Hayley
She woke up in her bed late that afternoon with a note lying on her pillow. She blinked a couple of times-focused her eyes and picked it up. She unfolded the creased paper and read the familiar handwriting of her boyfriend's.
Hey angel, you look so beautiful when you sleep. I couldn't wake you up so I brought you inside. Hope you are feeling better. Call me...
She smiled softly and reached over her bed to get her cell phone.
“Three missed calls! Fabulous.” She dialled his number and listened to the ringing, he picked up after the second ring.
“Obviously expecting the call.” She thought.
“Babe! How are you feeling? Are you okay?’ He sounded panic stricken.
“Whoa, I'm fine angel. Thank you for the note.” She heard a sigh of relief on the other end of the call. He seemed like he was millions of miles away.
“I'm glad you liked it.” She smiled.
“It was a pleasant surprise, waking up to find a note by my pillow, very original.” She teased. “How's your head?” He asked quickly. She lifted her hand and traced the scar forming on her forehead with her fingers, “It's fine.”
“That's great.” He whispered.
“Are you okay?” She asked curiously.
“Hmm? Oh yeah, I'm perfect.”
“You know you can tell me anything, right?” She reassured.
“I'll come over; it will be easier to tell you in person.” He sounded hollow.
“I'll be waiting outside for you.” She hung up and got up out of bed.
“I need to get dressed! I look awful!” She gasped as she glanced at her tattered reflection in the mirror. She pulled on a pair of jeans, a baggy t-shirt and tried her best to pull her hair together, it turned out to be a messy bun but she couldn't care less. She ran downstairs as fast as she could.
She sat outside, on the lawn waiting for him, pulling out random pieces of grass around her. As she looked up she saw him walking slowly towards her with his head hung low. His dark hair looked dull and lifeless. Not even the setting sun could highlight his glum look. She jumped to her feet and ran into his arms, holding him close and running her fingers through his hair, trying to comfort him as best as she could.
“She's sick. So, so sick.” He whispered into her shoulder.
“Your mom?” She swallowed hard. He nodded and pulled her closer.
“I'm sorry.” She said slowly. She felt his tears run down the back of her neck, tickling her softly. She kissed him gently on the cheek.
“It will be okay.” She whispered.
“As long as I'm in your arms.” He replied. She smiled as she pushed back her tears.
***
“Lewis, can we go in here please?” Hayley asked as she pulled his hand, steering him into a music store in the local mall. Lewis still seemed so empty inside, Hayley decided to take him to the mall to get him a surprise.
“Hayz, what are we doing in here?” He asked in a whining tone.
“Don't moan, I'm getting you something.” She said as she browsed through the drums and guitars. He stopped in his tracks, and grabbed her hand. Her eyes settled on his, they were grey, like a cold winter’s day sky.
“I don't want you to get anything for me; you are the only thing I need.” His voice was low. Hayley smiled warmly and took his other hand,
“As cute as that was, I'm still getting you something.” She squeezed his hands tightly. He looked down at the floor and shuffled his feet.
“Hey,” she said, lifting his chin, “what about this?” She picked up a golden brown coloured acoustic guitar and handed it to him. He took it and carefully admired the shape and texture of the guitar as he slid his fingertips over its pristine and sleek wood. He smiled and his eye colour changed back to a brilliant blue as quickly as mood-ring changes its colour, “It's perfect.”
“How did you know?” Lewis asked as he lay on his back, down by the river with his hand behind his head.
“How did I know what?” She answered as she sat down next to him.
“The guitar, how did you know?” He turned on his side and propped up his arm to rest his head on. Lewis lifted his other arm and pulled at the ends of her loose curls, chuckling as they bounced back into place. Hayley smiled and lay back onto the white pebbles.
“Call it what you want, but somehow I just had an urge to buy you one, I can remember when you used to play for me.” Lewis sat up and picked up his guitar, and held it as if he were going to start playing.
“Do you remember how to play?” asked Hayley. He smiled and strum away on his guitar like a pro.
“I need to ask you something.” Lewis said as he slowed his fingers on the guitar strings.
“Anything.” Hayley replied quickly and sat up. Lewis shifted over to face Hayley. She leaned forward like he was about to tell her a secret. He kissed her forehead softly.
“Hayley Bennett, will you do me the honour of…” Hayley quickly interrupted him,
“Lou, we are way too young and naïve to get married now!” Lewis’ lips curled upwards to the right side, a perfect Mona Lisa smile.
“No Hayz, as much as I would love to marry you and run off into the sunset I was thinking we could go on a date.” Hayley looked dumb-struck.
“Oh, Lou I’m sorry, I feel completely embarrassed. Of course I’ll go on a date with you!” She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss, soft and delicate, he smiled.
“What do you have in mind?” she asked curiously.
“Ah, not so fast, it’s a surprise!” He teased.
“Aw, Lou, you know I hate surprises.” She whined.
“You’ll just have to wait and see, oh and dress up pretty for this date.”
“What’s wrong with my clothes? Are they not good enough for you?” she stuck out her tongue at him.
“No, you always look beautiful but I want you to wear something formal, so everyone can see how beautiful my girl is.”
“Oh, you little show off, I’m not some fancy video game you can show to all your friends.” Hayley pointed out. Lewis took her hand into his own and kissed her knuckles and she felt her heart ripple in her chest,
“No, Hayley, you are my girlfriend and I am proud to call you mine.” She grinned from ear to ear.
“Want to learn how to play?” He asked and gestured to the guitar in his arms. Her eyes lit up.
“Come here, I’ll teach you.” Hayley got up and sat down in front of him; he pulled her back into his legs and placed the guitar in her hands. Hayley turned and glanced at him over her shoulder,
“What now?” She asked. His honey sweet smile made her melt. He wrapped his fingers over hers and placed her fingers on the right strings and took her other and placed them on the lower strings.
“Now, strum.”
