........................................

Hailey

"Go fish." Vickie snapped her gaze up at Kevin's retort narrowing it. The asian guy smiled wider, his eyes stretched into two thin lines. "Go fish, Vickie. Again."

She inspected her cards once more, looking down at the table and back to the cards before lowering them with an exaggerated sighed of frustration that humored us further.

"You're cheating." she accused through clenched teeth, picking a card.

"We're not. It's not our fault you suck at this."

Her face reddened almost as her hair. "This game sucks."

"Come on," I coughed in my fist to cover my laugh -not all of us were this discreet. "Everyone loves it."

"Not me!"

"Because you suck at it." shrugged Taylor and Kevin nudged her lightly as Oliver almost rolled on the floor from laughing.

Nate had this amused smirk as well, but his eyes were focused on his own cards, hard, as if it was a tricky question. It made sense once you know he'd never played it before and the previous games had been us basically teaching him. He'd get it pretty quick but still getting used to it I guess.

I couldn't believe how easily he'd fit in. I mean, weren't we lame and boring? One would have thought Mr Popular would have some party or cool stuff to attend to on a Saturday night, but no. He decided to hang here and the guys received him with open arms. Vickie was a bit reluctant, mostly because her shyness and the close bond between the quarterback and Bear; as for Taylor, she'd never been a huge fan of Nate, nor she was trying to hide it.

Don't ask me why, but tonight we all seemed to have made an agreement to go against Vickie and the poor girl keep gaining cards beyond believing, to the point she was getting frustrated. Oliver even tried to sneak as a rule while teaching Nate some not-so-official rules made especially against her, but that only earned him a smack on the back of the head from the red-haired.

With a huff Vickie picked up the card and examined it, blushing harder as she does but her eyes sparkled. Olly and Kevin shared a look and barely managed to convert their conspiratorial smile. Oliver cleared his throat. "Hey, Vickie."

"Mh?"

"Give me your King."

Her face flushed angry red and we all bursted into laughing as she once again lost another card.

"Fuck you!" she slammed her cards on the table and got up.

We tried to talk her to stay, but since we keep chuckling she sent us a glare and flipped us moving pass the circle we were forming around the coffee table where we were playing and towards the barn door.

"Damn." I bit my lip, beginning to stand as well. "Should I-"

"I got this." Tay beat me to it, carefully leaving her cards facing down on the wooden surface and following the redhead out.

I sighed, resting backwards against the ottoman where I'd nested. Kevin, Taylor and Nate had taken the couch, and Olly and Vickie had occupied the arm resters, like usually. It wasn't official, but we kinda had this unspoken distribution whenever we came here. Except Nate. He was the newcomer and I hope he didn't make a tradition to join us this uninvited.

"It's always like this?" wondered Nate as Kevin picked up all the cards and shuffled them.

"Nope," Oliver leaned back, slouching obnoxiously on the seat and sent me a malicious smile. "Usually we all team up against Hails here, but we've decided to give her a break today."

I rolled my eyes picking one of the remain pieces of pizza. They were cold by now, but they're pizza, right? "So thoughtful of you."

"You know it, love." he chuckled and turned towards Nate again. "You know, in the Summer Camp we used to bet our chocolates so Hailey learned overnight and went pro on us."

"Olly!" I blushed.

"What? It's true. I've never met someone that went that protective over their chocolates."

How could he say something like that in front of Nate?! Now not only I would be the weird lame girl, but also the one with an obsessive sweet tooth. They laughed as I glared, embarrassed. Nate cleared his throat, biting his lip to stop the stupid grin.

"You went to a Summer Camp? Aren't those for kids?"

See? It was as if I keep giving him munition to use against me.

Oliver snorted before I could defend myself. "There are so many types of them, Herond. But either way we were instructors. That's where I met Hails and Tay."

"Really?" Nate's brows shot up in interest and I wished he would just stop faking so genuinely. It was hard to remember how cruel he could be when he was putting out all his charms on use.

