Page 215 of The Compass Series

HAILEE

I went over my lunch break by thirty minutes, but luckily, Kate was more than willing to cover for me. As I got dressed after the most entertaining lunch break, Aiden sat on the edge of his bed, putting on his jeans.

He looked at me and said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“How did you do it?” His voice was timid and low as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Do what?”

“Become so happy with yourself? I see it in you. I see your joy, and I envy that. I see how much you love your life in every aspect. I want that feeling, but it seems so unattainable.”

I walked over toward him and sat beside him.

“You have to become selfish. You have to decide that your happiness and joy is the utmost important thing in the world, and then you have to do everything in your power to find out where that happiness comes from. For me, it was helping people. For you, it could be anything. The key is to shut everyone else out. That includes your parents, and me. None of our input matters at this point. The world is so loud with their opinions, that it makes it difficult for us to hear our own thoughts. You have to take control of your ship and steer it to shore, because no one else knows how your boat works. You have to become so dedicated to yourself that the outside noise becomes nothing but a whisper.”

“How do I do that?”

“Think back on the times you felt happiest. What were you doing? What were some things you loved to do?”

“I loved to draw. I haven’t done it in a while, due to my career, but I did love it, and it was something I did for myself. Most people didn’t even know it was a hobby of mine.”

“Do that more. Then try new things, try old things, try everything. Then, one day, you’re going to wake up, and the sadness you have right now will feel like nothing more than a distant dream.

Aiden…” I placed my hand in his and squeezed it lightly.

“You don’t have to be sad forever, but even if you were, you won’t be alone with your sadness.

I’ll be here with you throughout every single step of your journey. ”

“I don’t deserve you,” he confessed.

“That’s the funny thing about self-doubt. It lies to you all the time.” I leaned in and gently kissed his lips. “Because the truth of the matter is that you definitely deserve me, and I deserve you, too.”

After our talk, I gathered my things from Aiden’s room and slipped out just in time to come across Marna and Violet, who were wandering the hallway like the snakes they’d been.

I gave them a bright smile. “Ladies, good afternoon.”

“Hi, Hailee. Did we just see you come out of Aiden’s room?” Violet asked with narrowed eyes.

I nodded. “I think you already knew that. Do you two have a minute for a chat?”

They glanced back and forth toward one another before saying, “Sure, okay,” in unison.

I led them downstairs and sat them on the couch in the reading room. I took a seat on the coffee table in front of them and crossed my legs.

“I think it’s time for you ladies to check out of Starlight Inn,” I stated matter-of-factly.

Marna arched an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“We’re terminating your reservation at this time. You can take the next thirty minutes to gather your belongings, but it’s time for you to go.”

“What?!” Violet gasped. She sat up straight and grimaced. “You can’t do that. We are paying customers.”

“Yes, but as our policy states, if you become a bother to our other customers, we reserve the right to remove you from our premises.”

“But we haven’t done anything!” Marna remarked.

I smiled and leaned in toward her. I tapped her wrist. “That’s a beautiful charm bracelet.

” I pulled out my cell phone and showed her a photograph I’d saved earlier that morning from the tabloids.

In the image of Aiden and me was also a stretched-out arm with a charm bracelet that was remarkably like Marna’s.

Her face dropped. “Oh fuck.”

“Oh fuck indeed,” I agreed.

“You were supposed to double-check the pictures before sending them in!” Violet scolded her friend.

“I know, I know. My bad.” Marna gave me a wide-toothed grin. “They paid good money for those pictures. And on the plus side, aren’t you happy it’s out in the public now? Honestly, we did you a service.”

“And now, you’ll be doing me another service by packing up your bags and leaving town.”

Violet shrugged. “Valid request.” They stood, whispered between one another, and then Violet turned back to face me. “Do you think we can get a picture with Aiden before we leave?”

“Go!” I shouted, making them scurry away like the little rats they’d been. Then I returned to my life because I refused to let the world steal any more moments of my happiness.

The greatest thing a person could ever do to be happy was to shut out the opinions and judgments of the outside world.