the babysitters - h.s

girls

The warm sun covered my exposed skin of my thighs and stunned my eyes. I rubbed them as I stretched my body, groaning as I hear the annoying sound of my alarm going off.

I wasn't at all looking forward for school but I had to show up. Today was the day of our meeting that we desperately needed. Being the leader of it all, I have to set more rules, keep everyone in order, ask questions, and make sure it's more secure.

After I took my shower I checked my phone. The girls always text me once they leave from their babysitting job to tell me everything went fine. I received a text from everyone but Maggie. That was weird. Maggie's my best friend, she wouldn't just not text me. Especially since it's for Harry, she knows my history with him. I decided to call her and text her, just to make sure that she's okay but of course, no answer. "Girls." I scoff.

After school Cara, Amy, and Hailey, and her little sister Rory showed up at the diner for the meeting. My shift had just ended minutes after they all arrived and I joined them in the booth.

"Where's Maggie?" I questioned and all the girls looked at each other as if they were trying to figure out which one was going to answer my question. "Well?"

"She's not coming." Amy spoke up. "She said she's sick that's why she didn't come to school."

"So she's ignoring me?" I slumped into my seat. "What the hell did I do?"

"I don't think you did anything." Cara answered. "She's just not feeling well and only spoke to Amy."

Whatever. Maggie isn't what I should be worried about right now, there's other things I need to take care of. But I'm sure I'm just over thinking things and everything's fine between us.

"Anyway," I shrug off the previous topic. "Is everyone okay with the family you guys work for?"

"Niall is amazing and so is his two month old daughter. He's a very passionate lover. I like it." Amy smiled.

"The Payne's are definitely a pain in the ass." Cara joked. "Well, only his wife, she treats him like shit. But other than that everything's good."

"You already know I think Louis is great and so is his little family." Hailey swooned.

I was happy to hear that everyone liked the family that they worked for. It made me feel like I was doing something right. The last thing I wanted was for them to feel uncomfortable.

"Okay, I'm glad." I smiled. "So Hailey..." I say slowly, scared to finally address her sister wanting to join our business. "Your sister can't join." I flat out say. "It's too risky."

"What?!" Rory basically yells.

"What the— you said she could join." Hailey reminded me. "Do you want the cops involved?"

"If your sister get—" I had to stop myself because I realized I was way too loud. I was very heated because it was as if both her and her sister were threatening me. I lowered my voice before trying again. "If your sister gets the fucking cops involved you're going down with us and I'm sure your sister wouldn't want you arrested. Now would she?" I looked over at Rory who crossed her arms in defeat. "That's what I thought."

"You know what?" Hailey scoffed. "I don't want to be apart of this anymore."

"What?" That was the last thing I expected from her.

"Yeah! I'm done." The look on her face was serious. She meant it.

"Is this because your sister can't join?" I ask confusingly.

"No! Ever since this started you've changed. You tell us what to say, how to act, and you take 10% from us."

All the other girls remained quiet while Hailey poured out how she's secretly been feeling.

"I know you started all of this but you don't need to take money from us. I think it's unfair." She continued. "I thought we were friends but now you just treat us like employees."

I know we're all best friends but I wasn't about to let her get in the way of getting my money. If she wanted to leave then so be it. She was completely wrong. I deserved a small piece of their cut, I hadn't changed, and I don't boss them around.

"Fine." I say calmly. "If that's how you feel then I'm not stopping you. I can easily have one of the girls take your place."

The look on her face was priceless. Did she not expect me to allow her to leave?

She stood up with her sister and without a word they both left. After they were gone I asked the girls a simple question. "Does anyone else want to leave?"

They all said no and I was happy about that but that didn't stop me from feeling like I've lost a friend. I just can't have someone like that around. She doesn't like the rules then she doesn't have to be here. No one's forcing her.

"Girls." I roll my eyes.

                                         • • •

Babysitting for Zayn again was awkward. Harry decided to make an appearance and have a long talk while drinking beer in the kitchen.

Why does he keep doing this to me?

I thought about going back to him and I see he's putting in effort to get me back but wasn't he just constantly pushing me away? Its confusing but I just wanted to be there for him.

Wait.

Shit.

I think I'm attached to Harry.

I think I actually have feelings for him.

It was always more than just the money. And it sucks that I'm just realizing it.

I walked into the kitchen and put a frozen pizza in the oven for dinner. When Harry saw me for the first time tonight (I was hiding from him by avoiding the rooms he'd be in) his eyes lit up and I couldn't help but send a little smile his way. He noticed it even though it didn't last long.

When I exited the kitchen and joined the boys in the living I told them dinner would be ready soon. They acknowledged it while watching an action movie they both agreed on. After an hour of them wrestling and running around the house I finally have them calm.

I was slumped into the couch while I tried to get into the movie but I just couldn't stop thinking about Hailey. She had actually quit. And then Maggie still hadn't returned my calls or texts. Did something happen at the Styles'? Maybe Ella got drunk again and something happened and it made Maggie freak? Or did she not do so good with Darcy and Ben?

Taking myself out of my thoughts, I rush to the kitchen and take the hot pizza out and sit it on top of the stove. I could feel Harry and Zayn eyes watch me carefully as I do so.

They hadn't said a word to me and I hadn't said a word to them. I knew they would stop taking as soon as they saw me walking into the kitchen. Of course they would.

I rush back into the living room where the boys were found still glued to the television. "Ryan, Zeke." I call out to them.

"Yes?" They ask in unison.

"Dinner will be ready in 5, go clean up." I smile at them as they quickly stand to their feet and rush upstairs.

Soon after I received a text from Maggie.

It read:

something happened at the Styles house, that's why i've been avoiding you. i'll explain everything tomorrow morning.

I knew it.