𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉

[Chapter 28] 28

My eyes continually scan over my text conversation with Lake.
He wants to see me, part of me feels like I want to see him but the other part doesn't want to deal with the conversation I know we're bound to have.
What went down Saturday, why I've been avoiding him—he's gonna want to know and honestly, I can't blame him.
I've never thought of myself as a tease and truthfully still don't but I could understand being perceived that way.
I'm sure the girls Lake has been with are only too happy to take it all the way with him.
I mean, I was thinking about it.
My thumbs hover over the keyboard on my screen.
I like Lake. It's not about that. It's me, probably.
My guess is it'd be the same outcome with any guy.
Right before we get too close—as close as you can get, really—I shut down.
Of course, I have no prior experience to back up my theory besides my random dating fling with Adam back in Freshman year.
At the time, him getting handsy felt pushy so I ended it. Lake didn't feel pushy, though, I felt pushy yet I still backed out.
I hesitate with my reply. What if I just end it all right now? Forget about the party, forget about Lake?
No conversation to be had, just going ghost.
The idea is comforting in a way, if there were no repercussions—which Harry seems to think is the case.
He could be right. Maybe I'm just making myself paranoid.
"Well, well, well—how did I know you'd be out here?"
Amber's irritated voice is suddenly behind me and I quickly turn my phone down as I turn to face her. "Amber, hey."
Not just paranoid.
She rolls her eyes, fake niceties nowhere to be found thanks to the vacant hallway.
"Don't 'hey' me, bitch."
My eyebrows shoot up, stunned but she's only getting started.
"You really thought I wouldn't notice you sneaking out here with my man?" Amber's eyes flash a jealous shade green. "I told you not to mess with me and you didn't listen."
"Amber, I don't want your man." I eye her with more confidence than I actually feel in my words. "I already told you—"
"No." She holds up a hand to silence me and I inhale deeply.
"I gave you a chance to back off when you got with whatever his face is but you're right back at it. And now," she jabs a finger into my right shoulder so hard I have a feeling it'll bruise. "You're really pissing me off."
"Amber, whatever it is you think is going on between me and Harry—trust me, it's not." I widen my eyes for emphasis just as hers slide into slits.
"Oh really?" Her tone is menacing. "Because I know a bad hickey cover up when I see it, you slut."
My jaw drops at her accusation but she doubles down. "Yeah, thought I wouldn't notice? Funny how Harry starts acting different the second you pull up to school looking like a damn whore. Coincidence? I don't think so."
"Amber, I'm telling you the truth—nothing happened between me and Harry—"
"Save it," she cuts in, her hand rigidly held up to once again shut me up. "I warned you I would ruin your Senior year and now you're gonna watch it happen. Friday night, at the party—you can find out firsthand. Or..." A twisted smile slashes across her face. "...you can wait to hear about it on Monday. Your choice."
"Amber..." I falter, unsure of what I'm even trying to say and she sneers at me. "You had your chance to listen to me, Callie. Enjoy your rep while it lasts because this time next week—you'll be done."
I stand, speechless as she whirls around and struts back into the Cafeteria, leaving me alone to take in the threat she just sprang on me.
She's not even giving me an option to change her mind. Either way she's going to rip me to shreds. My only choice is whether I find out first or wait to hear it from the entire student body.
The sickening part is she already knows which one I'll pick.
I feel a dull pulsing in my head, quickening to match the rapidity of my heartbeats.
Like an attack coming on.
"No, no," I mutter, feeling too weak to go through it. It went from never happening to all the time.
I raise a shaky hand to my chest, thinking of Lake—thinking of his words. His counting.
It got me through it last time, it'll work again.
And it does, ending with me curled up beside the vending machine and palm still glued to my chest like my life depends on it.
It probably does.
Harry was right, I am scared of Amber. I don't know what extent she's capable of, that's the reason I've tried to stay off her radar for so long.
Still...
Breathing deeply, I lift my phone up deciding I've waited long enough to text Lake back.
just track, i'm free after that
I include a smiley face, not acknowledging the suggestion of his emoji choice.
I drop my phone on my lap just as the bell rings and I silently close my eyes before mentally preparing myself to get through the rest of the day.
Get it together, Kelly.
~
Circling the track helps me clear my mind at least for a little bit.
Though Id be lying if I said that running didn't make me feel like something was chasing me.
Probably because something is chasing me.
Nothing real just my own thoughts, around and around.
Wondering what Amber has up her sleeve, how I can preserve myself when she decides to put me on blast, what I'm gonna say to Lake.
Wondering if Harry is just another escape I'm using until he gets too close and then I'll just run away from him too.
I run faster.
Wondering how long it'll be before Hunter speaks to me again, if ever. Same for Mom.
Wondering if I'll ever get to see Kaiden again or if I sacrificed that opportunity by messing around with Lake.
Wondering why I messed around with Lake in the first place when I knew better.
I feel like I don't know anymore.
My pace slows.
My phone is burning a hole in the pocket of my leggings.
