Chapter 16 – You’re Gonna Miss My Departure!

 

            Maddie, Emily and I grabbed a seat at a local diner. The boys were off doing some promotional stuff. Despite the fights, this had been one of the most amazing weeks in my life. I remembered the first night I came on tour with them. Sitting with Paul on the park bench felt so surreal.

            “This week went by so fast.”

            “I know what you mean. It feels like you just got here.” Emily said.

            “I don’t want leave you guys.”

            “Yeah it’s a shame you have to go back. It’s been so much fun hanging with you!” Maddie said.

            These girls were amazing. I felt like they had become my family in this short week that I knew them.

            “I know! You two can come back to New York with me for a little while. You can help me look for a new apartment.”

            “Id love to. But I don’t think I am.  I think I’m going to stay behind and get to know Joel a little better. After all, I’ve only known him for what? 5 days?” Maddie pulled her hair back into a ponytail.

            “Yeah I see. Well we will have to stay in touch then!” I replied.

            “Emily, you’re not eating much, what’s wrong?” Maddie said.

            “Wait…I think I’ll go back with you. I’d love to see New York again. Plus, I think Benj is lying to me.”

            Maddie and I looked at Emily in astonishment.

            “WHAT?” Maddie screamed.

            “I don’t think he was looking for me that day. I think he was off with another girl.” Emily’s began to look dewy-eyed at the thought of Benji being untrue to her. “I’m sorry, I think I’m gonna go back to the hotel.”

            “My flight leaves at 5, so be ready by then, ok?”

            After lunch Maddie and I returned to Emily and Benji arguing in Benji’s hotel room. We could hear then through the walls.

            "Where were you yesterday, I was looking for you for HOURS!”

"I was looking for you... I told you!!!" Benji replied.

"Oh, yea, right, like you were...I bet you were with some other girl!!!"

"What???? No I wasn't...how can you say that?"

"Dont lie to me Benj!!!"

            "I'm not...I was looking for you!!! Benji walked out of his room slamming the door behind him. He must have been irate, because he didn’t even see me and bumped into me. “Sorry Hailey.”

            “It’s cool. Do you want to talk about this?”

            “Nah, I’m ok...” Benji headed for the door. Before walking out he turned to me and said, “Actually, I think I do.”

            “Ok…” I turned to Maddie, “I’ll be back in a little while.”

           

            Benji and I walked out of the hotel and across the street to the park. We didn’t say anything to each other the whole walk.

            “This looks like a good place!”

            Benji shuffled over to the bench that overlooked the pond. He sat down and crossed his arms. I turned on the bench sideways so I could talk to him. His face was still red and enraged with anger. His face looked so confused and hurt. This wasn’t the same Benji I knew.

            “So, are you gonna spill it?”

            “How can she think I cheated on her?”

            “…Care to elaborate?”

            “It’s Emily…she thinks that yesterday when I said I was looking for her, I was off with some other girl.”

            I didn’t want to say anything that would reveal that I knew what was going on. I sat on the bench trying to choose my words wisely.

            “Were you?” This was quite possibly the stupidest question I’ve ever asked.

            Benji shot me a glare. “Of course I wasn’t!!!”

            “I’m sorry, it’s just a…reaction. So what’s wrong?” Benji turned at me. His eyes looked like they were starting to tear. “You really love her, don’t you?”

            “Of course.” Benji turned sideways to me. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone, ever. And it kills me to think that she doesn’t trust me.”

            “I know how you feel. Trust me. I know, I’ll tell you what I told Billy. Give it time, time heals everything.”

            “I know, it’s just that…I can’t stand being mad at her.”

            “I’m so sorry Benj, but I’ve gotta get back to the hotel, I’m leaving tonight.” I looked at my watch.

            “You’re leaving?” Benji exclaimed.

            “I know, I don’t want to. But I have to get things sorted out in New York.”

            “Yeah, I still can’t believe that Ayla did that. What a bitch.” He stopped, wiped the corners of his mouth and sniffled. “I’m gonna miss you. I think out of everyone here, we understand each other the best, ya know?” Benji was such a sweetheart.

            “Yeah…I know.”

            “I gotta get you something before you go…something good.”

            I stood up and stretched. “Ok Benj.”

Benji stood up after me and gave me a hug. “Thank you.” He whispered in my ear.

“No problem. Let’s get going.”

We talked about his fight with Emily the whole walk back to the hotel.

“I’m gonna be up in a bit…” Benji said.

 

I walked into the hotel room to find Billy on the couch watching a movie and Joel and Maddie talking outside on the balcony. Paul was sitting on the couch and didn’t even notice that I walked in the room. I walked along the couch the back of the couch and pulled off Paul’s hat. He reacted quicker than I’ve ever seen anyone react.

“Hey!” he yelled, “Give it back!”

“You’ll have to catch me first!” I said while twirling the hat on my finger.

Paul chased me until I decided to turn around and run into him, giving him a hug. I kissed him quickly then put the hat on his head.

“I’m out like a fat kid on dodge ball.” (I love that line)

“Billy, its only 2 o’clock!” Paul said.

“Yeah, but I’m tired.”

“You’re gonna miss my departure!”

