22. Filling a Void

The week went by pretty smoothly. We won all of our basketball games. Things pretty much

went back to normal with Candace. It was almost as if Saturday night didn't even happen. I

attempted to call and text Leah, but recieved no response. I left her a voicemail apologizing about

our fight. I didn't want to leave things like they were between us, and that was the best option I had

at making amends. Hayley mentioned our plans for today almost every day this week.

I headed to her house to pick her up as soon as I got out of church. My sister was excited that I was

hanging out with a girl, although she wasn't too thrilled that it was a different girl. I explained to her

that Hayley was a friend, just like Candace was. She told me to be careful. It really did help that I had

already taken Hayley home. I didn't have to worry that I was knocking on a stranger's door. Her mom

was very nice. She yelled at Hayley to come down, because her boyfriend was here. She yelled back

that I was just a friend. Hayley's mom's name was Stephanie. She looked a lot like an older version

of Hayley, although her green eyes didn't seem to have as much life in them as Hayley's did. She

asked me a bunch of questions about what we were doing and she informed me that Hayley needed

to be back no later than ten. She also asked a lot of questions about me. It felt like an interrogation.

Hayley finally entered the room. The room seemed to brighten as she entered it. She was wearing a

black long sleeve Ruche top with tight fitting blue jeans and black Skecher walking shoes. Her black

hair was parted down the middle and was a little past shoulder length. She looked stunning. It made

me wonder if she would pretend that we didn't know each other in public.

The drive to Port Angeles seemed pretty short due to the effortless conversation that we had the

whole way. We stopped and got something to eat and Hayley paid for my meal despite my many

protests. She said that it was only fair since we were using my gas. We looked at a few shops and

eventually made our way to the pier. We walked around and talked for a while, until we eventually

climbed the observation deck. The view of the city was marvelous and it was cool to see all of the

ships.

"It's really pretty up here. I'm glad we decided to do this." I said as we looked out over everything.

"I'm glad that we've found something that you haven't done yet. I'm surprised you haven't been here

with Candace or that other girl." She joked.

"No, the dance was the first time that me and Candace hung out outside of school. Well, I guess we

were technically still at school."

"Are you two talking or something?" She questioned.

"No, like I said before, we're just friends."

"I was worr...I just thought that might have changed after the dance."

"I think you would know if it would've. We all see each other at school and you and Candace are best

friends."

"She wouldn't tell me if you two were dating. Plus, I think she might like you as more than a friend."

"Why wouldn't she tell you?"

"It's not important."

"Well, I think that she only wants to be friends."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"She's made it pretty clear." I assured her.

"Well, is there anyone that you like at school? You know, more than a friend?" She questioned as she

gave me what appeared to be a hopeful look.

"I don't think that anyone is interested, so it doesn't really matter."

"It might matter to someone. Maybe you just need to take a leap of faith. It might work out well for

you." She suggested as she gave me the familiar look that I'd seen at the dance. I figured out what

that look meant from Candace, but I doubt it was the same coming from Hayley.

"I don't take too many leaps of faith. It's too risky to get hurt." I assured her.

"You never know until you try. Why don't you just name one person that you're interested in?"

"You're not going to get me to budge on this. I'll do almost anything within reason besides that." I said

knowing full well who I was interested in, but I can't even get a text back from her and she

apparently has a boyfriend now. There are three other girls that I know interest me deep down as

well. One has a boyfriend, but I think she deserves to be treated way better. One says we can't be

more than friends or it will damage her friendship with the other two. The other is sitting beside me

right now and is asking who I like. I wonder if Carley, Candace, or Hayley would fill the void of Leah

if I took Hayley's advice and took a leap of faith with one of them.

"It's funny that you say that, because I may have a proposition for you." She suggested, snapping me

out of my deep thought.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well, just promise not to laugh when I tell you. It's kind of silly."

"I promise that I'll try my best. That's the best I can give you."

"Well, I've always dreamed of kissing a handsome guy on this pier, and...I think that you're a handsome

guy. I understand if you think that it's silly. It's just something that I've always wanted." She said as she

gave me a pleading gaze. It was almost as if she was thinking that she would never get that chance.

It was a hard stare to resist. I hate letting people down.

"I'm up for it, as long as I don't have to answer your question." I hesitantly assured her as my cheeks

blushed.

"Really? You would do that for me?" She squealed in excitement.

"Yes, I would hate for you not to be able to fulfill your dream."

"Okay, but it's got to be just like I've always imagined it, so follow my lead." She said with a hint of

excitement still in her voice. I nodded my head in agreement.

"First, I want you to pull me in a tight hug. Then, I want you look at me like I'm your favorite person in

the world as we pull away. Then, I want you to take your hand and brush my hair back behind my ear

while still gazing into my eyes. After that, I would like for you to wrap your hands around my waist and

slowly pull me in for a long passionate kiss." She instructed me in a passionate whisper. I followed

her directions exactly, as I tried to keep my hands steady from nerves. It was calming to stare into

her eyes and everything after that seemed natural. Her soft lips felt good against mine. It almost

made me stop worrying about how good of a job I was doing. My body seemed to warm in the chilly

air as we continued to kiss. She gave me one last longing gaze as we pulled away.

"That was even better than I had imagined it would be. Thanks for making my dream come true. Even

if it was just so you didn't have to answer my question." She said with a giggle.

"I think I should be thanking you. I actually enjoyed it."

"We don't have to tell anyone about this. Just between you and me, I think that Candace may like you

and I don't want to ruin our friendship. I also have my suspicions that Carley may like you as well, but

she would have no right to be mad since she has a boyfriend."

"I don't think that either one of them like me as more than a friend, but I won't tell." I assured her.

"I think you might be surprised. I'm pretty good at noticing this stuff. If you have a dream kiss that you

need to live out, just let me know. I owe you one now. Plus, I wouldn't mind doing that again and I'm

good at keeping secrets." She assured me as she touched my lips with her finger.

The only girl I've ever dreamed of kissing was Leah, but that's never going to happen. This couldn't

get anymore confusing for me. Could it really be possible that three beautiful girls like me at the

same time? I doubt it, but I do know that at least two of them have liked me enough to kiss me. Even

though I do have to keep those kisses a secret.