Secret Games

16

Hailey's P.O.V

When Emily texted me, I was over the moon. Not only was I about to witness the formation of the cutest couple ever, but I was also about to have the perfect opportunity to mend a broken friendship, and maybe turn it into something else. I got dressed quickly, throwing on a pair of jeans and the best t-shirt I could find. Just before I left my house, I decided to take a look into the mirror: my hair was tangled up in knots, my shirt was crumbled up and my jeans were dirty, giving me the look of a teenager that couldn't afford any medical care. This evening was going to change everything: I could do better than this. Taking half an hour to wash my hair, fifteen minutes to put some makeup on, and ten minutes to choose a decent outfit, I was pretty sure I was late when I finally got ready. I rushed through the door, stopping just in time to get a good look at my reflection: my hair was now straight and glossy, my skirt and shirt were clean and straight, and my unique freckles were right in their place. I smiled at myself: this was going to be my night.

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"Why are you late?!" Emily complained as I joined the group.

"Oh, come on! It was only like, what, five minutes?!" I defended myself.

"You know it's 8, right?" Emily said frustrated.

"Sorry, my bad. I was getting ready" I replied

"So... what are we watching then?" She asked, losing her gaze in her thoughts while deciding what movie we should go for. Now looking at her, I was suddenly glad I decided to get ready properly: she wore a tight short olive skirt, white t-shirt, and her long, golden hair was as flawless as ever. I caught Liam staring at her several times.

After some time we bought the tickets and entered the cinema. Emily stood for a few seconds before taking her seat as she always did. Stretching away from the rows of red velvet seats, gently arced, beckoned her to choose. Never once did she take a step forward until she'd sampled her popcorn. The saltiness had to be just right. Liam intentionally sat right next to Emily, so there was no other option but sitting next to Cameron. On the outside, I pretended to be reluctant to take the seat but I was intensely satisfied to sit next to him. Even if he now had a girlfriend, even if I had kissed Noah, even if I was sure he didn't like me, I need him in my life. 

The film started. it wasn't the most exciting film in the world, but my heart was pounding in my chest as if I was running a 100m race. My hand rested on the soft leather of the seat. Cam's was millimeters away, somehow it felt as though they were touching. I felt the attraction, the impulses forcing me to hold his hand. So I started to slowly drag my hand closer and closer until our pinkies met. He didn't look at me but I was sure he noticed, he blushed, I did too. Little by little we found ourselves holding hands. It was a simple gesture but it meant much more than anyone would think. It meant trust, it meant reconciliation, it meant that no matter what, we wouldn't be separated.

I looked Cameron straight into the eyes, and slowly but surely started to lean in. Our irises met: they were one now. But something felt wrong. With a look that said "I'm so sorry", Cameron looked away, turning his whole body away from me. I was too shocked to be sad. I really thought we were going to kiss back there. I stole a glance at him and was surprised to find out that he was still grasping me tightly. Holding hands would never be enough, but at least it was something.

I looked across at my friends and found that Liam was going for a similar tactic. He dragged his arm cautiously, but as soon as their palms made contact, Emily flinched and pulled her hand away. I shook my head to myself: things were not going well. When the movie finally finished, we stood up, letting go of each other. We walked slowly towards the exit, no one saying a word. As we finally left the cinema, I decided to break the tension.

"How's Noah?" I asked Cameron and Liam.

"He's alright, I guess. We talk a lot lately, but he's still pretty heartbroken about that whole Laela drama." Answered Liam.

"Well, we don't talk at all." Muttered Cameron.

"All this 'drama' is just nonsense." Stated Emily. "Can't you just apologize and get it over with?"

"It doesn't work that way." Cameron snapped coldly, however his tone softened when Liam shot him a raging look. "Trust me, I know."

"Well, how about we decide where we're having dinner?"

After a long discussion, we chose an expensive, cozy-looking Italian restaurant, getting assigned to a table of four as we entered. Liam rushed to sit next to Emily, and I casually took the seat next to Cameron. The tension between us was replaced by a happy mood, as we all started giggling and joking around, telling each other stories about our past. During our conversation, I noticed that Liam was slowly getting closer and closer to Emily, until they were sitting side by side, with no space whatsoever between them. Emily didn't seem to notice, but Liam sure did: he had never been so close to her before.

After half an hour, they brought us our food. As I ate, my stomach felt heavier and heavier, and I found it harder and harder not to lean my head on Cameron's shoulder, however, I knew perfectly well that I wouldn't do that. I could never take another rejection. As we finished our food, we began going our separate ways. Liam left first, giving Emily's hand a tight squeeze before she could react. We kept on walking until we reached her house and said goodbye. We were on our own at that point. Even though our conversation kept going, It started feeling terribly awkward and out of place, however, a very familiar voice decided to break the tension.

"Already flirting with Hailey even though I kissed her?" Challenged Noah.

"Oh, shut up, will you," answered Cameron. "I'm going out with Lexi. Plus, your kiss was tongueless, you psycho!"

I wish those words didn't hurt as much as they did. "You two need to stop! I don't want you arguing about something so stupid!" I screamed. "And Noah, I'm sorry. It was only a kiss. I shouldn't have taken it so seriously.  I did my bit. Now, you two APOLOGIZE!"

The two boys looked at each other reluctantly, but I could have sworn that I saw a shade of embarrassment across their faces.

"Sorry." Mustered Noah.

"No, man." Answered Cameron. "It was my bad."

The three of us shared the longest of hugs. We were all safe now: with our friendship healed, nothing could tear us apart. I kept on convincing myself that, but deep inside I  knew that Lexi could very easily do it.