Xo Novel
30
30
HAILEY
“Honey, are you sure I can take your car?”
I was typing a reply to Percie that we were almost at the parking lot.
“Honey?”
“Of course, Mom. We already talked about it. And it’s fine. I can ride along with Percie. Trust me he
doesn’t mind.” I averted my gaze to Mom, driving my car after I sent my text.
She gave me a meaningful smile. She and Dad had been asking me if how did my date go? Of course,
I left a few details about the date—the detail about us kissing.
“You’re blooming, honey. You really like him, don’t you?”
“He’s okay, I guess.” Though okay was an understatement. Percie was great, despite our differences.
“Okay doesn’t fit the description, Hailey.” Mom was amused than ever.
I shrugged. “I think he likes me too.”
“He asked you out. Of course, he does. What’s not to like about you?”
“Now, you sound like him. That’s what exactly he said yesterday.”
“He seems a good guy. Just take care, okay. Dad likes him too.”
“If you’re still referring to—you know. Don’t worry—” Saved by the message, and Mom just parked the
car.
I instantly saw Percie waiting for me outside his car. Every time I saw him, he just stupefied me, made
me speechless. Sometimes, I asked myself what he found interesting in me when I was nothing special
—I was far from the woman he slept with—that Cassie. I was far from Lexie, who was apparently into
girls, and I was far from those girls who always giggled when Percie arrived. But Percie didn’t seem to
mind them—as if they didn’t exist.
Now he was walking in our direction, and I felt like I was going to collapse. My heart thumped
uncomfortably fast.
Percie was only wearing a white shirt, pinot-colored jacket, and ripped jeans, but he looked just so
perfect.
Mom was already out of the car, hugging Percie. “I’m gonna borrow Hailey’s car. I’ll give it back on
Wednesday.”
He stuffed his hand in his pocket. “Sure. No problem. I’ll be her ride.”
“I know I can trust you with her.”
“Thank you, Lily.”
“You two, go ahead. You’re gonna be late for classes.” Mom kissed me on my cheek before she got in
the car.
Percie’s arm was already wrapped around me while Mom was waving goodbye to us, and she didn’t
seem to care. She even beamed at Percie. I knew she always liked him, even I found him awfully weird
the first time we met.
Once Mom was gone, Percie tightened his arm around me and whispered, “I missed you.”
Goosebumps erupted all over my skin, and I had to bite my lip before I shivered in a good way.
“You did not miss me?” He always liked to tease. “That’s not what I read in your text.”
“I missed you, okay. Can you let me go now?”
“Why? Don’t wanna be seen with me on campus?” He sounded upset.
I lifted my gaze because Percie was a living post, standing six feet and two inches tall. “Why did you
think that?”
He let me go and stuffed his hands in his pockets. His mood had changed drastically to this old
brooding Percie. “Let’s go.” He signaled towards the gate.
“I’m not ashamed to be with you, okay.”
“And you thought I am the one who’s ashamed to be seen with you on campus?” Maybe. I hadn’t
thought about our relationship outside our box.
“I don’t know. I haven’t gotten that far.”
“Wow, Hailey. Just wow!” He walked past me, and I couldn’t match his pace.
I still followed him as he joined Lexie and my friends on the bench.
“Why so grumpy in the morning?” Even Lexie noticed him.
He released a huge breath. “Just woke up on the wrong side, I guess.”
“You two okay?”
I went to join my friends Victoria and Megan when I felt like I did not exist anymore.
“Yeah. We’re fine.”
Lexie was side-glancing at me, widening her eyes as if asking me what was wrong.
I shrugged because, honestly, I didn’t know why he was so sensitive. I was new to this relationship just
like him. I was still adjusting to his lifestyle, to the school, to be living with my boyfriend under one roof,
and then my parents kept checking out on me if I was okay with the living arrangements and my
studies. I felt all the pressure, and I couldn’t tell Percie about it. He had a lot on his plates as well.
“We should go, Hailey.” Megan checked the time on her phone.
“I don’t wanna be called for recitation,” Victoria said.
“Sure. Just give me a sec.” I faced Percie.
“See you in the class, Percie. Bye, girls!” Lexie left towards the building.
“I should go,” I told him. “We’ll talk after the class?”
He nodded, pressing his lips together. His dimples popped out. One of many things that made him
attractive.
I tiptoed to kiss him on the side of his lips. “I’m not scared anymore.”
He froze. When I stepped back, he was still staring at me.
“Laters.”
I silent my phone before I entered the class.
*** Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“So, how’s he?” It was Victoria. She was sipping her drinks louder than necessary just to get my
attention. I told them about Percie and me. Now they kept pressing me to spill more details, which I
would never get used to it.
“I told you, guys.”
“You told us nothing.” Megan glared at me.
“I told you we went—”
“Yeah, we know that you two went to his grandparents’ cabin, had a picnic, then went home. Where’s
the deets?”
“How’s he? Is he—”
Oh, thank God! Finally, I was saved when they arrived.
Percie squeezed me with a hug from my back. “Sorry, we’re late. Did you guys order anything?”
“I’ll take care of it,” Lexie offered.
Percie sat beside me while Lexie chose to be with Megan and Victoria.
“So, Percie. How’s your date?” I rolled my eyes at Victoria.
“Well, if I’m the one to tell, I don’t filter, and I would only end up getting ignored for a week. So, better
ask Lee. I’m sure, she would tell you if she enjoyed it or not.”
“No chance,” Megan replied.
Percie chuckled beside me.
“Give this two a break. Why don’t you, Megan, ask me what I like.” Lexie just cornered Megan,
sandwiched between Victoria.
I found Percie’s hand under the table on my thigh while we were watching Megan blush crimson.
I pressed my thighs together when he squeezed my knee. My eyes flew up to him, but he only gave me
a knowing smile. I tried to ignore the sensation I felt. It felt good. At the same time, it made me throb in
ache and build pressure between my legs.