Trace

Chapter 3

As I am driving home, I receive a text from Ayla to come over to hang out for a little while, and to pick us up some Starbucks. I pull into the small parking lot, and hop out of the car. As soon as I walk in, I recognise a familiar mass of curls, and it all hits me.

   "Gently, gently," Harry whispered, as he lay me down on the bed. I felt comfort as my back made contact with the soft mattress, as he pulled the duvet over me. My hands unconsciously went up to his hair, entangling themselves in his curls. I heard his breath hitch, and he smiled, bending down and kissing my forehead.     "I'm Harry," he breathed, and then he left, murmuring something to me I could not quite make out, and quietly closed the door on the way out.

    My first instinct is to exit the building quickly, and go pick up coffee at another Starbucks on the way to Ayla's. But then his eyes make contact with mine, and my heart stops. I am not entirely sure why I don't want him to notice me, or why I am avoiding him. He never did anything to hurt me, so why is my first sense fear when I think of him? Nevertheless, I head to the door, when I feel his eyes burning into my back.

       "Hello."

I scream as I hadn't known anyone was behind me, and I spin around. I hear a deep chuckle from behind me.

When I turn, I almost bump into his chest- yes he's that close.

 "I-I, um, I was just heading ou-out," I stutter, and mentally slap myself for sounding like such an idiot.

         "Why don't you take a seat?" he asks me, and takes hold of my hand. His dimples are revealed when I don't resist and my heart flutters instantly.

           As we sit down across from each other on leather couches, my hands automatically go at work with each other, fiddling my fingers, as I do  this when I am nervous.

     "You look nice," he comments.

I try my hardest not to blush, but am confused at why he's so determined to get me.

        "What would you like?" he asks me.

"Oh, n-no. I'm fine, thanks," I say. But his look shows that he is not conviced at the least.

    "Really," I quickly add. "I'm really not in the mood anymore."

I shutter as I feel him come close to my ear and whisper "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

            I stand up, immediately feeling defensive, but have a disadvantage as his height  towers over my shortness. I grab hold of a piece of my long hair, and start to curl it around my finger.

     "Plans," I finally say, firmly, "I have plans."

His forehead crinkles as he frowns, "What plans?"

    I am instantly displeased at his nosiness, but decide to tell him anyway.

         "I've got a date, I'm going to have a picnic by the lake."

Harry scoffs, "A picnic by the lake? How cliche is that?" He chuckles deeply.

      I grunt as I walk pass him quickly, heading towards the doors.

"El, wait!" He runs after me, and I don't stop.

     I then turn around.

"What did you just call me?" I ask, sort of rudely.

        "El," Harry says innocently.

"My name is-" and then I stop, thinking maybe it's for the better that he does not know my real name.

       I then turn around again and walk towards my car. Harry doesn't follow me, but I hear his voice a few seconds later.

    "Your name is what?" he calls after me.

I don't even turn around as I get in my car and say back, "El! My name is El."