Teenage Dirtbag

27

It was a bit windy out when I made it to my car after work. Prom was so close and everyone had already gotten their romantic dates. I was excited to see mine in the dress I'd bought.

The snow was almost gone, and I was slightly happy for it. I unlocked my car, opening the door. My eyes gazed down the street seeing Noel come out of the library. She was taken aback by the wind, covering her face to get to her car.

Right before she opened her car door, her eyes met mine. She gasped, turning away and getting into her car. I loved the way she got flustered when she was around me, how she can't handle looking at me for that matter. It brought excitement to the situation.

I smiled, biting my tongue as I hopped into my car. I sat there, gripping the wheel as I let my car heat up.

It didn't matter that we didn't speak anymore, we would always get flustered around each other. It didn't even matter if she didn't look at me, or I didn't hear her voice, I had it buzzing around my head, fresh in my mind.

I got home around eight o'clock, having spare time to do a few things I had always been procrastinating on. My old friend told me things that will help me with pain, and I hadn't been keeping up with it. I unlocked my drawer, grabbing my sketchbook I had gotten a while ago.

I skimmed through the pages, seeing all the peaceful drawings I had created with my mind.

One had Noel sitting on the bench, looking around as she held her dogs leash. The husky was huge, big enough to be a small horse. She loved it and thought of it as her bear pillow.

I hadn't seen it when I went to dinner at her house. I only assumed it was in a kennel or in someone's room.

Another had been my mum and her cat, dusty. She laid in the grass as Dusty sat on her stomach. It was nice out, a day where she could even get a tan. She loved to just lay in the grass with Dusty, watching the sky and gazing at her enormous garden.

I flipped to a blank page, a pencil in hand. I didn't know what to draw, but everything just lead to her.

I sketched and sketched, eventually closing the book and locking it up. My feet carried me out of my room, and out the door. I turned the car on, driving to the only place I know I can actually think.

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The coffee shop down the street from both bakery and library seemed more quiet than usual. I ordered my usual, taking a seat in the corner by myself. They had a little shelf that I liked to scan full of classic books.

The Great Gastby had caught my eyes, flipping to the first page. I was a reader that when I found the right book, I wouldn't miss a second not reading it.

I had heard giggles from behind me, making my head turn for the worst. Noel had walked in woth a guy by her side. I felt my muscles tense, turning back around. Too much laughing, too much happiness for me to be around, made me scram out of my seat, leaving a tip.

All I really wanted to do was have a cup of coffee, not listen to the girl I let go laugh with another boy.

I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, seeking Liam's number.

"Harry?" I hadn't communicated with them these last few weeks. It was a short conversation that was passed before we went off to our classes, or left for the day.

"No, Santa Claus."

"Well you can't really blame me, I haven't heard from you in a while lad?" I slammed my door shut, surprised it didn't shatter. I was starting to second guess this dress exchange for her. She must be over me that quickly? I was only doing the best for the both of us.

"I know.. I'm sorry, but am I able to hang out at your place for a while? Nothing is ever quite anymore.." I scratched my head, starting my car.

"Sure, come on over! My mum would actually be happy to see you." I chuckled, of course she would.

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"Karen I'm home!" Liam laughed, hearing her little footsteps stomp into the entry way.

"Harry!" I smiled walking to her as she went for a hug, I gave in, squeezing her tight. I heard another pair of footsteps coming in, it was Liam's dad.

"Harry, it's good to see you boy!" I smiled, patting his back as he did mine. "I know I haven't been around as much as I used to, but I guess the bakery has taken up my free time." Karen just wouldn't let go. Every chance she had to give me a hug, she took it.

"I missed you Harry, Liam thought you two weren't friends anymore!" I looked to Liam, he only shrugged. "Nah, only if he really makes me mad. But your lucky Karen, he hasn't even come close to it yet." She laughed, patting my shoulder.

"We'll be downstairs mum." I followed after Liam, waving at them as we passed through the living room, and down to the basement.

It was redone. The carpet was in, bathroom was finished, couches were installed. It looked great.

"What's wrong Harry? I know your not okay.." I sighed, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "Is it Noel?" I looked up at him, he already knew the answer and I didn't have to explain much to him.

"What happened?" How was I supposed to tell him this? Her dad hates me and I probably won't talk to her ever again? It wasn't that easy.

"Her dad almost shot me." He spit out his water he had in his hand.

"What?" He exclaimed.

"Yeah long story.." He sat down, looking at the area around himself.

"Does it look like I have anything going on?" I sighed, sitting on the sofa across from him. It was awkwardly comfy, I had to sit back against it.

"Well," This was going to take forever.