But I Do

Chapter 5

Chapter 5.

A handle turned and a lock clicked open in front of the sleepy pair. “Guys? What are you doing out here?”

Lights groggily opened her eyes, sitting up as Jeremy did the same. Jerm's a really good pillow, she thought matter-of-factly. She didn't even feel sore from passing out on the thinly carpeted cement floor. A blurry figure loomed over the two.

“We got locked out,” Jeremy yawned, stretching. Lights finally realized who they were talking to as Taylor laughed at her rubbing her eyes.

“Why were you even out here in the first place?”

“I uh, we were walking. And talking,” Jeremy said, standing up and helping Lights up too.

“Well oookay,” Taylor shrugged, holding the door open for the sleepy pair. They staggered inside, falling onto the couch. Hayley was in the kitchen, pouring a bowl of Cap'n Crunch she'd found abandoned in a cupboard.

“What time is it?” Jeremy asked, yawning a

gain.

“Almost 11,” Hayley chirped happily. Jeremy immediately turned to Lights, shooting her a knowing glance.

“When's the show?” Lights asked, looking to Hayley. The redhead shrugged, looking to her cereal with seeming intense captivation. Oh. Lights looked to Jeremy who didn't catch her eyes.

Taylor broke the silence, “Sooo, what do y'all wanna do today?”

“Well I actually read about this really cool place downtown, Hayley, you wanna come with?” Lights suggested, a total shot in the dark. Hayley didn't look at her and shrugged, shaking her head no. The brunette pushed on. “I think it'd be fun..”

“I'm kinda tired,” The redhead sighed, still not making eye contact with anyone. Lights cringed, sheepishly looking down at her lap and wishing she hadn't said anything. She stood up, taking a deep breath.

“I'm.. gonna go change..” She excused herself from the room. As soon as she'd turned the corner, she heard them start talking without her.

“Hayley..?” Taylor said, his voice suddenly significantly quieter.

“..Hm?”

“What's up?” He asked, what he was referring to hung plainly in the air.

“I don't know what you mean..” Lights had paused mid step to listen to their conversation behind the wall.

“Did something happen between you two last night?” Jeremy asked, looking for answers, something, anything. Hayley was quiet; Lights imagined her shrugging and averting her eyes from the guys' stares. In fact, that was exactly what the redhead did.

“I- I don't know, nothing. I'm sorry,” She mumbled.

“Don't apologize.. Are you guys good?” Lights imagined Hayley shaking her head as Jeremy spoke. She heard Hayley sigh as the guys urged her to go talk to Lights.

“Okay, okay.. But later..” Hayley gave in. The brunette jumped, running into her room as she heard them standing up. She swung the door closed and stripped off her shirt. As she paced across her room to her suitcase, she caught a glimpse of Hayley walking into the bathroom through the crack between the door and the ornate trim. Lights ran a hand through her hair, pulling it through the tangles. She changed into a loose tank and some shorts before walking back out into the main room. With everyone else suddenly dispersed into their respective rooms, she rummaged through the pantry searching for sustenance. Finding nothing, she sat down on the sofa again, taking her phone out and scrolling through twitter.