Wow…all this talk about fanfic with Maddie got me into the mood to start writing! So thank her lol…ummmmmm I saw GC last night which was absolutely AMAZING! And thanks to all you guys to email me…it makes me feel “warm and tingly” inside that people actually like it lol. So for this chapter I think I’m gonna write in the narrators perspective because it will be easier to write about Ma—Ahh, you’ll see!

 

 

 

Chapter 20 – I Think You’re Going To Pop Me

 

 

            Hailey dropped her arms and wiped the running makeup from her cheeks. She was breathing shallow from all of the excitement. Just as she was about to say something to Paul, Benji stormed into the apartment, picking up Hailey and spinning her around.

            “CONGRATULATIONS!!” Benji exclaimed.

            “Ahem!” Emily coughed then cocked an eyebrow, “Benj?”

            “Oh sorry” Benji put Hailey down, “Hey! You’re wearing my locket!”

            “Of course!” Hailey replied.

            Benji squuzed her shoulders while nodding and walked over to Emily. Wrapping his arms around her waist he whispered the words ‘I missed you so much’ in her ear.

            “Aww…how cute.” Paul said while walking over to Hailey, “Now you…I missed you.”

            Hailey let out another tear and giggled as she hugged Paul, “I know…I missed you too.” They stood in the living room embracing each other for a few moments.

            Maddie smiled at the 4 lovebirds, and then walked out into the hallway to find Joel walking her way. “Joel!!!” She yelled. Joel ran to her and hugged her. “Hey babes.” He said.

            Maddie gave him a kiss on the cheek while giggling from the excitement of seeing Joel again.

            “Did you miss me?” Joel squeezed Maddie tighter.

            “No…I sat here in the apartment wondering how you were doing for no reason…absolutely no reason.”

            Joel loosened his squeeze, “That’s good to know!”

            Maddie tried to grasp Joel tighter but he pulled away. She looked into his deep brown eyes and smiled. Joel leaned in and gave her a passionate first kiss...

           

            Billy walked past Maddie and Joel in the hallway mumbling to himself, “Eww, that’s gross!” When he walked into the apartment and saw Emily and Benji and Paul and Hailey also going at it, he frowned at the hell he was in. He let out a sigh that actually interrupted Hailey and Paul.

            “Ah!!!…I’m gonna be late!!” Hailey started flipping out. She ran into the bathroom to give herself a quick touch-up.

            “What’s wrong?” Paul asked Billy while taking a seat on the couch.

            “Oh nothing, I’m just…lonely.”

            “Yeah I see what you mean. But, don’t worry, you’ll find someone.”

            Billy sighed, “I know…”

 

            Two minutes later Hailey walked out of the bathroom, amazed Benj and Emily were still going at it.

            “Ahh those two…so cute.” She said, “Oh Paul I forgot to tell you! Guess who’s coming to my graduation!”

            “Ummmm…who?” He replied

            “Amber!” Hailey said while sitting next to Paul

            Billy looked up from playing with his fishnet sleeves, widening his eyes as Benj looked over at Hailey with a surprised look on his face.

            “AMBER?!?!” Benji exclaimed.

            “Yes…Amber.”

            “Amber as in…your best friend that moved to Pennsylvania before we left…that Amber?” Paul said.

            “Yes that Amber!”

            “I can’t believe you invited her Hailey!” Emily yelled.

            “Em, she’s my best friend…I had to. Can you please just be nice to her today? For me?”

            Emily crossed her arms and looked miserable. “Fine. But ONLY for you.”

            Hailey walked over to Emily and gave her a hug. “Thank you!!”

            “So when is Amber coming?” Billy asked.

            “You rang?” Amber said while walking into the room. Emily sighed then walked into her bedroom.

            “AMBER!!” Billy said while giving her a hug, “Wow, it’s been so long! How have you been?”

            “Good…umm Billy…I think you’re going to pop me soon.”

            “Oh sorry.” Billy said while loosening his grip on her.

            “Ahh Amber!” Paul squealed while getting up, “It’s great to see you!” he said while hugging her.

            Benji stood in the living room quiet for a few seconds, looking at Amber while thinking.

