Torn

Chapter 17- The Dinner

Hayes and I walk back up to my room and start to get ready. I take a shower while he tries to come up with how to tell his dad. Than he takes a shower when I'm done. I blow dry my hair and straighten it when Hayes walks out. I touch up my makeup and go to my closet to find something to wear.

"Hayes. Is this a fancy place or is it like a casual? what are you wearing?" I ask.

"It is a fancy place, and I'm wearing a pink bow tie with a white polo shirt and khakis with sperrys" he replies.

I got it. i pick out a hot pink sparkly tulle dress that goes to my knees. It looks a bit like a short prom dress but I don't care. I dress it down with a pair of silver sparkly sandals. I walk out of my closet and Hayes loves it. "Perfecto. We can be ken and Barbie" he says. I blush.

Hayes' dad, Chad picks us up. He sees me holding his hand and I think he knows what I might be. Hayes opens my door and he gets in and we drive off. We say in the back seat and hayes' dad asks him how football is, his dad is the coach but he has been traveling since summer practice started. "Team is looking really well this year" he says. Than chad asks me stuff.

"So what is your name? Hayes hasn't mentioned you yet. Te me a bit about yourself. I'm sensing you and my son are together." He says.

"Well my name is Isabelle and I am hayes' new neighbor. I just moved here a week ago and yes. Me and him are together. I cheer and I'm trying out for the school team. Oh and I go to Davidson Day, I'm in hayes' grade. And I make straight A's" I say.

"Sound like your a keeper. good luck with cheerleading." He says. I thank him and the rest of the ride is quiet.

We drove to a fancy restaurant in Charlotte. Hayes opens my car door and the restaurant door. He's a gentleman. Hayes to me that him and his dad were always close and he could tell him anything. Except a decision to leave the tour. At the table, we sit at a booth, Hayes and I sit by each other, I hold his hand. It's sweaty. He's so nervous.

We order food and then chad puts his hands on the table and says "well?" he wants his answer.

"You know dad, this was a hard decision. One of the hardest I've ever made." He starts. He squeezes my hand. "If it wasn't for this beautiful girl sitting next to me, I wouldn't have showed up tonight. But she helped me and what I picked was all me, she just gave me her support." he says. He squeezes harder. "Dad. I want to leave the tour. I want to focus on school and football and making a future for myself that doesn't include being chased by thirsty girls. One day they all will forget me and I'll regret not playing football or getting good grades in high school. This is what I want." He says. His dad nods.

"Son I am proud of you for making a decision like this. And I'm glad you thought about your future first. Son. I am proud of you." He says.

"Really dad?" he asks.

"Really. Now if you will excuse me for a minute, I am going to call and tell your managers you are done." He says.

Chad leaves and goes outside. Hayes is beaming again. "I did it. I can't believe it! and it is all because of you. Thank you for standing by me and thanks for coming here" Hayes says as he hugs me. "I wouldn't wang to be anywhere else in the world. congrats Hayes" I say.

When chad comes back our food is out and we eat. We don't even mention the tour or Hayes' decision.

When we got back to the Hayes' house I go in with him so he can tell his mom, h tells her exactly what he told his dad and she was ecstatic. "I'm so proud of you and happy for your future." She says. His mom celebrates and makes us Ice cream and than Hayes walks me home. We hug goodnight and he says "thank you. Love you long time". I kiss him on the cheek and say "I love you more than anyone else. Your mine and I never want you to forget that." I say.

I go inside my house and practice, show my mom my routines, and go to bed. Good night I think.

I text Hayes goodnight and I'm off to sleep. What is weird though is Nash never texted me back. I wonder why.