CLANDESTINE | HS |

TWENTY NINE

Logan

"Where are you?"

Lauren's voice calls out to me as I stand in the bathroom, sliding the gold hoop into the bottom of my earlobe to match the others that glimmer up the shell of my ear. "I'm in here!"

Music plays softly on the speaker that sits on the counter, the new song from Noah Kahan on repeat. "God, it feels like I haven't seen you in forever."

"I know!" Turning to face her, I can't help but smile. "It's been so crazy with planning the gala."

"We need to get dinner that's not with my family soon." She laughs as she looks at me. "This is new!"

Reaching up, her fingers wrap around the round glass bottle of perfume that I left on the shelf— one that I picked out just for Harry.

When I went shopping the other day, the red and pink color drew me in and the scent was even more intoxicating. It was floral and sweet, but also with a slight warm tone underneath. The raspberry and italian mandarin notes mixed well with the jasmine and white wood in all the right ways.

I remember the first time that I wore it around Harry— it was like he couldn't stay away from me. Burying his face in my neck, he claimed that I smelled good enough to eat.

A thought he followed through with a few times that night.

"Yeah, I picked it up a few weeks ago." Leaning in, I swipe at the little bit of fallout from my mascara. "I've only worn it a few times."

"Ohh! Did you wear it on your date with that guy?" Wiggling her brows at me, she leans against my laundry hamper. "You haven't told me much about him recently, are you still talking?"

I nod, my eyes falling to the shirt that's barely even in the hamper, the Green Bay Packers shirt that isn't mine. The edge of the shirt almost grazes the floor and I can't help but hope she doesn't look down.

Please, for the love of all things holy.

Do not look down.

"We talk a little bit, but it's nothing serious." Shrugging my shoulders, I reach over to turn off the lights, anything to get us out of this room. "Are you ready?"

"You know I'm always ready for family dinner." Walking her way back through my apartment, she turns to look at me over her shoulder with a disgruntled look on her face. "The only thing I hate is that Harry is going to be there."

"He's your brother." The words come out sharper than I intend them to as my back faces her, throwing a half zip sweater from a baseball game over my shirt. "I don't even really understand why you're mad."

Lauren walks in front of me as I lock my door, silence stretching between us before she speaks. "Why am I mad?"

"Yeah, I mean... ." Looking over at her, she stares at the silver doors of the elevator and waits for them to open. "You told me about it but I don't really understand why you're so mad."

The ride down to the parking garage is quick and before I know it, I'm clicking my seatbelt into place as Lauren pulls out into the city traffic and takes us closer to her parents house.

Closer to Harry.

"Like, I love Harry but he doesn't get what my problem is." Drumming her thumbs on the steering wheel, she shakes her head. "He thinks that he can do whatever he wants and like there aren't consequences for actions."

I nod, looking down at the edges of my nails, doing my best not to pick at my cuticles. "Do you ever think that things have changed?"

Glancing at me, her brows furrow. "What do you mean?"