Chapter 15 Favor

Alright, Hailey. Just knock and get this over with. I told myself as I stood in front of the student council room. After I sent the text to Sandy, she immediately replied and told me to go to the student council room before classes start.

My fist shook as I readied myself to knock on their door. Then I suddenly changed my mind and withdrew my hand back.

This is a bad idea. I just know it. I thought and I couldn't agree more with myself. But it's not like I could back away from this either. My mom's runway project depends on their participation and if my mom can't convince them then at least I'd give it a shot. 

After all, it's better to do something than nothing at all. As much as I hate the idea of asking them for help, I'm doing this for my mom.

I gulp and brought my fist down to knock. I heard footsteps from the other side and panic immediately seized me. 

Crap crap crap crap!!! 

It was like my body has a mind of its own and I started to run away from the door and hid in a corner. I peaked from the wall only to see the door open. I saw Sheen looking outside and I ducked my head so I wouldn't be seen. Sheen scratched the back of his head before he closed the door once again.

Coward. 

I told myself. Why am I even afraid of it? It's not like they are going to kill me. I stood in front of the door again and knocked. But like before, I cowered and hid in the same corner while Sandy was the one who opened the door before closing it again when she saw no one.

Ugh!!! What am I doing!? Get it together, Hailey!! Quit playing!!

I took a deep breath as I collected myself. I stood in front of the room again and slapped my cheeks. This is it, okay? No more running. I swear it. I raised my fist ready to knock. Here goes nothing.

Knock knock knock.

I heard someone grumble from the other side before I heard the approaching footsteps. This time, I stood my ground and balled my hands into a fist.

No more running. No more running.

Then I heard the door being unlocked and I started to let out a nervous laugh.

Who am I kidding? I can't do this. I'm a coward in real life.

Having that in mind, I started to turn around and run when I felt someone pull on my ponytail as I started to run.

"Ow ow ow!!! Hey!!" I yelled, trying to grab ahold of the hand pulling on my hair.

"So you were the one who keeps on knocking on the door. If you want to come in then just say so." Xander said. His face neutral as if he already knew I was the culprit. He lets go of my hair and grabbed my arm so I wouldn't escape before he dragged me inside the room. "Sheen, I caught the ghost that you were talking about."

"Let me go!!" I pulled my myself free from Xander's grasp and glared at him. He didn't seem to notice and went to sit on the couch of the room. Opposite the couch that he was sitting on was another couch where Sheen and Sandy were sitting. At the very front of the room was an office table where Leo sat.

I stood awkwardly at the front as they all stared at me."Morning, Hailey." She beamed. "Have a seat. We've been waiting for you." Sandy grinned and motioned for me to take a seat beside Xander.

"Uh hu...." I said and looked hesitantly at the spot beside Xander, who sat lazily on the couch as he placed an open book to his face. Leo must have noticed my concern because he gave me an encouraging smile.

"Don't worry. He won't bite." He said.

I blushed and nodded as I proceeded to the spot next to Xander. But as soon as I came near, he placed his foot on the vacant spot on the couch. He removed the book from his face and gave me a lazy smirk making me hate his gut even more. "Yes?" He asked, feigning innocence.

So he wants to play? Alright then. I'll play with his game. I smiled sweetly at him and felt my left eye twitch in the process."Excuse me but can you move your foot?"

"Oh." He said. Still with that fake innocence that makes me want to puke. "Sorry but this seat is already taken."

"By who?"

"By my foot." He smirked. "You see, I ran on my way here and I'm very tired." As if emphasizing his words, he stretches out his legs even more and yawned before sinking lower into the couch.

He really won't let me sit, won't he?

I felt a vein pop in annoyance and I unconsciously cracked my knuckles. Without even thinking, I grabbed his foot and pulled him off of the couch. "Move!!!" I yelled. 

The look on his face when I pulled him off the couch was priceless. It was a mixture of surprise and disbelief as he tried to grab ahold of the couch so he wouldn't fall. I heard Sheen laughing his butt off in the background.

"The fuck!” He let out a curse and pulled himself back on the couch. He was glaring at me. "What the heck!? Are you an animal or something?"

"Something.” I answered “Now, move!!"

"No!!"

I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you sure?"

He scoffed and rolled his eyes at me. "Sit on the floor if you want. It's clean anyway." With that, he rolled and turned his back from me.

Lazy bum. He'll pay for that.

