I am a Good Girl

Hayden's POV

The following week I drove myself and CC down to San Diego for my sister's birthday.
As I sped across the highway, I had nerves shake me to my core.
Never had I brought anyone home before.
My parents had written me off; they knew I was not the 'relationship' type person, but look whose talking now.
I didn't know whether I should rub this in their faces, I mean, I wanted to gloat, but it felt more like I needed their approval. To show that I wasn't just some college kid that laid around all day and complained about classes cause they had a hangover.
Surely my parents knew that I wasn't that person.
In the three hours it took to drive to my parents house, CC sensed my discomfort.
"You know, we can always turn back. Just put in some excuse" he shrugged, placing his hand on my thigh.
"Babe, we're pretty much here... There's no point turning back now. Besides, my parents will know something's up."
"Did you tell them I'm coming?" He asked, tilting his head at me.
"Yeah, I told them that I want to introduce my boyfriend to them" I said shyly.
"God! You know it turns me on when you call me that!" He shouted.
"What? Boyfriend?" I continued cluelessly, annoying him.
"Ohh, what are you doing to me?!" He writhed in his seat.
"I'm making sure you're crazy about me. By the way, if I get nice and drunk, I'll show you my old room and there is something in there that I would love to show you" I winked. "Oh, this is my street!" I shot, as I turned onto it.
As I parked in front of my house, I felt my hands become sweaty.
I looked up at the sandy coloured walls and chipping white paint from the windows. This house hadn't felt like home for a long time and being here now made me feel like an alien.
"Come on, I'm sure they're expecting you" CC said, leaning over to grab my hand.
"Yeah, lets go" I said, shaking myself out of my head.
I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.
CC took my hand as we walked up the short to the front door. I took one more deep breath then I knocked on the door.
Barely five seconds late, someone was answering it.
"Oh my Goodness! Tony! Look who's here!" My mother, Camilla screeched into the house. "Get in here and give your mother a hug!" She said, tugging me into her arms.
"Hey Mom" my voice shook with nerves.
When she finally let me go, I reached for CC's hand.
"Mom, this is Christian, my boyfriend" I beamed, looking up at CC.
"Please call me CC" CC said, extending a hand out to my Mom.
"CC, well it is a pleasure to meet you! Hayden never brings anyone home! So happy to have you here" her tanned faced seemed to keep stretching into a wider smile. "Tony! Get your ass here!" She yelled again.
My Dad rounded the corner as my mother turned her head back to me.
"Hey there Tiger! Give your Dad a hug!" My Dad exclaimed.
"Hey Coach" I mumbled into his chest. "Dad, there's someone I want you to meet. This is Christian" I said giving him my sweetest smile.
"Please call me CC" he repeated, extending a hand to my Dad.
"Well CC, pleasure to have you here today. Hope you're hungry guys, been cooking up a storm! Hayden, why don't you introduce CC to your brother and sister?"
"Of course Coach" I nodded obediently.
As my parents hurried back into the kitchen, CC nudged me.
"Coach? Tiger? I'm intrigued" CC smirked.
I rolled my eyes at him. "It's just stupid nicknames... I used to be in a boxing league when I lived down here. I was pretty good, but I didn't love it. I feel like my Dad uses the nicknames to continue showing me how much he resents me for leaving. So if you look to your right you'll see my guilt" I said gesturing to a photo frame that hung on the wall, with myself and my Dad pictured.
"Damn, no wonder you're so fit" he playfully nudged me.
"Shut up. Come on, I better introduce you to the others" I said dragging him further into the house.