"Yep." Olly's smirk stretched. "We got choose as captains at a tug-of-war. Being the gentleman I am, I let them win."

"For real now?" I snorted, shaking my head at the cocky male across from me. "That's not how I remembered it."

"Come on, you were such a bunch of sore losers, no one was up to hear more whines."

Kevin chuckled, distributing the cards again in six piles on the table. "Taylor tells another story though. Didn't you fall on the mud and... what was it? Oh, yeah, screamed like a three-year-old girl."

I laughed at the memory. It was then; after the tantrum Oliver pulled that day, the water-balloons-revenge of their boys against ours and the 'war' it brought on, that I knew we would be friends. And let's be honest, Olly scream pretty damn loud.

"That's more accurate."

"Pff, details." he shrugged, not bothered at all. "So what are we playing now?"

"Anything but 'Go-Fish'." Vickie grumbled as her and Taylor appeared and took back their places. Judging from the annoyed look of the red-haired, I could tell that whether Tay'd managed to soothe her a bit she was still pissed. "You bunch of cheaters. Do that one more time and I'll screw you."

"Won't you buy me a dinner first?"

"Bite me."

Oliver smile grew larger, threatening as he leaned in closer to her. "Say please."

"Please." Taylor purred, dragging his attention towards her instead and smirking when Olly's smug look dropped and stomped his fist on the armrest.

"Not fair! You're taken. She's taken!"

"We know." Kevin narrowed his eyes circling one arm around Tay's shoulders possessively.

"Another."

"You sure are something." Nate laughed, darting eyes between everyone and shaking his head. Somehow, I took that as a personal mock and my cheeks flushed.

We played over and over, chuckling and forgetting about the time. Vickie, poor girl, only spiked more the guys to mess with her, but I would be a hypocrite if I said I didn't have a few laughs at it. As Olly'd said, it usually was me, so I couldn't stop but being amused on her behalf, and despites everything she wasn't even near as mad as she pretended to.

Nate fit quite well and easily there and it kept bothering me. How could someone that had proved to be so untrustful and mean be now nice and careless with my friends? I mean, we weren't outcasts, but weren't that popular either... except for Olly. And I was sure if Tay and I hadn't met him over the summer neither he would be part of the group. Not for nothing, we just didn't attract that kind of attention. We were average.

Nate wanted my forgiveness. Being the it-boy he was, he couldn't stand not being loved by everyone, but would he really go that far as pretending this long? Was he being honest? Would he snap the next time thing didn't turn the way he likes them?

But what infuriates me the most was that I need to constantly remind myself why I didn't trust him, because he managed to make me forget! He was fun, and carefree, and then he smiles... Uh! Damn him and his charisma!

I would feel his gaze on me more often than not and its weight burned me in a weird way. I would lift my eyes to meet his from time to time -just to make sure it wasn't just an impression of mine- and whenever I met those piercing green orbs my stomach did a somersault.

Stupid hormones.

It would also be ten thousand times easier to be unbothered by it if he didn't have the face and body of a damn Hollywood actor. I was sure if Roosevelt needed a male model he surely would be one of the first options.

To add to my helplessness, my friends just welcomed him as if he was already part of the group. Tay still not happy with his presence here, but Vickie was slowly opening up and the boys had been more than okay with him here since second one.

Just as we ended another game and beat Kevin this time; my phone buzzed over the table, making everything over it vibrated as it rang. Justin's name across the screen made my heart speed.

He's calling me! It was a late Saturday night and he was calling me. Me!

But when I wasn't fast enough to pick it Taylor beat me to it, stretching her arm out my reach.

"Tay." I got up, but she retracted her arm further, pouting.

"No no. No Justin tonight."

The phone kept ringing and I panicked thinking about him hanging up. I leaned over Kevin between us. "Taylor, give me the phone."

"But-"

"Taylor!" I finally managed to snatch it from her grasp, picking up right before the answering machine started. "Hi?"

