Not bothering to open my eyes, trying to fall back asleep. I hear three of the four men talking upstairs, the only voice missing is Jaime, until I hear him say good morning to them. Coming down the stairs to go to the kitchen he suddenly stops and turns to go back. Voices drift down the hallway, they definitely don’t know that I’ve woken up. “When did Haley get here and why did no one wake me up to tell me?” Jaime demanded.

Tony answers, “She kept calling you this morning, I couldn’t sleep and I heard your phone so I got up and answered it. She needed somewhere to go. Said she was already packed and just needed to get away so I went to get her. Came back here, tired as fuck so I didn’t think of it.”

“I’m gonna go wake her up.” Jaime once again comes walking down the stairs and comes over to me.

“I’m already awake.” I say with a yawn before he even tried to wake me. “I’m sorry for being a burden. I can’t handle being alone there. I promise I’ll figure shit out by the end of this week.”

“Shut up Haley. You’re not a burden. Want anything from the kitchen?” I shook my head no, with a slight smirk on my face. “Fine, that was a stupid question. I’ll make you hot chocolate.” He leaves me by kissing my cheek.

As I’m sipping on hot coco, Mike, Tony and Vic come down the stairs seeing me. I get up so I can have hugs considering I haven’t seen them in a few days, which is really not normal for us at all. Tony gives me a smile and continues to the kitchen, where Jaime is sitting at the table watching me. Vic pulls me into a hug with a kiss on the cheek before Mike picks me up and spins me, setting me down smiling. “Fuck Hales, how much shit did you bring?” referring to my 5 bags.

“You’re lucky I didn’t bring everything,” I think to myself. Without giving an answer I walk into the kitchen blushing while everyone laughs at what Mike had said. I place my mug into the sink and walk back out to where my bags are. While rummaging through my bags trying to find the clothes I want, Jaime sits on the floor next to me.

Seeing the picture I shoved into the back of my bag he pulls it out. We both sit there just staring at the picture, smiling. It was one of the best days I had. My long dark brown hair, which was to my bikini top then and now my hairs only changed in length, tangled from the salt air going into Tonys face. Standing in the middle of them, Jaime and Mike on my right and Tony and Vic on my left. My body was bigger back then, I wore a bikini and my ribs didn’t show. It was evident I was getting a sunburn, the red already slightly showing on my pale skin. I’ve never been able to tan anymore than a few shades darker than my natural color. I look so pale next to the tan guys. It was my first time ever being at the beach which turned into one of my favorite memories from after I met Tony, Vic, and Mike.

Smiling at the memory of that day, I pull out clothes for myself. “I’m going to get a shower. Is it okay if I use your bedroom to get dressed and stuff? I don’t want to take so long in the bathroom.”

“Yea, of course. I’ll put your shit in my room, I’m going that way anyways,” Jaime gives me the smile that makes me wonder if we really are just best friends.

I make my way to the bathroom, avoiding all 4 guys as much as possible. I begin to strip down, examining my body once I’m completely naked. Frowning at what I see, I step under the hot water. Might as well enjoy the heat of the water before dealing with the cold of the winter. I could spend forever in here, not seeing myself, not having to talk. Just me and my daydreams and singing. Finally turning off the water I reach out for a towel, “Dammit,” I mutter to myself. I try to get as much water as I can out of my hair and off my body before walking across the bathroom, the cold air giving me goosebumps. Slightly opening the door so they can hear me but not see me, I yell out, “Can somebody please bring me a towel?”

Seconds later Jaime is outside the door pushing the towel through the opening of the door. He’s seen most of me already so it really wouldn’t matter if he saw me now, well, besides a few things I need to hide. I wrap the towel around my body, pull it down enough to cover part of my legs but leaving it high enough so I’m not flashing everybody. I quickly walk to Jaimes room as I see him pick up my clothes off the floor and throw them into the laundry room. Closing the door I drop the towel, as I get dressed I realize I didn’t grab a shirt.

Notes

This is really to just tie things together and set up the story so yea. Next chapter will be up in a few days

tite credit goes to Pierce the Veil