Only We Know

Chapter Nine - 'Date'

A week later, I was still trying to avoid Harry. I hadn't said a word to him since he went out with Elle. He had texted me countless times since then but I just didn't want to deal with it. If she wants him that bad, she can just have him. I'd managed to convince my mother I was sick for a couple of days and the other ones, I just sat in the library at lunch or stared at the ground for the entire English period. 

This morning, I woke up to my phone buzzing like crazy. I look over at my clock which reads seven fifty. I roll over and sleepily close my eyes, the time not registering in my brain until a second later when my eyes shoot open and I realize I am going to be late for class. I hop out of bed and run to my closet, throwing on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I pull my hair into a tight bun and grab my backpack, rushing down the stairs.

I quickly put on a jacket and shoes and bolt out the door, running down the street as fast as I can, already knowing I'm not going to make it in to the school before the first bell rings. When I arrive at the building, I pull open the large door and run to my locker, shoving my things inside and just grabbing a pen and notebook before dashing to the Ancient History room. When I get there, Mrs. Kavanaugh's back is turned and I quickly sneak over to my desk, ignoring the giggles from various people, including Delaney. 

"What is so funny?" She asks and then looks at me "When did you get here Kaelea?"

"I've been sitting here the whole time" I lie

"Hm, Ill have to change the attendance then. I could've swore your seat was empty" She says and quickly makes a note "Anyway, who can tell me what Ancient History is?"

I watch as a jock in the corner raises his hand and she points to him. He looks down at his lap, where his phone is sitting, and reads;

"Ancient History is the aggregate of past events from the beginning of recorded human history to the Early Middle Ages or the Postclassical Era. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, with Sumerian Cuneiform script, the oldest discovered form of coherent writing from the protoliterate period around the 30th century."

"That's correct, Jones. May I ask what great and credible source you just read that from?"

"Wikipedia" He announces proudly, causing the class to erupt in laughter and Mrs. Kavanaugh to shake her head.

She continues on with the lesson and by the time the bell rings, we have an essay that is due next week. I smile at Delaney as I walk out the door and head to math class. I walk in and notice that Emma is absent. I wait, but she never comes. I put my elbow on the desk and rest my head while Mr. Reek begins to talk about algebra. I copy down the note from the board and start my homework like every other class. Before the bell rings, Im trying to decide if I should head to the library for lunch again or if I should just face Harry today, and I decide to go with option two. I can't really hide forever.

When I arrive at my locker, I see Emma waiting for me and I smile and then frown, slightly confused.

"Where were you?" I ask, and go to grab my lunch only to realize I didn't pack one, so I shut my locker.

"I ditched" She grins and I shake my head as we make our way to the cafeteria.

We go to our table and I sit down, careful to avoid Harry's gaze. I stare down at my fingers while everyone eats and talks, listening in on the conversation. Harry doesn't say a word and I have a feeling he is waiting for me to say something first. I notice something move out of the corner of my eye and I peak a little to see one of Harry's large hands slide a piece of paper over to me. I can't help but grin as I open it and read the messy writing.

Why have you been avoiding me?

I blush and turn the paper over, writing my response. I slide it back to him and look up to watch him read it. As he does a small smile spreads across his face. 

"Normally, that would be an insult" He says, his tone softer than usual

"It was supposed to be" I tease

"I wanted to drive you home that night, Lea" He whispers a bit more seriously, leaning in a little bit so he is at eye level with me.

"Well someone else needed you" I mumble and look back down at my hands, blushing

"Thats why you're upset? Because I went out with Elle?"

"No" I reply too quickly

"It was boring, you know. There is no need to be jealous"

"I am not jealous" I say a little too harshly

"She is trivial to me" He murmurs and I look up again "Come walk with me"

"Okay" I breathe and get up, quickly following his large strides in to the hall.

We walk to my locker in silence and when we arrive, I hide as much of myself as I possible can in it. I just need to calm down. She doesn't mean anything to him. He seemed really concerned, maybe he likes me too. I shake my head, I don't want to get ahead of myself. Maybe he just wants to be friends, that would be okay. Wouldn't it? I sigh and grab my things before shutting my locker and returning to his side so we can walk. When we get to his lockers he grabs his things quickly and then leans against it, just like he did last time we talked, which seems like ages ago. 

"You're still upset" He observes 

"Im not upset" I grumble and then sigh "Im sorry, okay. She just really gets to me and we have a past and I just don't want to get in to it. It was just easier to do that"

"Easier for who? You or her?" He questions and I look in to his eyes "Because It didn't make my life any easier when you ignored me. I don't like her like that, Lea. I just didn't want to be rude. I wasn't trying to upset you"

"I know" I say and a smile forces itself across my lips

"Good" He says and relaxes a little "Now, can we make up for the lost time and do something tonight?"

Did he just ask me to hang out?

"Ill have to ask. What were you thinking?"

"Would you like to go to the movies? I could ask everyone else to go too" He offers

"Ill ask my mom. Are we just going to go straight there or are you picking me up later?" I ask and then realize I just demanded he pick me up "I mean, you don't have to pick me up, of course. I can get a ride there or meet you somewhere"

"We could hang out before, just the two of us" He says and my heart jumps "And I want to drive you. I mean, we can go together since we will be together anyway"

"We could go to my house" I say

"Sounds good" He says, and I am rewarded with the most breathtaking smile that makes my legs feel like jello "Now, we need to go to English or we will be late"

We walk to English together silently, but he stays close to me. We take our seats when we arrive and I pull out my phone to text my mom.

May I go to the movies tonight with my friends? And can Harry come over before and hangout for a little bit?

When I look back up, Delaney is sitting next to me and I smile at her.

"Want to go to the movies tonight?" I ask "And can you text Emma and Xavier too and ask them?"

"Sure" She smiles and takes out her phone, texting Emma and Xavier

I feel my phone buzz and I look down

You can go. You know your curfew. Harry can come over after school, but you're not allowed to go upstairs at all.

Okay, thanks.

I look over to Harry, who is already looking at me, and smile. He gives me a thumbs up and turns his body towards the board as the lesson starts. The class seems to fly by, and the next thing I know the bell rings. I gather my things and run to my locker before going to the change room and getting ready for gym. We continue our last day of fitness testing and I hold back my laughter as I listen to Elle talk about her 'date' with Harry. When gym finishes, I hand in my papers to the teacher and dart to the change room, trying to look more presentable than usual, but only achieving so much as I am wearing sweatpants. When I exit the room, I grin at the black converse I see. Harry is once again waiting for me outside the door, and when he looks up from his phone and sees me, I can tell he is happy to see me too.