New Drug

Chapter 9

    Carter and I sat together in Calculus. He was telling me about some trip he went on and I was trying to pay attention, but I just couldn't. Not when Hayley was sitting alone, giving me the perfect opportunity to talk to her.

   Unable to hold back, I blurted out, "Should I talk to her?"

   Carter sighed, looking over at Hayley. We watched her work on the homework for a moment and my heart fluttered at how innocent she seemed. Sometimes, it was unbelievable that this tiny girl had the ability to tell me off.

    "Yeah," Carter said, shrugging. "She's alone. This is the perfect chance."

    "But what if things end up the same way as they did last time?" I asked nervously. "What if I make a fool out of myself again?"

"Then you're screwed." Carter rolled his eyes when I gave him a worried look. "Relax Logan. You can do this. You spent one entire period with her before, so this should be a piece of cake."

"That period was spent in silence. I... I can't talk to her."

"Then you'll never get over her." Carter raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you want?"

I shook my head and got up then. Carter had told me to get closer to her before I'd ask her out and because I wanted to get over her soon, I needed to act fast. This was my chance and I needed to act on it.

But before I could even take a step forward, Dylan came. He dropped into his seat next to Hayley and she gave him a wide smile. My heart ached at that, knowing she never looked at anyone like that. Because of that, I began to wonder if there was something going on between the two of them.

    "Looks like you missed your chance," Carter said as I fell back into my seat. "Better luck next time."

    I shot my friend a dirty look and then continued to stare at Hayley and Dylan. I began to analyze them actually, and I noticed that they sat incredibly close together. Dylan was leaning closer to her, telling her something, and Hayley laughed. She looked at him and he smiled, seeming blissful.

    Something in me twisted. I felt sick at the sight and for once, I was able to look away from Hayley. But that was because I didn't like the sight of her with Dylan.

    "Do you think Dylan and Hayley have something going on?" I asked Carter suddenly, growing worried.

    "I... I don't know," Carter said, looking unsure. "It's hard to believe that Hayley would give any guy a chance - sorry man - but she's different with Dylan. She's... Like a girl with him."

    Worry filled me and I looked back at Hayley and Dylan. My eyes went wide with horror as I saw that she had a hand on his shoulder. She was giggling and he was laughing. He then brushed a strand of hair away from her face and her eyes softened. Hayley who was always so tough and serious seemed gentle and happy for once. I felt like someone stabbed me in the heart.

    "Shit," I said anxiously, looking at Carter suddenly. "I didn't think I had competition. I- Holy shit Carter. I need to act fast."

    "Breathe Logan." Carter's eyes flew wide. "I think you're panicking."

    "No Carter, you don't understand. I need to act fast."