Dusk h.s.

Chapter 15

"Can I help with the outfit?"

I turn to see Courtney standing in the doorway of my room.

I roll my eyes. "I'm not big on dresses." I say, noticing the variety dresses in her grasp.

"Oh come on. You'd look so cute."

"I don't have anyone to impress."

"Come on. They have a son around your age. He's a boy."

"No duh."

I'm not interested in any boys. Except for Harry.....as much as I hate to admit it.

"I have some dresses here that will fit you." She says, placing the dresses on my bed.

"Well, I suppose if I have to wear one, I'll take this one." I chose a plain black dress. Not too fancy, but definitely not dull. "But I'm wearing my Chucks."

"Deal!" She squeals.

I get dressed and look at myself in the mirror. Courtney magically appears again, and I can hear her nagging gasp from all the way across the room.

"Oh Anna, you look so beautiful."

I smile slightly. "Thanks."

The dress is rather short, but not too short. It's actually perfect.

"Can I do your make up?"

"I don't wear make up, Courtney."

"Come on. If you can make an exception for the dress, you can make an exception for this."

I sigh.

When she finishes reforming my face, I see a whole different person in the mirror staring back at me.

"Wow."

"Good, huh?" She asks.

"Really good!" I say, being positive for once.

She smiles in victory. "So I was thinking we have a girls' day tomorrow. You know, lunch, we can get our nails done, go see Fifty Shades of Grey."

I roll my eyes and smile. "Like I'd be able to see that."

"We won't tell Robert." She whispers. "Besides, you're almost 18. I think you're entitled to see a sex movie."

We laugh. Wow, this is the first time I've actually laughed with Courtney. I'm quite surprised by the sudden reaction.

"You girls ready?" Robert calls from downstairs.

"Almost, dumbass!" I yell down, following with laughter.

When we arrive at the restaurant, Robert speaks to the front desk man, saying that we're here to meet Robert and Courtney's new friends.

The waiter guides us to a table and takes our drink orders as we meet up with these 'friends'.

They stand up and instantly greet us. I surprisingly don't see someone my age.

"I'm Anne. My son is in the bathroom. Oh, you'll love him." A lady speaks.

I notice her thick British accent. I guess everyone is new here.

"I'm Anna." I say quietly before taking a seat. Wow....such similar names.

My thoughts drift over to Harry and his curly brown hair. I reach for my water and take a big sip to avoid conversation.

"There he is." Anne announces.

I almost have a heart attack and choke on my water as I'm met by the familiar green eyes that have me so mesmerized.

His eyes go wide as he sees me.

"Anna, I'd like you to meet my son, Harry. Harry, this is Anna."

Neither of us say a thing. We just stare at each other wide eyed. I take a moment to admire how amazing he looks in a black button down shirt and jeans.

"Anna, what are you doing here?" He asks.

"I could ask you the exact same thing."

I can literally feel the confused gazes of everyone at our table.

"Do you two know each other?" Anne asks.

"Yeah....from school." He answers, not taking his eyes off of me.

"We have math together." I say.

The awkwardness continues until I finally look away.

We order and I try to keep my head hidden in the menu from Harry's wondering gaze.

Our food comes quickly and I gobble my food down, trying to avoid conversation.

"So Anna," I guess this method doesn't work, "what are you planning to do after school?"

I look over at Robert who gives me an obvious 'be nice' look.

"Um, I really haven't planned anything set in stone, but I have a few ideas." I say, trying to be as polite as I can.

"That's nice. Harry doesn't know what he wants to do either. Failing last year really set him back." His father instantly pipes up.

I feel Harry's eyes on me. I allow myself to look up and capture his gaze. He seems as if he's pleading with me.

"So Anna," he starts, "why so many bracelets?"

I almost choke. Why? "I just.....I just really like bracelets."

Lie. I usually wear large wrist sweatbands, but I don't think that's proper uniform for a dress so bracelets would have to be a substitute.

"Oh, is that why?"

Why is he saying these things? Why is he doing this to me?

I quickly look down at my food. "Um....can I be excused?"

After they all nod, I squirm out of my seat. I quickly hurry to the bathroom and adjust the bracelets on my wrists.

The bathroom is small. It's just a small room. No stalls. So only one person can pee at a time. Wow.

I check myself in the mirror one last time. I emerge from the bathroom and run smack dab into Harry's chest.

Before I know it, he's forcing me back in and shutting the door, not even checking to see if anyone was watching.

"Harry....."

He presses me up against the wall and slams his lips into mine. I'd be lying if I say I didn't like him kissing me. It makes me feel a new passion I've never felt before.

He doesn't give me time to say anything. He bends down and grips my legs, pulling them to wrap around his waist.

I can't control myself as I wrap my arms around his neck, desperately wanting him close to me.

He gets forceful with his lips, pulling me closer to him. Our tongues battle for dominance, but his wins, of course.

His lips disconnect from mine slowly. "Let me try something with you."

"Here?"

"Why not?"

"We're in the bathroom of a restaurant where you just attempted to expose me in front of my family."

"I'm sorry. I was just angry with you." He says. "I don't want you doing this to yourself. You have no reason to."

I sigh and look down at the ground. "I guess you have good intentions."

"You guess?"

I smile. "Yeah."

"So.....let me do this." He pleads. His eyes bear into mine.

I can't believe I'm saying this. "Okay."