Chapter 8

• Hayley I have been living my life in the shadows for awhile now. It’s still a struggle to forget all the hurt I’ve felt from past betrayals. It feels like everything bad that could happen, happens when you let down your guard and choose to be happy, or at least that’s been my experience. So why am I agreeing to gran? Why am I feeling a little excited about this? Like life is giving me a second chance. I'm still lost in my thoughts when my phone begins to vibrate and Ava Max “On me" starts playing. I stare at the screen a little blankly not recognising the number. I'm about to put the phone back down when gran exclaims "What are you doing, answer it. It’s probably Xander! I gave him your number this morning”. “What??? No. No way!”, I say throwing the phone on the table. This is all happening way too fast. Grandma Helen promptly presses answer and puts the call on loudspeaker before I have time to even blink! “ Be cool”, she whispers as a male voice comes over the phone. “Hi... is this Hayley’s phone”, I hear Xander say. I glare at grandma not knowing what to do. I can’t exactly keep quiet now! “ Erm, hi. Yes this is Hayley.” I say more than a little flustered all while grandma Helen grins from across the table. “Hayley, this is Xander, Helen’s grandson. I was hoping we could meet for drinks. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you". < “ Erm sure... is everything ok?” I ask, not knowing what else to say. “ No worries Hayley, everything is fine. Are you free tonight?” I almost laugh at that... I'm free almost every night dude, but there’s only so much a drama a girl can handle in one day, so I reply “actually I have plans today...”“No problem, how about Friday?” says Xander. By this point, grandma Helen’s glaring at me, “ Sure, that seems fine.” I say as I stick my tongue out at gran. “Great, I’ll text you details “, he replies. We say goodbye and hang up. My eyes are probably like saucers and my breath comes shallow and fast. What did I just get myself into to? A minute ago this was all theoretical. Now it feels way to real. I need a minute to catch my breath. Gran is squealing in delight across from me “I knew it", she grins in triumph. “Gran, this is a lot to take in. I need a little time to process this. I think I need to head home now. I will call you tomorrow, I promise" She must see my panic stricken face and decides to have mercy on me, “Sure dear, I know it’s a lot to take in. We will discuss everything tomorrow. I know there are a lot of details to iron out. You will be fine. Just breath", she says. II kiss her on her cheek and stumble out of the coffee shop in a daze. I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting in my car staring out the window, but the clouds have started to darken so its definitely been awhile. This day has taken it’s toll on me for sure. I start the car and drive home on autopilot, even my animals greeting me when I get home isn’t enough to snap me out of my daze. I’m scared. What have I gotten myself into... I sling my towel over my shoulder and grab a grey track pants and black t-shirt along with a boy leg and sports bra as I make my way into the bathroom . The hot water feels like heaven against my tired muscles and I close my eyes and try my best to just let go of everything and not think. The bathroom looks more like a steam room by the time I'm done but at least I'm feeling a little more human. I still have this weird feeling I can’t describe but I guess I’m just being emotional. A part of me wants to smile because of the possibilities . Another part is scared because I stopped taking chances a long time ago and with good reason. I know I'm not the only girl in the universe that’s been played by a guy but I never saw it coming and it just hurts. Still does. I'm over my ex, don’t get me wrong. Whatever feelings I had for him died a slow and painful death when he showed his true colours, but it doesn’t stop me from being weary of ever putting myself out there again. “Don’t they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else?,” I say to myself as I try to get out of this funk I'm in. I can’t help but grin thinking of being under Xander. My cheeks are hot as I climb into bed . ‘I am putting myself out there. I deserve to be happy. If it works out and Xander falls madly in love with me like his gran wants, then it will be a miracle... I know that, but even in the more likely chance that it won’t work out like gran plans, well even then, I can’t keep hiding and it’s a journey I want to take. A chance I want on a happily ever after”, I say to myself as the days events take their toll and I find myself dozing of to sleep.