When Paths Cross ||A Hayes Grier Fanfic||

Chapter 6

•Hayes's POV•

"I can so beat you in pingpong!" I challenged Nash.

He shook his head as I walked over to my ringing phone. The screen read ' Call from Payyy' I slide the answer button.

"Hello?"

"Hey, could you meet me at the board walk?" A shaky voice said.

"Ya sure. You okay?"

"Um I'll talk to you soon"

She ended the call and I stood there a few seconds before acknowledging her needs.

"Put that pingpong match on hold bro!" I shouted to Nash while running down the stairs and grabbing my bike.

•Payton's POV•

I kept my face down to avoid fans. The sun was setting, but there was still light. Normally the boardwalk can cheer me up, but I just stared at my black vans, jean shorts and sweatshirt. (She changed after gymnastics btw)

"Pay?" A familiar voice said from behind. I spun around and wrapped my arms around Hayes, before I began to sob. He hugged me back and led me to the beach.

We sat down and he held me there till the sun set, and the stars filled the sky. I tilted my head up and at the motion hayes began to talk.

"You wanna talk about it?" He said softly.

I nodded and wiped the tears from my face, though I knew there would be more.

"My brother, Ryan," I started before breaking down again, barley managing to say his name," he's g-going Into t-the army, f-for 15 months." I finished before letting the reat of my tears fall onto his t-shirt.

"Pay, I'm so sorry"

"Thanks for being here"

We stood up and I brushed the sand off my butt.

"How did you get down here?" He ask with a small piece of laughter.

"I ran" I said, half crying, half laughing.

I turned on my phone and it read 10:34pm.

"I should get going" I said shyly.

"Ya, do you want me to walk you home?" He ask pulling me into another hug.

I shook my head.

"No thanks, but do you wanna do something tomorrow?" I asked casually.

"Defiantly, you wanna come by Nash and Cam's apartment?"

"Ya that sounds great!"

"K I'll text you the address, and Pay, don't stay up to late. Just get some rest,k?"

I nod and look down.

"Thanks again"

"No problem, call me if you need anything k?"

"K, bye!" I gave him another hug and he kissed my forehead. I felt I could stay there forever.

I started my long walk home. My feet landed lightly along the road, using my phone as my own "headlights".

I began to jog, realizing that someone was behind me. When they began to jog, I began to run, same with them. Finally I just sprinted until I reached the gates.

I slide my card in and sprinted up to my house. All lights were out. I slowly walked up the stairs leading to the front door.

I cracked the door open a little to see someone's head sit up.

"Pay?" Ryan's voice said.

I looked down.

"Yea?"

Someone embraced me in a hug and I began to cry, again.

"I'm gonna miss you" I whispered.

"I'm gonna miss you even more" he whispered back.

I hugged him tighter and he did the same. We stayed like that for what seemed like hours, until my eyes grew heavy.