BEING HALSEY

CHAPTER 8

I'm taking Polly to audition for a drumist concert. The winner gets to meet " Hey Violet"and play two songs with her band.

THAT IS FREAKING CRAAAAZYYYY!

I find an empty seat on the back and flop. I send a quick text to Dave and he replies with " Be right there luv💓"

I close my eyes and grin.

Being in love is sooo Sweet.

I listen mainly to Billie Ellish songs and soft rock but since I'm bored, I'll browse everything. I settle for some house party songs and old Rnb's. I'm busy unfolding my earphones when the small invisible hairs on the back of my neck rise.

I look up.

And there he is.

Tray is standing front and center searching for something.

Someone.

His gaze locks onto mine and his face alights like the stars. He smiles, a full smile that reaches all the way to his eyes.

Why is he smiling?..... Am I a clown?

My palms break into a sweat.

Don't come near me.

Oh, please God.

Don't let him walk towards me.

But my prayer fails.

Tray weaves easily around the other seats and people and walks over to me. The music over the loudspeakers on the stage changes from a stupid boring song to a love song.

My heart pounds faster and faster.

This feeling.

How bad I want it to last forever.

Is he walking in slow motion?

I can't look away.

How i wish it would end now.

He stops before me and scratches the back of his neck.

He loves doing that.

Wait. What?

"I hoped I'd find you here."

Blood rushes to my cheeks.

NO.

This feeling isn't real.

I hate that. I hate him!

I hate Tray because I don't hate Tray.

I cut my eyes away and look down at my phone.

" What do you want?"

" I....want to apologise. For what happened in your room, I'm sorry. I'm a total ass for leaving you like that...."

Panic rises.

I grip my phone tighter.

" Tray, please...it wasn't your fault."

But his mouth pours.

" No. It was my fault. That was so rude of me. I'm really sorry, I just can't stop thinking about you. I don't know why but my mind is racing...it's like.... I...."

DON'T YOU DARE SAY IT!

" Tray!" I look deep into his brown eyes.

His brown eyes are bright.

Sincere.

" Go out with me tonight. I mean, can we hang out? As friends? I wanna make it up to you."