One Chance (Part 1)(21)
“I’m good, but thanks,” I say before turning to look back up into the sky.
“What is it with you and the damn stars anyway?” he asks as he lies down on the blanket and covers up, looking up in the sky.
“I like the stars.”
“We need to talk Hails,” he says in a serious tone.
“Then talk,” I say as I continue to stare into the sky.
“Why did you not want me to know you were going to Michigan?”
“I already told you why.”
“No, I don’t buy that.”
“I’m not selling you anything. Liam, you have been a jerk to me for years, you were nice for a little while when Brody and Kenzie started dating, but then you went back to being a jerk. Why would I want you to know? I don’t need you to be mean. I wanted a fresh start.”
“What’s that mean?” he asks looking frustrated.
“What’s what mean?” I say playing dumb.
“A fresh start?”
I can feel his eyes on me, but I will myself to keep staring into the sky. “It’s the reason I didn’t go to school with Kenzie and Brody, I don’t want to be her shadow. I want to do what I want, be friends with whom I want, act how I want, dress how I want without any ignorant comments. I want to be me for once,” I say feeling relieved.
“You should always be who you want Hails.”
“Yeah, because it’s always been so easy when your sister is Kenzie. She always had to be the center of attention, the spotlight of everything. Heaven forbid I do something that was better than her,” I say frustrated because that’s how it is when Kenzie’s in the room.
“But you did all the time. Your grades were better and your friends were nicer,” he says sincerely.
“But who cares about that, if you aren’t the popular kids.”
“You were popular though.”
“Because I was Kenzie’s shadow, so I was there because she wanted me there. Don’t get me wrong, Kenzie and I had our differences, but nothing stopped until I put an end to it, which was the same day I told her I wasn’t going to college with her.”
“You put a stop to what?” he asks looking confused.
“Her snide comments. Her always telling me she was better than me, prettier than me, more outgoing, you name it, she did it, until one day I called her out on it.”
“How’d that make you feel?”
“Honestly, it made me feel good. Like for once I’m showing who I am,” I say proudly.
“And who are you Haley Lawrence?” he asks with a sexy smirk.
“I’m a great friend, a trustworthy person, a girl everyone should wish they could get to know, because I’m that awesome of a person,” I say, sounding a little cocky, causing Liam to laugh a full out belly laugh. “Save it, I don’t need to hear any nasty comments from you,” I say as I start to sit up.
“Stop,” he says quickly, “I’m not laughing at you Haley. I think what you said was great and you have every right to feel the way you do. I am sorry I was mean to you, you didn’t deserve it.”
“You’re damn right I didn’t,” I say harshly, causing Liam to laugh again.
“Damn, you went to college to become a sassy little shit,” he says still laughing.
“No I didn’t. I’m just not dealing with the shit that I’ve dealt with before.”
“Good for you Haley, good for you,” he says looking at me then turns to look at the stars. “How have I not run into you?” he asks out of nowhere.
“Luck I guess.”
“No, it’s not luck. I just don’t get it, where do you usually hang out?”
“The sorority house or we go to the parties either at a few frat houses or other sorority houses.”
“So you don’t go to other parties that are off campus or anywhere?” he asks as he pierces me with those beautiful blue eyes.
“No, we just make our rounds at the local houses,” I say, staring back at him.
“Have you seen me at a party and bailed because I was there?
“Honestly, no I haven’t. I haven’t seen you at any parties,” I say lying through my teeth. I’ve seen him at one party.
“Huh,” he states before looking back up at the stars.
“What?”
“That’s crazy.”
“Do you hang out at the sorority house much?” I ask, because I never see him there.
“The one you’re in?”
“Yeah?”
“Sometimes, not very often though,” he admits.
“Why is that?”
“Why’s what? Why I’m not at Meg’s house often?”
“Yeah. I mean you guys seem pretty serious if you’re going to live together. You would think that you would want to spend lots of time together,” I say, hoping he gives me some type of answers.