Is Life A Lie?

Chapter 4

Alexandra's POV

            It was just past midnight. I got into bed and pulled the covers up. Normally I stayed up for much longer, but we were headed to New York tomorrow. It was going to be a long drive and I wanted to be fresh and ready for it. I was usually a zombie until noon, sleeping through the classes that were before that. So you understand my frustration when I heard my phone go off. Hayley. Of course. Letting out a loud groan, ignoring the slight flutter in my heart, I hit answer. "Just when I was getting comfy! This better be good Hayley," I growled into my phone.

            "Wow. What do you have, pre-trip jitters?" She let out a high laugh and plundered on, "How would you feel if yous went without me?"

            I felt the frown on my face deepen. "What the hell are you on about?"

            "Look, you know Eugene and I have just started out right? I dunno if we can survive the distance for two whole weeks."

            "Girl, if you can't survive two bloody weeks he's an ass and you shouldn't be with him. You're coming with us, I don't care."

            "But Alex--!"

            I was in no mood for arguments. "No buts woman. He can come with us instead, if you really, really wanna be with him. I'm not letting you pull out of the trip though. Besides, isn't it a bit too soon to be going home with him?"

            Hearing Hayley's sigh over the phone, I knew I had won. I fist pumped, falling back into bed. I hadn't even realised how tensed I had been during our conversation. I mean, I adored Hayley's company. The trip would have been no fun without her, no offense to the others. Hayley just had something about her that lit up every room she entered, and kept it light as long as she was around. In the short time she had been here, she thought me how to love life, how to take time to smell the roses, how to laugh at myself even. She was an amazing friend, fiercely loyal to the things and people she believed in and loved. So no, I did not want to go on vacation without my best friend.

                                                                        *************

            Hayley's POV

            I turned up at Ruell's place at 7am on the button. With Eugene. He had ended up staying the night at mine. My parents were British, so they didn't mind. Besides, I was 19. I could do as I pleased. The only reason I still lived at home was I wanted time to get used to America before I ventured out and lived on my own. And I was feeling like I had reached that crossroad. Once I got home, mum and I were going to have The Talk. The moving out talk, not the sex talk. Again, because we're British, I figured that out by myself eons ago.

            "Hey guys! Bright and early aren't we?" I sang out, kicking Ruell's front door open. He looked like death. So did Declan. "Christ, what were yous up to last night? Oh Eugene's coming with us."

            Hazel chose that moment to bound up behind us. "Is there space in the car?" She cast a doubtful look at Ruell, who was known to treat his Mustang, Polly, like a god. He spent 3 days a week polishing Polly.

            I rolled my eyes. "We brought Eugene's car with us. Duh. So we could go halves."

            "But that's no fun."

            "More gas to pay for!"

            "Why didn't you stick to the plan?" Were the objections. I could barely believe my ears. My friends knew how much I fancied this guy. And they knew that his reciprocating my feelings were a big thing for me. And here they were, being rude to his face.

            Before I could open my mouth to apologize on behalf of my mates, Eugene shook his head. "You know what, your friends are right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have imposed. You go have a fun two weeks ok?" He kissed me lightly on the lips.

            "Aren't you coming with us?" Alex demanded, just walking in.

            "These bunch," I jabbed my finger towards the general direction of Ruell, Declan and Hazel. "Don't want him around, it would seem."

            "Guys, you know Hayley's just going to be a soppy mess without her boyfriend right?" Alex grinned at me as she pulled me into a hug. "We'll look after her for you" She told Eugene as she showed him the door.

            "You didn't even try!" I accused.

            "Hey, can't blame me if I want you all to myself," Alex shrugged.

            We eventually got off our behinds and loaded Ruell's Polly. Each of us had been instructed to bring not more than one backpack, or Polly would feel the strain.

            As Ruell took the wheel and Hazel slid into shotgun, Declan and Alex sandwiched me in the back seat. "Hey, you'll be alright won't you?" Alex inquired. Her green eyes were filled with real concern. I knew all the teasing earlier had been just that—teasing.

            "I dunno, you might have to buy me a Red Bull at every stop we take to make it up to me," I wiggled my eyebrows at her. She frowned upon my unhealthy addiction to the energy drink, I knew this very well, so I knew it would pain her to get me one.

            "Enough bickering guys. LETS DO THIS!" Declan whooped as Ruell stepped on it. Just like that, we were off, leaving Chicago behind.

            "Hello New York!" I cheered.

            "Honey, we've got about 18 hours minimum on the road. Might be slightly too early for that," Ruell laughed as he accelerated onto the freeway.

            I didn't care about the long hours. We were finally going to New York, the city I only had seen in glossy magazines and movies all my life. I had every right to be bubbling with excitement.

            I turned to gush about living my dreams to Alex, only to find that she was fast asleep and leaning against the car window. I shook my head, gently manuvering her head onto my shoulder so she'd be comfortable.