Don’t say that name! (Hayley)

Tuesdays. Hayley hated Tuesdays, besides it being a constant reminder of how distant she was from the weekend, it also had to be the day she had classes with Mr. Harper. The man could make any subject become disinteresting and difficult with his asthmatic voice. Mr. Harper was a fifty-something years old geezer with little interest to actually teach something and a penchant for eating, thus demonstrated by his rounded belly. Whenever he talked, he seemed to be out of breath, as if wearing a mask and standing in front of the class had consumed all of his energies. The exams with Mr. Harper were the worst too, no one could actually concentrate with the old man gasping every three seconds, so much that the other students started calling him Mr. Vader. At least if Vader were to teach, he would know the subject he was teaching. Mr. Harper, instead, would read the handout out loud, get confused then pass to the next subject.

When the class finished, she wasn’t surprised to see all the other students cramming on the desk Alice Miller was. The girl seemed small, like a rabbit surrounded by all the other students, and even though she didn’t finish packing her things, she was still answering, calmingly, them.

– Ah, I’m screwed! – cried Noel, holding her head. – I’m really screwed. Is it just me who can’t understand this professor or…?

– No – she agreed. – His teaching is really bad.

Noel looked at her relieved. They weren’t particularly friends, but since the semester started, they had been sitting together, eventually that led them to talk, most of the times it consisted of Noel gossiping about someone or asking Hayley about her “spicy” life as a model. She regretted saying that information to Noel when they met, but because she couldn’t think of a proper lie, she told the girl the truth and now Noel kept nagging her about other male models or any other colleague she could hook up with. Hayley didn’t care, people always drew conclusions out of their fantasies, if she was working as a model then she would automatically have tons of friends to hook up.

– I can’t fail this semester, my parents will be pissed and cut my allowance – she sighed, looking at Alice’s desk. – Do you think she would teach us?

Us? Hayley rolled her eyes. It was a common mistake that repeated throughout her life. Because she was pretty, then she wouldn’t be smart enough to achieve a good result on her own. Why people kept doubting her? She studied just as much anyone, and even so that wouldn’t be enough for them, at the end she was just a pretty face.

– I don’t need her teaching me – she said, coldly. – I’m fine by myself.

Noel chuckled. – Oh, right. You don’t need to get really high grades in this.

– What do you mean?

– Oh, c’mon Lily – said Noel. – You have a model job, you’re pretty, you can just quit this class and work full time as a model, you would get more money than working as a pharmacologist. I mean, why didn’t you do that already? If it was me, I definitely would.

Hayley held her breath. It would be of no use to explain to Noel that she actually liked pharmacology or that the reason she didn’t ask Alice’s help is because she already studied by her own and she probably knew the subject better than Mr. Harper. No, that wouldn’t be logical to Noel; to her only mattered that Hayley was an empty-headed model who’s just joking around in a college.

– You know, different than some people – Hayley said. – I actually…

But Noel interrupted her. – Hey, I think that guy is staring at you.

Hayley looked at where the girl pointed. On the door, wearing a blue tight shirt underneath the college jacket, was James. Their eyes met and James winked at her, walking inside the classroom.

– Is he your boyfriend? – asked Noel, checking him out. – He’s cute.

– No – she replied. – We’re not dating.

– Then you don’t mind if I get his number?

– You’d do me a favor – she said.

Noel stopped talking when James got close enough, placing his hand on Hayley's desk. – Hey beauty – he said. – Long time no see. I missed you.

– Hey, James. – she greeted him, ignoring Noel’s glare. – What’re you doing here?

– I just came to see you. – he said, giving her a sided smile.

– Ah.

He continued to stare at her, as if he was waiting for something. What he was expecting from her? An I’m glad to see you? Or maybe I wanted to see you too, because neither of them scrapped the truth. She went out with him a few times, making sure she told him that she wasn’t looking for anything serious, but as soon as she started to notice that James wanted to take things a bit more than just casual, she stopped talking to him.

But gladly, before she could say something, Noel cleared her throat loud enough to James notice her.

– Hello – he said, the smile still on his face, that seemed to do an effect on Noel, for she smiled in response, brushing her hair.

– Hi – Noel said in a forced acute voice.

James looked at Hayley with an eyebrow raised. – Oh, that’s Noel – she said, then turned to the girl. – Noel, this is James.

– It’s a pleasure to meet you. – said the girl. Wait, did she purr just there? Hayley tried to hold a chuckle.

