Morgan's POV

"A date two days before New Year, really?" Jason asked me through the phone. He had gone with his parents to his grandparents place for New Year so he won't be here.

"Yeah what's wrong with it?" I asked while I played Formula 1 on my playstation.

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with it relax. Do you know where you are taking her?"

"I thought about dinner at the new Italian restaurant near Joey's."

"I haven't been there, I think it was opened while we weren't in town."

"Most likely."

Jason stayed silent for a while until he finally spoke again after several seconds, "You know this is kinda weird for me still."

I put the controller down once I won the race and gave my attention to Jason. "What's weird?"

"You and Hayley... I don't know I never expected it since she kind of hated your guts during all of high school."

I laughed at that.

Yes she kind of did but then I learned the reason behind it and even if it's not an excuse— now that I know the way Hayley is and why she is like that I don't really care about the past. It never bothered me much. Hayley was the mean girl who loved to mess with me and lock me up in a locker—of course I retaliated in my own kind of way but I'm over all of that.

How we were in school didn't affect how I feel about her because I'm over all of that. We were kids and that's in the past.

"I understand why you find it weird—but to me it makes sense."

"Whatever floats your boat dude, I'm glad that you're happy."

"Thanks Jase."

"Love you Mor. I need to get going though, my grandpa wants me to check out his truck."

"Sure, talk later."

"Bye."

I slumped on my chair thinking of what am I going to even wear for tonight.

I'm nervous, I'm not going to lie.

A part of me tells me I should be nervous because it's Hayley—we have hung out before. But the other part doesn't want to screw it up even if she does know me better than many. That's not the point though, I want it to be perfect, for her to have a good time.

I'll make sure this date is perfect.

—

I looked at myself on more time on the mirror of the elevator— assuring myself that I looked good with my white oversized button up shirt that's under a beige knitted sweater that's a bit bigger than my size as well, accompanied with light blue jeans and black boots.

In on of my hands I held a bouquet of flowers—a bit cliche I know but I'm a sucker for some classic romance gestures.

I'm not sure if I look good, I mean— I thought of wearing dress pants and a  blazer instead but I didn't feel like wearing the one I have at home since I already that one the night Hayley and I kissed. And the other I brought here Hayley is yet to return it to me. So I thought that the sweater would be... cute?

I'm just rambling, at this point it doesn't matter.

The elevator opened and I steeped out it and walked down the hall to my date's door. I took a breath before I knocked—not intending to just barg in as I usually do.

I then heard a 'coming' from the other side so I waited.

I looked at the flowers in my hand—the lady at the shop had recommended them for me after I told her it was for a first date. They were violet primrose, she told me they had a meaning like every flower does so I could search it up later if I wanted to.

The sound of the door opening made me look up and once I did I was completely speechless. Hayley looked beautiful and that's an oversimplification on how good she looks.

I felt my mouth dry.

"Hey." Hayley said with a small smile and her green eyes almost twinkled.

I cleared my throat and moved my hand. "For you," I showed her the flowers.

I internally face palmed myself.

Hayley raised both her brows and released a soft chuckle, "Thank you Morgan, they're beautiful." She grabbed them from my hand and kissed my cheek. "Let me go put them in water and we'll go."

"Sure." I mumbled like an idiot still in a daze caused by my date.

Hayley came back in no time and luckily I had recovered from my trance. We were inside the elevator and I couldn't stop myself from looking at her.

"You look so so gorgeous." I complimented her and looked at her eyes.

"Thanks, I can say the same about you."

"Me? I feel so underdressed besides you, you look like a some goddess while I—" Hayley cut me off with a short kiss on the lips, it was more of a long peck to be precise.

"I like it, you look... cute and sexy at the same time, got it?" She arched a brow.

I nodded my head absentmindedly as I was still in a daze from the kiss. I wanted to kiss her again but I don't think Hayley would appreciate me ruining her lipstick so early in the night.

"Care to tell me where we are going Valentine?" Hayley asked from her seat.

"Just some place." I shrugged with all of my focus on the road since it had snowed earlier.

"Really? You're going to play mysterious?"

"It's not mysterious, I just want you to wait till we are there. It's not that far."

She hummed.

"I just really hope it's nothing on the outside because as you can see I'm not dressed for that in the snow."

Once we got there I easily found a parking spot and turned the car off after I had parked it. "Don't move." I told Hayley as I unfastened my seatbelt and went out of the car.

