One More Try (Hayes Grier)

1st Day Back

I mean it definitely makes sense that anyone would be nervous about their first day of their senior year of high school.  So that's not why I was freaking out.  No.  I was freaking out over the fact that after my summer of visiting my older sister and her boyfriend, I would have to come back and relive the horrible memories that my last day of junior year had given me.

Hayes ran up to me after just having me watch him and Courtney make out behind some tree.  It was easily one of the most humiliating moments of high school so far so I decided to end things and then hopped on the first flight to Arizona once I got home. 

You would think that having three months to be away from everything that reminds you of a cheating ex is enough to get over them, but that's not even true.  Maybe it would have been had it not been in front of our entire class.  Or maybe even if Hayes and I weren't dating for a year and a half prior.  Arizona may be a desert state, but that doesn't mean that I wasn't constantly bothered by countless texts and calls from Hayes either trying to apologize or get back together or try to get me to come home earlier so that we could talk it all out.

I was just about to leave for school when I did a quick look over in the mirror.  The summer away had given me the perfect opportunity to change and reinvent myself.  You know, "new year-new me" kind of stuff.  So this "new Marley" had decided on a few things.

1. No matter what, Hayes will not ruin my senior year for me.  If that means that I have to ignore his presence, then so be it.  This was my last year of high school and nothing was going to stop me from making the most of it.

2. I'm not cheering or playing volleyball or basketball or softball or doing any sports.  A big reason why I even started them in the first place is because it would mean that I could get away from boys.  Then the reason changed once Hayes and I started dating because it was an easy way for us to spend time together.  Now, I'm not doing them simply because they no longer interest me and it's less of a chance I'll have to see Hayes.

3. Understand the fine line between looking presentable and dressing up.  I will not wear a dress or skirt unless if it's required.  Ripped jeans, leggings, hoodies, t-shirts, etc. were comfortable and that's all I wanted to be while at school.

I walked downstairs wearing a pair of ripped jeans with a black off the shoulder crop top and a baseball hat (pictured above) and said goodbye to my mom and dad before grabbing my keys and walking out the door.

A few minutes later, I pulled into a parking spot and decided that I would get out and to my classes before it got too crowded (as in before Hayes could talk to me).  I looked super weird, probably, walking into the school and once I got inside I immediately went to the office.  They gave me my schedule and locker information and tried to ask me about my summer which I just gave very short and brief answers about so I could get out of there before I saw Hayes.

When I was rushing to get to my first class I bumped into someone and fell on my butt when I lost balance.  They helped me up and then when I was about to say thank you, I noticed it was Hayes so I tried to walk away but he pulled my arm back so I had to face him.

"Marley, please, I haven't been able to talk to you all summer," he begged.  "I need to talk to you."

"Sorry Hayes, but I have to get to class," I said pulling my arm free and walking away.  This is going to be a lot harder than I thought, was the only thing running through my mind.  I walked into the classroom and pulled out the notebook I brought with me to write everything I'll need in.  It saves money so why not.  Especially since I spent a lot of money over the summer, it's nice to not have to spend so much on high school.

History was never my best subject so it's hard to focus on it.  But you know what they say, History repeats itself.

(AN: that was the end of the first chapter. Hopefully it gives you a bit of insight as to what this book is going to be about and hopefully you guys don't think it sucks. But, if you do, then I'm having fun writing sucky chapters. Also, unless if otherwise stated, this is all told in Marley's POV.)