Paired Up

Chapter 2 - Partners (Noah)

Why. Why must our coaches do this to me? It's been three. Freaking. Seconds. And she's already wining in my ear. 

Ive considered at least 15 ways to get us out of this, and not one would make this situation better. I catch Harper staring at me. "What?" I ask, deadpanned.  She giggles.

My mouth almost hits the floor. No way she can sound like that and be a demon in disguise. "Oh nothing, you just look like you want to kill our coaches." She chirps.

I scoff. "Is that so? You think i'm easy to read, baby? I can guarantee you have no clue what goes on in my head." Her mouth drops open, in shock. "First of all, you ever call me 'baby' again and I will remove your balls from your body. Second of all, yes. you are easy to read. When you let down your guard that is. You're basically an open book."

I stare at her, narrowing my eyes. "Ill remind you again, Harper, since you're so inclined to forget. I will call you whatever the hell I want to. and if you come near my balls so help me God Heart, I will get coach to kick you off the team."

Her eyes narrow in response and she comes nose to nose with me, getting in my face. "Like I said, Moore. Open book." she steps back and looks at my face, slipping on an innocent facade I see right through. "Now, like I said. You got twenty minutes today, that's all. Shoo." She waves her arms. 

Why was her attitude so unbearable today? I think of something sure to piss her off. "Do you need to get laid or something? Why are you mouthing off all the time today?" I say, trying to keep the smile off my face.

She purses her lips. I knew I hit a mark. And I can truthfully say, I don't care where or how badly I cut. Her chin dips down, and I think I see a quiver. What in the world? She finally looks at me again, her eyes shiny. "You have no Idea what you're talking about, so don't." I blink in surprise.

I hadn't actually expected to cut her deep. I don't care, I'm just surprised is all. Pushing past the surprise, I dig in deeper. "Oh. Is that it? You got some trauma? Did mommy and daddy run away when you were little?" I seeth. 

She takes a deep breath. "No, Noah. My, 'mommy and daddy' didn't run away. I didn't lose my virginity to some homeless guy in a Motel 6 either, despite what you might think. You really need to figure out when to stop spewing random crap out of your mouth. It takes one to know one. You have trauma too, and because i'm a decent human being i'm not gonna go dig my nose around in it and try to make your life miserable. I know the rumors, Noah. I know that dear old dad was awful to you. But you have no right to make my life more miserable than it is. I have tried so, so hard to be kind to you and no matter what you never fail to pick on me or try to make my day bad. So excuse me if I am a little aggravated today, i'm not around a suitable human being."  

I stare at her. 

And stare.

And stare some more. Im at a loss of words. She's still looking up at me. She's not fuming like I expected, but rather resigned. She's looking at me like she's tried to tell me this a million times and she's finally given up. Guilt hits me like a train. Im not supposed to care, yet I feel like someone took a wooden stake and used me as a target for throwing practice. 

"Harper." I whisper. "I-im  sorry." I stutter out. Everyone knows my past. They know my dad smacked the shit out of me as a kid. If I had known that she'd gone through something even slightly similar I would have never said what I did. It's time she knows it too.

She looks at me with shock on her face. "What did you say?" she whispers. I look into her eyes and stare, trying to convey with my eyes what I mean. "I said i'm sorry. I had no Idea. I have to go, but i'll see you in a few days." With that, I turn on the heel of my skate and skate away. Pride be damned, I will never be the reason Harper West has that look in her eyes ever again.