2:56 :: h.s

quarante sept

13:02

School let out early today and I just got home.
It's hotter than Hell today.
I put a pair of jean shorts and a loose shirt on as soon as I walked into my room.
My hair has grown a bit, so I put a bandana around my head to get it out of my face.

I walk into the kitchen and see that there is nothing to eat.
I mean, yeah there is a ton of food but nothing that interests me.

I throw on a pair of tennis shoes and find my keys.
I close the front door behind me and begin walking to my car.

"Boo!" I hear from behind me.

I jump back as I spin around and see Rae with a huge smile on her face.

"You look like you just saw a ghost!" She teases.

I throw my head back and laugh.

Her nose scrunches up as a giggle escapes her lips. "You look adorable."

"Excuse me?" I furrow my brow and continue walking to my car.

She climbs in the backseat as I get in the front, "I like your cute little jorts, all rolled up. And your little headband, how it's all patriotic and stuff. And I like how that shirt looks on you."

I put the key in the ignition and back out of the driveway, "you've officially made me never want to wear this again."

"Oh, come on! It looks good! I think the highlighter yellow shoes really pull the look together."

I stop at the end of the street. "If you make one more comment about my clothing choices, I will throw you out of my car."

She laughs and it's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. "You look good, though! Why would you kick me out if I was telling you that you looked good?"

I glare at her in the rear-view mirror.

Her pout grows into a smile. "I love you," she says sweetly.

"Yeah," I continue driving and look at her again. A frown has taken over her smile. "I love you," I say.

And the pearly whites shine again.

::

14:06

"How's the water?" Rae asks from the bank.

I stopped by Panera and grabbed something quick to eat in the car because Rae was practically on her hands and knees, begging me that we go to the river.

"Not bad, actually," I reply.

I lied.
It's freezing.
The hair on my legs is sticking straight out and goosebumps cover the rest of my body.

She cocks an eyebrow at me, "are you lying to me, Styles?"

A smile breaks out across my face and she starts laughing.

"You're a horrible liar."

I laugh, "I know. This one time, I tried to tell my mom that I didn't sneak out. Two hours later I walked downstairs, and she asked me again, and I came clean. I mean, I didn't actually tell her, my face turned bright red and she told me I was grounded."

"You're face didn't even turn red, I can see your arms wrapped around yourself under the water," she points out.

I look down and sure enough, the water is clear as day.

"Shut up and get in," I roll my eyes.

She shakes her head.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm scared."

I give her a quizzical expression, "why would you be scared? You can't drown."

She shrugs, "yeah, but I don't want to get in because I'll just be disappointed. And I'm tired of being disappointed."

She picks at the grass under her bare feet and watches it fall from her fingers.

"Think of it this way," I start, "the water is freezing, and so are you. That way, when you get in the water, it's the perfect temperature and you don't have to sit in here to get used to it like I had to."

She thinks for a moment, her eyes watching me walk over to the edge of where she its.

"I don't have a swimsuit," she states.

"Are you saying that you don't wear underwear?"

"No! I have underwear on, it's just . . . awkward."

I glare at her, "I'm literally in here wearing boxers."

"But you don't have anything for me to change into back at your place."

"Go commando," I suggest.

"Harry, I'm not getting in."

"How are we supposed to swim in the summer when you won't even swim with me now?" I throw my arms in the air then splash them against the water like a child.

She shrugs then looks up, "we'll figure it out. I think today was just poorly planned."

My jaw drops, "You were the one who wanted to come here!"

She laughs, "and you're the one who took me."

I don't even have a comeback because I know she's right.

I climb out of the freezing water and put shorts on.
The sun beats down on my skin and makes the wind a little less noticeable.

Rae stands up from where she sits and stands next to me as I put my shoes on.
She does the same and we begin walking back to my house.

The birds chirp as we pass by the trees and butterflies flutter across the flowers.
Rae laces her fingers through mine and stands on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek.

"Thank you for taking me around with you, today." She says sweetly.

I shrug, "it's no big deal. I actually had fun, ya know, by myself."

She laughs loudly and nudges my arm, "shut up."

I throw my shirt on as we walk further along.
The leaves block out the sun and Rae standing so close is making it colder than before.
After I adjust my shirt on my shoulders, I reach for Rae's hand but she pulls it away.
She has a sad look on her face.
Her shoulders slump forward and her arms are crossed over her chest.

I give her a confused look.

"I'm sorry."