What I Wish You Knew | ꪜ

Chapter Eight

To Parker,

08. I wish you knew how uninteresting I really was.

Hayley's POV

"Thank you." He muttered as he grabbed the remaining gear from my hands and handed it to the employee. Parker motioned towards the front door and I bid the worker goodbye before towing behind him.

"So uhm, the guys and I are actually gonna hit the Shake Shack for dinner, do you wanna tag along or would you prefer I dropped you off at your house?" He asked as we stepped out into the cold night.

Night? Dinner!? What time was it? And how long have we been inside!? "W–What time is it?" I asked. He retrieved his phone from his pocket, "it's six pm, why? Do you have a curfew?" He inquired. 

I shook my head vigorously, "no, just didn't think it was that late. That means we spent over two hours in there." I huffed out in disbelief as we made our way towards his car. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and leaned against the passenger's door.

"We usually spend longer but the guys got hungry. So you wanna come with me or. . ." He trailed off. I ran my hands through my hair nervously and contemplated whether or not I should join. I mean the most popular guy in school suddenly takes an interest in me and I'm here contemplating whether I should join him and his cool-ass friends for dinner?

What the hell was going on and why?

"Sure, Parker." He smiled in response and I found myself clutching my chest as it suddenly warmed. I didn't know what that sudden feeling was but I was praying it never returned. I think I need some heartburn medication.

"Get in Hay bear," I don't think I'll ever get used to that nickname. I thanked him as he opened the passenger's door, motioning for me to get inside. When it was his turn to get in I couldn't help but size up the length of his body.

"Hey, Parker I'm really sorry about shooting you in the. . .well in your man-making tools." He suddenly burst into a fit of laughter and flickered his gaze towards me. Okay if I had ten dollars for every time I made Parker laugh for the past few days I'd probably be able to afford new designer shoes.

"Well, I gotta say paintballs are more painful than a punch to the balls. But it's okay, I'm fine, I've received worse." He exclaimed as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the dimly lit street." Oh yeah? Like what?" I asked curiously.

"Like a head boot from a helmet to my and I quote you; man making tools."

Well, that does sound rather painful.

I winced softly and he nodded his head vigorously as he muttered the word 'exactly' under his breath.

On the way to the restaurant, the car was filled with chatter. Parker kept laughing at my lame attempts at humour and I also caught onto the fact that despite him driving he still gave me 99% of his attention. And funny enough for the first time in a long time that made me feel seen.

~ ~ ~

"So you dip your fry into the shake and eat it. It's basic sweet and savoury, observe!" He exclaimed as he dumped half his fry into his chocolate milkshake and brought it to his lips. Milton groaned in disgust and slapped the remains of the fry out of Parker's hand.