            “Hey Benj…” Amber said softly.

            “Hey Amb…” Benji trailed off into Emily’s room (No stress--none at all)

            Joel and Maddie came into the room, holding hands. “Hey Amb!” Joel exclaimed.

            “Hey!!”

            Hailey interrupted, “My turn!” She walked over to Amber and gave her a hug, “Thanks for coming…it means a lot to me.”

            “No problem!”  

The alarm on the clock rang, signaling it was one in the afternoon.

            “Ahh...I’m gonna be late!! EMILY!!! WE’RE LEAVING!!!” Hailey grabbed her bag, looking for the speech she had prepared. (I think I forgot to mention in the previous chapters that she was Valedictorian…so she gets to make a speech!!...Sorry)

 

            She twiddled her thumbs as preparation for her speech and looked up at Paul In the crowd and smiled. She noticed Amber and Billy talking, and hoped they were hitting it off.

            The dean of students was giving her an introduction, “And now, a speech from your Valedictorian, Hailey Parris.”

            Hailey stood up and calmly walked over to the stage. The cheering from the crowd faded out as she replayed the words ‘don’t fall...you’re going to do fine’ in her head. When she got to the stage, she cleared her throat and then adjusted the microphone.

            “I had this long speech prepared about how hard I’ve worked and how much college meant to me, I even practiced it over and over in my bathroom mirror perfecting it each time. And I thought it was as perfect as it could have gotten--until now.” Hailey took her speech and ripped it up, letting the wind carry it away. “I think a speech like this should come from the heart, not a perfect piece of paper.” She paused, “These past 2 years were everything I wanted--a great school, friends, family…everything. I honestly couldn’t have made through college if it weren’t for my friends. And rather than saying a speech about how well I plan to live life, because all of you already know that’s what I want, I want to cherish this time and thank my friends.” She looked into the crowd, “First, Joel, Benji and Billy…I forgot how much I loved you guys. You guys were there for me when I needed someone the most, and I don’t think I could have gotten through those times without you. Thank you so much, you’ll never know how much it means to me to have you guys around.” Hailey looked at Emily, “Emily, although we’ve only known each other for about a month, you were one of the only people I’ve ever felt immediately comfortable around. You made touring so much easier I consider you one of the greatest friends I’ll ever have. Thank you.” Hailey paused to wipe a tear away from her cheek. “Maddie, I’ve known you shorter than Emily, but I feel just as close to you as I do her. Thanks for everything, our talks, cheering me up—oh and repainting my apartment! I hope we stay friends for so much longer. You are an amazing person with so much to offer this world. Don’t forget that…if you do I’ll have to kick you!…Amber, I don’t have a lot to say because we’ve missed about 2 years of each others lives. Thank you for being the amazing person you are. I’ll never forget you.” Hailey let out a sigh, “And last, but certainly not least…Paul. I think you are one of the only genuine people left on this planet. I’m not just saying that because I love you, I’m saying it because it’s true. During all of the bullsh—stuff we’ve been through, we always seem to come out on top. We argued and compromised and I realized that nothing's ever going to change the way I feel about you. I love you.” The audience simultaneously said “Awwww” as Hailey giggled, sniffled and wiped away her tears. She turned back to her fellow graduates, “And as for you guys…I’m going to miss you. You made my college life so great. Thank you.” Hailey shook her deans hand, then walked back to her seat.

 

            (Ok…speeding up to 6 hours later, after graduation and celebratory dinner…)

 

            “Hey so are you two coming out with us tonight?” Billy asked Hailey and Paul.

            Paul looked at Hailey, “I think I wanna stay in...I’m tired.” Hailey told Paul.

            “Nope...we’re not going out!” Paul laughed.

            “Ok…suite yourselves!” Billy said.

            Everyone filed out of the apartment, leaving Hailey and Paul on the couch. Hailey stood up, helping Paul off the couch.

            “What’s wron—”

            Hailey shut Paul up with a passionate kiss. The two stumbled across the living room stopping in front of Hailey’s bedroom door.

            “Are you sure?” Paul asked Hailey.

            Hailey grabbed Paul by the strings of his sweatshirt and pulled him into her room, kicking the door closed.