Chapter 11 – I still hate Jello.
Emily, Maddie and I walked onto the bus. Of course, Emily ran to Benji and Maddie ran to Joel in the back lounge. I sat with Billy in the front of the bus, grabbing a drink from the fridge.
“What are you doing?” Billy asked.
“Getting piss drunk!”
“Why?”
“Hmm, well seeing how I lost my boyfriend, my best friend and my roommate…it seems like a good idea.”
“Ahh, come here.”
I sat next to Billy and put my head on his shoulder. “It’s gonna get better, I promise.”
“I know, but for now it sucks.”
“I feel ya.”
Paul walked in from the back lounge.
“Oh hi Hailey, I didn’t know you were here.”
“Hi Paul.”
“What are you doing?” he paused, “You never drink!”
“I know, it’s just that getting piss drunk sounds good right now.”
“Can…can I talk to you?” Paul asked.
“Sure.” I said while getting up.
Billy pulled on my arm. “You know, if you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to do this.”
“I know Billy, I know.”
Paul and I walked outside of the bus; I forgot my sweatshirt so Paul offered his. I accepted and put it on. It smelled so good, just like him.
“Thanks.” I said.
“No problem. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.”
“I know and I’ve been thinking—”
“Wait…let me finish. I’m sorry for lying about Ayla. The only reason I slept with her was to make you jealous.”
“Make me jealous?” I asked.
“You remember yesterday when you said that you lost your virginity in a meaningless fling with your boyfriend?”
“Yeah.”
“It hurt me, because it wasn’t meaningless for me. I love you Hailey. I was so happy when we had sex because I care so much for you. But having you say that hurt me.”
“So is that why you cried?”
“No, I didn’t cry I ‘let out a tear’”
I laughed at the much-needed comic relief. “I’m sorry Paul. But, imagine that you were just told that you lost your virginity, and you couldn’t remember it. Plus you lost to someone who was your ex boyfriend and already in a relationship. I had so many thoughts running through my head.”
“I know. I know.”
“And then you hear that your boyfriend slept with your roommate. Well ex roommate.”
“Ex roommate?”
“I saw her at the show, and I told her to pack her things because I wanted her out by the time I got home.”
“She has no where to live!” Paul yelled.
“She has time…until I get back.”
“Which is?”
“I don’t know...it depends on things with us. And, why are you getting so mad? Your fling was meaningless…right?” Paul was silent. “RIGHT?”
“Yeah, right. It was.” Paul mumbled.
“Look Paul, I love you. I really do. That’s why it’s been tearing me apart. And I don’t want to lose you again. These past 2 months have been the best of my life.”
“Mine too.”
“I just can’t handle all of the lies.”
“Me either”
“So is everything out in the open? No more lies?”
“No…no more lies.”
“Good.” I responded.
“How about we start over?” Paul said. “A fresh, clean slate.”
“I’d like that.”
“Ok, but first…” Paul grabbed me and kissed me. It felt so much better to know that everything was good between us. Everything felt so comfortable, so harmless now that I was back in his arms. After the kiss, Paul and I waited outside the bus just holding each other and taking in the moment.
“Paul? Has anyone seen Paul?” Benji was always so loud. I heard him through the open windows.
“Yeah, he’s outside with Hailey.” I never realized Billy was loud too.
“Oh, then I’ll give them a minute.” Benji said.
Paul and I walked onto the bus. “You rang?” Paul said.
“Yeah, we’re leaving for San Francisco.”
“Well then…” I said. “Is Maddie coming with us?”
“I don’t think so.” Benji said.
“Oh why not?” Paul said.
“She works here in Seattle dude,” Benji said.
“Oh, I knew that.”
“Paul, you look so cute when you’re confused.” I said. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind me and put his chin on my shoulder.
“So everything’s good with you two?” Benji asked.
I took in a deep breath and exhaled. “Yeah.” I said with a smile on my face.
Joel and Maddie walked by to the front of the bus.
“Give us a few minutes, ok?” Joel said.
“Sure.” Billy replied.
After 5 minutes Joel got back on the bus a little down.
“Are you ok Joel?” I asked.
“Yeah, it’s just, I’m going to miss Maddie.”
“Yeah me too, but that what phones are for.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
The bus started up and we were now on a 12-hour drive down to San Francisco. It could not have been a better time to get everything sorted out.
“So, I was thinking of maybe bunking together tonight Hailey.”
“You’re so determined Paul.”
“Yeah…”
“I’d love to bunk with you.”
“OOOOOH!!!” Benji squealed and giggled.
“Be quiet child…” I said.
Paul and I hopped up into the top bunk laid there holding each other. It had been the best part of my visit so far.
“So, we’ve already had sex, and had enough problems to last a lifetime…what’s next?” Paul said.
“Sex I can remember.” I replied.
Paul laughed and then slowly dozed off to sleep. I laid there watching him sleep and eventually dozed off myself.