Don't Stand So Close (completed)

Chapter 16*

On Thursday night after a short shift at my parent's restaurant I get settled in my little dorm room and FaceTime with Harry. We are basically like teenagers talking to one another and overly excited puppies who can't wait to see the other the following afternoon. I feel so light and happy and free now that he and I are on the same page. Everything is right in the world.

When I hang up with Harry, I plug my phone in to have it charge up for the night and go back to my message thread to Starla. I'd texted her this morning to ask her how she'd been, as I hadn't heard from her in a few days, which was unusual. Starla and I would either text or comment on our Instagram posts or something at least once per day, or every other day at the least. So, it was strange, but I didn't think there was anything to worry about. Perhaps she was just busy and forgot to text me back.

When I woke on Friday morning, I'd already had my bag packed for my planned weekend with Harry. I quickly got ready for classes wearing my straight leg levi's I got from the thrift store with a few holes near the knees, and my Daddy's Girl! t-shirt. I was feeling cheeky but mostly just excited to be seeing Harry.

I walked to the university rather than driving since I needed to come back to my dorm room to get my bag anyway. It was only a 15 minute walk anyway, but the air was crisp and sky was blue. Weather here in LA is near perfection.

When I got into the hallway, packed with students I saw Starla, for the first time since Sunday after we'd had our night out. She was leaning against the wall near my class and she didn't seem happy to see me at all. I swallowed and tried to keep a cool face, wondering if this had anything to do with Paul. Surely she wasn't made at me... right?

"Hey Star! I was wondering how you were doing. Everything okay?" She rolled her eyes and pushed herself off the wall to stand upright, adjusting her backpack over her shoulder.

She sighed, "No. I don't know. I mean..." another huff, "... uh, this will sound weird but... My mom saw you and Harry together Sunday afternoon, after you left my dorm." I see her visibly swallow and look down the hallway and back to me.

Angela saw us?! I immediately feel panic takeover my nervous system. My palms sweat, my armpits are getting damp quickly, I can feel the buzzing taking over my limbs as I try to think quickly of an excuse that would explain why Harry and I were together but she notices my sudden change in demeanor.

"It was nothing, right? I mean, Paul said something a long time ago about you and my dad but I just... what were you and my dad doing? Why were you with him?"

Paul? So, he did say something, but my brain is going a million miles an hour and I can't for the life of me focus on one thing to think of so I try to take a deep breath, keep eye contact with Starla, and speak quickly, fast! Think of something!

"Uh, oh yeah, forgot about that," I feign a laugh and look toward the classroom door as some of the students make their way in, "um... well, when I, after I got to my dorm building I went to the campus to just take a walk and funny thing! I saw Harry there and uh, we just went to get some coffee. It was nothing more really. He wanted to catch up, see how I was. Um..." I take a deep breath to calm myself. I'm absolutely busted. My excuse is shit and I just lied straight to her face. This will make everything so much worse. I wince at my idiocy.

"My dad was on campus on Sunday afternoon? Really? Huh..." she keeps looking at me and waiting for more information. But she looks hurt too. She's more hurt than angry and it kills me.

"Yeah, I didn't ask why he was there. But that's it. We got a coffee." I feel myself calming down when Starla gives me the smallest hint of a smile and nods.

"Okay. I need to talk to you though, because after hearing my mom say that... it's just. I've noticed some things and then with what Paul told me... I just need to clear the air and then we'll be good. Okay?"