The Omission Behind Ones Devotion

Chapter 27

Hayden's POV:

"You're not wearing that," Chloe scoffs her eyes scanning over the hoodie and leggings I had laid out through the facetime call.

"Yeah please don't, you'll look like a homeless person. What you need to do is show Brayden what he's missing." Avery sputtered out, her words coming out fast and pleading. She was laying sprawled out on my bed, her phone in her hand that was facetiming Chloe. 

The sudden mention of Brayden's name stung, and I tried my best to push them out. 

"First off, I told you there's nothing going on between me and Brayden, he's just my brothers best friend," I rush. 

"Ok then how do you explain him literally beating the crap out of Chris, aka your date. I don't know Hayden it seems to me like he was jealous." 

"And you ran after him, and god knows what you two did out there. Seems to me like there's some connection there," Avery adds. 

I really with the two of them would just shut up right know, I know it's not their fault, neither of them know what happened. Though that doesn't make the situation any more barable. 

"No guys seriously you guys have it all wrong, he was just doing it for my brother-"  I lied probably very unconvincingly. 

"Now can we just drop it and get ready please," I say trying to cheer myself up for Chloe and Avery's sake. 

Chloe only responds by rolling her eyes and emphasizes the fact that we will be on a beach. She was right, maybe leggings and sand were not the best combination. 

We talk for a few more minutes before I hang up and Avery decides to get me ready. I guess I have no say in anything anymore, but hey that's what friends are for. 

She had decided on a pair of lightwash denim shorts and an oversized white v neck shirt, that hung loosely over my right shoulder. Underneath I wore a solid muted blue triangle bikini top with black bottoms. I threw a little bit of concealer under my eyes, trying to pull myself together. I blended away until there wasn't any trace of sadness, puffiness, or tiredness left. As for hair I decided to let it be. My hair already had enough beach curls.

Checking my phone it was now 5:30, and I had about 4 messages from Chloe telling me she was outside, and that we needed to hurry up. I really need to remember to take my phone off silent when outside school or practice.

Grabbing my phone, slides, and a towel Avery and I head out the door.

I slide into the back, while Avery was in front. As we pull out the driveway I see Brayden walk out of his house and to his truck. His hair was no longer messy and he wore black shorts and a worn grey school football hoodie. His keys were in his pocket, attached to a lanyard that swayed loosely with every step. The car was silent, I didn't even have to look at Chloe or Avery to know what they were thinking, or the fact that they were staring at me with a smirk. 

"I see you checking him out," Avery said smacking my arm while Chloe just stared at mw quietly her eyes searching mine for some sort of answer.

If only they knew.

I'm not going to lie, my heart ached at the sight of him. Flashback flash from last night in my mind. It had felt like so long ago, I mentally cringe at myself remembering how I screamed at him. My lips fall into a line as I decide to advert my eyes to my friends, who were doing exactly what I thought they would be.

Avery whips around in her seat and turns up the volume of the music, more like blasting the music knowingly. Chloe does the same, turning back around in her seat and speeds up the car.