Simple Connection

Chapter 15

*Going with the flow now! Not using this on my Instagram anymore, but if you want to go follow it it's @hayeshadmelike.*

Sydney's POV

Let me tell you, I am not good with heels... At all. We got to where the banquet was being held and I just about fell flat on my face as I was getting out of the car. 

Hayes laughed at me, "Don't be too gracious there Syd."

I gave him a look. We didn't have these type of things where I used to live. I notice now that I'm not overdressed. Is this what prom feels like? Everyone here is so dressed up and I feel out of place even though I am too. When we walked in there was a big lacrosse ice sculpture. 

"It's not as spectacular as it seems," Hayes whispered to me.

"Are you kidding me. I feel like we're in the Great Gatsby or something. Everything is so fancy and everyone is so dressed up, I'm so out of place."

"You look fine, don't worry. It's just my lacrosse team and their friends and family."

Keith came up to us. He was wearing a tux with a bright red bow-tie. Ben was his plus-one. Ben was dressed about the same as Hayes, just a regular black tux, black tie. Hayes wore it better though. Don't get me wrong, Ben was cute, but Hayes was cuter. Also, Hayes has told me some stories about Ben, like he tries to get with girls a lot. That will not be happening with me I can assure you that.

"Hello Sydney, looking good as always. Hayes, looking ugly as always," Ben said and Hayes punched him in the arm. 

Keith had shabby brown hair and big brown eyes. Ben had short blonde hair and bright green eyes, his eyes popped so much compared to how dark his tux was.

"Hey, we should go sit at our table," Hayes suggested. 

When we got to our table there were name cards set up like at a wedding. Why was it so fancy here? I feel like a diamond in the rough. There was still a little time so after we sat down, Hayes brought me over to meet all of the guys on the team. He thought I should meet them since I'd be going to school with them in a few weeks.

I could tell Hayes got jealous. I felt really awkward. All of the guys were asking him questions about me, but we weren't dating so it wasn't like I was off limits. I mean we aren't dating, right? I got really uncomfortable, they were looking at me like a piece of meat.

The banquet started and a slideshow of the whole team came up on the projector. Everytime a picture came up of Hayes I corrected him and told him what he could have done better just to annoy him. 

The last picture of him came up and I whispered, "Maybe you should stick to football."

He leaned over to hit me, but accidentally hit the silverwear on the table into my plate so it made a really loud noise. Everyone looked at us. I turned around and we laughed. 

I was hungry so I stood up to go get some food. Hayes went over to go talk to Keith. As I was pouring myself some punch, Ben came up behind me. 

"Hey there pretty lady," he said with a fake country accent. "Why don't you come over and sit next to me, we can talk a little more. Maybe we can go boating again, just you and me," he changed to his normal voice that time.

"I don't think I'll be doing that, sorry," I walked away quickly and headed back to my seat.

Hayes' coach went on stage and talked about how great of a season they had. They had only lost one game and tied another, other than that they had a solid winning streak. He talked about how every player contributes into a good win, whether it was from cheering from the sidelines, or being in the game. He said how he always told the players to do their best before every game by saying the quote, "Always reach for the moon, because the worst that can happen is you land on a star." Basically saying, if you try to be the best, your end result could be your best.

A video came up of all of the players saying what they liked about the season. My favorite was Keith's, "I liked when Brian's mom would bring us cupcakes after the games." Everyone laughed. The coach then talked about an all-around amazing player and kid. He then called up the MVP of the season, Hayes Grier.

Hayes was a natural when he got on stage, it was like he'd done it so many times before. Then again, he had. I knew he was famous, well at least semi-famous. I knew who his brother was, I just didn't bring any of it up because if I were him I know I would want to be treated like a normal person. Hayes summed it all up by saying he couldn't have gotten that award without hard work and support from his teammates. He thanked his coach and came back to sit down. 

I went to go use the restroom, and Ben followed me there. I was kind of creeped out. When I exited the bathroom, he was still out in the hallway waiting for me. 

"I don't know what you're trying to do, but you need to stop."

"You can't tell me you don't find me attractive. I've seen you eyeing me while sitting over there next to Hayes. What would Hayes think of you liking me?"

"Nothing considering I don't."

"Don't try to deny it."

Hayes came around the corner to the hallway. He looked at both of us very flustered. 

"Sydney! I'm glad you're making friends, but come on, Keith wants to show you a picture of his older sister, he thinks you all look just alike."

"Coming, goodbye Ben."

We were walking in the ballroom and Hayes said, "Was he hitting on you?"

"How could you tell?"

"It was pretty obvious. Don't think anything of it, he does it to every new girl here. It's nothing out of the ordinary. Keith's sister does not look like you, I could tell you looked uncomfortable so I just said that to get you out of there."

I was okay with it now. I'm glad he knew what was going on. We got back to the table and Hayes said Ben's been acting like that lately, and if he kept it up he wouldn't talk to him anymore. I was just thinking, "Good, I don't want that creep by my house."

*Told you they'd be longer now, hope you like it so far!*