“No I wont...” He disappeared into the hallway.

“I’m tired too…lets go lay down.” Paul said.

“Hmm, is this an evil ploy of yours?”

“Oh no, defiantly not.” I loved it when Paul was sarcastic.

“Ok then…”

 

Paul and I laid on the couch savoring the time we had left together. Unfortunately, he fell asleep. So I decided to take a walk and see how Benji was doing.

“Hailey!” I heard someone yell my name in the lobby.

“Hey Benj…how are you feeling?”

“Better. I got this for you!” He held out a poorly wrapped object with a pink bow on it.

“You didn’t have to.”

“I know I just wanted to. It took my mind off of Emily for a bit.”

I opened up the package. He had gotten me a gold locket. One of the pictures was of him and cash, the other of him and me.

“Awww Benj!! It’s beautiful! Thank you so much!” I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a hug.

“No problem.”

I stood back and looked at him in the eyes. His eyes started to well up. “I’m gonna see you again Benj, you don’t have to get so emotional. We’ve only known each other for a week!”

“I know, it’s just with everything going on, I’m a little…emotional.”

“Is it that time of the month?” (I’m sorry, I had to…the tampon posts made me do it.)

He laughed it off and then gave me a noogie. “Actually, yeah, it is.”

 

[Blah blah, Benji put the locket on Hailey in the elevator…(I don’t feel like typing that scene out)]

 

Benji and I walked into the hotel room laughing hysterically.

“Where have you been?” Paul asked.

“Oh, Benj needed someone to talk to…”

“Oh, you were gone for so long.”

“No I wasn’t” I looked at my watch. “Yikes, an hour…I lost track of the time…”

“What that?” Paul said while pointing to my locket.

“Oh, Benji got it for me as a going away present. Isn’t it pretty?”

“Yeah…” Paul opened it and saw the picture of Benji and Cash, which made him laugh. Paul looked at Benji “You’re so obsessed…”

“I try…” Benji walked to Emily’s door. “Can I talk to you?” I heard Emily scream no through the door. “Please?”

Emily opened the door after he graveled for a minute. “No! I’m busy packing.” Em walked to the bathroom and collected her things.

“To go where?”

“Back to New York with Hailey.”

“WHAT?!?!”

Paul looked at me. “I think we better leave them alone…”

“Yeah…there might not be a hotel room left when we get back.”

 

We walked out of the room and Emily and Benji were still arguing. I looked at my watch and realized I didn’t have much time left. Paul and I took a seat on a couch in the hallway of the hotel.

“I’m going to miss you so much Paul.”

He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in. “We’re gonna be fine. We’ll be in New York 2 weeks after you leave, so it isn’t going to be long.”

“I know…speaking of that, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.”

“About?”

“Well…this week was probably the best week of my life.”

“Even with everything that happened?” Paul asked.

“Of course. I think the reason it was so great was because I was with you. I love you so much. More than anything.”

“I love you too…”

“And, I’m done with college in 3 weeks, which is when you’ll be back in New York…”

“So soon?”

“Yeah, I didn’t go for long…and instead of going to work right away, I was wondering” I paused, “If I could go back on tour with you.”

“Definatly.”

“Great.” My watch beeped, telling me it was 3 o’clock. “We better get going.”

 

The airport was quiet, which was a shock. I went down the line of band members saying good-bye.

 Joel gave me a hug. “See you in two weeks Hailey! You’re welcome back any time you want.”

“Thanks Joel!”

Next was Billy. “I’m gonna miss you Hailey…” Billy gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you soon…where’s Benji?”

“No clue...”

Next in line was Maddie. “Don’t forget to call me everyday and write and…oh am I gonna miss you Hailey!!!”

“I won’t forget, I promise—”

            Before I could finish Paul pulled me in and hugged me. I loved him so much it hurt. My eyes started to tear as I started sobbing in his sweatshirt.

            “I love you so much Paul.”

            “I love you too...” Paul kissed me on my forehead. At that moment I remembered the first time we said I love you, only this time I was going away.

            “I’m not gonna say goodbye, because that would mean we’re never seeing each other again. I couldn’t live with myself if that ever happened.”

            “So what are you gonna say?”

            “I love you and I’ll see you in two weeks.” Passionately kissed me. Walking away I turned around and blew him a kiss.

 

            As Emily and I were boarding, I heard her name being called by someone in the crowds. The flight attendant was annoyed already that we took so long before, I could imagine her after this. I looked back and saw a bandana floating through the crowd. It must have been Benji. He was pushing and shoving his way through the crowd.

            “Emily!!! EMILY WAIT!!” Emily turned around and dropped her luggage. “I’m so sorry, I—”

            “Benji! It’s ok…I was stupid to not believe you. I’m sorry.”

            Benji grabbed her and hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry too.” He kissed her for a few seconds.

            “I have to get going..” Emily said.

            “Ok…goodbye.” Benji paused. “Wait! Hailey!”

            I turned around walked over and gave Benji a hug. “I’ll see you in two weeks!”

            “Goodbye!” Benji said.

            Emily and I walked onto our plane arm in arm preparing for the longest two weeks of out lives.