In a Heartbeat

Chapter 6 - Brought Together

Chapter 6 : Brought Together

Aaren's P.O.V.

I need help - I don't know how to prepare for dates. Okay, it would be stupid not to call Haley or Lexi to help me out with this dilemma. I grabbed my phone and frantically texted Haley and Lexi. This was an emergency. I typed,

"Get over here ASAP! Seth asked me out....  -Aaren"

I pressed send and only had to wait about 3o seconds before my ringtone started its obnoxious mewling once again. I really need to change it. I looked down at the text and read their hurried replies, promising they'd be there soon.

I smiled. It's good to know that I may still be able to count on them. Quickly, I threw my phone on my bed, grabbed a pop-tart from the kitchen, chugged it down with milk, and placed everything in the dishwasher, pressing the little buttons to make it start. I walked up to the window beside the door and rested my hand in my head for them while I was waiting. I was so tired, I had gotten up way to early. If I could just close my eyes and -

 there was the blaring of the horn. Haley was here.

I snapped my eyes open and ran out to meet her on the hard, gray drive way. The first thing she did was hug me, and I hugged her back and we were jumping up and down, squealing like little girls. I don't think I realized how excited I actually was until now. I pulled back and said,

"You know what's keeping Lexi busy?"

She replied frowning a bit in a teasing way, "Now Aaren, did you forget that Lexi lives a bit further from you than I do? Of course she'll take like, 5 minutes longer! Plus, her mom is holding her up. Something about midterms. I mean, honestly? I tuned out of the conversation at the word."

I laughed. "Of course you did Hales!  And not everyone has a perfect sense of direction; I just had my blonde moment!"

"Hey!" Haley huffed, dramatically gesturing to her golden hair.

I chuckled, "Okay, you may be the one exception..."

Haley swatted me and stuck out her arm, asking me silently to link my arm with hers.

"Shall we?" she said pointing to the house.

"We shall." I stated, sure as sure back.

We giggled and climbed up to my room, racing one another like we did so often when we were 7.

 I just started to open my closet to show her what I had when my door opened and slammed.

My first thought was, "Oh god, it’s a mass murder!!"

My eyes shot right to Haley's and she seemed to be just as terrified. I gestured to the closet and she understood. We both hid under my countless, numerous varieties of clothes, and waited to be killed quickly. And then the door started to creep open. Were they going to open the door?

I peeked through the crack of the closet door and... is that.... is that Lexi?

We couldn't help it. Haley and I burst out laughing. Lexi just looked confused; I would be too if I found my 2 Best Friends hiding in their closet right when you walk in their room. After we settled down, I explained what our suspicions were throughout random outbursts of giggles. 

Somehow, we were finally all on the bed. I took a deep breath and explained everything that happened when Seth asked me out.

When I finished they looked unbelievably excited, as if they were going themselves. Then, for the first time, I noticed Haley had hauled a bag with her. I was kinda shocked, so I asked what was in there.

"Oh, remember my text?" she said.

I nodded yes.

"Well, this is the 'perfect outfit', don't you love it?"

And then she pulled out something so….awesome, I couldn't contain the gasp. 

"It is perfect!" I squealed excitedly.

Lexi nodded enthusiastically in agreement and Haley wore the "I told you so" smirk wiped smack across her face.

 I was so happy. It was like my parents weren't even gone.

I skipped down to the restroom calling "I'm going to try it on!!"  Over my shoulder.

Lexi looked back and hollered "Thank God! The clothes your wearing now look horrible."

I smiled and hollered back, "Always nice to hear the truth from you Lex! I can count on you!"

She just snorted in response. I would take that, It's basically a laugh.

I ran to the small, windowless bathroom and tugged my sweatshirt over my head and let it flow to the floor, followed by my jeans. Then I looked to the clothes on the hanger Haley had brought.

 I pulled on the lacy, pink tank and the flowered, colorful jeans followed in pursuit. I then applied my make-up and slung the purse over my shoulder and quickly weaved my fingers through my reddish blonde hair, creating a side fishtail braid.

I studied my reflection in the mirror and nodded. I quickly walked back to my room, not wanting to keep the girls waiting. As soon as they saw me , their mouths dropped, and their eyes widened.

I was surprised, I'm not beautiful - I never have been.

 Lexi gasped and said admiringly,

"Aaren, you look gorgeous!"

I blushed and looked down. 

"Oh come on you guys...."

They looked me up and down and shrugged.

"You look pretty damn good to me." Haley added onto Lexis's previous statement.

"What-ever!" I sighed, giving up in exasperation, sitting on the bed.

Lexi seemed to have an idea pop in her head and said,

"Okay, Aaren, first of all, go change, we don't want you to mess up your outfit for tomorrow."

I obeyed, undeniably curious of her idea, changed into my plain clothes once again, and came back. Lexi inspected me and nodded to herself approvingly.

"Good." she stated. "Now, this is what we are going to do. Haley-" she gestured to Haley, "You-" she waved towards myself, "and I-' finally finishing by pointing to herself. "are going to have a sleepover, at this house."

"Bu-But-" I protested.

"No buts!" She countered. "It's final, we're staying." and at that moment she and Haley, perfectly timed, as if they rehearsed, pulled out their phones, flipped them open, talked to their parents, and hung up to look at me.

"It's done." Haley giggled.

"Yep! Our parents are bringing our bags over!" added Lexi.

I couldn't help but break out into a smile. "Why are you so determined to stay the night today?" I questioned.

 They looked at me like I was a 5 year old and said, “Be-cause you're going out with Seth tomorrow and we want to be there for you--duh!" 

I think Seth's nerve to ask me out brought us all together again.  Who would have thought?