After Four Years
Hayley squealed with delight, seeing her friends after so many years. She had just graduated from Cornell with flying colors and arrived home last night after four long years. Her parents were ecstatic and so were her uncle and aunt, but her granny still bore a grudge against her for not visiting her even once during these years. More mature now, Hayley didn’t mind at all. She just hugged her and apologized, winning her over immediately.
“Congrats, both of you,” said Hayley, hugging Eva and Sienna warmly. They had graduated from their Nursing School and landed up with internships at the prestigious Bellevue Hospital.
“I think I’m the most unproductive amongst us,” said Skylar with a pout. She hadn’t found an internship anywhere and her grandparents were already planning to get her married!
“You’re wrong! I’m the most unproductive!” said Alyssa as she approached their table, making their jaws drop at the sight of her. Was she back now?
They all squealed with delight to see her back. “How did you know we’re meeting up here?” asked Skylar, as she sprang up from her seat to embrace her friend.
“Sienna informed me and here I am,” said Alyssa, as they all hugged her one by one.
“So, are you back for good, or are you planning to return?” asked Hayley when they had settled down.
“I’m not going back!” swore Alyssa, and they cheered her decision.
The next two days were quite hectic as Sienna moved in with Eva and the entire gang went over to settle her down and celebrate.
“You guys are so lucky. I wish I could stay with you,” said Hayley with jealousy. Having stayed alone for the last four years, she wanted to move out of her family mansion but couldn’t break it to her family yet.
“You can’t, so let’s enjoy life, now that we are free of studies!” said Skylar excitedly.
They went out to the movies, to the mall, to eat out, and to each other’s houses for stayovers. Hayley bonded with her friends, but at the back of her mind, the wish to see Ashton again drove her crazy.
Despite being apart for four years, she hadn’t been able to forget him. She kept herself occupied, trying to excel in her studies, only to drive thoughts of Ashton out of her head. There were moments when she almost gave in to the temptation to call him, only to check herself on time. When he hadn’t contacted her even once in the last four years, why would she?
She checked her phone every day, but Ashton didn’t upload his profile picture anywhere in the last four years. Maybe he really didn’t want her to check him out! Although Alexander had asked her to contact him for anything, she never did. The only picture she had of Ashton was on Alexander’s social media account. Hayley saved it and gazed at it every day for hours! It was her favorite pastime in the world! She knew she couldn’t love another in this lifetime. So the only possessions she had were his memories and the photograph.
“Tomorrow, all of you have to come over to my place. We will plan Sienna’s birthday celebration,” said Alyssa.
So, they all met and planned Sienna’s birthday bash. Hayley walked in and her jaws dropped on hearing their plans.
“Why are we going to Phoenix?” she asked Alyssa.
“To celebrate Sienna’s birthday, obviously. Alexander has a membership there, and it’s the only nightclub he’s allowing us to go to. Of course, he’ll be accompanying us,” informed Alyssa, and they all groaned in agony. They wouldn’t have any freedom if he accompanied them.
“Why this torture? I think we should celebrate it at my place,” suggested Skylar.
“Or ours,” suggested Eva.
“No, please. We always go to each other’s houses. What’s so special about that? Let’s put our own reasons aside and do this for Sienna’s sake. She has gone through a lot and needs to get Roman out of her system for one day at least,” said Alyssa. Roman Drexler was the as*hole Sienna’s dad had fixed her marriage with before breathing his last.
They all agreed and worked on the plan.
“This is the first time Sienna and I are going to a nightclub,” said Eva with wide eyes.
“So am I,” said Hayley, her heartbeats increasing at the thought. Would Alexander bring his best friend along? Would she see Ashton in Phoenix?
“Don’t worry so much. I’ll handle Alex. We will enjoy it despite his presence,” said Alyssa, comforting them.
“We’ll go on a weekday as the rush would be bearable and the charges would be lesser,” suggested Skylar. They all pooled in money for the celebration, although Alyssa knew her brother wouldn’t accept a penny and add the expenses to his account. Still, she would offer him!
Sienna joined in after a while, oblivious to the meticulous planning that had been going on.
