When Paths Cross ||A Hayes Grier Fanfic||

Chapter 2

The wind blew my dirty blonde curls behind me as we sped down the freeway.

"Where do you wanna go?" Ryan shouted over the wind.

"What about that party on the beach tonight?" I said thinking of our options. Anything was better than that so called congratulations party. It was dark now and I stared at the headlights leading us. It was a warm March evening, the first since November. The car pulled into the sandy parking lot and I tore off my heels as I stepped out of the car, ready to have the time of my life. My phone was going off like crazy as I declined calls from the people who controlled me.

"Not this time" I told myself.

I silenced my phone and my feet padded along the grainy ground covered in sand.

"Listen Pay, stay close cause if I loose you or if something happens, I'm dead." My brother said in a serious tone. I nod as we reached the lights, and the drunk dancing people. I grinned at Ryan as we joined them. "I'm gonna get something to drink" I shouted to my brother who was already grinding on some girl. I shrugged it off and wandered through the thick sand, reaching the table.

"Crazy right?" A voice said from across the table. I nodded.

"Ya, but fun." We both laughed.

"I'm Hayes" he said. I couldn't see his face but I responded with a nod.

"I'm Payton" I said hesitantly. Normally I use Alex, short for Alexandra, my middle name as my fake name, but something about him made me feel like I could trust him. "So... You from around here?" He asks. "Ya, I just ditched a boring party with my brother," I said gesturing off into the crowd, "that's why I'm a little over dressed." I explained.

"Well you look great, from what I can see" He said and laughed.

I looked down and laughed.

"Thanks you too" I said after a little. I liked how he didn't know who I was and still bothered to have a conversation with me. Normally guys used me, or didn't care, they just thought I was hot and famous. The lights flashed and I caught a short glimpse of his face, it looked very familiar.

"Do I know you?" I asked.

"Well," he started as he leaned into me, "I make vines, I'm Hayes Grier" he said while looking down.

"I love your vines!" I said in amazement, but then remembering how it feels to be gushed over, I took it down a notch.

"Well I got something to admit to" I said slowly. He looked up.

"I'm Payton Levine" I said shutting my eyes hopping he wouldn't freak and cause attention. Just then an older kid jumped up on his shoulders, while shouting "poo bear!" I laughed assuming it was Nash. Hayes sat there in shock.

"Hold on come here" he lead me to the bathroom as his older brother followed. The light shined down on my face as both their jaws dropped. I offered a weak smile. "Please don't tell anyone" I whispered, desperately wanting one normal night.

The two boys glanced at each other.

"We won't" Hayes reassured.

"Thank you" I said in relief.

"So you said you ditched a party, was it for you?" He asked curiously. I nodded.

"Ya it was a congratulations party for completing my album" I explained, looking down, now kind of embarrassed. They both burst out laughing.

"A risk taker, I like it" Hayes said jokingly. I laughed. It was a so easy to laugh with him.

"Payton!" I heard a voice outside.