Hailey's POV
We arrived to a large glass building. I immediately recognized it because it's one of the famous landmarks in our town. My friends constantly posted about it but I've never really thought of coming and seeing it for my own eyes, "Are we gonna go to the very top?"
He nodded and smiled weakly.
"Wait, why are we here? I thought we were gonna talk?" I asked.
"You'll see, trust me." He said quietly as we began walking to the entrance.
"Nick, I didn't bring money for my ticket. I gave my only twenty to Mitch."
"Don't worry about it." He said as he pulled out his wallet and before I was able to debate it, he walked up to the toll stand and paid.
He came back and smiled weakly, "Here is your ticket madam."
I smiled weakly, Nick's playful personality was back.
"Thank you."
++
"We finally reached the top." I sighed in relief as I saw the last flight of stairs. I thought we were never gonna reach the top! Both of us were panting pretty loudly. I would have brought a water bottle or something if I had known where I was going to be going.
"I give up. Let's go back down?" Nick mumbled jokingly as he wiped the sweat of his forehead.
"Yeah, we can go down after we look around for a bit up there." I laughed weakly.
"Not what I meant."
Once we got up to the top we both let out sighs of relief. We both tried to catch our breath and we stood at the top of the stairs as we admired how much we actually climbed.
"I had no idea what the hell I was thinking. This was torture. Hal, if I ever decide to do this again, please strangle me."
I laughed again, "Only if you strangle me first." I looked away from him and looked over to the glass and my eyes widened, "The view makes it all worth it."
I was immediately captivated with the tall towers standing out when compared to the tiny homes. It felt like I was on an airplane- not that I knew what that was like. From up here, the cars looked like they were the size of ants and I could barely make out the people on the busy streets.
"Yeah, it is a great view," He smiled as he stood right next to me, "More people would be up here if there was an elevator or something."
I smirked at his comment, "You'd see me up here every week."
"I wouldn't completely hate coming up here every week." He replied.
We stood in silence for a moment. I looked over to him and he seemed a bit tense.
"Are you okay?" I asked him as I furrowed my eyebrows.
I glanced over to me and his shoulder sagged slightly, "I'm sorry." He said again as he dug his hands into his pockets.
"Nick, don't be. It's okay." I smiled sympathetically. He knew I liked him, but I was glad that he wanted to remain friends.
"No, Hal. You don't understand how horrible this whole thing has made me feel. I care about you so damn much, it physically pains me to know that I wasn't there for you when you went to the hospital. Mitchell told me that one of his friends had to go to the emergency room and never in a million years would I have thought that it was you." He rambled, "I would have gone with him to visit you in a heartbeat."