With that, I moved to the back of the couch as I looked at Xander with his face buried to the couch. I smirked and kicked the back of the couch making it toppling forward. Xander let out a yell as he fell on the floor. If ever, Sheen laughed harder while I took that opportunity as I jumped on the couch.

Looking at Xander on the floor, I gave him a smug look as I stuck my tongue out at him. His face turned red in rage and hatred as he looked at me. And before I knew it, he started to pull me off of the couch as he pulled my arm. But we all know that I was too stubborn for my own good. And because of that, I bit his arm.

"Ow!!!" He pulled his hand back. "You bit me!! What are you, an animal?!"

"Psh! Boy, have you look in the mirror lately?" I replied.

Xander gritted his teeth in anger while I gave him an icy look. Leo cleared his throat loudly catching our attention. Despite the seriousness of his face, I could see the slight amusement in his eyes. "Shall we head to business?"

"We should really keep her. She's fun." Sheen said to Sandy earning an elbow from her.

Realizing what I did, I suddenly felt embarrassed and felt my cheeks burning red. I sat down properly while Xander grumbled and took a seat beside me. Leo shifted on his seat looking all professional as he fixed me a friendly and welcoming gaze. "Miss Hailey," He started. "I heard from Sandy that you wanted to speak with us?" 

Numbly I nodded.

"What is it about?"

"It's..." I hesitated, but when I saw Leo nodding at me in encouragement, I continued. "It's about....a favor that...I want to ask you guys actually."

Leo raised his eyebrow in curiosity while Xander let out an exasperated sigh beside me. "So all of this for a favor? We ain't doing charity here." He said.

"Xander." warned Leo as he gave him a look before looking back at me. "What kind of favor, miss Hailey?"

Okay, this is it. Heck is about to break loose.

I took in a deep breath. 

"My-mother-is-going-to-have-a-runway-project-and-the-sponsors-would-like-have-the-padorgriffs-to-model-for-them-so-much-that-if-my-mom-can't-get-them-she-won't-get-the-sponsor-and-she-would-have-to-cancel-her-show-which-she-really-worked-hard-for-so-that's-why-I'm-swallowing-my-pride-to-ask-you-this-favor-to-PLEASE-SAY-YES!!" I said it all so quickly and in one breath that I back to suck in big ounces of air after that.

No one said a word for a few minutes as they processed what I had just said. Finally, Sandy broke the silence. "Um.... Could you repeat that?" She said.

"I think she was courting us or something." Said Sheen.

Beside me, I saw Xander roll his eyes. "You guys deaf or something? She said that she wants us to model for her mother's runway." Sandy and Sheen's mouth formed an 'O' as they got his words.

I sat nervously and played with the hem of my skirt as I asked them, "So, would you guys help me?"

Sandy looked at Sheen, Sheen looked at Leo, and Leo was just about to talk when Xander beat him to it. "Heck no." He said with a frown directed at me. "What makes you think we'll help you?"

"Because I know your secret?" Apparently it was the wrong answer because Xander's eyes suddenly darkened.

"Are you trying to blackmail us?"

"What? No! I won't!! I was just-"

"Then what!?"

"Hey, I was about to explain but you cut me off. So why don't you just shut up and put your sock into your mouth before I break your jaw?" Seriously, I think Xander's annoying meter just went over the top.

He needs to be disposed of.

"Hailey." I turned to Leo, who was giving me an apologetic look. "As much as I hate to say it, but Xander is right. We can't model for your mother's runway. Not only do we have obligations as student councils but we also have our career as The Pandorgriffs."

My heart sank at his words. I appreciate how Leo used his words carefully to explain to me the reason why they can't help. I mean, sure, I should have known that they wouldn't have the time for helping my mom's project. They live a double life after all. I should have expected this, that way, I wouldn't have come and face this awkward situation.

But urg!! This is so frustrating!!

Looking away, I pretended to be interested at something on the table. I don't think I could look up and let them see my face. I willed my cool girl side to appear but only a fraction of her made an appearance and it was enough for me to finally look up and keep a calm face.

 "I understand." I nodded, surprised at how my voice didn't falter but it was still missing an edge to it. I got up from the couch and turned to face them. "Well, thank you for listening to my request, but I think I must be going now. See you guys later." Just before I left, I smiled at them just so they won't say that I'm bitter or holding any grudges against them.

But to be honest? I'm a little bitter and frustrated.

Before they could say anything more, I was already out of their room and swiftly made my way to my next class. After what just happened and base on how quickly I took off, I don't think I have a face to show them for a while.