– I feel the same – he said.

Noel smiled again. – You’re so lovely James. Tell me, what are you majoring?

– In garbage disposal – Hayley mumbled.

– What? – Noel turned to her.

– Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself. – she said, smiling back.

James kept the stupid smile on his face. – Hm, I’m majoring the management course.

– Uh~, a business man – singed Noel. – That’s hot.

They both laughed.

– So, can I get your number before you get busy? – Noel said, blinking at James.

– Sure – James tagged along, giving his number to the girl.

– Nice chatting with you, James. Hope we can talk more later~ – Noel grabbed her backpack, smiling. – See ya.

– Nice friend you have there – James said after the girl went away.

– She’s not my friend – Hayley replied.

– Oh. I get it.

No, you don’t. She packed her own things, the classroom was almost empty at that point, with only her, James and Alice that were still inside. Hayley hurried to leave there. Why Tuesdays have to be so hellish? She thought while walking outside of the room, James following her behind.

– What do you want, James? – she asked in the hallway, lowering her voice so people wouldn’t hear them.

– I told you – he said. – I came to see you.

– Why?

– Is there a reason to a guy wanting to see his girl?

She sighed. It was always like this, guy or girl, they always did this to her. Even though Hayley had emphasized the casual part and the definitely not gonna date now. At the end, people would always ignore that and act as if they were closer than they were.

– Move on James – she said. – I’m not your girl. We just made out once. Please, stop coming after me.

He moved to her front, blocking the passage. – Why? – he asked.

– Why what?

– Why won’t you stay with me? – he rephrased. – Did I do something?

She sighed again. – Yes, you’re bothering me. We don’t even know each other, why do you want to stay together?

– Because I like you! – he shouted.

She stressfully pressed both of her eyes. – Look, James, to like someone you need to know them first, ok? And you don’t know me.

– Then let’s hang out. Spend time together – he insisted, slamming the wall with the side of his fist.

– That would be reasonable – she ceded. – If I had any interest in you. But I don’t. I don’t like you and I don’t trust you. Got it?

– I don’t understand – he whimpered, shaking his head. – Did I do something? Did I give any reason for you not to trust me?

Hayley took a deep breath. – No, you didn’t. But you didn’t give me any reasons to trust you either. So, get over it, okay? And don’t come to my class again to see me.

Hayley started to move away when she felt his hand grabbing her wrist. The memories of the night before came back – the feeling of being held. She pushed her hand back.

– Don’t touch me!

James took a step away and she realized she had shouted in the hallway. He raised his palms to her: – I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…

Hayley held her hand uptight, feeling her heart beating fast. – I know. – she said. – Just…forget what happened between us.

As she walked away, she couldn’t stop thinking about how people were always selfish. She learned that throughout her life – nothing comes without a price. No love or trust comes out freely, people always want something in the end. Her parents taught her that. Everyone except…

Her cellphone vibrated with a notification.

2 unread messages from: Mia Manager

Mia: Heeey, you didn’t answer me last night. Did you manage to get home safe?!

Mia: Btw, want to eat something together? My treat ♨(⋆‿⋆)♨

Hayley: Hey. Sorry. My battery died last night. And no not really… well maybe? Some weirdos tried to do something, but it ended alright.

Hayley: Yeah, sure. Let’s lunch together.

Mia: WHAAAT? What do you mean some weirdos…?! Did they do something to you?! We’re going to the police right now!

Mia: I’m going to get you in the college. Let’s go.

Hayley: Calm down. They did try, but someone showed up and they helped me. And there isn’t much of proof to open a case. I think it’s better not to also. I’m just glad it all ended fine.

Mia: Still…!

Hayley: It’s all good. I promise.

Mia is typing…

Mia is typing…

Mia is typing…

Mia: I’m sorry Lily! It’s my fault that happened… I should have just come with you. Please, I’m so sorry.

Hayley: Don’t say that! It’s not your fault. Besides it all ended well, I’m completely fine.

Mia: Are you sure?

Hayley: Yes. Can we still go to lunch tho? I’m hungry.

Mia: ‘Course. I’ll pick you up, then we go.

Hayley: Sure. I’ll be waiting.

Mia is typing…

Mia: Btw, who is this knight in a shining armor that saved you? We have pay them back properly!

Hayley: It’s just a really good person who helped me. I got their number tho.

Mia: Hmmm, you better tell me the whole story when we meet, miss ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)=ε/̵͇̿̿/'̿̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿ ̿