Hayes Grier fanfic: beneath the stars

Chapter 14

Hayes's POV:
Today's the last day of camp before we all head back to school again for regular classes,
Althea and I still haven't finished that writing assignment, and she's still mad at me.

I sat in my bunk staring at the bunk above mine, trying to figure out how to fix all of this. When the door opened,
It was Jeff.
"Hayes, did you and Althea finish the writing assignment?"
I nodded my head, "nope, she's still mad at me."

It actually hurt having to say that out loud
"
Well how you gonna fix this man?" Jeff asked
"I don't know.. I really don't know..."
The room went dead silent for a few seconds when Jeff broke it.

"Your topic is love right?, how about you just finish it yourself? Althea will probably forgive you for taking charge and solving the problem yourself"

I stayed silent. Replaying those words Jeff said.

Love...

Forgive..

Althea...

And that's when an idea hit me. I grabbed a piece of paper and pen, thanked Jeff, and ran out the cabin.

Althea's POV:
I still haven't talked to hayes. I don't even plan to either. All I could think about was the writing assignment, i officially decided on take a 0 and just take the class again next year.

I spent the whole day in bed. Just watching the time pass by,
I was laying in bed when Anna came into the room.

"You do know its presentation later and we all gotta get dressed up"
"Ugh.." I mumbled into my pillow.
I really didn't want to go,
I didn't want to face Jordan,
I don't want to face my teacher,
And I really didn't want to face hayes.

"C'mon" Anna said, pulling me by the arms out of bed.
After a few minutes, I gave in and decided to get ready.

I decided on black skinny jeans and a dark purple Hollister shirt with my black vans. By hair pulled back into its original style: a ponytail

Anna and I left the room around 7 pm. The presentations didn't start till 8.

Not everyone was there but many gathered around the bonfire as we all waited.

Minute after minute, more people started arriving, the sky was already dark and the sparks from the fire flew into the dark sky. Jeff came and sat next to Anna. I didn't talk to anyone. I just stared blankly into the fire.

All I heard was voices, and I didn't care. I just wanted to go home,
To forget this trip
To forget everything

When 8 pm came, our teacher stood on a bench and announced the people who would present first,
Anna and Jeff.

I sat there staring at Anna and Jeff as they said lines from poetry, back and forth. The light from the fire reflecting on their faces perfectly. I felt like I saw a connection there when Jeff looked at her. But I couldn't get my hopes up for her,
I mean,
Look where it got me.

Their poem was actually really good.
I applauded once the finished,

As more people finished reading their poems I started getting more and more nervous. I hated how id have to be the one to say I would take a 0 and just repeat the class next year.
I looked around and realized Hayes wasn't here.
It was 8:40 now.

"Next is...Althea and Hayes"
I felt my eyes grew wide, a huge wave of emotions in my stomach. Here goes nothing,
"Well, sir actually Hayes and I-"

"Wait!" A voice yelled in the distance.

Hayes,

He ran to us near the bonfire, barely catching his breath.

"I. Have. The..poem.. Done"
My face flushed into a look of confusion.

Hayes wore a blue shirt and black skinny jeans. His hair was messed up but also cute. I stared at him. I tried to put my anger into the look but all I could feel in my stomach was
butterflies when I saw him.

He pushed his way through the crowd and went to our teacher and whispered something into his ear,
Our teacher nodded and hayes brought out the paper. And started reading from it

Hayes's POV:

When Jeff gave me the idea of finishing the poem, I decided I should. But I added my own twist to it, I decided to put my apology into the poem. So that way, I would have the assignment done and hopefully Althea's forgiveness.

I didn't care that the assignment said that we both had to work on this poem together,

I just wanted her back.
I just wanted her into my life again.

I ran to the huge crowd near the bonfire and quickly went up to my teacher.
"Is it ok if I read the poem myself? Althea said if it was fine if I did. We worked on this together anyways so,"
He nodded yes.

I lied but whatever.
I took a deep breathe, and decided to let the note speak for itself.

"Maybe, it's not always the way the want it to be,
Maybe we have to fight for what we want,
Maybe it's hard for us to let our mouths do the talking for us,
And maybe we crave forgiveness.
But one night,
I was told.
That even the stars and moon can be as beautiful,
So maybe that's the answer,
We don't have to speak,
We just have to look around,
And see what it tells us,
The stars and moon symbolizes beauty through her eyes
Little does she know..
She,
Symbolizes beauty through mine"

I let out a deep sigh and stared at the crowd. They looked at me.

Then, they applauded.
My teacher applauded,
I saw some girls wiping some tears away from their eyes,
Jeff gave me a thumbs up...

And..
Althea looked at me.

I hope through her eyes, she sees the love through mine. I know I screwed up. But I just wanted her forgiveness. Even if we don't talk ever again after this trip..

I just want her to forgive me.

"Very well done Hayes and Althea. You both get 100%." Our teacher said,

Everyone applauded again,
I looked at Althea and she gave me a look of confusion. I gave her a wink.
And just left it at that.

"Well, class. You all did very well and I'm proud. Sadly tonight is our last night here. So, since this is the last night.. No curfew. You all can stay up if you'd like to. But I don't want anyone wandering the woods at 3 am. Have a good night and be sure to pack up your things for when we leave tomorrow" our teacher said as he hopped down from the bench.

Everyone cheered. I looked at Althea once more and just wished I could Hug her,
But instead.
I walked away from the huge crowd behind me,
Passed by Althea so close that I could smell her perfume,

And walked to the pier.