No Control • hs

eleven

"Hi Gemma, I'm Peyton and I live in the apartment in front of Harry's and I work at the coffee shop with him."

"It was just a coincidence that we are both here on the same weekend, in the house next to each other." Harry says. Gemma's eyebrows raise as if she doesn't believe Harry.

"It really was." I say. Gemma's eyebrows return to their regular position and she smiles.

"Nice meeting you." She says.

***

I shut the car door and walk into the lake shop. The bell at the top of the door rings as I open it. There was a ski section, life vest section, water game section, canoe section, and tennis section. I headed straight for the life vest section because Lacy's and Jim's life vests were too big on me.

     I picked up a purple one and tried it on. I adjusted the straps to the correct size and look at myself in the full-length mirror. "Purple looks great on you." I don't need to turn around to know who it is.

     "You think so?" I said, without even turning around.

     "Of course! It's very compatible with brown eyes." I turn around. Harry is leaning against the life jacket shelf.

     "Do you just follow me around all the time Styles?" I say.

     "Me follow you? No, that's something an obsessive ex boyfriend would do."

     "Sounds about right." I turn to look back at the mirror. I have on a pink anchor tank top with denim jean shorts.

     "Why did you think Gemma was my girlfriend?" Harry blurts out.

     "I-I don't exactly know."

     "Why would you assume something like that?" His tone wasn't angry, but I could tell he was curious.

     "I didn't assume it."

     "Why would you even think for a second that I would do that to you?"

     "Well, when Liam came out and said you were loving on Gem, I guess I got the wrong message."

     "I knew it." I gave him a confused face and took off the life vest.

     "Knew what?"

     "He wanted you to think that because he likes you." My jaw dropped.

"Harry, no, he didn't mean for it to come out that way. I just took it the wrong way."

"Peyton, you don't get it. He talks about you all the time- and I mean all the time. More than I talk about you, and that's a lot." Harry's eyebrows are squished together, I can tell he's looking for a reason why his friend would do that to him.

     "It's one little mistake he made, Harry, you can forgive him."

     "You're right, he's like a brother to me, I couldn't hate him if I wanted to." We exchanged goodbyes and Harry was gone. I purchase the life jacket and get back to the house after running a few errands. It's 6:30 by the time I get done unpacking groceries. I catch a glimpse of a very sweaty Harry sitting on Lacy and Jim's boat with a backpack.

     "What are you doing here?"

     "Just soaking up the sun."

     "What's in the bag?" I hit the bag, throwing Harry off balance.

     "Just some overnight stuff. I'm not staying at Liam's tonight."

     "Very funny, ok? What's really in the bag." He hands it to me and I unzip the large pocket to see some pajamas and a toothbrush. "You weren't kidding." I look at him seriously. "What happened?"

     "I walked in on Liam and my sister." Harry said, ever so nonchalantly. My eyes widened.

     "Oh. Where are you planning on staying then?"

     "Not sure yet, I might go to the park and stay under that little awning." I slapped the back of his hand and he giggled.

     "Don't joke like that. I can ask Lacy if you can stay at their house."

     "No need, I'll find somewhere."

     "Ok, whatever." I zip his backpack back up and hand it to him.

     "Will you meet me tonight?"

     "What for?"

     "Nothing, really. I just want to talk."

     "Ok, just name the time and place."

     "The beach at 10:00?"

     "That's really shady Harry."

***

     As I was walking to the beach, I wondered what Harry had planned the night. I check the time on my phone, 9:55. I was five minutes early. He's probably not even there, or not even going to show up. I get closer to the beach and I see a lantern light in the distance.

     I finally approach the sand and my jaw drops. The one lantern light turns into at least 80 candles lit in mason jars. The candle light circles a plaid blanket and the blanket holds Harry.