The Fill - In Boyfriend
Episode 19's

What's the deciding factor?

That's a good question. He should have left already. I didn't have to call him to leave. “I don't know. I don't have to decide at all. He left me at prom. In the parking lot. I didn't expect it. " I speak out loud without filtering my mind at all, so I shut my mouth before saying other things I don't mean.

He raised his eyebrows, but I couldn't read his expression. A large insect struck the windshield with a bang. He turned on the wiper, sprayed water to clean it. “You want it to end with your terms?”

"Yes. I mean, no, I don't want this to end. What about you Bec is right, isn't it? You really want your girlfriend back. ”

He sighed. "Maybe."

It was as close as possible to "of course I'm willing" as it happens to men, I thought, but I came into the game. What's the deciding factor?

He tapped on the steering wheel with his thumb, took a deep breath, and said, "Tonight, I guess."

CHAPTER 13

"Hayden."

He laughed as he turned off the machine. “Do you just say it to say it again or do you really want to say something this time?”

“Most I just say it because I can, but I have a question.”

"What's that?"

“Are you learning acting?”

"Yes." Yeah."

"good. You are very talented at it. "

He met my eyes. "Thank you."

“And what about poetry? Your mother named you after a poet. Have you come to appreciate it? ”

“Are you nervous to get out of the car?”

“Different from you, I'm not an actor.” I was afraid that I would ruin his tactics to get back with Eve because of my poor acting skills.

“No need. We're here as friends, aren't we? There was no acting involved. "

"Good."

He grabbed the car door handle.

"Wait on! Let me fix your hair. ”

Seriously?

“Serious. You want him to want you, right? ” I thought he was going to leave but he turned towards me with a tired expression on his face. I immediately took the gel from my wallet before he changed his mind. “The key is to use a little.” The gel was blue and it read "Super Support", so I squeezed a small drop into my palm, rubbed my hand, then pushed it into her hair.

“You really have really good hair. Looks like your mom cut it. ”

“Nah, mother anywhere.” The front part of her hair was a little droopy so I gave her one last chance and smiled. "There."

“Your work is done?” She asked.

I met his eyes and realized my stylistic process had closed the space between us. I'm retreating. “Yes, he will be around you at the end of the night.”

Who knew that hair was that strong? He kept looking at me, the one who seemed to be searching for my soul, then a smile puffed up on his lips. My heart was pounding which surprised me and I immediately turned my eyes away.

I took my phone and lip gloss from my wallet and slipped it into my pocket as she opened the door and exited. By the time I slipped my wallet with the rest of the contents under the seat, he was already on the side of my car opening the door. He gave me help. After she closed and locked the door, she faced the house and I could see she seemed to catch her breath, air flowing into her lungs causing her shoulders to rise and fall.

"You nervous?" I asked, a little surprised.

"Maybe. Thank you for coming with me. ”

"Of course."

Okay, here we go.

"Hayden?"

“Ya, Gia?”

"none. I just wanted to say your name. ”

She smiled, that's what I expected. He just needs to relax. I know Bec wants me here to keep her away from Eve, but who am I to stop her if that's what she really wants? He led me on my way and around the side of the house to a gate that was propped open.

“Oh. Lookit. Your ex-boyfriend's house faces the sea. " I knew we were close to the beach — I could hear the waves and smell the sea breeze — but I didn't realize we were this close.

“Cool enough, right?”

The secluded beach was full of people eating, talking, dancing. Hayden was observing the area and I knew when he saw her because she was silent. I followed his gaze and kept quiet. Not because she was so beautiful or anything like that, but just by looking at her, I knew she had more uniqueness and personality than I ever had. Her hair was a shocking white blonde that she wore choppy, one side longer than the other. Mine is brown and the length is just as boring. He was short and notched while I was tall and skinny. He was wearing a T-shirt that said something on the front that I couldn't read, but I'm sure it was funny or weird, like Hayden's. They have each other and after tonight they might get back together. He wanted it, and from the way he now looked at Hayden, his eyes shone with excitement, obviously he wanted it too. Bec is gonna kill me.

Eve waved and she nodded.

“I will just take off my slippers. I didn't realize we were going to be on the sand. " Wedges are not right for this. I should have worn flip-flops. No wonder Bec looked at me like that.

"certain."

“Can I put it back in your car?”

"Of course." He gave me the keys but did not offer to deliver me.

"Well then . . . I guess I'll see you in a minute. "

I walked back to his car, untied my sandals, and threw them into the back seat. I am usually very confident walking to a new place. Why am I feeling so nervous now? Maybe I shouldn't have come. All I wanted was to meet Hayden again, figure out his motivation of going to prom with me so I could stop obsessing about it. So that everything can go back to normal. I've already done it. But I'm here now. I can stay a little while for Hayden. We were only twenty minutes from my house. Maybe after Hayden and Eve get back together, I can call my sister or Claire to hitch a ride and go to another party.

I followed the path back to the beach. Hayden had moved about six yards further into the party, but was now talking to Eve and another man. I have several options — food tables across the street, an emergency dance floor, or a group that surrounds a campfire. Or, of course, I can see how Hayden is doing. I chose that option.