fifth position;

“Dance is addictive. The more you dance, the more you want to dance, and the more you need to dance.” Hailey Van Buren, seventeen.

[sodapop-scott-deactivated201703]

He offered to help me find somewhere to go but I said my agent could help me. This is kinda somethin I wanna do on my own, y’know? Yeah. Why wouldn’t I? I feel like I learned a lot from it the first few times around. Now if someone asked I could honestly tell them the whole thing is about a ballerina who goes nuts instead of a horror movie. 

[haileyvanburen]

Yeah, I can understand..You want to assert your Independence. Have you put a lot of thought into this? If you're ready to be on your own then I support your decision a 100 percent. [Hailey laughed, scrolling through the movie options and landing on Black Swan.] I guess that's the simplest way to put it and i'm so glad that's the message you got from the movie, Scott.

[sodapop-scott-deactivated201703]

I dunno when but I’m not goin’ far so it’s not a big deal. [Scott kept his eyes on hers for a few more seconds before he turned his attention towards the tv, shifting his hands down to rest in his pockets as he did.] We can watch a movie. I haven’t seen Black Swan in a couple months 

[haileyvanburen]

What did your brother say about it? [She could sense something was on his mind or at least that's the vibe he was giving her but she didn't want to push too hard and have him shut off completely. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear she leaned forward grabbing the remote from the table.] Do you really want to watch Black Swan, Scott? I mean we can watch something you like. 

[sodapop-scott-deactivated201703]

Alright, I’ll reword it. You’re one of the only people I like to hang around with that likes to read for fun aside from Perrie. Most of my friends would rather be out doing different stuff. 

I actually told him I wanted to move out so I dunno if that really counts as bonding. [His nose scrunched slightly but he mimicked her action and patted her hand.] I dunno. I just don’t wanna be there right now. [Scooting further down on the couch he rested head rested against the back so he’d be at eye level with her even though it meant his butt was almost halfway off the seat.] I didn’t really come over with a plan. I just wanted to see you. 

[haileyvanburen]

Wait, you're moving? When? [Her eyebrows knitted together curiously, surprised at his admission.] Okay, well you can stay as long as you'd like. [Hailey nodded, looking around as she tried to think of something to occupy them both.] How about a movie? Or we could just talk if you want. 

[calvin-james]

Eggnog is gross.

[calvin-james]

Maybe, but there’s this stuff called boozy hot chocolate, and it’s exactly what it sounds like and it’s awesome. I’d pick that anyday over egg nog. And what’s nog, is there nog of anything else or is it only in eggs? 

[haileyvanburen]

Boozy hot chocolate? That does sound good! I don't really know what nog is. I know you can buy it separate, though. It's like a mixer or something. 

[sodapop-scott-deactivated201703]

It’s pretty. No… No, I like it. I think it’s nice that you’re so different from everyone else around here. Reading and relaxing sounds fun. 

[He took the spot beside her on the couch, trying to keep a decent amount of space between them since every part of him wanted to sit so close his legs pressed against hers. Maybe it was because the last few times he’d been in her house and actually stuck around for more than a few minutes distance hadn’t been an issue. So breaking the habit at the moment wasn’t ingrained in his mind just yet.] I went to Rosewood to visit my brother so I was already out and I didn’t wanna go home and this place…. I dunno. It makes me happy to be here and with you so that’s why I texted you even though it sounds kinda weird. [He shrugged one of his shoulders, spreading his legs out in front of him.] I’ll try not to interrupt your whole routine if you wanna get back to reading though. 

[haileyvanburen]

Thanks. For both things, the sweater and the different comment. Though, I'm probably not the only person who reads to relax. But I'll take it. 

Oh, so you had some brotherly bonding time? [Hailey shook her head, setting her book down and leaning over to pat his leg comfortingly.] That's not weird at all..I actually get what you mean. Why didn't you want to go home? If you don't mind me asking. [She shrugged, sitting back.] I'm fine. We can do something else if you'd like. 

[sodapop-scott-deactivated201703]

[As soon as she opened the door his expression immediately warmed and the corner of his mouth curved up in a small crooked grin. Seeing her never failed to make him happy no matter what mood he was in before he came over. Something about being around her always made him loosen up.] Nah. I actually feel a lot better. [Raising one of his hands to rest on the side of her neck, he leaned down to kiss her cheek out of habit more than anything else before he slowly made his way inside.] So what were you doing?

[haileyvanburen]

Good, this is my favorite sweater. [Hailey remained still as he kissed her, smiling fondly at the gesture and fighting off the urge to allow herself to be intoxicated by his touch.] Uh, I was just reading actually. I've been out all day and it's how I relax..I know, I know, I'm a party animal. [She shut the door and found her way back to her spot on the couch hoping he'd get the hint and follow her lead.] What about you? Were you already out when you text me? 

[sodapop-scott-deactivated201703]

[Instead of taking the elevator up Scott opted for the stairs, using the extra time to help settle his nerves before he finally came face to face with her. From the way his shoulders drooped it was obvious he was tired but the last place he felt like going at the moment was home, so her apartment was the next best option. Leaning his cheek against the frame he knocked against the door quickly.]

[haileyvanburen]

[Hailey's house was empty, just as quickly as her father had returned was just as quickly as he and his wife left on another adventure, so Scott wanting to come over was a much needed surprise. She hated being alone around the holidays and for a few years that was the case. Hailey opened the door, noticing his tired appearance- of course he looked great but from the way he was leaning against the door she concluded he was drained.] You're not going to throw up on me, right?

[haileyvanburen]

[text] You've opened the door in a towel before. I wasn't sure I wanted to take my chances.

[Text]: Got it, you're safe.

[haileyvanburen]

[text] Alright. I can be there in ten if you're ready. [text] And by ready I mean you're wearing clothes.

[Text]: Sounds good. 

[Text]: And i'm not sitting here naked so.

[darren-laheys-blog]

It can’t just be me who likes apple more than pumpkin pie, right?

[haileyvanburen]

You're not alone. Don't get me wrong, pumpkin pie is great but I do love apple. 

[cupcake-patty998]

[haileyvanburen]

[text] Are you in your dorm or at the apartment?

[Text]: Apartment, I don't have school so I thought I might as well stay home.

[haileyvanburen]

[text] I'm fine. I was actually gonna ask if you wanted to hang out tonight.

[Text]: Yeah, sure. I'd like that.

[calvin-james]

Eggnog is gross.

[calvin-james]

Yeah, it’s the worst right? I don’t know how people stomach it, I don’t even like the smell 

[haileyvanburen]

Same! Maybe it's the alcohol they put it in that makes people pretend they like how it tastes when in all actuality they just want to get tipsy off of eggnog. 

[haileyvanburen]

[text] Nothing we need to talk about. I just thought hearing that would make your day better.

[Text]: Uh okay. And It definitely made me laugh, thank you. 

[Text]: Are you feeling any better? 

[haileyvanburen]

[text] I almost puked on a girl this weekend.

[Text]: The keyword is almost so that's a good thing but still, gross. What happened? 

[calvin-james]

Eggnog is gross.

I mean epic foam mustaches, but not worth the taste. 

[haileyvanburen]

I agree, I never got the appeal. It's not very good but everyone seems to love it.