On your knees // Bandom

55. Im only me when I'm with you

Gabe found Hayley sitting in the grass behind the science block with daisys in her hair and her art book stretched between her and Ashley.

"Hayley, I heard something. Can we talk?"
"Heard something?" Ashley asked, instantly protective.
"Was told something." He didn't particularly like Ashley. That, too, was based on rumours and speculation, and he knew Brendon liked her, but he wasn't convinced.
"What?" Hayley asked.
"About Jamia."
"Ooo." Ashley smiled at him. "She likes her, right?"
"No way." Hayley shook her head.
"Yes way." Gabe confirmed.
"She told you?"
"One of her friends."
"Who?" Ashley pressed.
"Snitches get stitches."

Ashley caught Hayleys eye. "C'mon, Hales, Its Gabe. He doesn't know shit."
"So you didn't shave your head to impress Gee Way?" Gabe asked.
She gave him the middle finger.
"They play for the other team, by the way."
Hayley looked over. "You said she did just the other day, Ash."
"Yeah, but this makes me not believe it."
Gabe shrugged, "You don't have to. I'm just saying."
"Great. Thanks Gabe." Ashley uttered a pointed goodbye.

He left, doing as he was told, and Hayley lay down onto the ground. She stared up at the sky, watching the clouds turn into different shapes and stories. Trying not to think about things. Trying very, very, hard not to think about Jamia.

Ashley kicked her foot. "Whether she likes you or not is nothing to do with Gabe."
"But does she?"
"Here's a genius idea: ask her."
"Maybe I will."
"Really?"
"I don't know. I want to, just... I barely know if I like her."
"You so do."
"Shut up. I might not."
"But you do."

Hayley picked up a handful of grass and threw it at her, it sailed through the air and fell short, too light to fly far. Ashley laughed.

"Did you really shave your head for Gee? You told me it was because you didn't want people to know you by your hair."
"A bit of both. I knew they were gay."
"-er than you."
"Being bi doesn't make me less gay, god, Hayley."
"Im kidding. But why'd you do it for them, then?"
"I don't know. I don't think I even liked them, I was just into their aesthetic and we got high together one time and I liked being cool in their eyes. It was a couple of years ago."
"And how the fuck does Gabe Saporta know?"
"Honestly, I don't know."

They were both quiet for a moment, then Ashley picked up a handful of grass and threw it at Hayley, and they were laughing again.

~

Awsten: a week and we'll be together again.

Geoff nodded. "I miss you, and I'm excited for valentines."

Awsten: Jalex's party happening, then?

"Obviously."

Awsten: Mark agreed to lending out his house?

"It's Alex's house, too. And Mark always agrees. The only convincing Alex has to do is stopping him from coming himself. He says he wants to keep an eye on it, but we all know he wants to crash."

Awsten: Maybe he should keep an eye on it. Last time he wasn't there, didn't Sam and Elijah fuck in his bed?

Geoff laughed. "Think so. Do you think he found out."

Awsten: whats worse? Finding out, or sleeping in it, not knowing.

"God, either. Why make me think that? fuck."
Awsten laughed. It was the first noise he had made that call, and Geoff grinned at him.

Awsten: imagine if we kissed 😳 in marks bed 🙈 and we were both boys

"I hate you."

Awsten: aww so you're not gonna make out w me in Alex's dads bed?