Pretty Boy

seventeen

"So, you have a shift tonight?" Khira asked me.

"Yeah." I whined. I didn't want to go, and the only reason I did want to is because I'm going to see Harry.

It was only early in the morning, so as we walked, I spent time rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand. I was shaken up still because of what happened last night. In my apartment.

"There's something on your mind." Khira concludes, just like she did at the Mentifoú Oriental the night she took me there. She can read me too well.

"How do you even know that?"

"I just do. What is it?"

"I just saw Harry again last night."

"And why is this new information to me?" She scoffs, playfully offended.

"Because I just saw him, on the road." I lied to her as best as I could. It was only a small lie. It didn't matter, right?

"Did he see you?" She curiously asked.

"Nope."

"Hm," she hummed, "alright then."

The awkward conversation ended much to my pleasure. I didn't want to mention the fact that he took me on a date, pushed me against a wall and whispered seductive things in my ear, things of which resulted in me having to close my legs before they buckled and collapsed underneath me.

I walked to my class and Khira turned the corner, walking to hers.

•••

I pressed the number five on the vending machine, and down dropped a bottle of water. I  bent down and collected it, standing back up.

I jumped a little when I turned around. Khira was right behind me.

"What?" She giggled.

"You startled me." I frowned.

"It's what I do best," she winked, walking around me to access the machine. I took the plastic off from around the cap, opening it and taking a long drink, only to be reminded of Harry.

Wow, bottled water reminds me of Harry. Sad.

"How were classes? Did Caden try anything?" She asked as she bent down to collect her bottled Coca Cola, opening it up and taking a drink, sighing in satisfaction afterwards.

"They were the same. Classes are classes. No, Caden wasn't in them today."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Maybe he's sick or something." I shrugged it off.

"You're probably right," she nodded.

"Why do you even care?" I genuinely curiously asked. I didn't want to sound rude.

"His parents are friends with mine, you know that." We walked outside for our study period, deciding to study out here instead of cooped up in the library.

"But why does it concern you personally?" I press.

"It doesn't. I was just wondering." She screwed and unscrewed the cap on the bottle in nervousness. There was obviously something she was not telling me.