Riley's eyes as my wrist had slipped out of his hand.

"I'd roamed around this place one day when we'd had some free time and I really loved these halls. I hadn't seen them properly, so I thought of doing that today. Even though hiding in one wasn't the best option," he admitted, giving me an embarrassed smile. I laughed, the sound echoing around the ballroom. My eyes widened as I slapped a hand on my mouth and looked at Riley. He let out a loud laugh in return, which too bounced off of the ballroom walls. His eyes widened momentarily before meeting mine. After staying silent for a second, we both burst out laughing, not caring how loudly our laughs echoed in the empty hall.

Lindsey's POV:

I got Haley's beep a little while after I'd seeked Toby. That meant either Connor or Riley were seeked and left.

"Hey, who do you think is left hiding?" I asked, glancing at Toby.

"Con. He came to this floor with me. Riley went up, while we both came down," Toby answered immediately. I raised my eyebrows.

"Is he good at hiding?" Toby looked at me, almost pitying me.

"He may be the oldest but he's the best at Hide and Seek out of the three of us," he said, admiration clear in his voice. I smirked.

"We'll see about that," I said confidentally. Challenge accepted, McDonough.

I began searching every nook and cranny of the floor with Toby right on my tail. I decided to take a quick break from the intense seeking and turned to face Toby, only to find him frowning deeply. I furrowed my brows. The look didn't suit him. He was supposed to be the cheerful one, not have that... Seriousness on his face.

"Hey, what's up Toby?" I asked softly. He suddenly snapped out of his daze and turned to looked at me, all seriousness vanishing from his face.

"What? Oh nothing... Just some thoughs bothering me," he mumbled in reply. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face Toby fully. He stopped too, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Toby furrowed his brows before shoving his hand his jean pocket and placing a cent in my hand. I rolled my eyes at him and smiled as he grinned.

"You asked for it."

"Toby," I said, giving him the 'seriously?' look, making him laugh, "You know what I mean." Toby's grin faded to a small, sad smile. He looked down and walked over to a corner of the hall so we wouldn't be in the way of all the activity. I followed him as he sat at a window sill. Light was fading away as the afternoon changed to evening. The lights of the 4S had been turned on and I knew that the hotel building would have been looking as amazing from the outside as it did from the inside.

"I just... At times like this, when you've worked so hard, I just wish that we were all together, you know?" Toby said quietly and the sadness in his voice broke my heart. I went and sat next to him.

"Who was together, Toby?" I asked.

"We were. Before You Exit was. I wish we still had Braiden with us. Thomas, too. Even Ryan doesn't help out as often. I really miss them, especially Braiden," he said.

Toby's POV:

I turned to look at Lindsey and found her looking at me like a lost puppy. That reference made me chuckle.

"It's okay, Lindsey. I'm okay," I said, smiling. Lindsey face looked as broken as my heart sometimes felt. How could someone understand me quickly? I felt my smile fading as something inside me ignited. Feelings that I had never felt before. I felt my breath hitch slightly as Lindsey's hand rubbed my back softly. I looked down as I felt my face heat up.

"Something happened between you guys, didn't it?" she asked, almost in a whisper. I was surprised I heard it amoungst the hustle and bustle in the halls before us. I felt my hear sink even more than it already had. I wanted to say no but I knew I'd be lying, so I felt myself nodding my head.

"They had a fight, Riley and Braiden. Connor was forced to take sides and he couldn't not take Riley's side. They dragged Thomas and I into it, too and Thomas took Braiden's side but I stayed out of it. Previously, if I could easily talk to B and Tommy, I can't even do that now," I whispered back, feeling tears welling in my eyes. When had times changed so much? But what surprised me was how easily I'd opened up to Lindsey. I glanced at her to see tears welling up in her eyes as well. Oh my gosh, Lindsey... I laughed lightly as I shook all the sad thoughs away.

"Come on, Lindsey. Lets just find Connor before people find us crying in the corner and offer us a box of tissues."

Riley's POV:

I watched in amusement and awe as Haley twirled around the ballroom, laughing and enjoying spinning on the slippery floor. I smiled and let out a laugh as she lost her balance and slipped slightly, letting a cute yelp. Wait... Could a yelp even be cute? I guess in Haley's case, anything could be considered cute. I felt my face warm up. Damn, I was totally whipped... As I saw Haley spin across the floor, an idea popped in my head.

"Haley?" she stopped briefly to turn and look at me before continuing to spin around.

"Would you dance with me?"

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Rest in peace, Christina. <3