Something New

Chapter 3

Every Friday night is date night for my parents. I never really enjoyed staying home alone, so Hailey and I made Friday night movie night. Unless there is a fun party in town. Tradition wise we order in pizza and set up the coffee table with our favorite drinks and snacks. Friday nights with Hailey and Hope is also known as cheat day. All day long Hailey has been going on about Jason. And it has been driving me insane. That is exactly why we are going to watch my favorite movie, Beautiful Mind. The doorbell rings, Hailey jumps up.

'That must be Jason.' She squeals. 'I'll open the door.'

I roll my eyes. 'I didn't expect anything else.' I whisper. But she doesn't hear me.

I hear the door open and close. Hailey walks in with Jason and pizza. 'Great timing!' She says overly excited.

'Yummy, pizza!' I say. 'Hi Jason, welcome.' I give Jason a weak smile. Maybe Hailey can loan me some of her excitement.

'Hello.' He says uncomfortable. Hailey doesn't seem to notice it. She is stuck in her own little bubble.

'Let's eat!' I say. He better doesn't think I am going to hold back with eating, just because he is here. Because, I know that is what Hailey is going to do.

'Sit down.' Hailey says to Jason while patting the couch cushion beside her.

'What movie are we watching?' Jason asks.

'Beautiful Mind.' I say flat and short.

'Best movie ever made. Good pick, Hailey.' That surprises and offends me at the same time. I never knew before that could happen.

'Oh no, Hope picked. She always does.' Hailey defends me.

'Oh.' Jason says almost embarrassed. 'Well, good pick.' He looks at me for a quick second and then looks away. I start the movie and don't say a thing. Hailey on the other hand grabs every opportunity to make a smart comment on the movie or touch Jason. I feel like I am crashing their date.

'Are you guys done eating?' I ask. From the four pizzas we ordered, one and a half are left.

'Yes, thank you.' Jason says, which catches me by surprise. The boy has manners. Who would have thought that? And Hailey just nods.

'Great, then I will go put it in the fridge.' I say.

'Do you want to help you with that?' Hailey asks.

'No, don't worry about it. I have seen this movie a thousand times anyway.' I grab the pizza boxes and bring them to the kitchen. I have seen Hailey crazy about boys before. God knows, that is how we met. Still, I have never seen her like this before. She is all over him. When I want to walk back to my seat on the couch, they are talking, and Hailey is touching his muscles. Maybe I should just leave them be themselves. As quiet as possible I walk up the stairs. I close the door the behind me and grab my guitar from the corner of my room. As the captain of the choir I have to know every song by heart. This is my last year as captain and I will do whatever it takes to win nationals this year. I start playing Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie. After what happened the last day of junior year the song has gotten a special meaning to me. I sometimes completely lose myself in the song. But I try to hold back this time because I don't want Jason and Hailey to hear me. Jason and Hailey... it even sounds good together. I close my eyes and start singing. When I open my eyes at the end of the song, I see Jason sitting right across from me on my bed.

'Stop doing that!' I yell at him.

'Stop doing what?' He asks sheepishly.

'Sneaking up on me like that.'

'I was trying to find the bathroom. I am not as familiar with your house as you are with mine.' He shrugs his shoulders.

'Second door on your right.' I roll my eyes.