Hardin Scott has been madly in love with Tessa Young since the moment he first laid eyes on her, but there's no way she could ever see him as anything more than a friend. After all, he's a bad boy with a promiscuous past and she's a sweet and innoce...
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It's Monday morning and Hardin and I go back to school today. We leave for school together and I spend Literature with him before going to my next class.
My class flies by and before I know it, it's lunchtime. I told Hardin I was going to spend lunch with Emma because I've missed her. He only pouted a little, which is an improvement for him.
While I'm sitting outside waiting for Emma to arrive, I decide to reply to the hundred texts Hardin has already sent me. I can't help but laugh to myself at how clingy Hardin Scott has become.
"Is that lover boy you're texting?" Emma asks as she approaches me.
"Yeah." I blush. I rush over to her and give her a hug. "I've missed you!"
"I've missed you, too. It's so good to see you smiling again."
"Thank you, Emma."
"Does Hardin have anything to do with it?" she playfully asks as she nudges me.
"He does." I nod.
"You know, he's going around showing off the hickey you gave him," Emma laughs.
"What?! How embarrassing!"
"I think it's sweet how in love with you he is. I mean, who knew he could be sweet?" she laughs again.
"He was so sweet on our trip to the cabin! Wait, is this weird to be talking about with you?"
"Why would it be? Because I had a crush on him?"
"Well, that and because of how rude he was to you." I frown.
"He didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?" I ask, confused.
"He called me and apologized for his behaviour."
"What?! When?"
"Yeah. He apologized for how he acted on our date when he called to ask me to look out for you when he's not around. He was worried about you after what happened with Neil."
"Wow. That boy makes my heart leap."
"He's definitely a keeper. You bring out the best in him, Tessa."
"So, it's not going to be weird if I tell you something about us?"
"Not at all. Besides, I'm dating someone now." She smiles.
"Really? That's great!"
"It is." She blushes. "But you go first!"
"Hardin and I slept together for the first time at the cabin!" I gush.
"Wow! Really? And...?"
"It was so wonderful! He was so loving and sweet and gentle with me. I swear I came back from our trip even more in love with him. I didn't think that was even possible!"
"I'm so happy for you! Now I understand why you look so radiant." She grins. "Not to mention the hickey he has makes sense now." She winks.
"Gosh! I'm going to kill him!" I joke.
"Go easy on the poor guy. He's in love!"
"I'll deal with him later. Tell me about your new beau."
"Well, we only started dating, but he's really smart and he has a soccer scholarship."
"And when do I get to meet him?"
"Well, I was going to ask if you and Hardin would like to go on a double date with us." Both Emma and I burst out laughing. "Well, as long as it goes better than last time, of course," Emma adds.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure he behaves."
"So, that's a yes?"
"Of course! I can't wait to see who has made my best friend so happy!"
"Thanks, Tessa."
Emma and I continue to gossip while we finish lunch.
"Okay, I better get going to my next class. I'll see you in yoga later. Good luck convincing Hardin to go on this date," she giggles as she walks away.
I think to myself how happy I feel in this moment. Everything is going well. Hardin and I are happier than ever, and my best friend has found happiness, too. I might actually get to be a normal college girl again, going on double dates and everything. This is the happiest I've felt since what happened with Neil.
I head off to my next class, counting down the minutes until I get to see my not-so-grumpy Hardin again.
