The next morning Haley woke up to the telephone ringing. “Who is calling me now?”, she groggily whispered reaching for the phone. “Hello?”, she hoarsely whispered. “Haley?” Brian’s voice brought back all of the previous nights events back to her. “Yeah, it’s me.”, Haley said with practically no emotion. “Well, I was calling to see if you felt any better.”, Brian knew she wasn’t sick. “Yeah, a little bit. Brian, I’m sorry but I’ve gotta go.”, Haley said fearing she would break down again. “Oh, okay....call me later okay?”, Brian asked wearily. “Okay. I’ll try.” “Bye Haley.” “Bye Brian.” Haley yelled at herself when she hung up the phone. “Why am I letting him get to me like this?!” I have only known the boy a week! He hasn’t done anything wrong! I am not going to let it bother me anymore!”, she screamed in frustration but she knew it still hurt.

*Knock Knock* “Come in.”, she said making her bed. It was Joni. (her mother). “Haley, I’m really tired from working all night. Can you please go to the grocery store for me?”, she asked yawning. “Sure Mom. Just put the list on my dresser and I’ll go after I get dressed.”, she said walking to her closet. “Thanks honey.” “No problem.” Joni left and closed the door behind her. Haley picked out a pair of denim shorts and a blue sleeveless v-neck shirt. She put her hair up in a claw clip, put on her makeup, put on her Nike’s, and put on her silver chain necklace and headed out the door.

As soon as Brian had put the phone on the hook he went downstairs to eat breakfast. “Good morning Mom.”, Brian said with a sigh as he sat down at the table. “What’s wrong honey?”, Jackie asked worried. “Girl trouble.”, he said laying his head in his hands. “Is the girl Haley?”, she asked with a smirk. “Yes Mom. I think I totally ruint our relationship before we could even get one started!”, she exclaimed. “How did you manage to do that?”, she asked patting his back. “Well, we were playing truth or dare last night...” He was interrupted by Jackie, “Ooohh, that’s a dangerous game to play with a girl.” “Tell me about it! Anyway, we were playing and she asked me who I liked.” “And what did you say?”, Jackie asked trying to make sense of it all. “I lied and told her that I liked Kameron White.”, he explained. “You like Haley though right?”, she asked curiously. “Yes, but I couldn’t tell her that because I wasn’t sure if she liked me as anything more than a friend. A few minutes later she said she wasn’t feeling well so I left. I went back though to ask her if she wanted to do something today and I heard her crying on the other side of the door. I heard her ask herself why didn’t I like her. now she can barely talk to me.” Jackie sighed. “I need your help Mommy!”, Brian whimpered and laid his head on her shoulder. “Brian, you have to be honest with her. A girl’s heart is very sensitive. You have to be careful with it. She is special. I can tell. Don’t let this one get away.”, she smiled as she said it. “I know Mom. She is special.” Brian hugged his mom. “Now, get out of here. I have to go to the grocery store. “Okay. Okay...thanks Mom.”, he said leaving the kitchen. “You’re welcome sweetie.”

“I just need some milk and I’ll have everything.”, Haley thought to herself. She walked to the dairy department. “Oh no! It’s Jackie!”, Haley said panicking. Jackie was standing right by the milk. “I’ll just get the milk and hope she doesn’t recognize me.”, Haley whispered to herself. When Haley reached down to pick up the milk, Jackie looked up. Haley froze. “How are you Haley?”, Jackie asked hugging her. “Oh, I’m just fine.”, Haley said smiling. She hoped that she didn’t know anything. “Brian tells me your a little under the weather.”, Jackie said brushing a hair out of Haley’s face. Haley’s defenses went down right then. “Haley, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this but Brian heard you crying last night.”, Jackie whispered. “Oh no.”, Haley said placing her hand on her forehead. “You should talk to him.” “How can I when I know he doesn’t like me back Jackie?” “How do you know he wasn’t protecting himself from embarrassment last night?”, Jackie said winking at Haley. “Oh! I feel like such a fool now!” “Don’t! Just talk to him because I know he wants to talk to you.”, Jackie explained. “Okay, I will. Thank you!”, Haley said grabbing the milk and hurrying to the check out counter. Jackie laughed to herself. “I will hurt Brian myself if he lets that one go!”