Haley wakes up the next morning, groaning as she stretches and looks towards her alarm clock.
Saturday. Thank goodness.
She climbs out of bed and brushes her teeth and hair before slipping on a tank top, a pair of shorts, and her converse. She had no one to impress today, and she would probably go for a run later. She walks out to the kitchen, stifling a yawn as she grabs an apple. She had no plans, which was unusual. She goes back up to her room, sending a quick text to Anna asking if she wanted to run with her, and of course she responds with a 'yes' instantly.
An hour later, Haley and Anna were out running. They ran for a good half hour before stopping at the park just down the street from Haley's house.
"Have you had a chance to talk to Alex, yet?" Anna asks, grinning.
Haley rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
"Well, considering you were with me pretty much all day yesterday, and we didn't go to school today, I think you might already know the answer to that."
"He doesn't actually go to our school, Hay. He was just there to ask questions."
"What is he? Some kind of detective? Did he show you a badge?"
Anna groans, gently shoving Haley before running towards her house and walking right in. Anna knew she was always welcome, the two girls were like family. Haley wasn't far behind her, but a voice stopped her.
"Hey! Haley, right?"
She stops and turns to look, finding herself looking into a pair of ice blue eyes.
"Uhm, yea. And you are?"
"Alexander. Or Alex. It's nice to meet you."
He moves closer to her, extending his hand. This was the guy that Anna was telling her about. And he was definitely easy on the eyes. She shakes his hand, smiling.
"Yea, you too. So what's up? Do you live around here?"
"Sorta. I live two streets over. I'm just taking a walk. Was that Anna you were with?"
"Yea. We went for a run. I was actually about to go take a shower. Talk to you later?"
As soon as Alex nods, Haley waves and turns, running inside and right into Anna.
"Jesus, Anna!"
Anna laughs, looking out the window by the door.
"Well, you have finally met Alex. What do you think?"
Haley doesn't even bother to answer. She rolls her eyes and goes up to her room, grabbing a change of clothes and jumping in the shower.
The rest of the day goes fairly quickly. The girls go to the mall and go eat, sit at Haley's house and watch TV, and just talk. It was dark by the time Anna says she needs to get home. Haley walks with her, thinking she could get in a little extra exercise for the day. She is just turning down her street when she feels a sudden rush of air behind her, and what sounds like whisper. She whirls around, her heart starting to race as she glances around.
"Hello..?" She calls out softly before feeling the rush of air again, behind her.
She whirls around, her eyebrows creasing as she starts to panic slightly. Taking a deep breath, she starts walking towards her house. She hears the whisper again, and it sounded as though it iswas right behind her. She glances back, walking faster. But she pauses when she hears a more urgent voice, calling her name.
"Haley. "
She turns to look again, her eyes falling on Alex.
'Where on earth did he come from,' she thought. But she moves towards him, feeling a little safer now.
"Haley, are you alright?"
His eyes narrow as he looks at her. He could tell she was upset about something. And he had heard the whispers.
"I.. Yea. I'm fine. Thanks."
"I'll walk you home."
She smiles and nods, eager to have someone with her. She didn't know what was going on, but she didn't like it. Once she reached her door, Alex grabs her hand and squeezes it, then disappears, leaving her to let herself inside.
