gap year

7

|Hayden's pov|

After our trip to the beach we'd returned to the apartment block, going our separate ways. Ethan had gotten soaking wet and sat the whole car ride shivering, teeth chattering. So I wasn't surprised when Grayson turned up at our door this morning, asking to hangout with Avery as Ethan was sick.

She looked back at me, an apologetic look on her face. I smiled at her, nodding my head. "I'll go and check on Ethan, I'm sure he doesn't want to be stuck by himself." I waved them away, "you kids have fun . Use protection." I sent a wink their way, pulling my phone out and retreating to the sofa. Avery rolled her eyes at me, she isn't one to blush. Grayson, however, turned a light shade of pink.

I went onto snapchat when they'd left, checking all my friends stories. It was weird to see the rain in England that was all over my snapchat feed but one story caught my eye. Mr. Ethan Dolan. I clicked on it, chuckling at his tired face, he's so damn cute, although I'd never say that aloud. He was talking to Grayson, asking for him to bring him back some chicken. He then went on to say he was a now vegan. I couldn't contain my laughter as I rewatched his story several times before deciding to do something productive.

I pulled on my favourite baggy grey jumper and my tan timberland boots, heading out the door and out of the apartment complex. After waiting in line for way longer than I'm okay with and paying for the chicken I returned but went to Ethan's apartment instead of mine. It had been raining lightly but since I decided to walk there and back so my clothes had collected enough droplets to make me feel icky and reminded me of all the long dog walks in the rain back home.

I knocked twice, waiting patiently as I heard a sick sounded Ethan mutter a "I'm coming." When the door opened I was met with a hooded, sweatpants clad zombie.
"Wow, you need a shower." I coughed, not meaning to sound rude but seriously. It was enough to burn my nose hairs off.
"Hey Hayden, what are you doing here?" His voice sounded nasally and scratchy.
"Grayson stole Avery and he told me you were sick. I was going to come and check up on you to make sure you were okay but I saw your snapchat and bought you this." I held up the brown paper bag that contained the still warm chicken.

"You didn't have to do that." I couldn't tell if the pink of his cheeks was a blush or his high temperature. I brushed it off, waving a hand at him dismissively.
"It was no problem, my grandma always told me that you should always help those in need." I sent him a small wink, looking into the room expectantly. He'd not yet moved to welcome me into the apartment so it was relatively awkward, only for a few moments before he seemed to snap out of his daze and move to one side.

"So what do you want to do?" He asked, laying down in a comfortable looking position under and thick black blanket.
"I always liked the idea of being a nurse. I will wait on you hand and foot, I will supply to your every need, I will-" he cut me off, pulling me down on the sofa next to him. "W-what are you doing?" I whispered, I've never been good with any form of physical contact with boys. Even holding hands, my hands would become clammy and disgusting. But luck was on my side this time. I did not sweat, I did not blush. Something about it just felt right. Wow, cliché enough Hayden? Avery would be disappointed.

Actually she'd probably squeal until she lost her voice. She'd been shipping me with every cute guy, even ones we'd pass in the street, she's an interesting one that Avery.

"I wanted to cuddle." He stated causally, sounding beyond tired. His arms wrapped around me, bringing me into him.
"Seriously, I should run you a bath..." I teased. Although I had not known him long Ethan and I joke like this a lot to each other. In all honesty, saying goodbye to these boys is going to be awfully hard on both myself and Avery.

"Okay, but we're carrying on afterwards." He shut his eyes and leant back, allowing me some space to move.

Let's just say I certainly wasn't expecting the twins to be the type of people that would have a whole cabinet full of bath bombs. Bath bombs of all scents and colours. The girly girl that was buried somewhere inside of me made an appearance and I squealed at the sight in front of me, making a mental note to show Avery somehow. This will seriously flip her shit.

After going through them all carefully I picked up a candy floss one, plopping it in and getting lost in the beautiful colours that swirled and fizzed in the once crystal clear water.
"Okay E, it's done." I hollered, making my way out of the bathroom and into the living room.
His soft snore made me giggle as I refrained from jumping on him to wake him up.
I shook him softly, he rolled over, mumbling incoherent tosh until finally, his eyes opened and he trudged towards the bathroom.

"Thank you Hayd." My stomach erupted in butterflies when the nickname left his lips. I should be used to hearing it but something about it coming from his mouth gave it a whole new meaning.
"No problem." I muttered more to myself, blushing down at my feet.
"The bath bombs are Graysons! He just stores them in my bathroom!" He sounded panicked. The door shut before I got the chance to reply.

time skip brought to you by Pia Stoney because she used all my funny ones and I don't want to look unoriginal. Thanks peps 👍 pia_stoney

He ate his chicken, not caring that it was cold. I offered to heat it up but he didn't want me to move in case I didn't keep my promise and come back to 'cuddle with him'. I got a strange feeling when he acted this way towards me, an unknown emotion would fill my thoughts and take over my feelings. Surely Ethan Grant Dolan doesn't want me in that way. As a friend, possibly so, but not in any form of romantic relationship. Why would he, a good looking guy that could get any girl he wished for, want me? Little old me. Hayden Stoney from a country hours away from him. It seemed to surreal for me to believe.

"Hayden?" We were on our second film of the night. The empty brown paper bag thrown in the bin. We were once again snuggled up together.
"Hmmm?" I tore my tear filled eyes away from Augustus and Hazel and looked up at him.
He didn't say anything, only slowly leant in. I've kissed a boy before, my ex boyfriend. But he wasn't exactly Ethan Dolan. Fear, excitement and anticipation swam in my stomach, eating me from the inside.

The second his lips met mine I forgot about everything around me, my arms went around his neck and I moved myself impossibly closer to him.
When we finally pulled away he gasped. "What if you get sick?!"

A/N thank you to my best friend for helping me use a cheeky giff gaff (I know it's gif. I just call it that, don't judge) when we were meant to be studying in French. I owe you one ;)