What Are You So Scared Of?

Two

Katelynne and I were in my room and she was throwing a lot of different clothes out. She was trying to find the perfect outfit for my date with Austin.

"Finally!" She cheered.

She threw me the red dress that I wore in high school. The one that got me and Brendon together. The dress that broke my friendship with Taylor. The dress that I got with Dakotah. The dress....that killed me.

"No. I refuse to wear that." I said sternly grabbing the dress.

"Why?" She asked putting one hand on her hip.

Tears started welling up inn my eyes and I blinked them away. "That dress is evil. I can't believe I ever bought it. I should've burned this when I had the chance." I said grabbing a lighter.

"Hayley!" She called.

I ran outside in the backyard and threw the dress on the ground before grabbing a piece of paper and setting it on fire, throwing it on the dress.

"Hayley, what the fuck is wrong with you?" She yelled out.

But I stood there and watched the dress burn. "Goodbye slutty me." I murmured before going back into my room. I had a breakdown and Katelynne came and comforted me.

She handed me a dress I had never seen before. It was knee-length and purple. It had a belt that was tied into a bow on the side. It was simple, yet elegant. And that can only mean one thing, it was Kat's. Dakotah loved going all out while Kat liked to keep it simple.

"It came with a letter." She said handing me the letter.

-Dear Hayley, happy early birthday! I told Brendon to sneak this into your closest and let you find this but knowing Brendon, he probably hid this very well. Anyway, I have to go, Bliss Belle is crying and Jeremy's not back yet. Bye, I love you darling

Kat-

I sniffled and put the letter on my nightstand and took the dress from Katelynne and grabbing some undergarments and went to take a shower. I finished with my hair dyed a new color; pink. Katelynne came and whistled.

"You look hot." She said.

"Thanks. Do my makeup for me?"

"Sure."

When she finished, she handed me a pair of black flats and put a simple purple headband in my hair. I looked in the mirror and I had on liquid eyeliner, purple and white eye shadow, and a little bit of blush and red lipstick.

I gave her a hug and muttered thanks. "Listen, don't worry about Anne. I'll take good care of her." She told me.

I smiled and Anne ran in my room. "Mommy, someone's at the door."

"I'll get it." Katelynne offered.

"Thank you."

"You look pretty Mommy." Anne said.

"Thanks Annie." I replied smiling. "Do you have everything for your staying at Copeland's house?"

"Yep." She replied smiling.

"Good girl." I told her. I heard Katelynne calling me and I looked at Anne. "Alrighty, I'm going out. I'll be by in the morning to pick you up ok?"

"Ok. Have fun." She said hugging me.

I hugged her back and grabbed my clutch and walked to front door.

"Took you long enough." Katelynne said.

I rolled my eyes and saw Austin standing in the living room in a tux.

"Wow, Hayley, you look beautiful." Austin said.

"Thank you Austin." I replied giggling.

"Austin!" Anne yelled running through.

He picked her up and laughed.

"What's up troublemaker?" He asked.

"Nothing. But, enough chitchat. Time to get serious." She replied.

"Ok?" Austin said putting Anne down.

"You treat my Mommy right or else I'll come and beat you up with my macho muscles. Now, my Mommy said she'll pick me up in the morning so when she does, you come along. And also, don't let her sleep alone," Anne walked up to Austin and whispered in his ear, "she has really bad nightmares."

"Hey!" I said.

Austin looked shocked and recomposed himself.

"Alright, Anne. I will follow those rules." He said.

"Good. Now go have fun." She told us.

"Alright. Bye Annie." I said kissing her forehead.

I left with Austin and he opened the door for me.

"Thank you." I said.

"Welcome."

He got in and drove us to a fancy restaurant. It was the same restaurant where Brendon proposed to me.

"Uh Austin?" I asked.

"Yeah?"

"Listen, can we like get a burger and some fries and go to a park and eat there? I have too many memories here." I asked.

"What kind if you don't mind me asking."

"Just that this is the restaurant where my late husband proposed to me at when I was pregnant with Anne." I replied.

"Oh! Well yeah. We can do that I'll just like reschedule it and tell my buddy he can eat here with a girl he likes." He replied.

"Thank you so much. Look, I am so sorry that you have to do that." I apologized.

"Hey, it's alright. I've dealt with death before." He said.

He drove us to a burger place and ordered two large burgers and large fries. I got water and he got a sprite.

We went to a park out of my town but in his. We sat and ate and talked. It was awesome. I had a lot of fun and we joked and laughed and I felt some feelings starting to rise.

"I have to admit Hayley, this is the best date I've been on a while. I love the way you eat. It's so unique and not like most girls." He said walking with me around the park.

"Thanks. You know, Brendon said the same thing. He always loved the way I ate." I replied.

"Well, I love it also." He replied looking at me.

I blushed and we continued walking and talking. I haven't talked this much since high school and when Brendon was alive. I told him everything about me and he told me everything about him.

He had a job as a music producer and he loves making music. I told him I did too and he said, "Well, I guess I would have to hear you sing then."

"Yeah right. I haven't sang since high school. That was ten years ago, at least." I told him.

"Maybe, but who knows? You might surprise yourself."

I thought about what he said then I nodded.

We ended up going to his house since it was closer. I took a shower and washed my face. I put on a big shirt that Austin let me borrow. I came out and he was setting up the bed.

"If you need me, I'll be in the guest room." He said.

"Austin wait!" I said.

"Yeah?"

"Can you stay? Anne did say you had to stay." I asked biting my lip.

He smiled and nodded and got in bed with me.

"Night Hayley."

"Night Austin." I said and I felt his lips on the back of my neck and his arms wrap around my waist.

I smiled and went to sleep.