Loving Mr. Brantley

Hailey broke through the door with tears streaming down her face, highlighting the crimson blush that appeared on her face. The slam of the door behind her was enough to get Ally's attention and break aware her stare from the book she was reading. After making eye contact with Ally Hailey was finally able to let out the wails that had remained stuck in her throat as she slid down the door onto the floor. Ally quickly put her book down and jogged toward Hailey, bringing her into her warm embrace.

"What happened?" Ally asked, her eyebrows knitting together as she pushed a strand of Hailey's blonde hair behind her ear. Hailey's words came out broken between blubbers and Ally couldn't help but feel hurt for her best friend. When Hailey finally mused up the strength to form a coherent sentence, she looked at Ally with tears still streaming down her face, and said, "James broke up with me. He said he wants to see other people." James was Hailey's boyfriend of five years. They were high school sweethearts and attended the local college where Ally and Hailey met. Their relationship hadn't always been the best and Ally always feared the moment that James would finally break up with Hailey. The collateral damage being left in her hand to take care of.

Ally was unsure of what to say to Hailey and didn't want to say anything that would cause Hailey to become even more upset. Heartbreak, she learned, was something that was hard to move past. Ally managed to get Hailey onto her feet, leading her to the couch before taking out two bowls and loading them with fudge ice cream from their freezer. Hailey still sat with her knees drawn up to her chest but allowed Ally to hand her one of the bowls before draping a blanket around her shoulders.

When Ally sat next to Hailey she placed her hand on her shoulder and did her best to give a reassuring smile. Hailey wasn't used to the kindness being put forth by Ally. The Ally she knew always stayed to herself and did her best to ensure that no feelings were ever shown. She avoided situations like this one. Hailey looked at Ally inquisitively. "Why are you being so nice to me?" She asked. Ally took a bite of her ice cream before answering. "Getting your heart broken is never easy for anyone."

This statement confused Hailey. In the three years that they had been friends, there was never a moment where Ally had admitted to any past relationships. Often times when Hailey tried to set Ally up on a blind date, Ally would decline stating that she wasn't ready for a relationship. Ally wasn't the type to have a track record of a broken heart. "What?" Ally asked upon seeing the puzzled look plastered on Hailey's face. "When did you get your heart broken?" Hailey asked.

Ally could feel the color drain from her face as her lips formed into a tight line. She had never been open about relationships with Hailey and knew that Hailey had always assumed that she had never been in one. Despite Hailey being her closest friend, a lump formed in Ally's throat at the mere thought of mentioning him to Hailey. She knew that Hailey would never understand how she fell in love with her teacher.