a/n: And here it is. The part in Hailey's point of view. I know it took a while, but it's finally done!! I hope you guys enjoy this part. I'm undecided as to whether I'm done with these two or not, but I definitely have some ideas for other characters that are involved in this fic. Don't forget to let me know what you think!

Planning

He was laughing at me. Well not at me, not really. At something I'd said. I was being just this side of sarcastic because it helped edge off the nervousness of what I was about to do. I watched him shake his head and smile to himself for a moment before breaking free of my own thoughts to interrupt his.

"Adam?"

"Hmmm?" he replied, looking at me.

I sighed. He clearly hadn't been listening to the conversation that had been taking place. "You weren't listening. Peter asked you if you wanted to go to his party," I told him.

"What party?" he asked dumbly. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes outright at him and Peter saved me by answering the question.

"My birthday party," he said.

"Oh, that party. I forgot about it. When is it again?"

"Next Saturday. One week."

"I'll do my best to make an appearance. Time?"

"Well Hailey is-"

"Wait, wait, wait," Adam cut in, swinging around to face me. "You're going to his party?"

Once again I had to control my reaction, settling for confusion. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I'd only been friends with Peter since I was little. We grew up together. And he knew it.

"I don't know. I keep forgetting that you and Pete are friends," he said.

And this time I couldn't control it. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to Peter. It was almost show time anyway. "I'll be there around seven. I have to work till six, otherwise I would be there when you started up to help set up."

"Sounds good." He nodded and I saw Sam walk in.

I excused myself quietly and left the two of them alone. Sam was another one of my friends. I had contracted him for this job specifically. He was perfect for what I needed. He was devastatingly handsome and already cared about me. As a sister though. That's what made him perfect. There was no chance that he might actually fall for me during this charade.

"Hey, Hail," he greeted me as I walked over.

I smiled. "Hey, Sammy," I returned, with a small giggle.

"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me," he joked. "I was getting lonely."

"Yeah, well, I had to wait for a natural break in conversation. It would be kinda strange if I just got up out of the blue and left," I told him. "Besides, I need you. How could you think I wouldn't come over here?"

"I thought maybe you'd succeeded in snaring him all by yourself. You are full of wily charms," he informed me.

"If only it were that easy." I sighed. I'd tried everything I could think of over the last few weeks to make Adam take that final step. With no success, I might add. He evaded every move I tried to make on him, he countered my logic with logic of his own, and he absolutely refused to talk about feelings again. Every time I brought it up, he had to go. So I stopped bringing it up. And we were able to be together with relative ease.

But it wasn't enough for me. I know, I'm greedy. I should be grateful for every scrap of attention he threw my way, but I wanted all of his attention on me. And it wasn't. When we were together, he wasn't focused on me or what I had to say half the time. His eyes drifted and his answers were vague and sometimes not related to the topic at hand. It was beyond irritating.

So it was time to take drastic measures. And I couldn't do that alone. Adam wouldn't even listen to me. He'd probably laugh at me, actually.

"Hey," Sam said, touching my arm, "it's okay. He'll come around, just wait. Who can resist you for very long? You are incredibly sexy." He winked.

I blushed and gave him a small smile. "He's looking, isn't he?"

"Oh yeah. And glaring. I'd say he's jealous."

I wrapped my arms around myself in a semi embrace and gave him a bright smile. "Well, it would be nice if he was, but I doubt it. He's probably just curious."

"For such a smart girl, you're awfully dull when it comes to this guy. He doesn't even look worth it," he said. "But it's obvious how much you care about him. I'm telling you though, he's jealous. Whether he's admitted to himself or not, he really likes you."

"The last time he said anything of that nature was a long time ago. And all he said was that he was fond of me." I pointed out.

"But Hailey, baby, that's how it starts. And it's probably been sitting inside him since then, festering. I'm always right about these things, sweetheart." He cast a glance around the arcade and then at his watch. "Anyway, I have to be on my way. Angie's waiting for me."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about her," I said. "You're sure she agreed to this?"

"Yep. She's always up for a good set up." He pulled me into a tight, brotherly hug. "Don't stress too much, Hail."

"I won't, I promise. Just make sure you're available next week for Peter's party!" I reminded him. "Tell Angie she can come, too."

"Will do. See you later!"

With that said, he started out of the arcade and I smiled after him. "Bye Sammy!"

I headed back to where Adam and Peter were talking. As soon as I got back, I was attacked.

"Who was that?" Adam demanded.

I halted for a second. "Sam," was all I gave him.

