Grease Monkey- h.s

14

(2 months later)

I sighed a sweet sigh as I stepped out of my favorite coffee shop and into the brisk New York air. I hurried down the street to meet Stacey. Since coming back to New York, she'd become so much of a best friend that she was practically my sister. We were always together. I'd been taking online courses for school so that I could still graduate and avoid being at the same school with Tessa and Kyle. I'd only ran into them twice since being back in the city - and both times Tessa saw me, she'd immediately shoved her tongue down Kyle's throat to keep him from seeing me. But everyone knew I was back, despite her pathetic attempts.

I kept in touch with my parents - skyping and calling regularly. My dad had tried to give Harry the car, or at least the engine, but Harry wouldn't accept it once he'd found that I'd fled Arkansas. So the car now sat in my parent's driveway. My dad offered to drive it to New York for me, but who needs a car in New York? Besides, the memories would flood back and I'd probably have a hard time with it.


I'd heard nothing from Harry. Not even anything about him. It was torture. Since I didn't know where he was or how he was feeling, I would constantly wonder and picture him working away on cars, probably happier than ever now that I was gone. He'd never replied to my letter, confirming that he must not have cared too much that I left. I'd hoped that maybe he'd try to find me, but my letter told him to do the opposite. He'd probably taken my advice and moved on with ease. Most days I hated myself for being so stubborn and leaving without at least figuring out my feelings for him - but being back in New York had cleared my head. Despite loving the city, I missed Harry and Arkansas. But the city was where I belonged and Harry hadn't called so that was the end of that.

"Kenna?" An all too familiar voice whisked me away from my thoughts. I looked up from my coffee and almost toppled over in shock by who was standing in front of me.

"Kyle?!" I scanned the area for Tessa, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Oh my God, how are you? I heard you were back but I didn't believe it. It's so good to see you!" He pulled me into a firm hug. I was speechless - I could barely muster up a reply.

"I-I'm good." I stuttered.

"Look, can we have dinner? Tonight? I'll shoot you a text. I've missed you, Ken!" He smiled at me before rounding the corner in the direction of his place. I tried to breathe - he didn't even give me a chance to deny his dinner offer. I pulled my phone out of my purse, hands shaking so badly that I could barely dial Stacey's number.

"Stacey I need to talk to you ASAP. Meet me at my apartment? Ok. See you in a few. Bye." I quickly hung up my phone and bolted off to my apartment.

++

I closed my apartment door and paused to let everything sink in. Kyle had bumped into me and set us up for a dinner, all within the last ten minutes. It was good to see him and being around him brought back the warm feeling inside that I used to have whenever he was around. It was a feeling of comfort and home. I smiled at the thought. Despite everything that had happened, we'd really had something special. A quick knock on the door disturbed my thoughts. I let Stacey in and we both collapsed on the couch.

"What's up? Why are you in such a tizzy?" She laughed at my current state.

I pressed myself further into the cushions before telling her everything that happened and how I felt about it.

++

(Harry's POV)

I slammed the front door and threw my bag and motorcycle helmet into the floor. Louis looked up from his TV dinner. I fell onto the couch and stared mindlessly at the TV.

"How was your drive?" Louis mumbled through his microwaveable mac n cheese.

"Fine." I spoke, not removing my focus from the TV. I heard something slam and I looked up to an angry Louis.

"For God's sake, Harry, cheer the fuck up. She left. She's gone. She'll never bother your ass again. Forget her. Move on. Get over it. Hell if you won't do that, at least read the damn letter she left you. Maybe it will bring you some closure. I want my best friend back. You've been a total ass the past two months. I fucking hate her for what she's done to you. She destroyed you, Harry. Realize that and do something about it. Quit your moping around. You're ruining my mood, constantly." He'd stood during his little speech, and now he stormed off to his room. As much as I wanted to think differently, I knew he was mad, but right. I had to get over her. She was gone. She didn't want another thing to do with me and she left. If I kept letting it control me like I was, I'd be miserable for the rest of my days.

I sulked for a few more moments on the couch before pulling myself up and trudging into my bedroom. I sat on the edge of my bed, thoughts solely on her. I slowly opened the drawer of my nightstand. My breathing became shallow and my heart pounded as I wrapped my fingers around the unopened letter that Kenna left for me two months ago. I took a deep breath and slid my index finger into the envelope to pull the letter out.

Harry,

First, I'm sorry - for everything. I didn't realize I was leading you on so terribly as I was. I care for you, I really do. But something holds me back. Something tells me you're not a good idea. Something constrains me. I lied to you about having a boyfriend. My long time boyfriend broke up with me for my best friend just before the move and I let it impact me more than I should have. I let you impact me more than I should have and I impacted you more than I should have. Please forgive me.