I agreed to meeting up with Lake and the weight of my decision is all but dragging me into the ground.
My running turns to walking.
I want to see him, be around him—relive those moments where he touched me and chills ran down my spine.
But I'm scared of those moments because I've seen where they lead...and I'm not ready.
"Boo!"
"Ah!" I let out a yelp as a pair of hands are suddenly on either side of me, fingers prodding my ribs.
I whip around to see Harry grinning behind me and I instinctively swat him in the arm. "What the hell?!"
"There's the Knockout I know and love." He playfully nudges my chin with his fist before crossing his arms. "Y'know, I've been waiting this whole time to come talk to you—Coach was on one today."
He shakes his head, sweaty strands of hair sticking to his forehead. "You hungry?"
I hesitate, knowing what's coming next.
He notices, of course and clicks his tongue. "C'mon, Kelly—it's dinner, not marriage."
"I know," I retort hastily. "It's not that..."
He raises an eyebrow. "Then what is it?"
I can't even believe he has to ask.
I don't want to have this conversation with him again though so I shake my head. "Nothing. What did you have in mind?"
No problem, I'll just have dinner with Harry and then go to Lake's house afterwards as planned.
"It's something." He doesn't press further than that though and instead shrugs. "Well, I know a certain coffee place I never got to eat at."
I look away sheepishly, remembering my blow up on Saturday. "Right...are you sure that'll be enough protein for you?"
I jokingly poke his bicep.
To be clear, I tried not to let my finger linger there but I'll admit I traced maybe an inch of his skin.
"Easy, Knockout," he murmurs and when my gaze snaps up to meet his, he's smiling.
I yank my hand away and tilt my head back to look at him directly. "Well?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine." He hooks a hand on the collar of his shoulder pads. "I had a granola bar for lunch, remember?"
I roll my eyes. "Fine."
"Okay then, Knockout—I'm gonna hit the showers because I'm pretty sure I have a date."
I hate that I want to smile.
"Oh really?" I decide to play along. I'm not confirming nor denying whether it's a date or not. "And who would be crazy enough to go out with you?"
He pauses, looking upwards as he thinks. "Good question. All I know is she has these captivating green eyes...her voice is..." he shakes his head for emphasis and I scoff, looking away as I cross my arms. "Shut up."
"Right hook like you wouldn't believe and she is...so beautiful."
I avoid eye contact, trying to make light of the conversation. "Hmm. Could be Amber."
He doesn't answer until I glance at him and his eyes do a once-over me. "Couldn't be."
I falter, unsure what to say and he only makes it worse by taking a step, closing the space between us.
"Harry, I—"
"I'm just saying." He lowers his voice to a whisper but he's so close I don't have any trouble hearing him.
I frantically search my peripheral vision for any one of Amber's minions that might be witnessing this only for Harry to cup the sides of my face, keeping my focus on him.
"Hey, don't stress. I'm gonna shower, change and I'll be right back, okay?" He studies my expression and I hope he can't read it because I'm not even sure what it says.
I nod.
His thumbs brush over my cheeks the slightest bit before he drops his hands and winks at me. "Try not to miss me too much, yeah?"
I smile despite myself and he grins in response, backing up from me before he turns around  and starts towards the locker room where most of the team has already disappeared to.
I watch him walk away, my eyes on his jersey.
Me, date a football player?
The thought doesn't seem as bizarre as it has in the past and I can't help but take note of that.
I look down at my gym clothes and then decide I could use a shower and change before dinner too.
Maybe going out with Harry is a bad idea that's gonna bite me in the ass. But Amber's decision seems made to ruin me so...might as well enjoy my final days.
~
I opt for a cardigan, matching set combo. I wanted to wear my sweatshirt but it's still at my house from...Saturday night.
I shake the thoughts from my head as I pull my hair into a claw clip before deciding to reapply the makeup on my neck.
I know Harry already knows but...I'd rather there not be a glaring reminder—for him or for me.
I check the time on my phone and see a message from Harry in the process.
waiting outside. carpool??
Winking emoji.
I shake my head with a smile before texting back.
i'll be down in a second
A second turns into another ten minutes but when I finally walk out the front door of the girls' dorm, Harry isn't complaining.
"Wow," he comments, looking me up and down. "You look really nice."
"Geez, don't sound surprised."
He scowls, flipping his keychain around his finger. "Come on, I'm starving."
I motion towards him. "Lead the way."
"Oh so we are carpooling?" He begins leisurely strolling towards the parking lot. "Sweet. You're gonna love Liana."
"Liana?" I echo, raising an eyebrow. "You named your car?"
"Is that surprising?" Harry creases his eyebrows, tucking his hands in the pockets of his letterman jacket. "This is me we're talking about. Of course I did."
"I just thought only old rich guys did that." I shrug my shoulders, walking beside him.
To be honest, I really don't know that much about Harry to begin with. I haven't really given myself the opportunity to get to know him.
I guess this is my chance to fix that.