Worth More Than A Thousand Words

Chapter 1

Hayley still couldn't believe it.

Ryan had kissed her!

Now, several months later, Hayley still found it hard to believe that her first kiss had been when she was sick.

And yes, Ryan had gotten sick afterwards as well, earning lots of teases from Hayley and Laina, at least, when Hayley's father wasn't in earshot.

Though maybe part of the reason WHY Hayley still couldn't believe it was the simple fact that neither Ryan, nor Hayley brought it up. It certainly hadn't happened again, and Hayley wondered if she had done something wrong.

Nonetheless, Laina had kept her promise and hadn't told a single soul about what she had witnessed, nor the project Hayley and Ryan had submitted. Infact, Laina had it stored away in her classroom, as she "loved it so much she wanted to cherish it forever."

Okay, so maybe Ryan had joked about that, but still, the little secret was kept.

My first kiss had to be witnessed by my teacher/mother-in-a-way. LOVELY, Hayley thought to herself, not outloud, as she had quite some troubles with.

Speaking of the Mother-in-a-way...

"Hayley!" Laina called and Ryan snapped his fingers in Hayley's face to get her attention. "Can you pass the rolls?" Laina asked.

Ryan and Laina were spending more and more time at the little cottage Hayley and her father called home. So often, in fact, that Ryan had a permant spot for his stuff in Hayley's closet and a sleeping matt tucked under her bed, whilst Laina's own belongings found their way into Hayley's father's bedroom, from clothing, to furniture to decor pieces to books.

As if that wasn't enough a clue...

"So, Ryan Boy, you excited for the upcoming Championships?" Hayley's father asked from the opposite side of the dinner table set for four.

"Heck yea!"

Basketball Championships were in less than a week, and Ryan, being the Captain, had an essential role to play. Ryan had been scoring shots like crazy the past games, and everyone at school praised him as the one who was leading the basketball team to victory, with the highest winning streak the school has ever had, and not to mention, the first time going to the Championship round. It was a big deal. For the school, for the team, for Ryan.

It was also rumoured that major colleges were watching Ryan's progress, and possibly, ready to hand out scholarships, especially if they won.

Hayley smiled.

Ryan'll win for sure.

Wait! I can't jinx it!

Hayley knocked on the wooden table.

"Cupcake, what in the world are you doing?" Ryan asked.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm knocking on wood!" Hayley replied.

Ryan knew better than to ask why.

The house phone rang, and Hayley's father hurriedly answered the phone and stepped out the room.

There have been more and more calls like that recently, where her father would answer, then walk away where no one would hear. HAyley was getting suspicious but figured it was something that had to deal with his work, and that Ryan was too loud so her father couldn't hear.

Because, we ALL know Ryan is loud...

"HEY!' Ryan exclaimed and tossed a roll at Hayley. "I HEARD THAT!"