Chapter Text
May of 2012
“Hailey, quit your staring and go say Hi to the guy!” Vanessa encouraged, yelling over the music.
The big fancy wedding scene definitely wasn’t Hailey’s comfort zone. She only knows about 10 people there out of what seems like hundreds, including the bride, Kim, (who was her roomate), the groom, and her friend, Vanessa, who also happened to be a bridesmaid, and a roommate.
She wasn’t sure which part she hated more. The socializing, the loud music, or the whole thing. Either way, as much as she loves her friend, she wished she wasn’t here. In fact, she’d rather be anywhere.
Hailey’s roomate Kim was living out her lifelong dream. She was a successful newly- decorated Officer, now with an amazing husband, Adam, and her life was all planned out to say the least. Vanessa, her other roommate, had just started at her new district, and had a thriving relationship of her own.
Hailey wasn’t so lucky on the other hand. For the past week, she’s been waiting to find out what district she’d be moving to for the time being, and found it hard to focus on anything but that.
That’s why Vanessa had been trying the whole night to get her to think about or focus on anything else.
Hailey blew some air out of her mouth, swirling the drink she had in her hand. “I am good.” She emphasized.
“C’mon.” Her friend begged, “This could be you and him in a few years.” She said drunkenly.
The comment obviously took Hailey a bit back, causing her to laugh slightly. “I think that’s the alcohol talking hon.”
Vanessa nodded unconvincingly, and took a sip of her drink. Hailey shook her head, and inevitably went back to looking at the guy. Just as she spotted him again, some other man apparently grabbed his attention, and those two began to talk.
She watched as he walked off with the other man, turning her attention back to her now almost finished drink.
“See, there goes your potential future husband.” Vanessa teased from behind Hailey. Hailey turned back, and gave her a warning look, before taking the glass from her hands.
“That’s enough for you.” She reprimanded, Vanessa pouting, then slouching in her chair.
Hailey rolled her eyes at her friend’s childish antics, and began to place both their drinks down on the table. She went to grab her phone, before she saw a familiar face in a long white gown approaching the two.
“Hey gorgeous!” Hailey greeted, using all her remaining enthusiasm.
“Ooh look at youuu.'' Vanessa slurred, both girls giving her a confused look.
“Is she..?” Kim asked.
Although Vanessa shook her head, Hailey answered for her. “Just a tad.”
Kim laughed, before continuing, “Look, I know your social battery’s probably out, and I know Vanessa is probably gonna do something stupid, so you guys can go if you want to.”
“What? No, I’m your maid of honor, and this is your big day, we’re not leaving.” Hailey insisted.
Kim went to argue, but Hailey gave her a look, knowing she would win this argument.
“Fine.” Kim agreed, “But the offer still stands.” She said, walking away.
Hailey looked at the glass she’d been fiddling with, and noticed it was nearly empty. She pushed herself up, and turned to look at Vanessa. “Okay, I’m gonna go refill.”
“Ooh, do me too.” Vanessa begged from her chair.
Almost instantly shaking her head, she brushed Vanessa off. “Absolutely not.”
She walked passed table after table until she found the one she was looking for, filled with different drinks. She quickly refilled her glass, and looked out for Vanessa to make sure she wasn’t doing anything stupid.
She was distracted by another guy, who looked very similar to the groom, attempting to strike up a conversation with her.
She found herself bored to death at the fact he went on and on about himself, and his day. She nodded along as he spoke, not really listening to a word he was saying.
After that dreadful conversation ended, he walked away, leaving Hailey alone. As she turned around to get back to her table, she collided with another person, their drink spilling slightly over her bridesmaid dress.
She backed up so the dress wouldn’t be completely ruined, and let the rest of the liquid hit the floor.
The figure gasped, and as she looked up to see the face, she saw it was the man she’d been admiring earlier.
He gasped at the realization of what he’d done, and began to speak, “I am so sorry-”
“Don’t worry about it.” Hailey gritted through her teeth, quickly running off to fix her dress
-
Hailey leant against the sink in the fancy bathroom, trying her best to wipe the drink off her dress.
The sound of someone walking in didn’t stop her, as people had been coming in and out constantly while she was there. What did draw her attention was the fact it was not only a guy in the women’s restroom, but it was the same guy who spilled the drink on her dress.
“This is the girls’ bathroom?” She stated, pausing what she was doing.
“Yeah, but I felt bad.” He said, walking over to her. She was still confused nonetheless, but let it go, as he handed her paper towels. She took them reluctantly, and continued to wipe the alcohol off her dress.
“At least your dress is dark. You can’t really see it.” The guy said, trying his best to help. Hailey couldn’t fight back a smirk, but kept her eyes on her navy blue dress.
She continued wiping aggressively at the neckline of her dress, and the man just watched her.
“You just gonna stand there? Or..” She trailed off, setting down the paper towel she’d been using, and grabbing another one.
“How rude of me.” The man joked insincerely. “My name’s Jay Halstead, and yours is..”
She rolled her eyes, knowing well and good that’s not what she meant, and he knew it too.
But reluctantly, she shook her head. “Hailey. Upton. ” She said, going back to what she was doing. It was this one stubborn spot she couldn’t get rid of. “My god!” She yelled frustratedly, nearly slamming her hand and the paper towel on the counter.
Jay didn’t seem to be phased by her little outburst, and instead of reacting, he reached into his suit pocket, and pulled out a little orange pen.
“Stain pen. Works like a charm.” He said, holding it out to her.
She looked him up and down momentarily, before taking the pen, giving him a quick thanks. It was at this point she expected him to leave, and expected to never see him again.
But he didn’t. Instead, he gave her a look she understood all too well. So without uttering another word, he leant in, kissing her quickly, and her kissing him back.
And Kim and Adam’s wedding would be a night to go down in history.