Right In Front of Me (Finished)

Chapter 10: Hanging out with Hayden and Halley

Today is about a week after the first day of school, and I am LOVING my new life! It's starting to feel more natural and less like an act, which is good, since I wouldn't be able to play along for too long. Hayden, Hallie, Greyson and I are all meeting at my place today, then heading to the mall. I am so excited!
        Greyson taps on my window, and I open it for him. "You really need to keep that unlocked so I don't have to keep doing this." He said, climbing inside. "Well, I would do that, but what if a burglar breaks in? We're only making it easier for them by building that bridge, and unlocking my window." I say back. I love how I don't have to be my 'school' self when I'm with Greyson. He says, "How many burglars do you see in this area?" I think for a second. "Um, wasn't your old house broken into, and that's why you moved into this new house?" I said. He pauses, knowing I'm right. "Well, yeah, but he must have been, like, some future telling burglar, since he broke into my house, which caused us to move right in front of you." He says. He heaves in a big breath, knowing what he said is impossible, and sits on my bed next to me. "You do know that's impossible, right?" I ask him. "Yeah, but I kind of wish it were, that way I know that it was fate for us to live next to each other, and meet." He says. And, I swear, for a second I have this feeling like Greyson is going to kiss me; but the doorbell rang out before I could find out if he was going to kiss me.
        "Hey, Grey, wassup?," Hayden said, dapping Greyson up, then continuing, "And... Avalon, Hi..." He said with the sweetest, widest smile ever. I put on my 'school' voice. Hopefully, I'll get close enough with Hayden that I don't have to have such a big transition when I talk to him. "Hey, Hayden. How are you?" I ask. Hayden says, "I'm good now that I'm with you." He is trying to make me blush. And it works. "Cool. Same with me." I say. Gah, I'm talking about myself too much. Hallie says, "Hey Greyson." He smiles at her. Hallie continues, "Avalon, your outfit is adorable!" I smile. "Thank you! I love your outfit, too!" Greyson cuts in, "Are we gonna go, or what?" I say, "Only if we take your truck." He says, "Done! Let's go!"


        At the mall, we decided to separate in to Hallie and me, and Greyson and Hayden for two hours, then all meet at Auntie Anne's Pretzels at 1:00, and it was 11:00 right now. Greyson and I planned that if he and Hayden were alone, he'd play my wing man and get him interested. I hope it works. On our way to Forever 21, Hallie says, "So, any guys you interested in?" I pause. "Um, I'm still looking around. But I think I have my sights set on one." Hallie's eyes brighten. "Really? Who?" I say, "Tell you what. On Monday, come early to school and I'll tell you then." She says, "Okay!" I love that she didn't push for me to tell her. This girl is amazing!
        We walk into Forever 21, and instantly attack a rack of clothes. After scoping out the store for a good 25 minutes, we decided to pick out something for the other to try on. She hands me the dress she picked for me, and I handed her the  dress I picked for her.
        "Ready?" Hallie calls from the changing stall next to me. I looked in the mirror. "Ready. Countdown. 1," I said. "2, "She said. Together, we exclaimed, "3!" I walked out to see a gorgeous Hallie. "Omigosh, you are gorgeous! You have to buy that!" I told her. "Only if you buy that! You look stunning!" She told me. I did an Elvis Presley impression, and say, "Thank you, thank you very much." We both burst out laughing and go back in the stalls to change.

        At 1:00, we all meet at Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Hayden buys me and him a brown sugar soft pretzel. "I love soft pretzels. They're, like, my favorite food." I told Hayden. He laughs, "How do they even make it a soft pretzel? It's a pretzel for crying out loud! It's not meant to be soft." He has a point. I flirt out, "What's wrong with being different?" I blink. He says, "Nothing. I like different." I say, "Me too." We smile. Greyson and Hallie come over with a salted soft pretzel they're sharing, and start a new conversation. And the moment is gone.


        We get home from the mall at 4:35, and my mom is home. The four of us walk into the kitchen, where my mom jumps up and exclaims, "Oh! People! Hi, I'm Avalon's mom, Mrs. Starr. And you are...?" She says. I mentally facepalm myself. "Mom..." I say. She gives me a 'what?' look. I look at Hayden and Hallie. Hayden answers, "I'm Hayden, ma'am. And this is Hallie." He says it in such a tone that my mom gives me a look like, what-a-gentlemen! I smile. He shakes mom's hand. Hallie shakes it next. "I like you guys. Are you hungry? You could stay for dinner..." My mom offers. Hayden and Hallie exchange a look, then say together, "Sure!" Hallie adds, "That'd be great." And it would.

        We decide to order pizza, and when Hallie calls her mom to ask if she could stay for dinner, my mom yells anxiously, "You can sleepover!" Then adds calmly, "If you want, that is..." My mom sounds crazy. No, please stay! I'll feed you pizza! Please sleepover, don't leave me! She's only like this because I hardly ever bring friends over, so she doesn't know how to act. Hallie's mom says yes, since it is a Saturday night. Greyson and I head upstairs while Hayden is on the phone with his parents.
        In my room, I say, "Greyson, you know how people perform in the mornings at school?" He nods, and I continue, "Well I was wondering if I should-" Greyson cuts me off, "Yes! You totally should!" I continue yet again, "- Sing a song for Hayden." He drops his smile, as if this is the most serious topic in the world. "Well, what would you sing?" He finally asks. "A song I wrote. I even got music for it and everything. You wanna hear it?" And he says yes. "Okay, after I sing it, do whatever you think Hayden would, alright?" He nods. I sing it for him.

***Greyson's POV***


        Her voice is so beautiful. I love the song. But, Do whatever Hayden you think would? What? I don't know what is coming over me. Do I like Avalon? I can't! I don't. I have mixed emotions. When she's done singing, though, I don't know what came over me. I kissed her. And she kissed back. Then, we part.
        Avalon looks so happy. I did that. I made her that happy. Maybe I do like her? But then she says, "You really think Hayden will kiss me!?" She jumps up and hugs me. What? Oh yeah, Do whatever you think Hayden would. So I didn't make her that happy. I only made her happy because she thinks Hayden will kiss her. I say, "Yeah, I don't know, don't get your hopes up, though." She let's go of me and pouts. "Don't be a downer, Greyson. Don't you want me to be happy?" Yeah. I do. "I'm sorry. I'm really tired. I should go." I reach for the window and she slaps my hand. "No! Stay." We sit on her bed. The same position we were in earlier when I thought about kissing her. What is wrong with me?
        Avalon says, "So, who do you like?" That caught me by surprise. I stutter, "M-me?" She pokes me, "Yes, you! Who do you like?" I don't know why. I said the first name that popped into my head. "Hallie." She gasps and jumps up. When did she get all girly and screamy?, I think. I am being so mean. Why am I thinking this way? I don't like Avalon, and I don't think all these mean things about my friends. Is it hormones? I don't know. I do know that I don't like Hallie. Why'd I say I do? No going back now...
        "You do?! Hallie Landen? The one in my living room?" She squeals. "I guess." I say. "Oh, my gosh! OH, MY GOSH! I have to get you two together!" She exclaims. "You do?" I ask, fearing the answer. "Yes! You're helping me get Hayden, I'll help you get Hallie! Oh, this is so perfect." Then she gasps, "You should sing her a song!" I widen my eyes, "I don-" She interrupts, "Yes, you do! Please! It would be so cute!" I say, "I'm a man, I don't wanna be cute." She looks at me with begging eyes. So I say, "Okay..." And she squeals once again. Oh, Lord...