Please take your engine back. I know you originally bought it for your father's old car. I want you to take it and anything else you can from my car and use it for your dad's. You deserve it. You're such a wonderful person, Harry. I know you don't see it, but you are. I think so highly of you, even if you're terrible at math.

I want you to know that you made a huge impact on me. You've showed me the good in the world that I've never seen, making me realize what a selfish, stubborn person I am.That's why I'm running away. You deserve better. Someone who can appreciate you for all that you can offer. Thank you for that beautiful insight. I'm working on being a better person. Please go on with your life and forget about me. It'll be easier.

I am so sorry.

Best Wishes,

Kenna Greer

I ran my fingers through my hair. How did she know about my dad's car? She left because I'm too good of a person? Because she really does care about me? I stood from the bed and ran to Louis' room. I slammed my fist into his door, shoving it open.

"You told her about my dad's car?!" I shouted. "You're the reason she left!"

I stormed out before he could even reply. I jerked my helmet and duffel bag from the floor before hopping onto my bike and speeding off into the night.

++

(Kenna's POV)

"Ken! You look amazing!" Stacey complimented my outfit and I finished getting ready for my dinner with Kyle. "I'm still not sure I like the idea of you going with him though."

She placed her hand on her hip. Even though I'd explained to her that it'd take nothing short of a miracle for me to get back together with him, she wasn't convinced. And maybe neither was I.

We'd done some internet stalking in the hours since I'd seen Kyle on the street and discovered that he and Tessa had been over for over two weeks. I wasn't sure how I felt about everything and even though Harry had flashed through my mind, I pushed the thought of him away as quickly as it came. Harry and I weren't meant to be; two different people from two different worlds. He was sweet and generous; I was stubborn and selfish. Nothing we could do would change the fact that I deserved someone like Kyle and Harry deserved an angel.

The doorbell rang and I spritzed on some perfume before hugging Stacey and heading to answer the door. I was greeted by a handsome Kyle and a dozen red roses. My breath hitched in my throat as I saw the promise ring attached to the stem of one of the roses. The elevator ding in the background, signaling that someone had arrived on my floor, didn't even register with my brain.

"Kenna, before we have dinner, I just had to tell you that leaving you was the biggest mistake I've ever made. I realize now that you were made for me, and I for you. You are the most perfect woman in the world." He slowly removed the promise ring from the rose stem, gently grabbed my hand, and slid the ring onto my finger. I gasped and admired his grandmother's ring - the one that I'd once wore.

"Kyle I - I can't believe all of this." I was in complete shock.

"So, what do you say?" He beamed at me. I looked up from the ring and at Kyle for the first time. What I saw made my stomach turn backflips - and it wasn't at Kyle's expense.

"Harry?!" I shrieked.

"Harry?" Kyle muttered, clearly oblivious to the boy behind him.

Harry looked hurt and I'd assumed he'd heard everything Kyle had said, as well as seen my stunned reaction. He turned to head to the elevator.

"Harry, wait!" I pushed past Kyle and followed Harry. He tried to close the elevator before I could catch up to him, but I was too quick and before I knew it we were stuck in the elevator together for the long ride of 21 floors.

"What are you doing here?" I searched his eyes for answers, but they only held a cold stare.

He didn't reply.

"Harry, please." I begged. I only had 17 floors to get him to crack and at this rate, I was never going to know why he'd shown up in New York.

My desperate attempts failed and I was racing after him through the main lobby. He burst through the doors of the building and I saw his motorcycle by the curb.

"Harry, did you drive here on that?" I squeaked, tugging on his arm. He shrugged me off and mounted his bike.

"All fucking night I drove to tell you that I loved you. To tell you that deep down, you're the best, most real person I've ever known. I wanted you to know that for the past two months I've wanted to hate you, but I couldn't. I finally read your letter last night. You are so much more than you realize, Kenna. You're not like him." His lips tightened and he slipped his helmet onto his head. I tried to let his words soak in and make my brain form an appropriate response.

"I wasn't going to let him come back and sweep me off my feet, Harry." I managed.

Harry scoffed. "That's not what it looked like up there. Plus, you let him put that thing on your finger."

He jerked his head towards the ring, causing my heart to crash into my stomach. I thought I was going to be sick.

"Harry, don't you see? My letter was right. You're too good for me. I'm the worst person, even deep down. Go find someone who's an actual angel. That's the type of girl you deserve. Please." I fought the tears, but they were winning. Water streamed down my cheeks.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe you have me just as caught up as he has you. Maybe we're both really just fucked up." He looked past me. I turned to see Kyle standing there, roses in hand, looking totally confused. The bike cranked and I turned to look at Harry once more, but he was already halfway down the street, on his way out of my life for good.