Sunday finally rolls around; the day I've been waiting impatiently for since Hayden texted me on Wednesday evening.

I finally make an effort with my appearance—something I gave up with a while back. It's usually messy ponytails and baggy clothing because I care more about my comfort than how good I look for others. Today is different. Today I do care, because I care what Hayden thinks, even though I know that he'd glow at the sight of me in my pyjamas. He's never cared how I look or dress. He only ever cares how I am.

My hair is tied back into two braids with strands loose at the front. My hoop earrings are in, my light makeup is applied; only some concealer and mascara to take the attention away from the bags that spread under my eyes and prove my exhaustion. I step back and look at my white tight dress that reaches just above my kneecaps. The weather seems to be sunny today, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to wear this for once.

The doorbell rings from downstairs. I grab my coat and backpack before racing down the stairs, wanting to be the one to open it. I didn't know Hayden would come up to the door to collect me. He never used to do that, he was always too scared to face my dad, even though he had met him countless times before.

As soon as I turn the corner, I stop myself and watch as my dad opens the door to Hayden before I can even interfere.

"Hi, Gary. It's good to see you again," Hayden says in his soft voice as he extends his hand to shake my dad's.

My jaw drops at his unexpected and formal action that I never expected him to do. I always see it in old films, I've heard my grandparents speak about it, but I've never experienced it myself. I didn't think I'd see the day when someone would pick me up and shake my dad's hand. Something about it makes me feel emotional. It makes me feel warm. It further proves the type of person that Hayden is.

It's this small gesture that makes me realise how deep my feelings go for him. They've always been there, hiding, but they couldn't help but grow over the years. Now I can finally feel it more than ever. They're so strong, too strong to ignore. How could I never see that Hayden was all I needed? How did I reject someone good and sweet like him, only to date such a cold and awful person? Did I really think so little of myself?

I always did say I wanted a bad boy, like I saw in the movies and read in the books. But now I'm finally starting to find myself, I'm realising that those toxic relationships that so many swoon over are actually the most exhausting and draining. Why want that when I can live a quiet and calm life with someone who would never want to bring any harm to me?

"And you. It's been a long time," my dad says.

"It has," Hayden agrees while exhaling a deep breath. I know he's nervous to be faced with my dad after all this time, especially after what happened with Tina, but nonetheless he's still standing in front of him with a brave face.

So different, yet still exactly the same.

"You'll have to come over soon for a proper catch up. Maybe a barbecue?" dad suggests.

Hayden nods his head eagerly. "Definitely, that would be great. As long as that's fine with Sierra."

"Sounds good to me," I say, finally joining the conversation after enjoying the moment of Hayden and my dad talking and getting along. It's a wonderful sight to see.

Hayden's face brightens at the sight of me. He's done that every single time he's seen me since the day we met. He never fails to do so.

Without fail, he always makes me feel good about myself.

"I'll leave you to it. It was nice seeing you again, Hayden, we'll get that barbecue sorted soon. Have a good day, you two," dad says before straying off to the living room.

"Thanks, dad!" I call out before turning to Hayden and smiling widely while trying to hide my nerves. I can tell he feels them too.

"You look really nice," I say. He's in his usual clothes, but what I say is true. He always looks good without fail, without meaning to.

"Thank you," he replies softly with the usual blush creeping over his cheeks. "So do you, you look really good."

"I don't, but thank you."

He recoils his head. "Course you do. You always do."

I roll my eyes but can't help the smile that slowly appears against my will. "You're a liar, but a sweet one."

We walk out to his car that's parked out front.

"Why don't you believe me?" he asks.

I shrug my shoulders and laugh. "I just look weird today."

"You don't, trust me." And then pauses before hitting me with, "You never used to think that about yourself. You used to brag about how good you looked."

I know.

I don't reply.

"What happened?" he asks me while he's turning the key to start his car.

There's part of me that wants to tell him everything right there and then, but I force my mouth to remain sealed shut. I press my lips together so hard because I fear they'll betray me and go against my command to keep everything a secret.

I don't want to talk about Peter with Hayden. Not now. Not ever.

"Nothing," I lie while laughing uncomfortably.

Hayden doesn't question this. He just gives me a sympathetic smile, like he knows everything and somehow understands why I don't want to speak on the matter. He doesn't try to convince me to tell him, he knows and respects that I'll tell him when I'm ready.

"I'm nervous to see your family," I admit as we grow closer to reaching his house. My hands are sweating and my foot is tapping on the bottom of Hayden's car.

"Really?"

I nod my head.

"Why?"

"It's been ages since I last saw them. A lot's changed. What if they don't like who I am anymore?"

Hayden laughs lightly and shakes his head. "Sierra, they could never not like you. You're nicest person I've ever met."

"I'm not," I disagree.

He raises his eyebrow at me. "You've got to start to believing me."

"I believe you about most things."

"Just not the nice things I say about you?"