“See you at Phoenix on Friday,” said Hayley with a wave. She drove home, but her heart couldn’t wait till Friday.
The next couple of days, Hayley went on a shopping spree. She needed a new wardrobe now. For the last four years, she hadn’t bought anything for herself. What was the need? Who was there to see her?
On Friday, she drove over to Alyssa’s apartment to get ready. Even at twenty-two, her granny intervened with her choice of clothes. She would definitely give her a lecture if she found out that she was going to a nightclub. According to her, girls of aristocratic lineage didn’t go to such places. They went to prestigious billionaire clubs where their socialite elders who have memberships there.
Hayley didn’t agree with her ancient principles. She was an adult and had the right to live her life. She packed an overnighter to spend the night at Alyssa’s apartment after the party.
“What the f*ck are you wearing, Hails?” asked Alyssa disapprovingly, seeing her pull on a pair of leather pants and a tight top.
“What? Won’t these do?” Alyssa shook her head disapprovingly.
“Wear a cocktail dress, please. It looks so sophisticated!” She searched her wardrobe and pulled out a maroon one-shouldered cocktail dress with a thigh-high slit. “Here, this one will look perfect on you.”
Hayley’s eyebrows shot up with horror. The dress was too revealing, and she had never worn such a thing in her life. “I can’t wear that, Alyssa!”
“You will. Live for once, girl.” She dumped the dress on her arm, turning a deaf ear to her protests.
Hayley changed into the body-hugging dress and gaped at her reflection in the mirror. She blinked at the transformation, unable to recognize her own self.
“Wow! Look at you, girl! You’re looking so hot. Pin up your hair! Here, let me do it for you,” said Alyssa, twisting her hair up in a messy bun. It exposed her neck and shoulders, and Hayley gaped at the seductive siren staring back at her. In the last four years, she hadn’t taken so much pain to dress up, but tonight, she wanted to look her best. No, it wasn’t because of Ashton. She tried to reason with her mind.
The doorbell rang, and Hayley glanced at Alyssa quizzically. “Should be Skye! I’ll get it.”
“Oh, right!” She rushed out while Hayley applied some makeup.
“Are you both ready?” asked Skylar, walking in looking fabulous in an LBD.
“Yes, almost. Just need to touch up my makeup,” said Alyssa, quickly dabbing on some makeup.
“Is that you, Hails? What has Alyssa done to you? I could hardly recognize you. My God! You look so hot!” said Skylar with a chuckle.
“You look hotter!” said Hayley.
“Nah! Not as hot as you!”
The doorbell rang and this time Hayley’s heart started racing with excitement. Who could it be this time?
“God! Alex is already here and I’m not ready yet!” groaned Alyssa.
“I’ll get it. I’m sure he can wait!” said Skylar, marching out. Hayley relaxed a little, but deep in her heart, she wanted Ashton to accompany Alexander like always. They were inseparable, were they not?
She strained her ears to hear who Skylar was talking to. It didn’t sound like Alexander’s voice since he always yelled, especially now when he had to escort them to a nightclub.
“Oh, I forgot! Alex has gone to pick up Eva and Sienna from their apartment. They’ll reach the club directly!” said Alyssa with a grin. Hayley was immediately on high alert! What? Then who was at the door? Who was Skylar chatting with? She suddenly felt too shy to ask Alyssa.
“Oh, in that case, I can drive us to the club.” Alyssa shook her head, admiring her handiwork in the mirror.
“Not needed. Ashton has offered to drive us to the club!” Hayley gaped at her friend. So Ashton was here, was he? Was Skylar talking to him?
“Let’s go! He’s here already!” said Alyssa, pulling her out of the room with her. Hayley’s heart thumped in her chest and she stopped in her tracks in the living room, unable to move forward. She could hear Ashton’s deep voice talking to Skylar.
“Are you ready?” he asked her.
“All three of us are ready!” chirped Skylar.
“Three? Who?” asked Ashton in his signature lazy drawl.
“Me, Skye, and Hails! Who else?” announced Alyssa, with Hayley following her to the Foyer.