To no surprise, the bathroom was occupied by Hayley the entire morning, her chucking up of whatever was left from yesterday. Thankfully the horrid noise of her puking ended before I decided to get out of bed. As I walked out of my room, Hayley exited the bathroom, rubbing her temples with a slight groan.

We made our way to the kitchen table where Hayley rested her head on her arms with a pained sigh. I grabbed a cup and filled it with water.

"Bottoms up," I said as I placed the glass in front of her, not purposely trying to sound ironic. Hayley looked up at me with her small smile, last night's makeup still smeared about her face.

"Thanks, York," she said as she started to sip at the water. That was one thing about Hayley. She rarely called me Taylor, but my title will always be my last name to her. Maybe she knows too many Taylors to keep up. I dismissed my curious thoughts, not wanting any of these hidden words spilled.

"You need to be careful, Hayley," I said as I took her empty glass, a part of the rim being stained by her day-old lipstick, and put it in the sink. Hayley snickered at my words, like she always did.

"I'll be fine," she said as she smiled back at me, this time it being full. "Sure, I get a massive headache afterwards, but it's all worth it." I wanted to argue back, telling her that these parties and drinking were not at all worth it. I kept my mouth shut as I grabbed a bowl from the cabinet and the cereal nearby. I gave Hayley a slight shrug, no expression with it as I took the milk out the fridge.

"York, you're so quiet," Hayley said as she studied me. "What goes on up there, tell me." I gave her another shrug as I took a spoonful of my breakfast. I didn't want to tell her my thoughts and curiosities that tend to haunt me at night.

"What're doing today, York? Any plans?"

"No," I said after swallowing. Hayley gave me a toothy grin I couldn't trust. I studied her, fear probably visible in my face.

"Let's chill," she said. "You and me."

"Do what?" I asked, then realized how bad that sounded as a response. "Doing what?" I corrected.

"Hell, anything!" she chuckled. "I gotta get ready for another party tonight and I need a new outfit."

"Hayley," I toned, giving her a stern glare. She glared back, it being playful.

"York," she toned back, mimicking me. "I can't miss this party."

"You say that about every party," I said with a huff.

"I know, I know," she giggled. "But really."

"Same. You say that about every party," I repeated, used to all of her comebacks.

"Well, c'mon York," she chuckled as she got up and dragged me to the door, grabbing her bag on the way. "You're coming with me." I couldn't argue it, even if I forced myself to. We walked over to my car and got in, Hayley taking the wheel. I felt my stomach tighten into small knots at the sight.

"We're gonna go to the club; get my car; go to my house; I'll get freshened up and change; and we'll take my car to the mall and find some outfits for the party." Hayley finished her spoken list with a grin that she flashed towards me. "Sounds fun, huh?"

"Uhh--"

"Thought so, York. Let's bust it!" Hayley started the car.

***

"What do you think of this?" Hayley asked as she emerged from the dressing stall with red jeans and a black leather crop top. I shrugged, not interested in shopping. Not interested in any of the things Hayley found excitement in. What goes on in her head?

Hayley gave a frustrated groan with a pout. She walked up to me with her arms folded across her chest.

"York, you're supposed to help me," she whined. I heaved a sigh as I rolled my eyes and ran a hand through my curly hair.

"Damn it, Hayley," I complained. "It's fine, I like it. Let's go."

"What's the matter with you?" she snorted. She bent down to level her face with mine. "Is Yorkie cranky?" she teased with a childish voice as she pinched my cheek. I swiped at her hand with an annoyed sigh.

"I'm fine," I protested.

"If you insist," she sighed as she gave my back a gentle, playful punch. She studied me, her head cocked to the side.

"What?" I asked, curious what had her in this way.

"You're stiff as hell, man!" she laughed. "You need to loosen up."

"I'm fine," I repeated.

"After I buy this outfit, we'll get you something," she said before disappearing into the changing stall.

"But I don't want anything," I sighed.

"York, honey, you need it," Hayley chuckled.

"And why?" I asked. This time, it was my turn to fold my arms at Hayley who was still behind the closed door. It swung open, revealing her in her usual jeans, band shirt, and leather jacket.

