Operation: Good Girl // Horan // Discontinued

Chapter Three

~ARI~

I got up from bed and felt something wet on my cheek. Drool! Eew! I ran my hand through my hair. Wait, if my eyes are still sleepy, my hair is messy and there’s drool on my cheek…Then…Did I fall asleep?!

“Ugh! I can’t believe I fell asleep…” I said, face-palming myself. Well, who wouldn’t? I needed to get Pi a gift before her school ends. I checked my IPhone, 1:38. I gotta get going!

Then I felt something vibrate. “HAY GURL HAY!” I read Em’s text. Hey! Go to Nandos’ for lunch, yeah? My treat. Pi got As again. I texted back.

I knew she would have a hard time replying – she probably had an hour to text me the first message – the girl doesn’t even know how to use the space bar! But mind you, she’s smart.

I jumped in the shower after waiting for her to text back for about…thirty minutes.

I know it’s hard to believe but even if we lived underground, we had indoor plumbing. It’s pretty amazing if you think about it.

After showering, I put on the best clothing to act like a boy. Then the old, rusted radio I found in the dumpster a few days ago started to play Beyonce’s ‘If I were a Boy’. Big thumbs up!

I got two baggy button-downs with a large scarf while singing “IF I WERE A BOY!!! I THINK I COULD UNDER STAND!!! Oh my god! Sh**! I almost died! I SWEAR I’LL BE A BETTER MAN!!!” I slipped; you can’t blame me for cursing.

And last touch!  I put on my old best friend, Zayn’s orange hoodie. Ahh!!! It still smells like him.

I can’t believe he joined a boy band. He should’ve gone solo when he could. Not that I hate his band, they’re actually pretty good. But I hate the idea that they’re changing him. And how did they do that?

1.       He NEVER like coffee!

2.       He did like tattoos, but he’d never get THAT much

3.       He HATES water! Why shoot their videos near bodies of it?

I sighed. No use trying to hate it, anyway. I looked at the full view mirror. Something’s missing…Ah! The hair. I pin it up and stuff it in a baseball cap. One thing Jess taught me is to make you look like a man. Because no one suspects a girl of stealing.

Okay, I know I felt bad about me stealing again at first, but maybe I overreacted. I mean, it isn’t THAT big. And – not counting the phones and bags I snatch – it’s my first steal in years.

I walk outside and after five minutes, THAR SHE IS! The music store!   Casual walk, casual walk, I kept reminding myself. Wait, I can’t do my casual walk! I’m acting like a guy! How do guys walk, anyways?

Okay, I got it. Shift my weight on my right leg, bop a bit, fling my arms a little, Shift weight on the other leg, repeat. I can do this. Shift, bop, fling, shift. Shift, bop, fling, shift.

Finally! The albums! There’s Miley Cyrus, Emblem 3, Maroon 5, and The Wanted. The Wanted, where have I heard THAT before? PI! I heard her mention that band before, something about a twitter fight. And how she said fighting is stupid. And the government is stupid. And how people are stupid because they blame everything on the governments.

Yep, she’s a rebel at heart.

While I think life is a challenge. And I love challenges. It always gives me something to do, you know? Like sneaking in Derby football games or sneaking into Bieber’s concert.

And back to reality! I got to the albums without anyone looking at me like I’m crazy. Okay, so there were a couple of guys who looked confused at me.

I think Pi likes The Wanted, so I snatch one of their albums, another album from Pink. I pretend to look at TW’s album and slowly switch it with Pink.

“That won’t do you much good, love.” I heard someone in front say to me. I almost gasped. Did he catch me?  Does he know I’m not a guy? I think I kept my head low enough.

Using my best man voice, I replied to him “Whatcha talking ‘bout, mate?”

If I could right now, I’d beat myself up. That was the worst thing I have ever pulled off!!!  Wait; is that idiot stupid enough to believe I am a guy?

“First of all, there’s a monitor behind you,” he said, his accent getting more and more familiar. I looked behind me and he was right. There was a monitor window behind me. This idiot’s already figured me out. Might as well use my real voice.

“Why do you care?” I snapped, gritting my teeth so hard I can actually feel them vibrating. He shouldn’t care; it’s not him getting in trouble if I get caught. He’s just interfering! I should just get out of here! I’ve got the album anyways, I’ve already replaced it. I should just go!

I make a move towards the door and he catches my arm tightly, making me wince. I shouldn’t wince! It makes me look weak! Which I’m not, just to be clear.

“I care because…” He paused, realizing his deep, dark voice was scaring me. Which it did. He started again, this time more softly, “I care because The Wanted is just…ugh. Some of their songs are good and some are just…Meh. Come on, I wanna teach you a little something about choosing music.”

“I think I’m fine, thanks. This is for my sister anyways.” I tried to deny his offer, but the idiot’s just too darn stubborn.

“First, you start with Big Time Rush. Then after listening to them, you go to Taylor Swift. Then after her, you get to listen to Little Mix, I swear, you’ll love them! Then you move to Demi Lovato and Ed Sheeran. And when you’re ready for the total big leagues, I may let you slip to One Direction. Come on, I’ll pay these for you.”

“WHAT?! NO WAY AM I LETTING AN ARROGANT TWAT LIKE YOU GIVE ME SOME DAMN MONEY!!!!” I shout in his face.

“Is that so….Ari?”

I look at him, puzzled. I still can’t see his face, though. The hood of Zayn’s hoodie was blocking my view.

I pull off the hood, seeing a guy with amazing eyes, a black quiff with one blonde streak on the side. Perfect cheekbones. Oh, stop me before I swoon!

Then it hit me.

“Miss me, Jenner?” he asked. “DAMN YOU, MALIK!! You could’ve just told me!!” I laughed, hugging him tightly. “Wow! Gloucester Good Girl using big words!” He teased.

I almost winced until I realized he didn’t know anything about the divorce or me being a street rat. I just shot him a fake smile – something I mastered since I was a kid – and slap him on the arm playfully.

We talked nonstop! Stopping at parks, shops. “So…Ari, any boys since I left?” he asked me “Well, yeah. You know Henry, which went for some gay guy who pays him to sleep with him after you became famous, then…” I choked.

“There was another. You know, Ty. One of my friends. He swore we would be…I don’t know, forever. At first, I wouldn’t believe him, of course. And he was puzzled, but he didn’t push me. ‘Forever’ was about four months. When I finally realized I could be with him seriously, I found him at his house, having sex with five girls. I didn’t even know it was possible!” I laughed nervously.

I didn’t want to tell him the rest. To tell him that after Ty left me broken-hearted, I’ve fallen for another guy. To tell him I’ve fallen for my old best friend. Zayn Malik.

I swallowed the huge lump that formed in my throat and tried to brighten the mood. “I sounded ridiculous! How ‘bout DJ Malik? Any girls?” I asked.

“Oh! Yeah! About that. Me and Perrie broke up a year ago and we’re still friends. But I have a new girl, and she’s the most amazing person you’ll ever meet! I think I’m in love with her, Ari.”

Another girl?!