Mutinous

Chapter 12

A week passed while Harry and I kept things to a minimum. We would talk at school and text each other most evenings, and on the few days, I knew mum and dad would work until late, and Harry didn't have work, we would hang out after school for a couple of hours, but apart from that we didn't see each other. I knew mum and dad would get suspicious if I changed too drastically, and I was not planning for them to find out anytime soon. I enjoyed the late afternoons, walking along the river talking to Harry way too much.

"What's his name?" James' voice took be aback, and my heart instantly increased in speed. How would he know?

"Pardon me?"

"El, I know your change of behaviour isn't due to school. I've been young too you know."

A small smile appeared on my lips picturing the bald man in front of me at my age, but remembering what he had just said my smile was soon being replaced by a frown.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well for the past week you've not been leaving school grounds with me four times. Two of which you forgot to call and let me know. Now I'd like to believe you've just been studying, but first of all, you don't forget, and secondly, this has never happened so frequently before. I would like to believe it's just a coincidence, but I really don't believe that it is."

"Oh," was the only sound leaving my mouth. How was I so obvious to everyone?

"It's alright, you can tell me?"

I pretended to bite my nail even if it was not a bad habit of mine, but I was in a lack of words.

"El, you alright?"

"N-no," I stuttered. "Am not. Just drive." I commanded, and he gave me a nod.

"Don't worry love, I won't tell. Just hope you don't get hurt."

"Why would he hurt me?" I asked having finally confessed. Hopefully, it was true that he wouldn't tell anyone.

"I'm sure, he wouldn't, but you never know. People get hurt all the time."

"He wouldn't," I said but the words were meant more for myself than him. He wasn't going to hurt me, right?

"I didn't say that he would. Just be careful, okay?"

Careful with what? Because of mum and dad? I didn't know exactly what he meant, and at the same time, I wasn't sure I even wanted to know. I didn't think it was possible to be anymore careful than I already was. I was taking things slow, and I did not just throw myself at him. That would have to be enough. Right?

"We're here." James parked the car, and I looked around confused unsure of what he meant. Apparently we had already arrived at my building. I had been too caught up in my thoughts to even notice.

"Thanks." My eyes met his in the rear view mirror for a moment.

"I won't tell them."

"Promise?"

"I promise. Now you have a nice eventing young lady," he chuckled, and I gave him a smile.

"You too. Thank you. See you tomorrow." With those words I exited the car and scurried inside already freezing due to the cold weather.

The only people home were Mia and Maggie. Mum was working until midnight, and dad had stuff to do at the office and wouldn't come back until late. If only I could have seen Harry now, but unfortunately he had work at his mum's restaurant in 'Forest Hill'. Before Tuesday I hadn't even known he had a job, but then again I did remember the first day of school, and how I had thought he didn't fit in. I hadn't thought that his look showed lack of money, yet he did dress differently than people at UNI. They did not wear boots of any kind and skinny jeans, instead they wore dress shoes and chinos. But I had learned that he didn't really much attention to what he wore, he just dressed in whatever he felt comfortable with and like, no matter the brand. He didn't bother about what was the current trends, and that I truly admired him for. I wished, I could say the same about myself, but unfortunately I would have my father on my back if I ever wore a band tee like one of Harry's or put on something that showed too much skin. In the end, it never really mattered what I thought anyway. I had never worked a day in my life, and I was glad that I didn't need to. But knowing that Harry could do whatever he fancied, I somehow envied him even if it meant he had had to work hard to save up to go to UNI.