7 Things About the Boy Next Door

Chapter 26

"'Falling' is not synonyms with 'graceful'. That's why we put it before 'in love'." - Olivia Sanderson

~Harmony~

I bound up the stairs to Jas's door with more enthusiasm than one expects for a girl's night in. My bag pounds into the side of my hip as I skip the steps two at a time. I jump a patch of vivid green, radioactive looking mould to my right and skid to a dramatic stop as my toes come in contact with the base of her closed door, nose squished against the peep hole I'm so close.

Before I can even account for the impulsive movements of my hand, my knuckles brush the door multiple times in rapid succession as I tug down the hem of my shorts... again. These things have the potential to cause some serious wedgies.

A cacophony of screams and giggles sound from inside and the door is thrown open to show the bright faces of my three girls. I'm attacked at the threshold with hugs and laughter before my bag is taken from me and we jump inside.

My heeled boots clack against the hardwood floors and the three girls seem to take a shocked step back, eyes running fluidly up and down my body.

"Holy fucking shit!" Aria gasps, and shoots a hand over her mouth after the words leave. No one says anything at her outburst, so she continues. "Harmony, you're freaking hot!"

"Whoa," Celeste gasps excitedly, "you're legs look look endless in those boots."

"Damn, you look amazing! This surfer haired - cowgirl booted - city chick - jean clad - sexy but sweet act it totally working wonders for you," Jas catcalls as that one slips straight over me. Aria makes a show of rubbing her eyes a few times as if to make sure this were real and Celeste casually pulls out her phone and starts snapping some pictures. I laugh, flattered and slightly uncomfortable from all the additional attention, but all the lightheartedness from me flees when a large presence enters the room. My laugh dies off as I sober, but a crazy smile takes place.

Dylan strolls into the entrance and seemingly sucks out all the oxygen with him. I know I shouldn't have, but I stare - long and hard too. I do my usual pedophile-eye-ogle, starting with his bare feet soundlessly padding into the room. I travel up the toned legs and past the chino shorts falling just above his knees. His hands are stuffed tightly into his pockets, thick veins curling around his defined forearms. His baby blue and white checked shirt pools around his waist and tugs tightly around the shoulders and bulging arms. The long sleeves are carelessly rolled up to the elbows and he wears a cocky smile proudly. But when I reach those gorgeous mossy eyes of his that have haunted me for more nights than I care to admit, they're not on my face like I'd expect - they're on my legs the pervert.

Jas makes a point of clearing her throat and both our attentions are snapped to her disgusted face as she rolls her eyes. "The sexual pheromones in this room are suffocating. Mind saving it for the bedroom?" She jests, my face burning from humiliation as I stare to the wooden panels lining the floor. Aria bumps into my shoulder teasingly as Dylan slides my gym bag off Celeste's narrow shoulder.

"I'll take this up to the room for you, I don't have much to do for the next few minutes anyway," Dylan confesses, hooking my bag over his broad shoulder and putting a hand on the banister, ready to climb the stairs.

"Oh, okay," I reply dumbly, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear as he skips up the staircase to Jas's room with a smile.

"Well then, in that case, let's get some drinks going! To the kitchen!" Jas calls and theatrically points both arms over her head in the general direction of the kitchen.

A round of sodas are distributed in oversized red solo cups before as a herd, we trek it back upstairs. Aria and Celeste nudge each other over the carpeted flight of steps, holding their cups out in front of them, careful not to spill as they race.