Lovely Madness // h.s. au

3. Like Like

I'm very easily conflicted. Ever since Harry had left I started to over think things. I didn't let them get to me, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. After my clothes were on, I brushed my hair out and pinned some of it back with a clip. The rain had stopped so I put on some combat boots and my sister's stone necklace that I wore everywhere. I grabbed my phone and wallet off the nightstand then stared at myself in the mirror. I wasn't really feeling the makeup thing today, especially since I hadn't showered.

I walked back out into the living room and Simone was laughing loudly. Harry sat there smiling down at her until he looked at me. There was something about his eyes and the way they examined me. I thought back to before Simone had interrupted us. His smell had just registered in my head. He always smelled like a mix of coffee, mint, and some spice. It was intoxicating.

"I think Riley's ready," Harry said.

Simone looked at me and slammed the book shut. She threw it to the side and ran over to the door.

"Pancakes!" She jumped up and down.

"You have a lot of energy today young lady," I smiled.

Harry stood up and grabbed his jacket, "I remember how to get there, so I'll meet you there."

Then Simone started moaning.

"Riley can Harry come in our car?" She asked.

"How's he gonna get home afterwards?" I didn't know where he was staying. Or if he even had a place to stay.

She just frowned at me and started reaching for the door knob. I tucked some hair behind my ear and looked at Harry. I guess I could be friendly, he did pay for my car to get fixed that one time in high school.

"Would you like to ride with us?" I muttered.

His grin hadn't changed one bit.

"I'd love to, I'll drive," He walked to the door and opened, releasing Simone into the hallway.

"Wait hold on, who gave you permission to drive my car?" I asked, locking the door as I met them in the hallway.

Simone ran over to me and grabbed my hand as we walked.

"Riley I drove your car more than you did," Harry laughed.

"That was a long time ago," I snapped.

Simone turned back to look at Harry then up at me.

"Riley," she whispered loudly.

"Yes?" I replied as I pressed the elevator button.

She pulled me down to her level and grabbed both of my shoulders.

"Is Harry your boyfriend?"

That was a horrible whisper because Harry coughed behind us. Both of us whipped our heads back and glared at him. He raised his hands defensively as the elevator doors opened. The three of us stepped in and I contemplated how to answer.

"No he's not," I said.

Simone looked up at Harry, still confused obviously. Harry noticed, squatted down to her, and acted like he was going to whisper.

"I used to be," he said.

"Harry!" I snapped. I didn't want to have this conversation with Simone, she was just like Natalie when it came to boys, obsessive and annoying.

He just let out a small chuckle and stood up straight. Simone gasped loudly as we stepped out of the elevator.

"Riley did you like like him?!" She yelled.