CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
❝ to understand you ❞

     SATURDAY HAD FINALLY come, and Hayden had already set her brilliant plan into motion— all she could do now was wait for the boys to return and tell her how things went. The girl was quite nervous, to say the least; while sitting on the couch and watching a movie with her parents, she couldn't help but keep glancing at her phone. What if something were to go wrong? No, she couldn't worry about that. Hayden focuses her attention on the television, laying her head against her mother's shoulder and passing the popcorn bowl to her father.

Things would be okay— she could feel it.

"I hate both of you," Emmett states, staring at the two boys in front of him.

The three were currently standing on the sidewalk outside of the local bowling alley, looks of misery on every one of their faces— along with the usual glare, of course. Standing this close to each other had set each one of them off; and although Mike and Paul didn't know one another, their auras set one another off.

"I'm sure we could say the same thing about you," Paul grits his teeth, tightening his hands into fists. But he proceeds to catch himself— allowing his jaw to go slack, and he stuffs his hands into his pockets.

"Hayden wants us to get along, and I'm willing to work on it for her," Mike sighs. He runs a hand through his hair, looking between the taller two. "So what did she plan for us?"

"Bowling." The vampire says in an oblivious tone before gesturing to the building behind them. "Can't you read the sign?"

"Let up on him, will you?" Paul rolls his eyes, glancing around the empty street. "Let's just get this over with. How long does she want us to stay?"

"It's one," Mike announces, looking down at his phone.

"Yeah, no shit. I think I could've figured that out on my—"

"I wish you'd stop," the russet-skinned boy growls, cutting Emmett off. "Just tell us how much longer we have to suffer."

"Until five." Emmett states, not fazed by Paul's harsh tone. "She gave me strict instructions to buy all the food you want at the buffet, and to be nice when I beat both of you."

"No way in hell Hayden said that," Mike says, moving towards the doors, "but whatever."

When entering the bowling alley, Mike is the first to find that the entire building had been rented out. It was only the three of them, plus a couple workers at the buffet and a lady at the front desk who was smiling too brightly for any of their likings. Paul scoffs as Emmett holds the door open for him, refusing to move forward as long as Emmett was holding the door.

"Go," Emmett huffs, pointing a finger at a very impatient Mike. "I don't want to stand here all day, now get your ass inside."

"I'd rather jump off a bypass," Paul shakes his head.

"I'm being polite—"

"Fine," Paul steps inside with his arms crossed over his chest. "Whatever. I'm only doing this for Hayden."

When stepping up to the desk and telling the blonde woman their shoe sizes, she disappears into the back room. Paul turns to Emmett, giving him a once-over before narrowing his eyes. "You're not any better than me, I don't know what Hayden sees in you."

"Cullen has competition?" Mike raises an eyebrow. "I'm shocked— why didn't I hear about this earlier?"

"It was none of your business to begin with. Besides, you're both just jealous that she likes me more." Emmett states with confidence.

"You're wrong."

"I don't think so."

None of them were sure what this day together would bring for them— other than constant bickering and annoyance. If this was Hayden's plan to try and make them get along, she would be disappointed to know that it wasn't going well so far. Instead, each of the boys were testing their limits with one another; and what good was that? Mike sensed there would be a full-on brawl before their four hours of bonding time was over.

"Enjoy your evening," the girl tells them, placing their shoes on the counter with a bright smile. It reminded Paul of Hayden's— something he wished he could see now, in this time of suffering.

But one thing that they all shared was their determination to get through the day; if only they knew that Hayden's plan would work.

Then again, who would ever think that a wolf, vampire, and a human could all get along?

---

It was dark outside.

Hayden was chewing on her fingernails while staring at the door, nervous for the reason as to why the three boys— or at least one of them— hadn't shown up at her home yet. Her parents were asleep now, and the time for the boys' arrival was long overdo. It was exactly six hours after they were supposed to show up, or even call her. And now here she was, worrying over why they wouldn't answer her phone calls.

Had it gone that bad? Maybe they'd never want to speak to her again, or they had killed each other; it had to be something terrible, right? She didn't know, but what she did know was that her heart wouldn't stop beating out of her chest. Hayden was terrified for what this might mean.

And then there was a knock on the door.

Launching up from her chair, the Marris girl— now dressed in her favorite unicorn pajamas— races to open it. She comes face-to-face with the smiling faces of her three favorite boys, all of them holding a different bouquet of flowers.

"You guys are okay!" She rushes out, pulling them all in for a tight embrace. "You have no idea how scared I was, I thought you had all died—"

"We went out to see a movie," Paul explains. "And then we got pizza, and talked a little . . . time got away from us too fast."

"Wait, it worked?" She asks, her eyes grazing over every one of them. "You guys are okay with each other now?"

"I guess we have more in common than we thought," Mike shrugs. "It was easier after we stopped arguing and pretended to be content."

"They're not as bad as I thought," Emmett finishes. "All they want is for you to be happy, and I stand behind that. I respect them, so congratulations sweetheart, you did it."

"I just . . . I can't believe it," Hayden chokes out, her bottom lip trembling as she looks to all of them. "Everything is perfect now— thank you guys so much for putting in the effort."

"Why don't I tuck you in?" Emmett suggests, pulling her into his chest. "I'm sure you're tired by now, and I don't want to see you cry."

"Okay," she nods, looking behind him to see Paul and Mike. "I'll see you boys tomorrow, yeah?"

"Here," Paul places a bouquet of pink carnations into her hand, before giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Sleep tight."

"I'll see you before first period," Mike gives her purple peonies, giving her a hug before leaving with a wave.

"And the best for last," Emmett chuckles, adding his white roses to her full grasp.

Leading him inside, Hayden makes her way up the stairs with a smile tugging at her lips. "I'm so proud of all of you. How did you manage?"

"I took your advice, and was being very nice the whole time. We fought in the beginning, and then . . . I can't explain it, we just all started talking. And suddenly I realized that there was no reason to hate them in the first place."

As Hayden lays down in her bed, she places the bouquets on her nightstand, and stares up at Emmett. "Is it weird to say that I'm getting my happily ever after?" Hayden giggles.

"Not all all," he intertwines his fingers with hers. "I feel the same exact way."

"You know, I'd enjoy sleeping a whole lot more if you were to . . . I don't know . . . sleep next to me," she winks, nodding to the open space on her bed. "For one night?"

"Well," he pauses, biting his lip, "I'm sure one night wouldn't hurt."

Flipping off the light, Emmett removes his shoes, before stepping over to the bed and taking the spot beside Hayden. She releases a long breath as he pulls her back to meet his chest. The two molded together perfectly; it was as if their bodies were crafted to fit like puzzle pieces.

Emmett places a protective arm around her, burying his face into her smooth hair. Hayden gasps as his cold nose meets the skin on her neck. He chuckles, his breath fanning her cheek.

"I love you, Hayden Marris."

Hayden almost couldn't believe her ears; she was almost asleep now. But she had heard his words, and never in her life had she felt more complete than in that very moment. Emmett loves her; and that's all that matters.

"I love you too, Emmett Cullen."

Their emotions were so vivid now, and Hayden could feel nothing but contentment. Things were finally okay, and not just with the boys— but with her parents, too. Now all she needed to do was get her friends back on board, and it really would be her happily ever after.

And tomorrow would be the very day for that.

_______

❝ this chapter is sooooo bad, but it's just a
filler!! it's so sad to say that the next
chapter will be the last :( and then
comes the epilogue, then the end!!
omg, i'm not crying, you are! ❞