"Pretty much," I agree with a large grin on my face.

He sighs. "Well I wish you would. You deserve to think those things about yourself. It's quite sad that you don't."

The rest of the car ride is silent and blissful. I rest my head against the headrest and close my eyes as I hear his words in my head over and over again. It's one of the nicest things a person has ever said to me before, one that won't ever leave me. I'll remember that for an entire lifetime.

"You should tell yourself those things," I whisper when we're parking in his driveway. He smiles in response.

I stare at Hayden's house and start to remember so many memories as I scan over its familiar build. His house is the biggest out of all of ours, it has a drive way and a garage, two gardens, two bathrooms and even a basement that his grandparents installed before he was born and the house was left to his mum and dad. It's not often that a British house has a basement, so we always used to hang out down there every time we went to his house. It became our regular spot.

We walk up the path that leads to the front door. With each step I take, my nerves grow with it. I've known his family for years, I used to visit them almost everyday, but it feels different now. It's been so long, I've changed so much and I'm not the same person they one knew and loved. What if they don't like who I've become? What if they don't approve? My feelings for Hayden have grown and now that I've accepted them, having his family's approval only matters more.

Hayden leads the way and gives me a smile as he unlocks his door and pushes it open. I remember the smell. Lavender. His mum would always spray the scent around the house. I see the photos that are still hung on the same spots of the hallway. Family photos that I always found adorable. So many of them.

I take off my shoes and he takes my coat to hang it up for me. I follow him to the living room where we peak our heads around the door to see his little sister sat on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

"Evelyn, I've got someone here to see you," Hayden says, instantly gaining her attention.

Evelyn rips her gaze away from her phone screen and replaces it on me. Her face is blank for a few seconds until it finally sinks it and realisation spreads across her face. She gasps and jumps up before rushing over to me and wrapping her arms around my shoulders. "Sierra!"

I chuckle as I step back due to the force she hugs me at. "Hi, Evelyn."

"I didn't know you were coming!" She holds my hand and jumps with excitement. Her long blonde hair jumps with her.

I look to Hayden.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," he admits. "My mum knows that you're here."

"You look exactly the same. Except your hair—it's shorter," she says as she scans me from head to toe.

"It's only been a year since you saw each other," Hayden chuckles at his sister.

"That's still a long time. It feels like forever," she says. "I've been wanting to see you for ages. I'm desperate to do someone's nails."

"Hayden told me. I'd be happy to let you do mine."

She looks like she wants to scream with happiness. "Would you really?"

I nod my head and smile warmly. "I need my nails doing. Look at the state of them."

"Oh they're the perfect length. What colour would you want them painted?"

"Umm...white?"

"I agree, it would go well with your skin tone," she mumbles as she examines the nails and skin, acting like she's already a nail technician.

Hayden and I glance at each other while both showing a knowing grin. Clearly he's used to her behaviour because he shakes his head and chuckles slightly.

"You and Liliana could both come over to have them done. The more clients, the better. I've missed her as well."

"You haven't seen Liliana?" I ask.

Evelyn shakes her head and sadly pouts her lips to the side. "Nope. Not since I last saw you."

I turn to Hayden. "But I thought you usually hang out with Ricky and Liliana?"

"We're often busy, so I don't get to see them as much as I did when we were in school. Most of the time, we just go out for drives," he explains, looking just as disappointed as Evelyn does. "Ricky sometimes comes over on the weekend to play some games or watch a movie."

"He let me do his makeup," Evelyn reveals as her giggles echo the room.

"Ricky?" I question.

She nods her head proudly. "And he liked it."

"He did," Hayden confirms.

I widen my eyes. "Really?"

They both nod in unison.

"He showed off his new look to everyone," Evelyn says before pulling out her phone and getting up a photo of Ricky with large eyelashes and a lot of highlighter slapped on his cheekbones.

"Woah," I whisper with raised eyebrows. "He does look good, I'm not surprised he loved it so much."

Evelyn smiles widely and lifts her shoulders. "Thanks!" she hums.

"Right, we'll see you later, Evie," Hayden tells her.

She frowns in his direction before dropping herself onto the sofa. "Don't call me that. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"You don't like the name?" I ask her.

"It's what my friends call me. I don't want Hayden using it." Then she smiles mischievously. "Sierra can call me Evie."

I smirk at Hayden. "Thank you, Evie."

He raises his eyebrows at his sister, seemingly surprised and full of disbelief. "Makes sense. See you later."

"Have fun," she tells us.

Hayden leads me through his house, but pauses when we reach the dining room. I take the chance to have a quick glance around the room that hasn't changed at all. I never came in this room much because we'd usually eat dinner in the basement or in Hayden's room.

Hayden inches closer to me. "Are you ready to see my mum?"

My eyes widen without my knowledge as nerves course through my veins and causes my heart to drum against my chest. I put on a brave face and nod my head.

"Lead the way."