Easy A+

Chapter 22

I gots a taste for men who are older.
It's always been, so it's no surprise.

— Lana Del Rey, Cola

. . . . .

"Really?" He looks up at me with bewilderment in his eyes. "You're going to take me back? Just like that?"

"Do you want me to say 'nevermind'?"

"No, I don't," he says with a lopsided smile. "I can't believe you're going to give this—us—another try."

Ignoring his comment, I ask, "I thought you said we're not dating."

"I never said we were."

"I know you said all of this mess wasn't because of Amber, but I need to know," I tell him. "Why were you trying to fix things with her after she walked in on us?"

"I was hoping that I could try to calm her down and level with her so she wouldn't go batshit crazy and tell everyone about us."

"How do you know she won't?" I ask.

"I may not have known her for too long, but I know she's not one for revenge."

"Why did you make me leave?"

"I don't know," he says breathily. "I just needed to think things through."

"That's not good enough," I tell him disappointedly and pull my hands away from his, but he tugs me back just like he always does.

"It scares me, Violet. This is the first time—well, only time that I'm in a situation like this. I've never been involved with a student before. I'm terrified of what can happen, but you're so much more than a fling."

"You're an ass to me sometimes—well, most of the time, but when you're not busy being a complete dick, you are sweet to me. And I don't know why I constantly come back to you, but I do like you."

He drops his head, nodding and staring at his fingers at his waist. Softly, he says, "You have a boyfriend."

"About that, he never officially asked me. He kind of just kissed me, and I feel so guilty about leading him on because he is such a good friend. And even if he did ask me, I would've said no. He's just a friend, and that's all I want us to be. You're the only person that I want to be with, but with you pushing me away, it's a little hard to have what I want, and that's you,"

"And the whole duffle bag thing—he was the one I called to pick me up from your house, and he just took me to his place. We didn't do anything, he just kissed me and now he thinks we're dating."

He gulps and looks at me carefully. He shakes his head with a small nod and pulls me into him. I wrap my arms around his back and hide my head into his chest. For once in these last few days, I finally feel at peace. Maybe it's another calm before the storm, but the feeling of being in his hold and listening to the sweet nothings he whispers to me while also kissing me outdo the hurtful things he's done to me. Maybe I'm making a big mistake once again, but the firmness he has around my body right now melts those cares and anxieties away.

. . . .

I leave Harry's classroom before he does to avoid any unwanted suspicion. Walking back to the house, I spot Harris sitting on the front steps leading to the porch while tapping on his phone. The quiet thumps of my shoes against the pathway causes him to look up with a smile. He stands up, my duffle bag in hand.

"Hey. Thank you." I offer a small smile and grip the strap in my hands.

"No problem. Um...I do have a question for you though."