I watched as he lit a cigarette, held it between his lips, and squinted at the road.
"You should probably stay away from me." He said, without looking at me.
"And why's that?"
"Because I'm the guy your parents warned you about when you were litt...
As I sat here with him, for some reason I was hurt by seeing him sitting here so battered, turning from being so strong and brave into someone who was so vulnerable and just needed someone's shoulder to cry on. It wasn't that we were friends, or acquaintances, but I respected Harry because he was a human being. My best course of action was to help him. I cared just as much about this as he did.
His eyes are immediately drawn to mine after picking his head up. Was he upset because of something? Was it more situational than what I had imagined or was it due to the fact that he could get suspended?
The shirt collar was used to wipe his green eyes as he blew and inhaled. My hand rubbed his back. I could tell he was depressed. Again, I ask, "whats wrong?"
Before he started speaking to me, he stared into space for a moment. As he licked his lips, he smiled. "I--" He began, looking down at his hands. "fuck this school, fuck its rules, fuck its system, fuck my dad! He's a fucking dick!" he clenches his jaw. "jeff draw the last straw by threatening my friend Lou, so i had to make it known that he can fuck with me instead, i don't care." he huffs, voice lowering, almost like he was in defeat. "I hate today, I fucking hate it."
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"Is everything okay? With how Jeff looked you could get in trouble.."
"What's the dean gonna do? call my mum? Fuck, I don't care!" he looks at me with his glassy eyes, and a low sigh could be heard from his bruised lips. "I just don't care.."
"He looked pretty bad.." i shake my head. "and everyone was recording.."
he flashes me a look, then chuckles,"Well fuck me.. Then why are you chasing me instead of Jeff Harrington?" He frowns.
"I don't know.." I whisper.
"Then why don't you go back out there and find out."
Additionally, several students were gathered around him, hands over mouths while taking pictures. In my opinion, it was rude, and I felt bad for the guy.
His gaze was now concentrated on me, and he had shifted his weight so that he faced me. "could you make it to my party tonight?" he asked again.
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "on a Monday?"
"Monday Madness" he cackles. "You could tell your folks you're doing this group project, and its a get together.."
"Is there any special occassion?"
"It's just a party.. there will be tacos.."
The irony of the situation was evident to me as I sat here talking to Harry while just moments ago he had punched someone in the face.
Since the question was so random, I say, "I love tacos.".
"I'd love to have you at my party, if that's OK, or are you otherwise occupied?" he then pierced his lips.
I nod and say, "I'll give it some thought.".
"So, I ought to get going now. I'm surprised I'm not arrested." He laughs. "Which brings me to think about the other day when you cut me off." his question cut me off, causing my face to turn red and a smile plastered on my face, i replied..
"Well, two can play at that game."
"that was kind of bad ass of you to do that though." His eyes scan my face now. "I was impressed." I turn away from him.
I blushed at his suddenly unplanned words. "Thank you." I politely reply
As the dean walked out the door, I knew I had to get up. "I should get going before we get caught," he chuckles.
"You're totally right.." I lift myself up off the wall, and look at him.
"see you later then?"
"ill have to check if my parents will be out."
he smirks and walks in the opposite direction. In my absence, Harry walked towards the dean, who was now crossing his arms.
"What's going on?" the dean asked, probably addressing Harry directly. In the midst of Jeff's friends approaching me, I wasn't able to hear Harry's response.
the area was cleared, and there was only Jeff, and his friend tyler, they spotted me, Jeff taking long strides towards me, jaw clenched, asking me, "Where is he?"
I begin to panic as jeffs friend game behind him grabbing his arms. Angry, saying "Get off me, man!". His eyes are a bit dismayed as he points at me. "She ran off with him, don't ask her anything." He sighs. In spite of the fact that I never noticed him in school, I felt bad. "This is far from over. Tell him that."
"Chill out.." his friend growls, Jeff finally listening and wipe the leaking blood coming from his lip. he turns his back toward me, and they walk away.
