Wandering

17|

We're back at Rose's house and we do the same routine. She kicks her shoes off and I flop onto her couch. Neither of us speak until the two of us burst out into laughter.
"Harry is totally crushing on you!" I squeal whilst laughting.
"Ew! I'm doing this for you and you only! I literally hate him." She says with disgust.
"Me too Clo." I say with a sigh. 

We fall into a comfortable silence again with music playing from the TV. Chloe's phone chimes. She scoffs as reads  the message.
"Harry?" I say with a quirked brow. 
"Yup." She rolls her eyes and passes the phone to me.

HARRY: wanna hang out one day ??

"Yep. He likes you. Good luck." I say with a chuckle.
"Ugh. I'm sacrificing myself for you Chi." She sighs.
"What you gonna say back?" I ask.
"Um I don't know yet. But if we hung out I could persuade him so you can get your phone back." She says with a sad smile.
"Do what your comfortable with." I say with a kind smile.

Chloe types aggressively on the screen. Her thumb hovers over the send button, taking a deep breath she pushes it.

CHLOE: Yeah sounds cool

Chloe throws her phone to the sofa and walks away from it. She walks her way into the kitchen and I follow.
"I'm sorry I had to drag you into this Clo." I apologise.
"Oh no worries. Really. You're literally my best friend around here and I want you to be happy." She pulls me in for a hug. I sob into her shoulder.

"When you're back in Italy I'm coming to meet all of your family." She says into my hair.
"Duh. Of course you're coming." I say through some tears. 

We spend the afternoon together ordering mcdonalds from UberEats. I ordered nuggets and fries but Chloe ordered some sort of wrap thing. We ate on the couch, Chloe's phone dinging every so often. We assumed it was Harry so the both of us ignored it. 

I put my hands in my hoodie pocket and I felt my new phone in there, the phone Chris gave to me. That reminds me. I haven't spoke to Chris or Ben in ages. 
"Hey Clo did I tell you about Chris and Ben?" I ask.
"Yeah a little." She doesn't look back from the TV.

ME: Hey guys... sorry I haven't text in a while. Been busy

I send to the group chat of the 3 of us. I turn my phone off but it glows a minute or so after.

BEN: hey stranger, dw about it. Wanna make plans one day?

CHRIS: yoooo! yeah lets make plans

ME: Sure but when

BEN: dunno lol

CHRIS: tmr? unless you already had plans ben?

It didn't hurt when Chris only asked Ben if he had plans. He knew how mom didn't really like me having friends so she assumed I would never need to go out, but since I've been back I've barely been at home.

BEN: no, wbu Chiara

ME: No. But I'm busy now gtg guys

CHRIS: byeeee

Chloe looks at my eyes then my phone.
"Who you texting?" She asks.
"Chris and Ben. They want to make plans tomorrow." I say calmly.
"Oh wait that's perfect. Harry wants to meet tomorrow so then you can meet the guys without Harry on your back!" She squeals.
"Yes that's great. But I probably should be getting back now." I pout.

She hands me her phone. She dialed Harry and I'm waiting for him to answer.
"hey chloe." He answers.
"Not Chloe. I need a ride home." I walk over to the doorway so I can put my shoes on.
"Ask her." He says with a scoff.
"No because if you give me a ride you can see her." I taunt in a whisper so Chloe can't hear me.
"Oh. Yeah. Coming. You better be ready." He says quickly. 

"Wait... I need the address!" He says as I'm about to hang up.
"Uh Chloe will text you it." I say quickly and hang up. 

I turn back to Rose who is laying across the whole of the sofa. 
"Uh Clo?" I begin.
"Yeah?" 
"You're going to have to text Harry your address." I sigh.
"Right." 

I hand her the phone and she types away.
"I'm really sorry. I know you don't like him and now he's going to be a bother to you." I apologise again.
"Chi! Stop apologising! I'm doing this for you; if I wasn't comfortable I would say so. I promise." She comforts me.
"I'm still sorry"
"Stop apologising!" 

A good 10 minutes later, the doorbell rings and Chloe gets up to answer it. I follow after her and stand further back in the hallway. She answers the door to Harry leaning against the wall.

"Hey Clo. You still up for tomorrow?" He asks her.
"Yeah sure. What time?" She says sweetly.
"Um 2pm? We can do whatever." He says with his evil smile.
"Cool."

"Chiara let's go." Harry says as he sees me.
"Bye Rose. See you again soon. I'll text you if I get a phone." I lie to make Harry believe I still don't own a phone.
"Ok Chi. Bye." She chuckles.

She shuts her door and Harry and I walk in silence. I get in the passenger seat as he drives. I watch as we drive by the street lights which have turned on as the night fell dark and darker.
"You got off lucky today." He says as we reach my house.
"Huh?" I'm confused.
"You're lucky your mom is always at my house or you'd be fucked. I'm not covering for you anymore." He says annoyed.
"Then Chloe will be pissed at you." I torment.

He thinks about what I said for a minute until he replies with "fine". 
"Thanks for the ride." I say as I step out the car.
"You know I only did it to see Chloe." He scoffs again. I see he's given up with his 'friendly' phase.
"Whatever." 

Harry rides off to what I'm guessing is his house. I lock the front door and head up to my bedroom. This day has been so chaotic. 

From bacon sandwiches to Chloe covering for me to Harry crushing on Chloe. I feel my phone buzz in my hoodie pocket. I take it out and I have a few unread messages from the groupchat with Chris and Ben.

CHRIS: guyysss what time we hanging out?

BEN: idk ask Chiara

CHRIS: chiaraaaaa!

CHRIS: where are youuuuuu??????

BEN: yo chiara wya??

CHRIS: ugh whatever chiara

BEN: jeez her moms probably around calm it

ME: Woah I was with Chloe. Chill out. Um Chloe's hanging out with Harry tomorrow at 2 so meet me at 2:30? 

BEN: WHATTT

CHRIS: why is Chloe with Harry

BEN: who's chloe

ME: looonggg story. Will explan tomorrow 

BEN: ok

CHRIS: alright