"Who's 'Sam'?”

"A friend. Why do you care so much?" I asked as I grabbed my books from the counter. This was not going to end well, I could tell.

"I don't." And I was right.

I fought tears as I spat an answer back at him, "Fine. Don't ask if you don't care, then."

I ran out the door after Sam, hoping he wouldn't be too far-gone by now. I didn't want to talk to Adam if he was going to act like that. Besides, I wanted to hear him say, "I care because I care about you." He didn't even have to say he loves me or anything more damning that what he'd already admitted. His callous mannerism just pushed me away. And I was so sick of it.

So I decided to hang out with people who appreciated me for me for a while. Like Angie and Sam.

--------------------------

"What a jerk!!" Angie said before downing the rest of her cappuccino.

"Seriously," Sam agreed.

"I just wish he was capable of some form of expression other than anger and idiocy," I lamented. "I've only seen the softer side once."

"It gets better," Angie assured me. "Sam was a complete ass when I first met him."

"That, I can believe."

"Hey," he started, "I thought this was a hate party on Adam, not me."

"You're right. We'll focus on you at a later date."

"Thanks."

Angie gave Sam a peck on the cheek. "You act like you're so unloved when we know that's not true."

"Honestly," I added.

"All right, all right," he gave in, "what are you going to do about Adam? Do you still want to try and turn him into the jealous lover?"

"I don't know," I replied honestly. "I think I'm going to avoid him for a while."

"That's not always smart," Angie told me. "Take it from me."

Sam smiled. "She's right,"

"I know, but I still don't want to talk to him. At least not until I have to at Peter's party. He made it pretty clear that he doesn't care what I do or who I hang out with when I'm not with him."

I saw Angie and Sam exchange a knowing look. "What?" I said.

"Nothing," she said, breaking eye contact with him.

"You do what you feel you have to do," he told me, "we'll support you all the way."

"Thanks," I said, smiling for the first time in a few hours. "I really appreciate it."

"No problem," Angie said. "We want you to be happy."

With my mind made up, I stood up from the stool I'd been occupying in the small cafe. "I'm going to go home for a while, I think. What are you guys doing this week? I don't really want to go to the arcade at all."

"Nothing much," Sam answered. "Hanging out here. Maybe spend some time at Angie's house. We'll keep you posted, sweets."

"I'll text you tomorrow, kay?" Angie promised.

"Sounds good. I'll talk to you later then!!"

"See ya!"

----------------------

For the next week I stayed away from the arcade and Adam. It wasn't hard. At least not physically. Mentally, it was tough. I wanted nothing more than to go see him. Make him explain his response to me. Explain why he didn't care at all. But I kept reminding myself not to. Part of me didn't want to hear his reasons.

I had been hanging out with Angie and Sam so much I thought they might be getting sick of me. They kept telling me they weren't, but I knew they'd be happy when Adam and I had resolved our differences. I couldn't blame them, I would be too.

Not seeing Adam was eating me from the inside and by the time Peter's party rolled around, I was giddy with excitement. Not that I'd let Adam see that, of course. I was far too prideful for that. But I also wasn't going to let him see that he'd hurt me with his careless words, either. I was going to act perfectly neutral with the just the right touch of ice.

And then those plans fell apart when I walked in and saw him talking to Sam.

"Are you two dating?" I heard Sam ask even though he knew the answer.

"No," Adam said before laughing.

"Of course not," I put my two cents in, "Adam is deathly afraid of commitment."

"Ah," Sam said, staring at me. I restrained the urge to give him a come and get me look just to piss Adam off; Angie might take it the wrong way.

Adam, the ass that he was, had the nerve to grin at me. "Hey, Hailey. When did you get here?"

"Just a few minutes ago. I had to work," I reminded him as I smiled at Sam.

"Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that," he said, watching as Sam grabbed my elbow gently. A sure sign that he was about to steer me away from Adam and into safety. I saw Angie sitting on a couch not to far away. She smiled at me.

"What?" I asked me, turning my attention back to Adam. "Did you say something?"

"Hailey, come on, let's go sit over there where it's not as crowded," Sam suggested and with little urging I followed him over to where Angie was waiting for us. I tried not to look at Adam once we had sat down, but I couldn't do it. I saw Peter lean down and say something to him. I turned away and looked at Sam and Angie.

She had moved down so it didn't look like she was with us, but she was giggling and giving Sam looks full of promise. I laughed and leaned in to say something.

"You guys are sick! I bet you just can't wait to get out of here and..." I let my sentence trail off on purpose watching as her face colored, but she didn't try to deny it.

