Chapter Seven: Hadley

“You are going home with Joshin. He is gonna drive you home when you get discharged.” Papi said before he walked outta the door.

I sigh, and grab my sneakers off of the floor.

The door opens up again as I slip the first one on my foot, and start tying the laces.

It’s Joshin. His hair looks as screwed up.

“What happened to you?” I say.

But he ignores me, walking over to the window, and looks out it. “I think that he likes you.”

“Who?” I continue lacing up my sneaker.

“Storm.”

“Uhh...no. I have literally said only twenty words to him and vice versa.” I stand up, and walk over to the door. “Are you comin’?”

He walks over to where I am standing and moves to open the door.

He doesn't say anything to me until we get to the truck.

“You know what?” His voice sounds stranggled, like what he is about to say is strangling him, keeping him from saying it.

“What?” I close my door and buckle up, waiting for him to talk to me.

“I…” He tightens his grin on the steering wheel.

“Oh my god, Joshin, just spit it out.”

“Nevermind.” He starts the truck, and pulls outta the lot.

All the way to my house, I think about what he could have wanted to say, and I come up point blank.

When, Joshin turns off the truck in my driveway, he says nothing, just glares out the front windshield.

“If you are not going to tell me, then don't. But if you are, then, tell me. It’s now or never, Joshin.” I say, turning to my irritating best friend.

“Fine.” He says, as he opens his door, and hops out.

“Where are you going?” I ask, opening my door and hoping out, too.

“C’mon. Come with me.” He says, walking to the barn.

I do as he said, walking slowly behind him, a little scared at what he is going to do.

As I walk in the door of the barn, I gasp at it all.

There are lights strung everywhere. There are a few dozen people from school, and a few of my neighbors.

“Welcome home, Hadley!” the six year old Grayson twins yell as they both run up and give me a hug around the legs.

“Thank you, Max. Thank you, Fox.” I laugh as I hug them back.

Fox grins at me, his bright red hair falling into his large blue eyes.

Max giggles, covering his mouth with his hands, and his brown eyes light up.

Carmean Diazanna, my neighbor who I don't really know, is even there. She is smiling a huge smile, her black pixie hair hangs around her face, making her look like a doll. “Welcome home, weirdo.”

Then, I see Meagan.

“Meagan!!” I yell, and I run across the barn to my other best friend.

“You are such an idiot.” She puts a hand on her hip, and uses the other to shove the black weave outta her face. “What were you thinking, getting on that old horse??”

I look at the ground. “Donno.”

This is typical Meagan Daughtry. She sugarcoats naught a thing. She is so honest that at times, it can be cruel. But that is what I love about her.

Meagan’s perfect caramel skin does not have a single thing of acne on it, which is not fair at all.

“Meagan. How come you didn't come to see me? The one day I was in the hospital.”

“I just got back in town remember?” She looks at me like I am crazy. “And what are you wearing?”

I look at my scruffy jeans, my Cons, and my Falling Forward t shirt. “What’s wrong with this?”

“This is a party, Had.” She reaches out and takes my hand. “Party girl will be right back.”

As we leave the barn, Meagan winks at Joshin, who is leaned up against the doors.