My Best Friend's Brother |h.s|

ii.

"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do."

-Henry Ford

~*~

Josh and I lay next to each other in the grass as he tries to guess my favorite color, the both of us propped up on our elbows, facing each other.

"Orange?" He asks.

"God no."

"White?"

"No. Think hard."

He stops and looks up at the sky. He brings his eyes back to mine smiling.

"I give up," he says.

"Green," I say grinning. "A soft, dark green. Like the forest."

"Aw... You were suppose to be all cliche and say it was the color of my eyes."

I softly push his shoulders. He laughs and pulls my body closer to his.

"You eyes are a pretty blue color," I say. "What's yours?"

"Brown."

"Why?"

"Because your eyes remind me of chocolate."

"Or the Hudson River? Or dog poo?"

He laughs. "Gross."

"Which college are you going to?"

"I was thinking NYU but I got into University of Maryland."

"I'm going to NYU," I say grinning.

"I could be persuaded."

"Could you?"

"Yes."

"Okay, fine. How about I take you on a date?"

"No, that's not right. I should be asking you that question."

"Well, I'm not stereotypical."

"Still. I'm all about the clichés."

"Fine."

"So tonight at eight?"

"What should I wear?"

"Anything you want."

"Give me some hints."

"Surprise."

"I hate surprises."

He grins.

"Hi there guys."

I look up at the figure. Harry smirks. Josh stands up and then helps me up. It's a while before any of us talk. Josh wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close to his side. I smile as my cheeks warm.

"What, are you guys dating now?" He asks. His eyes flash something, a bit of hope and jealousy, but it disappears just as quickly making me doubt it was ever there.

"Something like that," I say. I look down at Josh's hand around my waist and then back up at Harry. "We are going on a date tonight."

"I hope you don't mind me dating her. If you do, I could drop her like a hot potato," Josh says teasingly.

"Hey," I mutter pushing him.

"I'm kidding. But seriously Harry, it's okay with you, right?"

Harry looks at me smiling. "You are happy, yeah?"

"Yes. I am happy," I say as Josh pulls me closer to his side.

"I don't have a problem."

That smile. I know that smile. His eyes. I know Harry more than he knows himself. Something grows within me. Guilt?

Why should I feel guilty? He's the one who screwed up. He's the one who wanted to hurt me.

"So how's Gemma?" I ask.

"She's great," he says.

Josh looks at me and I nod.

"Well, uh," he starts. "We have to be get going. Nice seeing you around Harry."

He nods and we walk away.

~*~

I walk into Bella's house the next day.

"Good morning!" I exclaim.

I enter the kitchen and ruffle her baby brother's hair. He smiles up at me. I notice a tooth coming in.

"Olly's got a new tooth," I say lifting him out of his high chair. He closes his eyes and giggles.

"Hey, Robin," I say smiling at Izzy's dad.

"Hi, Tori. Izzy's upstairs."

I set Olly back down and hurry up the stairs. I hear voices in her room. It's Harry and Izzy.

"Harry, get out of my room before I call your mom."

"I just want you to talk to her. School starts soon and I can't-"

Suddenly there's hushed whispers. I lean closer to the door and Harry laughs.

"Izzy, you're the best stepsister ever," he says.

I quickly back away from the door as Harry opens it. He grins as he sees me. He shakes his head and walks past me. I look into Izzy's room and she sits on the bed with her arms crossed over her chest. She smirks at me.

"Why were you trying to listen in on our conversation?"

"I was not."

"You're red face says otherwise."

I glare at her. "What did you tell him?"

She shrugs her shoulders and smiles at me, knowingly. "Nothing you would want me to say, but what he needed to hear." She stands up and places her hands on my shoulders. "So how was your date with Josh?"

"It was... Amazing," I say.

"I want to hear everything."