Enemies with Benefits (Harry Styles)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Athena's POV

Life is sometimes good, but sometimes bad. Of course, we all want to live a good life, so everyone works hard to achieve that. Some people succeed and some do not. Those who fail are frustrated and try again. That is a good thing. Those who succeed are winners in life, but it's not always easy to succeed. Life is like that. It can't be helped because there are things we can't control.

But I'm not. I envy even those who have failed in life because they are the ones who decided to do it, tried, and failed. In my case, I don't even have a choice. All I do is what my mother tells me to do. People might think that's easy. But it's quite the opposite. It's hard. Because I can't live my own life.

It's been a few weeks since I moved in with Kyle. I'm living comfortably here, but it doesn't look at all like the life of a couple living together on the premise of marriage, but just like two roommates.

"I'm leaving for work, Athena," Kyle says as he opens the door. I soon walk to it and wave at him.

I have nothing to do at home, basically. Once it was decided that I would live with Kyle, my mother told me that women don't need education or a job and made me quit my job and college.

I really wanted to be a pharmacist. So I studied hard from junior high school, and when I graduated from high school and left that house, found a job, earned money, and used that money to go to college. When I think about it now, I must have worked pretty hard. But all that hard work was put to waste with one word from my mother.

I sigh, recalling what happened in my past life. I can't believe I'm only nineteen and having this life. The life I live is always hard.

Dad, I think my high school life will be fun.

Today was my first day at the new high school I transferred to. I was so nervous at first, but a boy who was sitting right next to me broke my tension.

The boy came late for his class and sat right next to me. His hair was messy and he looked as if he had run to school. He looked so amused that I asked him what his name was. Can you guess what he answered, Dad? He said, "You don't know my name?"

I couldn't help but laugh. I knew he was a funny guy.

Then he finally told me his name was Harry Styles. We went to the library to study together to get to know each other well. I helped him study. His grade wasn't so good, but he had a passion to study. So I thought I could help him.

When we had studied for about 2 hours, another boy came to Harry's. That guy was named Brad.

Brad seemed smart. But when they did a physics quiz, Harry answered it first. And he made it correct. I was happy to see him being so happy. Brad looked frustrated, but a loss is a loss, so he left as if he was dazed.

Dad, it's been a month! And I'm having a good quite good life.

For this month, I was in the same class as Brad for most of my classes, so I got to know him well.

Today, I had a biology class from the first period. There were a lot of things I didn't understand, but it was a good thing that Brad, who's great at biology, explained them to me. So I think I'll be able to do well on the exam.

Afterwards, he asked me out on a date. I wanted to say yes, but I'd said I would go to the library and help Harry's studies, so I said no to Brad. But Brad had taught me biology in class, so I told him that if he came with me to the library, I would teach him history, which he was not good at, and he was happy to come.

Dad, I don't know what to do now. Brad said he liked me, and he asked me if I would be his girlfriend. I was so shocked that I answered yes on impulse without thinking it through.

Dad, thanks for your advice. I finally found out who was the most caring person for me. It's Harry. He ran to my house and held me until I felt better while I was crying about Brad. He stayed beside me as long as I wanted, rubbing my back, which was what I wanted. He made me smile. He hugged me tightly. He kissed me softly.

I felt something different when he packed his lips on mine. I felt his feelings for me. The feelings that he loves me...

Dad, I broke up with Brad. It was a short relationship, six months, but I learned a lot. I'm gonna tell you about what I learned.

First, we need a person who really cares about us when we're down. For me, it's Harry. I'm glad I finally realized he's the one.

Second, do not date someone who you don't really like. Because it's just going to make you hurt or down.

And the last one, keep being kind to people. It may sound normal, but this time, I realized again how important it is.

Now I'm happy now to be with Harry. He's the sweetest and carest person I've ever known!

"Dad?" I say as I bring my phone to my ear. I'm quite surprised that he's calling me because we haven't caught up in weeks.

"Athena, is everything fine?" I hear him say in a worried tone.

"Mhm, yeah."

I hear him sigh this time. "I wish I could trust you. Because every time I ask you how you're doing, you always say you're good even if it's not fine at all."

I knew my dad could see through it, but I didn't want him to worry.

"I heard that you moved out with a boy," he says. "But was it your choice?"

I stay silent. He knows it.

"Athena, I have your address. I'm coming over."

・　　・　　・

When my dad reaches here, I soon hug him. I've missed him a lot. "It's been a while."

I tell him about what my mother made me do, that I was forced to quit college and my work, that she was going to put me with a guy of her choosing and marry me to him, and that I'm now living in this house with that guy named Kyle.

I can tell he's furious now because there's a fist in his hand. "I can't believe her! She's such a shit mother!"

Dad starts screaming at the top of his voice with anger, but speaks softly to me, "Athena, you don't have to listen to that shitty mother."

"It's already late. I've already quit the job and college, so if I leave here, I have no idea what to do and where to go."

He shakes his head. "You can stay at mine. If you have nothing to do, you can help Cindy with housework. There are only two people in the house so I'm sure Cindy has been bored. We'll be so welcome for you."

I know I'm now living in not a good life, and I want to make it better, but I'm just confused and not sure about my feelings so I have no idea what to do or what to decide.

I sight lightly as my mind gets full of those old thoughts and memories. "Dad, I don't know what to do yet, so give me time to think. I'll tell you when I get my answer."

"Promise?" He looks me in the eyes, brushing my hair up my side. 

I nod. "You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"You're just a teenager," he says. "If you have anything, don't forget to call me."