"So, CC, what do you do?" My sister, Olivia asked between bites of her salad. Her hazelnut coloured hair hung long and straight in a ponytail, her cheekbones perfectly contoured and her eyes, wide and judging. I hated how she was prettier than me.
"I'm actually in a band. We released our second album last year and did a tour not too long ago" CC said easily.
"Anything I would have heard of?" My brother Issac butted in.
"Black Veil Brides? Fallen Angels and Rebel Love Song were the top singles" CC continued with confidence.
"Oh! I think I've heard them on the radio!" Issac commented as devoured a steak.
Throughout lunch I had remained quiet. I let them grill CC as much as they wanted. Part of me was just enjoying this beautiful San Diego day, under our backyard patio. But unfortunately I wasn't the only who had brought a guest.
"It's so nice having all of you here, seeing all our kids happy" my Mom smiled, glancing around the table at CC, Nicolas, Olivia's boyfriend and Gabriella, Issac's new girlfriend.
"Well I can for sure say how happy I am" my sister glowed. "This is the best present I could ask for, to have my family here to share my birthday with" she was such a suck up.
"Of course Liv, anything for you" I muttered under my breath.
"Excuse me?" She shot at me.
"Nothing Liv. Happy to be here" I said as politely as possible.
"CC, is your band doing anything exciting at the moment?" My Mom asked.
"Umm, well not real-"
"Actually Mom, I forgot to tell you, Nicolas got a promotion at work! Well, he is leading this huge case that has just come into the firm, it is so exciting! Tell them sweetie!" Olivia nudged Nicolas in the ribs as he ate corn on the cob.
Nicolas' strawberry blonde hair looked glued in place with the amount of gel that seemed to hold his top mop in place. His navy blue eyes were taken aback at the quick topic change and almost choked on a kernel.
"Yeah, it is a huge deal! This case will be everywhere in a few weeks, so I can't say much right now, but we could be closing in on some serious stuff" He mumbled as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Everything had to be about her.
"Umm, CC you were saying about Black Veil Brides?" I smiled at him to go on.
"Oh yeah, were not doing anything at the moment, but we are starting to write the next album. Little bit here and there, still want to have a bit of a break" CC spoke strongly.
"Well that's great CC. It all sounds very exciting. Where did you tour?" My father asked, gazing at us.
"We did every state in the US, South America, Canada, the UK, parts of Europe, Japan and Australia. It was pretty crazy" CC explained.
"Wow, it must be so tiring! I don't know how you do it" my Mom sympathized. "Hayden, how are your classes?" She continued.
I was about to speak, but Olivia beat me to it.
"Oh Mom! I totally forgot to tell you! I picked up this new class and it's all about how to handle broken and messed up families, especially children. It is amazing the things I have picked up. I know that I can apply it to any case" Olivia gushed.
"Are you fucking kidding me Liv" I spat at her.
I felt everyone's eyes fall on me. "Mom asked me a question, not you. So for could you just stop for like, five fucking minutes!" I ranted, staring her down.
"LANGUAGE HAYDEN!" My Dad's voice boomed.
I instantly got off my high horse and shrunk down.
Everyone resumed eating, but no one spoke.
After what felt like forever, Issac broke the silence.
"So, Dad, are we going to train later?" He spoke softly, trying to be non-threatening.
His chestnut brown hair just had the slightest hint of red when it was in the sun, was styled neatly quaffed on top of his head, then shaved down to a number three round the sides. Sporting the signature hazelnut brown eyes, us Hills carried, he glanced at me before looking at Dad.
"We'll see Issac, how's your shoulder?" Dad sighed, taking a swig of his beer.
"It's fine Dad. It was fine a month ago" Issac rolled his eyes.
"What did you do to your shoulder?" Gabriella asked quietly.
"I tore the muscle in a fight, but it's fine" he shrugged.
"Sounds like you didn't stretch properly beforehand" I stated, eyeing him with jealousy.
Why? Why did he have to be Dad's favourite? Because he's still boxing? Because he can do no wrong?
"No. The other guy was taking things a little too far and didn't stop when he was meant to" Issac glared.
"Whatever you say" I brushed off.
"Hayden. That's enough" Dad's stern voice, making me feel insignificant again.
I took a deep breath through my nose, staring down my food.
I saw CC's hand rest on mine on top of the table. I glanced up at him and he just gave me this look of reassurance, making everything ease.
I smiled and squeezed his hand and he squeezed back.
Our little moment was cut short when there was a clinking of a glass and a throat cleared.
"Can I have everyone's attention?" Nicolas asked politely.
We all looked up curiously, but I kept CC's hand in mine.
"Umm, okay..." his voice nervous as he stood up, moving the chair away from him. "Liv, I have no idea what I would be or do without you. My life didn't have meaning until I met you. The last four years of my life is all I remember because I can no longer remember my life without you. I love you" the words escaping his lips strong and meaningful. His eyes softened and his hand reached into his back pocket and pulled out a ring. He slid down to one knee and spoke the words I loathed hearing. "Will you marry me?"
"Oh. My. God. Yes!" Her voice shaking with excitement, jumping up to claim the bejeweled ring.
Everyone looked shocked and surprised and happy. We all hugged and congratulated the newly engaged couple.
When Olivia got to me, she had a sly look on her face.
"Congrats Liv" I tried to say without sarcasm and hugged her tightly.
"Thanks Hayden. I guess things always turn out to be about me" she said into my ear. I could almost see the smirk on her face. "Oh and don't worry, I'll make sure the bridesmaids dresses have sleeves, I don't want it to look like you have guy arms" she said jabbing my toned arms; even though she was insulting me.
"Fuck you" I said quietly, only for her to hear.

Notes

I'm sorry this took forever!
I've had the worst Easter weekend.
I hope everyone had a good one. I've been so busy, so enjoy this extra long chapter!