36 Chapter Thirty-six

Chloe's P.O.V

"So, how was your date?" Hailee surprised me as soon as I walked back in the dorm.

"Oh goodness Hailee," I laughed, placing my hand to my chest. "You can't just come out of nowhere like that. It scared me."

"I know," she said smugly and then grabbed me by my hands and grinned. "I see you got yourself all dressed up for once."

"Pfft," I rolled my eyes. "It's not like it's the first time I've done this."

"For me it is," she said and looked me up and down. "You look…nice," she said, and it sounded more painful than it should've.

"Well thanks," I said sarcastically and jerked my hands away from her. All I wanted to do was get in my pajamas, take my makeup off, and go to sleep.

"No wait!" she called after me desperately.

I stopped in my tracks and turned around. What did she want?

"I just want you to tell me how it went," Hailee said innocently and sat down on the couch. She patted the couch cushion, motioning for me to come sit down next to her.

I huffed out a sigh before I cracked a smile. "Okay, if I have to," I said and plopped myself on the couch with her.

I told her about most of the date and that Kason held my hand. After we finished eating at the Italian restaurant, Kason and I had gone on a stroll about the town, looking at all of the beautiful sights and sounds Tuscaloosa had to offer at night–all the while holding my hand of course.

"Did you like him holding your hand?" Hailee scrunched up her face.

"Not at first. It almost felt a little sweaty and awkward," I admitted. "But when we took our evening stroll it was better. I still wouldn't say I really liked it though."

"Gosh, girl you have got to get yourself together," Hailee shook her head. "I can't be having you still liking Luke when you're dating Kason."

Luke? Why did everything have to revolve around Luke? "So is this what it's really about? You just wanted to know if I still liked Luke or not?" I was a little too quick to raise my voice at her, but I couldn't help it. I couldn't believe that I thought something as innocent as asking me about my date would still lead somehow to Luke.

"Not really, but now that you mention it–"

"Hailee can you please just get over yourself for a minute?" I said more coldly than I would have normally liked. "I'm dating Kason now. Isn't that proof enough for you?" I was exasperated beyond belief and I was tired from all of the activity earlier. I really didn't want to have to deal with this. How many times would I have to go through this until she would just leave me alone about him?

"It would be good enough proof except that I know some part of you still likes Luke," Hailee folded her arms.

"Seriously? What makes you think I could still like the guy who obviously doesn't like me and called me Miss Piggy? Do you actually think I'm that stupid to still like a guy like that? He's all yours, Hailee, and would you now get off my back about him?" I could almost feel my blood boiling from our conversation and I wanted to partake in it no longer. I was done. I didn't know what else Hailee wanted out of me other than the freedom to do with Luke as she pleases. What I still didn't understand was why it bothered her so much that I had liked him. She could easily have just said she was going to go after him and be with him. That would be the end of it there, but it wasn't. Why?

"Fine," Hailee said shortly while gritting her teeth. Her expression softened, and she released her tense shoulders. "I just don't want you to ruin something that's good for you. Kason's good for you. That's why I was going on such a tangent for a minute because I genuinely believe you and Kason will be amazing together. Don't go ruining for yourself, Chloe."

I could see her point if that was truly her intent all along. She was just trying to be a good friend and wanted me to be happy. Just like how I want her to be happy. I smiled at her, the rage inside of me slowly boiling down. "I get what you mean, Hailee. Thanks for being such a good friend," I said and hugged her.

"What would you do without me?" she asked and hugged back.