Chapter Four
Again, I was stunned by the aroma of food as we walked in the door. The table was set and food was being set along the table. I smiled at the sight. Claire looked over at me and returned the smile, until she caught sight of Harry and her expression immediately soured. I made a mental note to ask Cody what happened earlier.
“What took you guys so long?” Mitch asked. “Smith’s is right around the corner.”
I looked a Harry and he looked away. “It was closed.”
“No it’s not, I went there to get the bacon this morning.”
“I don’t like shopping at Smith’s.” Harry spoke.
“You refuse to go anywhere but Smith’s!” Mitch laughed.
“We went to go see Roger, okay?” Harry snapped.
Mitch looked between Harry and I before exchanging a quick look with Cody. Mitch then looked back at us and his head rolled back in laugher. I sat confused and Harry hung his head, seemingly embarrassed. Cody began laughing, too, and I could tell Claire was trying her best to hold in her chuckles.
“Let me get this straight, you drove almost twenty minutes out of the way to go get some orange juice?” Claire said when she steadied her breath.
“Looks like somebody wanted some alone time with Gen,” Mitch teased and blood rushed to my cheeks.
“Shut up,” Harry mumbled and sat at the table.
We all sat down and began to eat. Everyone was talking at once and even though that usually makes me uncomfortable, I felt an unfamiliar calm. Harry hadn’t spoken since we arrived and I wondered what was wrong with him, but decided not to question it. Claire, Mitch, and Cody took turns asking me questions and forcing answers out of me, even if I was mortified by the answer.
When we finished eating, Claire and I cleared the table and did the dishes together. Claire continued to ask me questions and I continued to answer. I couldn’t help but feel guilty. I had disliked this girl I didn’t even know, simply because I thought she had a thing with Harry. I didn’t even know Harry, I didn’t even know her. It was rather childish of me.
“Hey, are you about ready to go?” Cody asked. He was wearing a white tee-shirt that looked almost too big for him with the sleeves rolled slightly. He had on another pair of light wash jean shorts that were also cuffed and finished the outfit with a pair of white vans. The smile on his face was radiant, as well as contagious, because his sight caused Claire and myself to smile.
“Yes, let me change really fast.”
I ran to my room and slipped on a red dress with a floral print and some white sandals before running a comb through my red hair, letting it flow down my back.
I left my room and Cody was leaning against the door talking to Mitch and Harry. Mitch looked at me first.
“What are you wearing?”
“A dress?” I said as more of a question.
“A very short dress,” Mitch said.
“Hardly!” I defended, looking at my dress that ended an inch or two above my knee.
“It definitely is,” Harry spoke. He looked almost mad, with the same protectiveness in his eyes as Mitch. I rolled my eyes and continued walking towards the door.
“Let’s go, Cody.”
“Where are yow two going?” Harry asked.
“Stacy’s,” I answered.