Nate

We watched her move away, her tone changing to a high sugary one, holding the phone hard as her other hand cupped her other ear.

As Hailey paced at the other end of the barn, her gaze absently drifted towards us, locking with mine. I rose one brow at her and her eyes narrowed, listening to whatever Justin was saying on the other end of the line. It must be something funny since she laughed, looking down and muttering a response while tugging a lock of hair behind her ear and completely forgetting about me.

That dismiss didn't sit well in my guts .

Maybe it's the fact that I still hadn't made any progress in her forgiving me while that shithead managed to smite her so easily.

"I thought she was already done with him?" frowned Oliver snapping my attention back at them as they divided up the cards for another round. I took mine, not really paying attention at it.

"Nah," Vickie sighed, picking hers as well. She was actually quite nice, I didn't get why Bear hates her so much. "She almost was but then-" her eyes met mine and she shut herself, squirming and let out an embarrassed giggle while blushing for the hundredth time tonight. "Well, Ames noticed her again."

I didn't like the way my stomach churned at her accusingly back tone. "And why are you saying that as if it's my fault?"

"You did put her in the spotlight, didn't you?" there went the other girl, Taylor, being openly bitter everytime she talked to me. I got to say, for such a tiny body, she sure did hold a lot of resentment. What had I ever done to her? I could only wonder. "You kissed her in front of everyone, and whether you mean it or not like that, you must know the image that projects of her."

There it was again, the fucking guilt curling my guts. My hand clenched the cards slightly, but I struggled not to let it show. Without thinking I searched for Hailey again, but she wasn't in the barn anymore. Guess she went out for more intimacy or so.

"Baby," Kevin nudged his girlfriend, giving me an apologetic look. "Come on, it wasn't a big deal."

"Wasn't it? Right. Just a kiss. A little bit of PDA, who cares, uh?"

"What's your problem?" I gritted out through my teeth. I really didn't want to snap at her, but her condescending tone and constant bickering was getting on my nerves. As if I didn't feel bad enough already. "I've apologized."

"Oh, and you think that solves it all, don't you?"

"Alright!" Oliver cleared is throat loudly. "Let change the game, something more cheerful for a change?"

But I couldn't focus on his babble. Taylor anger was written all over her features. There was no way this was just because last week's stunt. Suddenly I felt my heartbeat speed.

Maybe Hailey had told them about that night that I ended at the police station?

No. If that was it then all of them would hate me.

Who wouldn't? I completely screw up when I lashed out at her.

But then?

There has to be something else but I couldn't figure it out.

"Is she ever coming back?" Vickie's wonder made me snapped out my daze and realized they'd unfolded a new game on the table, spreading the tiles. "Should we call her or just save her a chip?"

"I'll go get her." I stood, cutting the sudden tension it was growing.

The last thing I wanted was to create some bad environment in their group for my presence. I basically had stayed because; first, I wanted to delay my return home as much as I could, and second, because that way I could keep trying to get Hailey's forgiveness. Getting in an argument with her friends clearly wouldn't help my case.

The night outside was clear and quiet, benefits of being out the limits of the city. If I had this place, with that barn, I would throw some hell of parties. Like Matt used to. They were legendary. But now that he was away the remain Graces didn't look so into putting this place in good use.

The cold air of mid October wiggled my clothes as I stepped out, looking around for Hailey but she wasn't in sight. The fuck?

"What are you doing?" the soft voice had me spinning and there she was. Sitting by the door; back against the facade and arms around her knees, keeping them against her chest. But despites her joyful mood when she picked up the call, now she looked sad. And I didn't like it.

Had Ames said something? My fists balled before I could control it and an unknown feeling tightened around my chest. No, I didn't like it. I hated it.

How come she always seemed down after talking to him. If she really liked him that much shouldn't it be the contrary?

I was dying to voice my thoughts, but she'd been pretty obvious about her willingness in talking about this to me. It irritated me, but I couldn't pinpoint the reason.

What if she had a destined-to-be-screwed-whatever with Justin Ames? I didn't care.

