I wake up drenched in cold sweat, my damp hair sticking to my forehead. Realising it was a dream I roll over onto my stomach and groan. I look over to my small alarm clock. The time read 2:43am. I get out of bed and make my way downstairs to get a glass of water. I gulp the water down very fast and refill my cup. As I make my way up the stairs the photon the wall of my Mom and I at the park catches my eye. She was beautiful. She had brown hair just like mine, but up to her shoulders in a bob instead of waves that reach half way down her back. She had bright blue eyes with slight crinkles in the corners. Her full pink lips outstretched into a cheesy grin. I was 12 when this photo was taken. 4 years ago. 5 days before she found out about the brain tumor that caused her to pass away.
I set it back on the cabinet and lay in my bed. I closed my eyes and before I knew it I was deep in sleep.
~~~
I sat in Drama class. Drama definitely was my favourite class. Everything about it was perfect; apart from the fact Harry was in my class of course. I especially loved monologues. I got lost in the words and could get my feelings out without showing it. However, the people in my class weren’t the same. They spent lessons mucking around, insulting me.
I felt something hit the back of my head. I turned around and saw a piece of paper on the floor. I picked it up and unfolded it. It read “Hey hun; could you please move your fat head out of the way? I can’t see the whiteboard.” I turned around and glared at Harry. But that only earned me snickers from him and his friends.
I could feel everyone getting rather bored; even the nerdy girls were snickering at a picture on the wall. But then our teacher; Mrs. Hamilton said something that made everybody sit up and pay attention.
“This term, you will be given a pairs assignment on studying the play Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. I will put you into pairs soon.”
I felt my heart drop to my ankles. I never liked these projects; I constantly got put with people who made me do all the work yet took credit for everything. She began to call out names, putting people into pairs.
“Stephanie Tovey and Harry Styles.”
My heart dropped even further down. I sighed in frustration and shook my head. I couldn’t believe this had happened. I just wanted to sink through the ground.
“You have 6 weeks to prepare a presentation to share with the class. And don’t forget, 60% of this task counts for your final grade at the end of the year. Now jump on it!” Mrs. Hamilton says cheerily. Everyone else started to move around the room to sit with their partners. I stayed where I was and turned to face Harry who was now making his way towards me. He dropped down onto the chair next to me. Then he tore a piece of paper off of his note pad and said huffily
“I know you don’t want to do this and believe me neither do I, but here is my address. Be there at 4:30 tonight so we can do this.”
I looked at him and gulped loudly. I nodded and then the bell went signaling the end of school. I put my books in my bag and practically sprinted out of class. I speed walked home and got changed out of my dreary maroon school uniform into a pair of black skinny jeans and a long sleeved white shirt. I grabbed a pear and my olive army jacket before driving to Harry’s house unsure of what to come when I was there alone.
~~~
As I pulled up in front of Harry’s house I took in my surroundings. His house was a nice size, quite big. It was wooden and painted a pale blue colour. There were shutters on the front window that were a cream colour. It was a cute house and I didn’t think someone like Harry would live there. I turned off my car and got out, the cold wind hitting my body and causing goosebumps almost immediately. I slam the car door closed and walk over to the white picket fence. I follow a narrow path up to a porch and as I am about to knock on the door it swings open from in front of me and a short girl with dyed black hair steps out into the cold.
