"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." 

- Berthold Auerbach

Hailey POV

"Congratulations Hailey."

I smile widely and wrap my arms around my dad as we both laugh in each other's embrace. "Thanks, dad, it means a lot that you're here." I whisper, my voice breaking slightly as a tear escapes the corner of my eye.

Today had been such a great day, the ceremony had just ended and we, my dad and his sponsor slash friend Kate who has been a breath of fresh air in my dad's life, I see it every time he talks about her, and I couldn't be happier for him that he feels better within himself, despite his suffering from losing his wife, my mom.

"Oh look." He laughs, wiping his eyes as we break apart. "Look at all this fancy food here, we shouldn't waste it by crying." He jokes and I laugh and nod my head.

"I can get that for you James, Hailey." Kate offers and I stand up.

"No, no, please let me, I'll be right back okay?" I say politely with a smile as I excuse myself as they sit at the nearest table.

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding as I walk away from the table, it had been so long since I've felt close to my dad again, I'm so lucky that he's back in my life, especially today.

I didn't realize till now that I needed him more than he needed me, I needed someone to be proud of me, but I know that my mom is looking down on me, proud of what I've achieved today.

I don't know why but I feel so on edge today, I've had butterflies in my stomach since this morning, I can't shake this feeling off that.. he might show up.

I looked for him in the crowd as my name was called, and I could've sworn I saw him, but that's impossible, I bet he doesn't even know I graduated today- I bet he doesn't even care, so why would he show up here? It's not like we dated for long.

Damn, there it is again, that tightness in my chest whenever I think about him.

It's almost pathetic how much I miss him, seeing him with those girls that night broke my heart but I can't help but still cling to what we had, it wasn't fabricated, it was real- real love, and I ran because I was scared.

I was scared of his life, all these things that could make or break us apart, and when I found out he had a daughter with a stranger... I freaked out, I felt dizzy, sick, confused but most of all, I was hurt- because it wasn't me, it wasn't our child... and that hurt.

It's silly to think how I reacted now, how could Asher have known he had a daughter? I should have listened, I realized this all too late and I ruined what we had.

He's probably moved on by now, he's handsome, kind and caring, famous and wealthy, he could have any woman or man in the world if he wanted them.

Once I make it to the food, I hear a commotion coming from the entrance to the banquet hall, people around me are now noticing and going over to see why everyone is gathered around that area, some people are even taking photos.

I watch from the other side of the hall as security guards and the police come in and break up the crowd, there must be at least five police officers here with two campus security guards.

What is going on?

Once people start to disband from whatever was going on near the doors, I see a familiar cap, not just any cap, I know this one because it was his favorite- it was his favorite football team.

Asher?

I didn't even realize I was moving towards the door until I was standing in front of a guard, I can't see the man's face but it's him, he's here- why is he here? 

What am I doing? Walk away, Hailey.

I swallow my pain down and turn, but then I hear his voice.

"Hailey?"

I stop walking. My heart is in my throat and I feel those butterflies swirling around in my stomach again, but this time it's not just a feeling- he's here, calling my name.

He came to my graduation.

I turn around and I'm terrified to look at him, but I do and when I look at his face, I'm in awe. He looks better than the last time I saw him, there's a healthy glow to him and he looks... happy to see me, almost relieved. He's dressed in a casual smart navy suit- but he's wearing a baseball cap- no doubt trying to not get noticed by anyone, and failing miserably.

What... what do I say? "Hi... Asher."

I see him physically relax in his shoulders as he tears his eyes from mine and to the officer standing next to him. "I'll be fine on my own, thanks man." He says to the policeman who smiles at him, almost celebrity awe-struck.

He waves Asher off. "No problem Mr.Reed, thanks for the tickets, my daughter is going to love this." He says with the biggest smile on his face as he nods to Asher and calls for the other Police officers to follow him.

I look around nervously and everyone in the banquet hall are looking in this direction, whispering to each other with their phones out, pointed in our direction.

I turn back to Asher and he's stood in front of me, he's also noticed everyone looking at us. "Can we talk... somewhere.. private? Please, Hailey." 

Swallowing the dry lump in my throat I nod my head as I follow him out the doors, I walk next to him as he slows his pace to mine. "Thank you." He says softly, his eyes on mine, not once have they moved from mine and it makes my body feel like it's on fire.

We walk down the hall until we come to an empty room, Asher opens the door and I walk inside. It's an empty room that doesn't have much of anything inside, I jump when I hear the door close behind me, making me turn to see Asher taking off his cap, revealing his messy hair, the same hair I've run my fingers through countless times.