Then why the fuck did I felt this unease at her obvious distress?

"Just checking out, you've been out for quite a while." I smiled to break the tension, but her gaze was vacant, seeing through me and lost in her own thoughts. Now, being ignored was something I didn't deal well with. Never had. Never will. "Hellooo, I'm talking to you?"

I nudged her foot lightly with mine, which earned me a glare -at least she paid me attention now!- and her arms tightened harder around her legs.

"I don't feel like playing anymore." she turned her head away, pressing her cheek to her knees. "What are you doing here?"

The feeling only increased the knot around my lungs. What's up with everyone being rude to me today?

"You mean it as in here here or as an in existential way? Because then this would be kinda tricky and long answer. Have time?"

She groaned, covering her face with her palm but I heard her muffled: "You're impossible."

For some reason, I found myself smiling. "Yeah, you said that before." and sat beside her against the barn. Why? I don't even know; but I just felt like it at the moment.

I watched as she took in a shaky breath and finally rose her face from her hand, eying me suspiciously before focusing on her lap.

"Why are you here, Nate?"

"Other than enjoy your warm hostess skills?" I asked, rolling my eyes and she snorted. "I'm clearly here for your amazing cooking skills, that's it."

She let out a dry chuckle at my sarcasm. "Yeah, well, it's never been my strength. Matt used to cook for us whenever my mother was too busy." her voice sounded deeper now, almost trembling and I realized it was a sensitive topic. "Now I guess it relies on me."

"Poor kids." I taunted instinctively to drown the sudden thickness. It worked.

"Shut up." she gently nudged my shoulder with hers, her lips tight to prevent an upcoming smile and I laughed.

"You really don't like me, uh?" her eyes narrowed at my question and I had to divert mine so she couldn't see through the easy-going teasing I was putting on.

Honestly, I had no idea why it bothered me so much that she hated me. I mean, I earned her dislike all by myself, but it didn't feel right. I knew I deserved it, tho.

So it came to a complete surprise when I heard her whispered:

"I don't know."

"Well," I cleared my throat and sent her a smile. "That's better than what I got earlier." she rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched and I knew she was fighting back a grin. My chest fluttered at the improve. "Or better than Taylor's cold shoulder." I snorted. "Why does she hate me so much, uh?"

Hailey shrugged, glancing up at the sky where the stars were damn clear against the darkness around us. "You kissed her once."

What?!

Shock and disbelief washed over me. I kissed the shorty as well? Fuck, seems like it was my thing with these girls. She must noticed because when her eyes fell on me again they gave me a knowing look, her lips curving in a grimace.

"You don't remember, do you?" I scratched my nape, struggling to recall it. How could I not remember kissing a girl? "Well, you did. Three years ago. At a party at Thomas Brown's house."

Party? What party?

Kimmy's words from this morning came back to me, calling me a manwhore. Damn, if I was trying to prove her wrong I was failing miserably.

Seeing how lost I was Hailey sighed and helped me further with yet another clue: "We were playing spin the bottle. Seth ended up skinny-dipping in the pool?"

"Oh." The memory broke through and I laughed at how ridiculously wasted Seth was back there. "Yeah. I remember that party." but then frowned. Me myself hadn't been the most sober. I was just before Trish and I began dating for the first time. I remember being mad because she'd been purposely making me jealous through the whole week with Andy Doland. Something didn't make sense. "You say I kissed Lans?"

Hailey nodded and went back to glance the stars. "Yes. In spin the bottle. You seriously don't remember?"

"Nope." how frustrating! I shook my head and leaned back against the barn, following her gaze up. "Please, do enlighten me."

Nervously, she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Well, the bottle spun and she had to kiss Mike, but he was dating Lisa Tompson and seemed terrified of what she might say. So you said you were not going to waste an opportunity with such a 'bangable girl' and you kissed her in front of everyone."

"Wow."

"Yeah. But then you were a jerk and said you were just using her to make Trish jealous."