Chapter 31-1

"ALL OF THESE people are so lucky." Hayley says as I lean my elbows onto the round bar table covered in a very nice tablecloth. It felt like a million dollars and I was afraid to spill anything on it. I hum and take a sip of my drink, "Because they don't pay taxes?" "Because they get to work in hospitals." Hayley explains and I frown in confusion. She sighs in awe, "Hospitals reek of death and grief and depression. So beautiful." I reach across the table and grab a hold of her hand, "You are amazing." "Thank you, wrestling buddy." Hayley says as we both giggle. After dinner, we were all moved into a bigger ballroom that had a huge classical ensemble situated up on a stage and bar tables situated around the edges of the rounded room. The middle of the room was filled with people dancing together and enjoying the rest of the night. Hayley and I were standing at one of the tables while everyone else had disappeared to who knows where. Vera was probably face-timing Sam who had stayed back in Holden Bay with Stella. Spencer was probably with her because he has the worst case of baby-fever. He's so adorable. I'll see them in the morning anyway. Well, at the rate I'm drinking these vodka martini it'll be tomorrow evening at the earliest. "I'm so sorry I got you arrested Hayley. I tried so hard to tell the officers it was just me but they wouldn't listen." I explain as Hayley laughs and takes a sip of her red wine. "Are you serious? You really think I'd let you kick Vanessa and her minions' asses all by yourself? I've been wanting to to that since the first day of senior year." She explains with an evil smirk and gives my hand a gentle squeeze, "Over these past two weeks, you've become so important to me Hayden. I couldn't picture getting arrested for the first time with anyone else." "That is so sweet." I smile at her before we both start laughing again. I finish off my glass as I stare out amongst the dancing crowd, trying to see if i could spot anyone familiar. I hadn't even seen Chase since the start of the evening—a key factor as to why I was drinking so much. I missed him even though we were in the same room. Suddenly Noah sprints over to us, puffing heavily, "I don't have enough pocket space and they just bought out chocolate fondue. Chocolate fucking fondue, Hayden." "Uh..." I glance at Hayley who looked equally as lost as I did, "...oh...no?" "How tight is your dress?" Noah questions as he glances down at my chest. I fold my arms instinctively, "You're not shoving chocolate fondue down my dress, Noah." "But it'll be in plastic bags?" Noah gives me a sheepish smile as if it would convince me. His eyes then swivel to the person on my left, "Hayley? Hay Hay? Hails? My new best buddy?" She smiles sweetly at him but it was oh so chilling, "I will slice your pretty little throat in your sleep, new best buddy." "You think my throat's pretty?" Noah smiles as he begins touching his throat with a bashful expression. "Truly fascinating that that's the thing you focus on." Hayley points out as she narrows her eyes in wonder at the blonde ball of sunshine standing in front of us. "I can't control how my brain works." Noah says with a small, casual shrug, "So that's a no on the chocolate fondue? Not even for your bestest best friend in the entire universe?" I give him a dead look. "Roger that." Noah nods abruptly at me as he turns and glances around, "My boy David's got me for sure. That gorgeous man would have a ton of pocket space. You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?" "Probably on the dance floor with my mother." I say as Noah's body instantly turns to the dancing crowd. "Thanks." He says before he marches off with a very serious expression on his face. Not to self, never get in the way of Noah and chocolate fondue again. Hayley was giggling at the back of Noah as she lifts her wine glass to her lips, "How can one be so adorable?" "Who?" Levi asks as he suddenly appears next to Hayley. It frightens me more than her. "You, obviously." Hayley grins up at him as he wraps a hand around her waist and pulls her against his side. She places a kiss to his cheek. He smiles down at her softly, his dark brown eyes holding more emotion than he's ever had in the past four years. Hayley and Levi were practically the same height because the heels she wore weren't even that tall. She towered over Vera, Penn and I like the beautiful, iconic goddess she is. "Ugh." I groan in fake disgust, "You guys are too cute. I'm going to get another drink." Levi blushes slightly and I can't help but grin at his adorable reaction. Hayley definetly wore the pants in their relationship and I highly doubt Levi had any problem with that. I pick up the front of my skirt as I turn and head towards the bar. It was in an adjacent room to the ballroom and I couldn't even count on both hands the amount of times I've visted it this evening. I was only slightly buzzed which was starting to piss me off. I wanted to be drunk so I wouldn't have to remember or the fucking terrible mistakes I've made. I feel like I've become the embodiment of the 'no regerts' tattoo—fucking typo and all. Because there were many many regerts. The ball room was alive with music as I make my way around the crowd.  Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I mean, of course they were; they were rich and at an exclusive charity gala. They were all having a grand ol' time.