New Drug

Chapter 6

     "I need your help man," I told Carter. "I'm desperate."

    Carter raised an eyebrow. "With?"

    "Girls."

    He burst out laughing and I frowned. Sometimes I wondered why we were best friends.

    "You want me to help you with girls?" Carter asked, amused. "Since when did you need help getting girls?"

    "I can get girls easily." I rolled my eyes. "I need help with talking to one."

    "Oh, no wonder after that embarrassing try with Hayley."

    I blushed, embarrassed. I had been trying so hard to forget about that time, but with Carter bringing it up I was cringing. At this rate, I had zero chance with her. Having feelings for her were pointless my brain knew, but my heart disagreed.

"So, advice," I said, wanting to keep my mind off of that moment.

"Just relax," Carter said. "You're too nervous around her. You act like a freak."

My friend was a blunt guy. Luckily, I wasn't easily offended.

"It's hard," I said, huffing. "I just get so nervous around her."

"Prepare what you say before you talk to her. You'll feel ready to speak then and you won't sound like an idiot."

    "That's lame. Dude, give me some real advice."

    Carter rolled his eyes and I stared at him, hopeful. I really needed to get over Hayley and to do that, I needed some good advice. I needed it soon, too.

    "Logan, take my advice seriously," Carter said sternly. "I know what I'm saying."

    My friend was rarely serious, so seeing him like this was a surprise. I nodded eagerly.

     "Relax, prepare, and keep your goal in mind," he said. "Usually the goal is to date, but for you it's the opposite. But either way, keep your goal fresh in your mind so that you stay motivated."

    "Are you sure that will help?" I asked anxiously.

     "For sure."

    Carter smiled and I couldn't help but smile back. Relax, prepare, and stay motivated was all I had to do to get over Hayley. That didn't seem so bad.

    "Thanks," I said, sighing as I leaned back. "Hopefully I'll get her out of my mind."

    "Hopefully." Carter smiled. "We wouldn't want your heart breaking."

    I didn't say anything to that as I wondered why he seemed to think I had no chance with Hayley. She did hate me, but I didn't think she always would. It was just that she didn't know me well enough to realize I wasn't that bad of a guy.

    Suddenly, I shook my head. I shouldn't be thinking of ways for her to like me, even as a friend. I needed to completely get her out of my system.

*****

    I went outside and sighed as I saw that the parking lot was empty. Everyone had already gone home and because I had a half hour detention, I was the only one there. I was slightly envious of everyone, but I was also satisfied with this turn of events.

Walking onto the sidewalk, I began my way home. The silence that surrounded me was soothing and I stopped to grab my phone and plug in my headphones. I was about to walk again, but suddenly a person caught my attention.

Most blondes had my dirty blonde hair, so I was surprised to see the platinum blonde hair from the corner of my eye. My head whipped to confirm who the person was and my heart stuttered, seeing that it was Hayley. She was alone, sitting on a bench nearby.

This was my chance, I realized as I saw her looking bored. She was staring at the ground and frowning, causing my heart to race. She was annoyingly adorable and I hated it, and I knew I needed to get over her.

But, I knew I wasn't calm. I wasn't prepared. I was motivated, but the other two factors weren't active. Was it worth going over to her?

Before I could even answer that question, my feet began to move on their own. They brought me to her and I frowned, wondering what was wrong with me. I shouldn't be standing in front of her, unsure of what to say, but I was. Hayley was definitely intoxicating me.

     Suddenly, she looked up before I could run off. She seemed surprised to see me, but then her eyes hardened. I gulped, growing nervous.

    "Do you want something?" Hayley asked. "Why do you keep showing up?"

    "Hey," I said, mentally telling myself to breathe. "I just wanted to say hey."

    Hayley stared at me, seeming unable to believe I wanted something as simple as that. I didn't blame her because this wasn't something I usually did.

     "I saw you were alone, so I decided to join you," I said, forcing a smile. "Are you waiting for someone?"

    "My dad," she said, looking down. "He's late."

    Hayley wouldn't meet my eyes anymore, leaving me feeling uneasy. I didn't know what to do to get her attention.

     "Well, I'll keep you company for now," I said, plopping down next to her. "Goodbye to loneliness."

Hayley's head flew up and she glared at me, causing me to shrink back. Hate was in her eyes and I found myself offended. I couldn't remember doing anything wrong to her, so I wondered why she was like this towards me.

    "What do you want, Logan Weed?" Hayley hissed. "If you want me to be your drug supplier or something, then you're out of luck."

    "I don't," I shot back, growing annoyed. "Why does the fact that I do drugs bother you so much?"

    "I hate people who think intoxicating themselves is a good way of living." She glared at me. "It's disgusting."

     I got up then, tired of her. I was tired of her attitude and words, and I really didn't understand why I chose her. Why her of all people? Hayley was definitely undeserving of my first crush.

     "How judgmental," I snapped. "I'm not just my habit, okay. Stop acting like I am."

Hayley looked away and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked defiant and I let out a frustrated breath. Screw her, I thought, walking off.

Why her? The question was on my mind as I made my way home. There was nothing special about her. She was a jerk and frustrating. So, why her? And why was I feeling guilty for leaving her alone at school, even after what she said?

Groaning, I told myself I was over her, even with the guilt in my heart. She wasn't worth my time. She wasn't worth worrying over. I didn't need someone as judgemental as her in my life.