There's a comfortable silence as we both now stare at each other, not one of us saying anything as we take in each other. "You cut your hair." Asher says, breaking the silence with a soft smile on his face.

I blink and furrow my brows. My hair? Oh- I guess I did. "Yeah." I clear my throat. "It got long.." I say dumbly.

Dammit, Hailey, what are you saying?

Only Asher can make me this nervous.

He laughs huskily, sending a shiver down my back. "It suits you, Hailey, you look good." He says, coming two steps forward to stand in front of me.

"Congratulations on graduating." 

I raise my head to look at him in the eye and my throat goes dry. "T-Thank you." 

He softly chuckles and goes into his pocket and holds+ out something for me in his hand. "It's a gift.. I wasn't sure what you liked, I hope this is alright? I've never- shit, I haven't- I hope this isn't weird, it's weird isn't it? I'm sorry, I-"

I cut him off. "Thank you." I giggle, saving him from his nervous rant, noticing the tip of his ears are red. 

I take the gift from his hand and notice it's a small box, I look at him, noticing he's nervous as I go to open it, when I open it, I'm in love.

It's a necklace. A simple heart necklace but I love it, it's not flashy or weird- it's perfect and I don't know what to say, I should feel weird about this but I feel... relieved, the feeling makes my stomach clench.

"I love it." My throat cracks. "Thank you." I say softly, picking it up to put it on.

"Here, let me." He says coming forward.

His hand touches mine gently as I feel shivers go up my arm as I drop the necklace into his hand, when I see his face I know that it's not just only me that feels like this, his face tells me everything without him saying the words.

Asher goes behind me and ties the necklace around my neck, I turn around and look up at him, not missing the way his facial expression softens when he looks at me, his eyes with so much emotion in them that it feels like I'm being sucked into them, making me step closer to him until I feel his hand touch mine.

He brings me closer until his strong arms are around mine, and his head is in between my neck as I wrap my arms around his torso, hugging him back. "I missed you so much baby." He whispers quietly into my ear, his arms tightening around me.

Shit- and just like that, I can't help the tears. "Asher- I-I-"

He pulls back and frowns, wiping the tears from my eyes with his thumb. "I didn't come here to upset you, Hailey, I'm sorry." He says and I shake my head, grabbing his hand he used to wipe my tears and bringing it to my cheek.

"No.." I shake my head slowly, my eyes on him. "Thank.. you.. for coming, I-I'm glad you're here Asher."

He sighs and closes his eyes, when he opens them again I feel his lips on mine within me blinking my eyes. His lips are soft and gentle, exactly how I remember them. The kiss is slow and sweet, I feel his hand rest on the back of my head and as soon I feel his back his the wall, I deepen the kiss.

I can't stop myself from not kissing him, it's been so long since I've felt this feeling like we are two in one, everything about him, how he tastes, his natural scent, everything reminds me just why I love him so much.

His gentle touch caressed me, protectively holding me as if I may break.

When we both pull apart, lips plump, red and moist, we're both breathing heavily as we look at each other, I feel like this is the first time in weeks where I could actually breathe, and it's all thanks to his kisses, his hands, his gentle eyes and that hair- that messy hair I love to touch.

I self consciously have my fingers in his hair, causing a moan to escape his throat as he looks down at me hungrily. "..I've missed that- fuck." He groans out, bringing his forehead to mine as he stares into my eyes.

"I love you." He breathes out, not breaking eye contact. "I don't deserve you but I can't help it- I'm in love with you, you're not just 'some girl' Hailey, you are 'the girl', ever since I laid eyes on you I knew that I was fucked, your laugh, your smile.. the way you keep me... real." Theirs a pause. "I have so much to tell you Hailey... there's so much to say... I've never- shit- even if you never want to see me again, please." His voice breaks. "Let me explain everything."

I feel my tears trail down my cheek as I listen to every word, each word causing my heart to beat faster at how much I didn't realize I needed to hear those words. Trying to control my tears from escaping my eyes I nod my head, wiping my eyes with my graduation gown sleeve. "O-Okay." I sob out. "W-We can talk, but my dad.. I can't leave him, he's here." I say, wiping my eyes looking up at Asher.

He smiles handsomely as leans down to kiss me on the cheek. "That's fine baby, I can see you later? I don't want to keep you from celebrating with your family." 

He's going? But he's just got here....I-

"Stay."

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. "Stay... please.."

His eyes widen as he looks down at me with a nod. "..Are you sure?"

"Yes." I breathe out, intertwining my hand with his. "Stay."

Stay with me.