Beauty is a Disease

𝕊𝔼𝕍𝔼ℕ𝕋𝔼𝔼ℕ

SAM

Out off the corner of my eye, I saw Haleigh's leg bouncing crazily. I took it as a sign of nervousness.

Why she would be nervous, I'm not sure. I already told her that I'm not planning on killing her. At this point, it would kill me knowing that I hurt even a single hair on her head.

"We're here," I said and her legs immediately stopped bouncing.

"And..." the word was dawled off her tongue as she looked around d skeptically. "Where is 'here' exactly?"

I smiled and hopped out of the car, slipping my keys into my back pocket. I looked in through the windshield and saw Haleigh still looking around hesitantly.

Going around to the other side, I opened the door for her with a small smile and held my hand out, a silent offer to help her out of the car. She slowly grabbed my hand and got out.

"Don't be worried," I told her when she was standing by my side, "I'm sure you'll like this."

Her hand still clasped in mine, I lead her through the trees, holding back branches and telling her to watch her feet when there was a dip in the dirt.

Five minutes later, I could tell Haleigh was getting impatient again, but we were coming up on what I wanted to show her. It wasn't much, but I knew that she would hopefully enjoy it somewhat.

With a last pull back of a branch, Haleigh stepped in front of me as her eyes widened and her jaw dropped slightly.

In front of us was a large field of prairie roses.

"Sam..." Haleigh breathed, letting my hand go making it swing limply to my side. She walked slowly to the very edge, bending down and delicately touching one of the petals. She turned around, still low on the ground and looked up at me, a beautiful smile decorating her face. "This is amazing."

I smiled back, joining her on the ground, "it is."

We were silent for a moment, appreciating the view until Haleigh spoke softly, "hey Sam?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," she looked into my eyes, hers shining so brightly from within that they lit up the muscle in my chest. "For everything."

I resisted the urge to stroke her cheek, I wanted to feel her skin on mine. I wanted to hold her hand again, "you're welcome."

We sat there for a while, simply looking out onto the field of flowers. More than anything, I just wanted grab her hand. Just feel her fingers clasped around mine. But I didn't want to cross any boundaries of our friendship. That's what we were. Friends. And I couldn't risk losing Haleigh as a friend because I pushed her into something that I wanted.

Then, Haleigh did something that I sure as hell was not expecting. She scooted closer to me, pressing her head into my arm. I smiled and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, her head now resting on my chest.

"Sam," she said softly.

"Mh?" I hummed.

"You're an amazing person. Don't ever doubt that, okay?"

I wasn't exactly sure on how I should respond. So I simply nodded and pressed her body a little closer to my own, letting her scent try and slow down the hammering in my chest.

~*~

I turned on Haleigh's street and stopped the car in front of her house, taking the keys out of the ignition and walking her to her front door.

"I uh-" she paused, finding words to say to me. "I had a really good time with you tonight."

I grinned, "me too."

"So I'll see you Monday?" She asked, reaching for the door handle.

"See you Monday," I confirmed with a nod.

She smiled softly and slipped inside, giving me a small wave before closing the door. Failing to suppress a smile, I walked back to by car and sat in the driver's seat, tonight's events running through my head on repeat. I couldn't get this girl out of my head no matter what I did. It scared me, but I couldn't help my heart pounding against my chest thinking about how she rested her head on me.

She was letting her guard down with me, I could see it. Knowing that I was becoming a person that she trusted, that she was safe with, made me feel... something indescribable.

Driving home, every moment that I spent with Haleigh flew through my mind. Running circles in my head and reminding me of all the good memories that I've spent with her.

I pulled into the driveway of my house, not noticing the extra car in the garage because I was just too damn happy.

I threw my keys on the kitchen counter and was startled at the two bodies standing in the living room.

"Sam, darling. You're finally home." My mother spoke.

Holy fuck.

"You're finally home," I said, surprised at the two faces looking at me.

"We are," she smiled and begun to slowly walk over to me when I stopped her with my words.

"So why are you here, exactly?" I asked, coldness seeping into my words.

My mother stood frozen in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do or say next.

So I did it for her, "you realize that you both missed my first football game, right? And you didn't even call to ask how it went. Oh, we won, by the way. But it doesn't seem as if you care, though. I was counting on you guys, but you reliably is quickly going down hill."

My mom looked over her shoulder at my dad who was standing silently in his dry cleaned suit, looking lavish and less like a father and more like a businessman in his own home.

"Samuel--" she stared, but I cut her off.

"No. Talk to me when you sent have an excuse." I walked past both of them without even a glance and went up to my room where Bailey was sleeping soundly on my bed.

I sighed, closing the door.

Tonight had been such a good night before I came home. I contemplated calling Haleigh. But maybe it wasn't the best idea. She was probably sleeping and I really didn't want to wake her. So instead I sent her a quick text, knowing that she was the only one that would be able to actually comfort me.

Me: Hey, sorry I'm texting so late but... my parents come home tonight lol. Don't want to bother you about it, so I'll talk to you on Monday

I pressed sent and collapsed onto my bed in the spot that Bailey wasn't occupying.

Only a few minutes later did my phone ding with a message.

Haleigh: Meet me at Starbucks tmr. We'll talk then

Haleigh: No negotiations.

I smiled and typed out: yes ma'am and put my phone on the bedside table to charge. Putting my arm behind my head, starting up at the ceiling.

Even though my parents were back home and their parenting skills suck, that wasn't running through my head.

Haleigh was.

~*~

i'm on summer break and finally will actually (hopefully) have a regular updating schedule :D go us