Desolate - h.s. ✓

° thirty-one °

     It wasn't until we were back in school that I really talked to Blair and Lex. Ella and I had visited together once over break, but my other two friends had been out of town entirely. The two girls were talking about a party that Ella and I had not heard of, but Lex said she got the information from Alex.

"It's this weekend?" I asked.

"Correct."

"Ella, are you going to go?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I'm just hearing about it, too."

Explaining that I would have to think about it, I found myself glancing at my phone. There was a message from my mother claiming that she and Ethan were going to UCLA today with my father after school. I was invited to go, but she said I didn't need to if I didn't want to. Explaining that I did have to study for finals, she said she would see me later in the evening then, which I agreed to.

"Who's that?" Lex asked.

"My mom."

"Is everything good?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "Apparently my dad, mom, and brother are going to UCLA today. It probably has to do with my brother's admission to the college."

They nodded, the four of us continuing to discuss the party a little more. Honestly, I had no idea if I really wanted to go to something like that, knowing that it would probably just be loud and crazy like the last one. However, it could also mean that Harry and I would be able to hang out without it seeming obvious that we were together, and that was enough reason for me.

- - -

Harry had agreed to take me home after baseball practice was finished with. I decided that I could run while I waited, trying to get my mind off of everything that was currently going on in my life. I mean, nothing horrible was happening, but the fact that Ethan was freaking out over not getting into UCLA, along with the idea that Harry and I were secretly dating, was a little overwhelming. Though, I managed to relax myself, finishing up my final lap around four. It was at that same time that Harry was heading into the field house, leaving me to stand beside his car as I waited, the curly-haired boy grinning at me once he approached.

"Hi, baby."

"Hi."

"Can I shower at your house?"

"Sure."

We got into his car, Harry not holding my hand until we were off of school property. He played music softly throughout the car, the two of us simply relaxing. By the time we reached my house it was closer to four-thirty, the two of us heading inside. Harry called the shower first, heading into the bathroom once we got upstairs. I went into my bedroom, grabbing a change of clothes after I had set my backpack down. About ten minutes passed before I could shower myself, Harry kissing my temple and lying down in my bed as we passed. I showered as quickly as I could, brushing my hair when I got out, and changing into pajamas. Heading back to my room, Harry had turned on some movie I had never seen, the two of us lying in my bed easily.

"You're so cute."

"No," I giggled.

"I swear you are."

"Nooo."

He muttered under his breath, pressing several kisses to my cheeks before stopping. It was clear he was trying to prove his point, but I was simply amused, Harry holding onto me as we continued to get comfortable beside one another.

"You know, I hate when you don't accept my compliments."

"You know I have a hard time accepting them in general."