I was about to say something to Sam when I saw Adam make his way over to us. He stopped just short of walking into my legs.

"Hailey, can I talk to you for a minute?"

I looked at him for a moment before turning to Sam. "Would you excuse me a second?"

I didn't wait for Sam to answer. I got up and faced Adam. He took my hand and I followed him into a room where it was relatively silent.

I tugged my hand out of his. "What?"

"I... I want to apologize," he started. "For that day last week. When I said all that stupid stuff." I didn't know what to say. I was shocked. I had expected him to say that he didn't want to try anymore. This was the last thing I expected. And he wasn't even done yet. "I... I was jealous. I didn't want him to touch you."

I let out a giggle; I couldn't help it. I was so relieved! "Hey, I'm trying to make a serious apology, here!" he complained. "Could you at least try to appreciate it?"

"But, Adam, I do. I appreciate it. And... I want you to know that you don't have to be jealous of Sam. We've been friends since we were little, but he's like my older brother. Besides, it's you that I'm in love with," I told him, smiling brightly.

"So...?"

"Apology accepted. Come dance with me," I persuaded, reaching for his hand.

He laced his fingers into mine. "Sounds heavenly."

----------------------

I was so happy. Adam was holding me against him as we swayed to the music and I had my arms wrapped around his neck. I had caught Sam staring and laughing as he and Angie danced and I shot him a smile.

Adam and I were still dancing when Peter decided he'd had enough.

"All right, out!" he hollered once he killed the music.

I was kind of sad that my time with Adam had ended so soon, but it had been magical and as they say, all good things must end. I fought back a sigh as we slowly parted from one another. I was about to say good-bye and make him promise to meet me at the arcade the next day, but he surprised me again.

"Do you have a ride?"

I shook my head back and forth. "I walked."

"Walked? Where's your car?" he asked a little forcefully.

"In the shop," I replied, wondering why he was so worked up about it. "It's okay, I only live a few blocks away."

"I'll drive you home," he offered. "Come on. I parked across the street." He held out his hand I knew he expected me to take it. I almost didn't, I was so surprised at him, but I knew that he would just take my hand anyway. So I put my hand in his and followed him to his car.

He opened the door for me when we got there and I let him help me into his car. I inhaled the smell of Adam that surrounded me as I fastened my seatbelt. He got in and fired his engine up and played with the radio for a moment. Then he pulled away and we were on our way. I didn't live very far away so the ride was short, but sweet. We didn't say anything, but we didn't have to. It was comfortable.

When we arrived, he put the car in park and I expected him to watch me walk in, but he unbuckled his seatbelt, took my hand, and followed me out of the car and up to my doorstep. I smiled nervously at him, curious as to what he was doing.

"Well, thanks for the ride," I said, giving my hand an experimental pull. He didn't let go. "I'm glad we're back to normal."

"Me too," he said softly as his fingers tightened on mine. I felt my eyes go wide as I finally put the pieces together. He was going to kiss me. About time! I thought. The hand that wasn't being held in mine came up to encircle my waist as he pulled me closer.

I licked my lips in a nervous gesture and realized that only fueled he fire. A second later his lips were on mine and I had to fight the soft sigh that was begging to get free. His moved up from my waist to tangle in my hair as he pushed me against my door. My own fingers were already sliding through his hair and before long, his tongue was knocking at my lips. With no hesitation I let him in, eager to taste him fully.

I tugged on my hand that was still in his and we both decided without talking (obviously) that we wanted a little more freedom and we let go. His other hand brushed against my waist before hanging on while I let my hand ease up his chest to grasp onto his jacket at his shoulder.

And then I got adventurous. It had been a while since I'd last kissed a guy and I had forgotten how nice it could be. I let my tongue slowly move forward until it met the seam of his lips. He let me in immediately. I felt him growl into my mouth and decided I liked the sensation it created. His tongue rubbed up against my own for a few seconds before it retreated back into his own mouth. He kissed me a few more kisses before backing off totally.

"Good-night, Hailey. Sweet dreams," he whispered to me as his hand moved down my check in a sweeping caress. And then he was walking away. I stared after him, not believing what had just happened. I almost laughed at it all. It was all so perfect.

Instead, I smiled. I touched my lips and turned around as I heard his car pull out of my driveway.

I was going to have sweet dreams, indeed.

Owari

a/n: Don't forget to review! I think I may post a short epilogue to this fic, but I don't know yet. Lemme know what you think!