"You're coming with me," she said as she walked past me with her wanted outfit in her arms. My eyes widened as I followed her to the cashier.

"Repeat?" I asked, not sure if I heard her right.

"You're coming to the party too, York," she repeated, not looking at me. "And you're going to like it, whether you want to or not."

And Hayley was right. After we bought an outfit for me, we changed into the clothes at her house and went to the party from there. The place had dim lighting and the music was loud, the bass vibrating every inch of your body, no matter how many ways you tried to conceal it.

Hayley and I walked to the bar, Hayley dancing a little to the techno beat the music carried. We sat down and she signaled for a bartender.

"You need to relax, stiff!" she yelled over the music with a grin. I tore my stare from her with a shrug as I rested my head on a hand, my arm supporting me. She talked to the bartender for a minute and he left with a nod and a friendly smile.

"Drink a little, and you might loosen up a little!" she explained. I didn't respond to her in any way. I only did this to humor her. The bartender came back with two glasses of whiskey and placed one in front of me, the other in front of Hayley. She picked her glass up and nicked it with mine as she gave me a wink.

"Bottoms up, York!' she laughed before chugging down the alcohol. I took a small sip of the foreign liquid, it tasting bitter, then sweet afterwards. I cringed a little and put the drink down.

"Take it all in one gulp!" she explained. "Like cough medicine!"

"That's the thing, Hayley!" I yelled. "It's not cough medicine! I don't need it!"

"You need it more than I do, York!" What the hell was that supposed to mean? Before I could ask, Hayley vanished into the crowd of dancing people, screaming the lyrics of the song that was playing. I heaved a sigh and looked at the whiskey again. Take it all in one gulp. So I did. Next thing I knew, I found myself taking my fourth drink, but I was still sober.

I watched groups of people dance as I sipped at my whiskey, trying to urge myself to join them. Even though I couldn't dance for the life of me, it just seemed fun. There was a slight opening in the crowd, showing Hayley dancing to the music, having a grand time of her own.

As she swayed her hips to the tempo of the music, a man approached her, trying to pull her closer to his body. Hayley moved away, trying hint to him she wanted to be alone without making it obvious. Apparently, he didn't catch on and tried again. Hayley pushed him away as she came to a stop of her dancing. They errupted into an argument. I got up and approached the scene.

"Hey!" I barked at the stranger. I shoved him away from Hayley, getting in between them. "If she doesn't want to dance with you, pal, get a fucking hint!" I growled as I jabbed a finger in his chest.

"Dude, if she's your girl--"

"You shouldn't violate any woman like that!" I sneered. I glared at the man for a bit more, making sure I got my point out, clear. I turned to Hayley and took her by her wrist. "Come on, Hayley."

"Taylor--"

"I said, come on," I repeated sternly as I looked back at her. Hayley's eyes gave a cold spark of anger as she stiffened. She followed me to the car.

"You ruined it!" she yelled as she slammed the door close. "Damn it, Taylor! You ruined it!"

"Well, I'm sorry if I can't have some creep violating my best friend!"

"I'm an adult! I could have handled it myself!"

"Yeah, whatever," I scoffed as I started the car.

"I hate you, Taylor," she huffed as she turned towards the window, where she stared out into the city as I drove. A few minutes of silence passed by.

"You know," I began. "You've never called me Taylor." I glanced over at her, Hayley still facing away from me.

"Well, since I did, you know I'm really mad at you," she said, her words being made of acid. I heaved a small sigh.

"I'm sorry, Hayles," I said.

"It's fine," she said. "I understand where you were coming from."

"Can I make it up to you?" I asked with a small smile pulling at my lips.

"I don't think you can, stiff."

"I'll go to the next party with you. And I'll dance with you... only if you want me to dance with you, that is." Hayley looked over at me, her eyes brighter than they were moments ago.

"Would you do it, York?" she asked. I nodded with a chuckle, not even believing that I was making this deal with her.

"Yeah," I said with a full grin. I looked over at her. "Anything for you, Hayles."