The Test of Time

43 ~ Month Thirteen: November

"Come on girls." Laura pleads, her hazel eyes rimmed with their usual harsh black eyeliner, "You haven't been to one for the last three weeks."

"I had an important paper due." I justify, staring at her from my bed. It's true and as much as I want to act like Polly and relax I can't, staying up till late, stressing out about getting a good grade for the paper.

"Hasn't it been submitted now?" She retorts.

"Well yeah..."

"Then I hear no excuse." She grins. This girl is so insistent, at our door every other day to convince us to come to a party. She's in her second year and I don't quite understand how she passed enough exams to still be here.

"Fine." I mumble, giving in as I look back down at my laptop.

"Sounds good to me." Elena accepts, turning to back Laura from her desk, "Is it a themed one?"

"Not tonight." Laura shakes her head, "Next week we're doing jocks and cheerleaders though."

"I think I'll give that one a miss." I mutter under my breath. After my experiences with both cheerleaders and football players, I think I'll aim to avoid them for the rest of my life. Suddenly my phone buzzes to life, ringing out loud as Laura and Elena glance over towards me.

Grabbing hold of it I breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of Haydon's name. It's been three weeks but he's started talking to me again, no mention of what happened at the park, myself being too scared to bring it up, him, I assume, not wanting to acknowledge it. We are moving on, slowly but surely, our conversations still stilted, but heading in the right direction. 

"Excuse me." I mutter to the girls as I stumble out of bed and head into the hall, pressing the answer button.

"Haydon!"

"Hey girlfriend." He greets, "How are you?"

"Not bad thanks." I reply, smiling slightly, "I miss you though."

"I miss you too." He replies, "I was sat in front of the TV eating a sundae and had a strange urge to put both chocolate and strawberry on it. What have you done to me?" He laughs.

"That's the best combination!" I object.

"I regretted it as soon as I did it." He retorts.

"I think I'm going to a party tonight." I change the subject, biting my lip.

"You are?" He sounds surprised, "I didn't think you wanted to go to them anymore."

"I'm sure he won't be there Haydon." I assure him, "And if he is I can promise you I'll stay far away." I scoff, "I don't even want to breathe the same air as him."

"Good." He answers bluntly, "Alright, well it's been three weeks since you've been to any. Enjoy yourself."

"Thanks." I say back, "How are you?"

"Not too bad." He answers, "Dad wants to take me out for a beer tonight."

"Where are you going?"

"Aphrodite's Palace."

"Sorry, what?" I almost choke on the lump in my throat, my eyes wide at his answer. Is he serious? The strip club that let me work there when I was sixteen? I can't help the shock that sweeps through my brain at the thought, wary of the fact that Haydon knows I used to work there but also not wanting to tell Haydon he can't go. He's his own person but also he should know that he shouldn't go there.

"I know. Apparently Dad loves it there." He chuckles, "I think it'll be a laugh."

"I see."

"Hey, look... I know there are strippers but I won't touch any of them. Promise!" He assures and I roll my eyes. As if that's what I care about.