I walked around the car and to the side of the passenger's seat to open up the door for her. Hayley rolled her eyes playfully at the gesture but with a smile on her face. "Thank you," she said as I held her hand.

We went inside the restaurant and to say I was nervous once we were sat at the table. I didn't know what to talk about which is not common between us and I could see Hayley knew something was off with me but she decided not to comment on it and instead grabbed the menu.

"So... what do you want to order?" Hayley asked looking at the menu.

Right ordering.

I grabbed the menu and it accidentally fell to the floor—my embarrassment starting to grow by the second. "Shit," I muttered and went under the table to grab it.

"So?" Hayley repeated the question—unaffected by my clumsiness.

"I— I think I want a carbonara pasta." I said now looking through the menu.

She hummed.

"I think I'll order lasagna." She put the menu down and I called a waiter over.

He served us some water before asking for our orders. Hayley was the one to do the talking on what we wanted and once done the waiter walked away.

"So... the weather was good today... snowy and Christmasy yeah."

Hayley furrowed her brows at my comment. "The weather?"

"Yeah the weather."

What the fuck am I even talking about.

"Morgan." She called my attention and I accidentally knocked the glass of water over the table.

"Oh shit," I put some napkins over it trying and failing to dry the table.

"Okay that's it, Morgan stop." Hayley said firmly—making me in fact stop and look at her. "What's up with you today? Why are you so nervous and... awkward with me?" Her green eyes shone with confusion.

"I—I wanted this date to be perfect as cheesy as it sounds. I wanted you to have a good time without me screwing it up but I think I'm failing since the night just started and I'm... making a mess already."

Hayley's eyes softened and she grabbed my hand with hers from across the table. "You're adorable."

"You have complimented me more than once today, I think that's some kind of personal record or something."

"And a dumbass." She added.

"There it is."

Hayley chuckled and squeezed my hand. "Let's go somewhere else." She suggested and I answered with a nod before pulling here with me out of the restaurant.

"My god Joey's burgers are the best in the whole world, I'm not even exaggerating." I said as we walked out of Joey's hand in hand.

"You might be just right about that. I think the cheese and bacon fries are way better though." Hayley commented.

"It's a matter of taste I suppose. But they are good as well I can't deny it."

Changing restaurants was a good idea. It helped ease up my nerves and I think Hayley's as well even if they weren't as obvious as mine were. We talked during dinner like all the times we hung up before, like friends but a bit different this time of course.

We were walking back to the car and it was starting to snow again—it was light but still.

I glanced at her Hayley and the dress she was wearing and sighed as I took off my sweater.

"I swear you are wearing non warming clothes in this weather on purpose so I will give you all of my sweaters." I muttered while putting the clothing over her.

"What could you cause you to think that?" Hayley gave a fake innocent look and I narrowed my eyes.

"Not sure... maybe the fact that you have two of my hoodies and a coat and are yet to give them back."

"Oh don't be such a cry baby." She pecked my cheek and snuggled to my arm as we walked—wiping out my frown and replacing it with a goofy smile.

We were now standing in front of Hayley's door and I watched as she unlocked the door.

"So... did you have a good time?" I asked as I moved my feet.

Hayley turned around once she opened the door. "I always have a good time with you."

"See? Another compliment."

"You always have to ruin it don't you?"

"I did—" Hayley for the second time tonight cut me off with her lips on mine.

Not that I'm complaining.

I put my hands on her hips and pulled her closer to me while her hands intertwined behind my neck. Hayley moaned softly and gave me access to plung my tongue inside her warm mouth and let me hand control of the kiss. My mouth detached from hers down to her jaw and neck—nibbling here and there. It then went back up to right under her ear and bit her earlobe gently before recapturing her lips.

Hayley pulled me forward as she walked backwards to her apartment.
She then bit on my lower lip and whispered close to my mouth. "Have a goodnight Morgan." She pecked my lips and I was then suddenly pushed back.

"What the— are you serious?" I asked in shock as I saw her standing on her doorway unbothered yet with red lips and flushed cheeks.

"Drive safe and tell me when you're home, Morgan." Hayley closed the door with a smirk.

Unbelievable!

I groaned.

"Goodnight!" I said to the closed door.

"Night!" Was the response I got in return from the other side of it.

I laughed and gave it one last glance before leaving to go home.

—

A/N - I'm not great with clothes descriptions that's why I didn't go into details with Hayley's dress.