Hayley quickly hooked her chain around her neck as she smoothed out the outfit Tay had brought over. Alex had texted her just a couple minutes ago saying he was on his way, and she still hadn’t put on her makeup. She ran around her bedroom adjusting her necklace every second. She always wore this necklace, but it was always hidden under her shirts. It was a necklace consisting of a silver chain with a small A charm hanging loose on the end. Taylor had given it to her when she joined the Anklebiters, and she had never taken it off since.

Just as she finished up putting on her dark red lip stain, she heard her mother call from downstairs, “Hayley, Alex is here!”

Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? She repeated constantly in her head as she descended her staircase. This is a nothing but a fake relationship. I’m in way too deep. I can’t keep―

Her eyes locked with Alex’s brown orbs, a smile planted on his face as he watched Hayley hopped down the last step. He was dressed … differently. Hayley was used to seeing him in a pair of baggy pants and a Blink tee. Tonight, he had on a navy plaid button down, exposing his chest a little, accompanied by a pair of black skinnies and Nikes. It was weird to see him dress so … nice? Was that the correct word? She started to feel her heart beating quickly in her chest. What was she doing? I’m just nervous, that’s all.

“Y―You look nice,” she blurted, and instantly cursed herself in her head. What is wrong with you?!

“Thanks,” he beamed. “I would say, ‘You too,’ but you always look pretty.” He winked while hooking his arm through hers.

She let out a giggle. Yes, Hayley Williams just giggled like a school girl at one of Alex Gaskarth’s compliments. This would be written down in the history books.

Stop it! Don’t giggle! She reprimanded in her head.

Alex waved to Hayley’s parents situated in the kitchen. “Goodnight, Mr. and Mrs. Williams! I’ll have Hayley back by ten.”

The parents smiled big at their daughter’s boyfriend, because even they did not know of the plan behind the relationship. Hayley wished she could tell them, but that would be breaking an Anklebiter rule. Hayley’s parents didn’t even know about their daughter’s reputation because of the Anklebiters in the first place.

Alex led her to his car, opening the door for her and letting her hop on. She smoothed out her black dress as Alex got in on the driver’s side, blowing out a sigh while he started the engine. “You okay?” Hayley asked as she started to drive.

He nodded, swallowing down the lump in his throat. “Just a little n―nervous,” he muttered.

Hayley was surprised at herself when she reached over and grabbed his hand from the wheel, lacing their fingers together. “Don’t be.”

---

“So, Hayley, I hear you’re quite popular around the school.”

Hayley had just finished smacking a scoopful of mashed potatoes on her plate when Mrs. Gaskarth’s question arose. She glanced up at the mother, who was seated just across from her and Alex, as she passed the bowl to her.

“Well, I wouldn’t say that.” Hayley laughed, trying to keep her cool composure while playing with a piece of chicken on her fork. “I do have a lot of people who know me though.”

Mr. Gaskarth smiled. “Oh, well isn’t that great! You must be very friendly to everyone.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “Uh―I guess―”

“Do a lot of people know you because of your little group, Hayley?” Mrs. Gaskarth threw out, taking a bite of her mashed potatoes.

“Mom,” Alex gritted his teeth.

“Oh, hush,” she pointed her fork in her son’s direction before turning back to the girlfriend across the table. “Alex has told us a lot about your group. Says they’re all a little scary, except for you. Why is that?”

Hayley swallowed nervously, looking around the table. When his parents couldn’t see, Alex reached over and put his hand on Hayley’s leg, trying to calm her. She smiled at him, a true and genuine smile, just because he was kind enough to try and calm her. Alex really was a great guy, and here she was, meeting his parents, as she is in a fake relationship with him. She was such a bitch.

Finally, she replied, “Just because I have friends who are ‘scary’, doesn’t mean they reflect my kindness on others.” For a second, Mrs. Gaskarth’s eyes hinted at surprise, and Hayley smiled in spite of herself. “Besides,” she said, glancing over at Alex, “I actually did scare him a little at first when he kept trying to talk to me. I didn’t know better back then.”

Alex looked down at his hands, blushing a bright red while a grin was plastered on his face. Hayley mentally kicked herself in the face at making Alex smile like that, just because she was acting like she was liked him. But as much as she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t stop the fluttering in her heart when he was nice to her, and when he smiled, it always made her smile.

She groaned in her head. I am the biggest asshole on the planet.

---

Trees passed by in blurs as Alex’s car sped back to Hayley’s house. Hayley started playing with the hem of her dress, her nerves of the night still bugging her. If things really hadn’t gone well tonight, then the plan was all over. They could never get to the stage Taylor wanted them to get to if tonight hadn’t―

Can you stop thinking of the plan for one second?! Her conscious reprimanded. You can disagree all you want, but this is starting to drift away from the plan. You’re developing feelings, Hayley, which is the main rule Taylor advised you not to do.

She mentally slapped herself as she looked over to Alex, tapping his hands on the steering wheel. “Can I ask you something?” She asked timidly.

He flashed her a grin, “Anything.”

“D―Did … um …” She bit down on her lip. “Did your parents―you know―like me?”

To her surprise, he nodded. “Yeah, my dad loved you, and thought your hair was cool.” Hayley blushed a little at his compliment. “I was kind of hesitant of my mom after the whole interrogation, but when I was helping her clean up in the kitchen, she was saying how she ended up liking your style and personality after your comment regarding how the Anklebiters don’t influence you. Even I was surprised at that.”

Hayley let out a sigh of relief. Thank God.

Notes

Hayley's outfit
Finally, a new chapter! Sorry this took me so long!
After this chapter, the drama is seriously going to start. (I'm really excited for all the other chapters after this point ^w^)
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Rock on \m/