Hailey is an exchange student from New Zealand, she's moved to New Jersey for the next year. Her host family is great, but her neighbors catch her attention; Grayson Dolan. Problem is she has her boyfriend Jack back home.
I didn't get any sleep, Jack still hasn't responded to my text and its 2pm over there right now. Last night has been replaying over in my mind. Grayson is so sweet, he doesn't deserve any of this. I didn't even tell him that I have a boyfriend, what the fuck is wrong with me?
I decide to get out of bed and be productive and organise my room, which I would've done as soon as I got here but I had to meet the boys. Organising and cleaning my room has always been a way I relax, I also can't do any homework unless my room is spotless. My first day of an American high school starts tomorrow. I am so pumped for everything, also going on one of the American school buses is a definite bucket list item.
Esther shouts for me to come downstairs, "Hailey I made you some strawberry and lemon pancakes with a chocolate garnish". Esther has told me before arriving her dream career of being a 5 star chef. She has talent, she reckons one day she will be working for Gordon Ramsay. Glad she's dreaming big, and I'm getting fed luxury at the same time. I have no idea what I want to do once I finish school, so I envy that off Esther. We both are chilling on the couch with our bomb af pancakes, just talking about how cute Ethan is as per. "School is tomorrow so we need to get you some back to school supplies, be ready quick we gotta leave before the traffic." Esther says. "Yes I love back to school shopping, I also need to buy some clothes since you don't have a uniform here, I need five times my current closet." I reply genuinely excited, as I've said stationary gets me hyped. "Okay we will meet Ethan and Grayson in ten minutes. They've decided to go back to public school for senior year, they were bullied all through school so they left." Esther explaining to me, I have to act like I didn't already have this conversation with Grayson hours earlier. I really don't want to meet with them right now, with the whole situation I can't face Gray. But then I can't tell her he was in my bed last night, I'm new I don't want her thinking that I'm a horrible cheater since she knows about Jack. "Okay I'll just pop something on"
I run upstairs grabbing a white plain v neck tshirt, and grey sweatpants and my black SK8 Hi vans. I wanted to be extra casual, cause I know to myself if I dress up meeting Grayson, it means I have feelings for him. Which I don't, it is all a misunderstanding. Jack still hasn't replied to my text, I need to stop worrying about things I can't control. Jack will reply when he sees it, he was never really a glue to the phone kind of guy.
Lastly I whip on some highlighter and wiggle my hair out of the ponytail. I really hate my hair some days, the curls in it are wonky and awkward. But then again I shouldn't care. I head downstairs to Esther, she had changed into a white summer dress which contrasted with her tan skin and emphasized her beach blonde locks. I am definitely under dressed, but this is the attire of what everyone would wear at hometown. "Hailey c'mon you look like you're going to watch Netflix" Esther says jokingly. "Dora looks amazing" Grayson says grabbing my waist, I turn around and spit out "Oh hi", Esther noticed something she's eyeballing me big time. I ignore it, seriously I don't want to face that right now.
Ethan jumps out of the lounge excited, "Let's go guys we have some shopping to do" We leave in Ethan's truck and Esther took the front seat, this means I'm going to have to sit next to Grayson the whole car ride. As we leave Grayson smiles at me, the feeling of being away from him instantly disappears, when we are with each other, we forget about everyone around us and just enjoy each other's company. We start whispering making jokes about Ethan's hair, he definitely just got out of bed. Literally in hysterics. "Guys settle down how old are you five?" Ethan says in defense, making up try at not talk but that turns into tears of laughter.
We arrive at target, I've seen it on all the American YouTubers videos, it might sound sad but i've always wanted to go there. We all grab a cart each, knowing we all have different tastes. Me obviously I'm going for a white, black, pink and rose gold theme. Esther is black and gold, then the boys are pick first thing you see. The selection is larger than any store in New Zealand, I get so excited making the boys look at me strangely. I'm taking forever to pick making everyone bored, no one likes to go shopping we me. This is because I am very money conscious so I don't impulse buy I look at all the selection then pick out my items.
An hour of Esther Ethan and Grayson waiting I had finished with my final products, which I am proud of. We leave the target and I see a taco bell. "Can we please go there guys!! Shane Dawson has always raved about the place!" I say, the rest seem disinterested, I guess they want to go to a place that's not a fast food restaurant. Grayson sees that I feel awkward "Yes let's go Hailey". Esther scoffs, we walking inside and I order the most popular thing on the menu. Ethan and Esther are already on the other side of the booth, meaning I'll be sitting next to Grayson. I'm not gonna lie I would be disappoint if i didn't get to sit next to him.
We wait for about ten minutes, once the food comes Esther and Ethan's mood completely disappeared. Grayson's arm is slighting leaning on mine, electricity shooting between our bodies. We get lost into conversation until Esther interrupts us, "Guys? Are we interrupting something" she says widening her eyes. I look at Esther giving her the don't you dare look, we are friends. "Yeah if you don't mind you guys can leave" Grayson says smirking. Esther knows about Jack so it's extremely awkward, Grayson practically implied we needed alone time. "Okay we will meet you back at the house" Ethan says as they both leave.
We were sitting in the booth for another hour ordering more food, Grayson and I can't stop making eye contact. His eyes are so beautiful, in different lighting the shade changes. The closer you get to his eyes the more green they look. We lose track of time until I get a beep from my phone. We had been at taco bell for two and a half hours, also I got a reply off Jack. "Who's that?" Grayson questions, "Just Kate, I've got to go meet her, see you" I say practically rushing out of the restaurant. My feelings are killing me. I read the text.
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He has a reasonable explanation, but I can't even bare talking to him right now. I lied to Grayson, this is not the person I was before I left. I don't know what to do, I'm so scared.
