Summer Changes

Chapter Fifteen

***This ones kinda Short sorry******

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Flash! The second the doors opened the clicking of the camera’s went ballistic. Hailey had never seen so many people in her life trying to get a photo of her.

Kylier shielded her the best he could and then suddenly they were surrounded by five bodyguards pushing the paparazzi back. Kylier shouted to follow him and he took hold of her hand in a grip that almost crushed hers.

Bungy jumpy from the window sounded so much better. People began shouting questions at them as Kylier just shouted back that she was fine and yes they were still engaged.

Finally inside the back of the SUV with the door closed behind her Hailey rest her head back against the seat. Kylier climbed in on the other side shutting the door and they drove away.

‘You alright?” he asked looking at her with concern.

“Is it like that always?” she asked rolling her eyes.

He laughed at her expression. “Yes. Exhausting isn’t it?”

“Different.”

In the short silence Hailey looked at the passing building wonder for a second what it must of been like to be popular.

She had experienced only a few seconds of it and found that it wasn’t all that.

“Kylier,” she turned to him seeing his expression she thought she caught a glimpse of sadness or was it loneliness.

“Lonely,” she whispered.

“Excuse me?’ he frowned.

“Was it difficult you know to compete after what happened to your brother.” she went out on a limb.

He was silent for a moment as he stared out of the window. Hailey didn’t think he was going to answer her when he said. 

“ At first it was. We where close, partied a lot. Everything we did we did together. But when he came down with the virus and I didn’t he got angry. So angry that we couldn’t be around each other. I had to find out who I was without my brother. He went to live under the sea for his own reasons. But six months ago things changed and now I’m back to fight the cause.” Kylier rubbed his hands and starred out the window.

"so are you two like talking?" she inquired.

Kylier didn't look at her but said cooly. "Sorta."

Hailey knew  Kylier was doing what he felt was right, the pressure was getting to him too.

“I’m sorry you might have to do this,” she whispered.

Kylier looked down at her and she watched his expression change soften toward her.

“Don’t be. I’m not.” 

“What did they mean still engaged? We haven’t even announced it publicly yet.” Hailey looked up at him.

As if choosing his words carefully Kylier ran his hands through his golden curls first.

“It was leaked to the press we were going to be engaged. Some one at the party took a photo of us and up loaded it to the internet. Now the whole world knows.”

“Oh,” was all she could manage. For some reason it really didn’t bother her as much as she thought it would. 

The ride to her house was quiet after that each caught in their own thoughts. Hailey practically jumped out of the SUV before it came to a halt.

“Hailey,” Kylier said her name.

“Yes,” she turned questionably back at him.

“It will happen. You are my mate.” Kylier said this rather mysteriously then gave the driver the signal and they drove away.

The rest of the day was spent on the beach, either stretching out in the sun with Leah or walking with Brien who talked a lot about their Mer history.

Then Kylier showed up and they all decided to play volleyball.

The game was intense especially when you have uncles that didn’t understand the term ‘its only a game’. This lasted until sunset and the aroma of seafood cooking on the grill was too tempting to resist beckaning them all away thus ending the game.  Afterwards a bonfire was set up, with classic stories told by her grandfather.

As Hailey sat there with the surf and wind in her face she looked around at her family taking in their expressions. She loved they so much and wished this could last forever, this bliss.

Little did she know this would be her last big gathering with her family for a very long time.

Kylier sat there behind Hailey just watching enjoying the  company of this family’s wealth and felt like a Judas amongst them.

Then he caught the grandfather’s eyes and a silent understanding passed between them. Kylier nodded to him acknowledging his assurance of their agreement.

But it didn’t take the sting away from the pain he was feeling about this whole thing, he had changed. He really had come to care about Hailey.