Artifice

Another Chance

I promise that they don't only fight.

"No you don't. You told me you didn't weeks ago." Flashbacks of the night we went iceskating and the Halloween party briefly played through my head.

"I've changed my mind, I like you Eva." My eyes widened at his confession.

"You're lying." I denied, I couldn't let him crawl under my skin again.

"I've known I liked you since the day we met Eva." He went to grab my arm but I pulled away.

"I waited a month." My voice sounded broken and low. "Were you ever going to show up ever again if it wasn't for me showing up here tonight?"

"Honestly, no." I felt my stomach drop a little more, if that was even possible."But seeing you again made me realize I didn't want to let you slip away."

"Did you know Lizzy was my roommate?" I asked and he shook his head. "Did Liam know we knew each other?" I didn't know why I couldn't wrap this coincidence around my head.

"No... Come back inside?"

"I rather not."

-

I turned off my phone after the first few texts that rolled in from Lizzy, I couldn't bare to deal with any more drama tonight.

She called me already asking if I was okay, or if I needed anything. I insisted everything was fine, that she could enjoy her night with Liam without worrying but she wouldn't budge.

When I got home I turned on the tv and made myself dinner. And by dinner I meant a plate of popcorn and M&Ms on the side, which I decided I'd work out off tomorrow or whenever I felt capable of getting off this couch.

I planned on spending the entire night laying down, trying to forget tonight's events. And it was working so far, Keeping Up With The Kardashians was on and I felt at ease seeing how chaotic their lives were compared to mine.

I didn't pay much attention to celebrities but I found that particular family quite extravagant and I secretly admired them. They comprised of very smart business women that could make millions off of lipsticks and clothing lines, nonetheless they were all beautiful. I personally would never wish to be them, I liked not being known and couldn't imagine having so much attention on me everyday.

Watching the tv and them argue over who would be on their animated app game, the noise of someone knocking at the door withdrew my attention.

Did I order take out?

"Coming!" I stuffed my mouth with the little popcorn that remained and lazily stood up.

I spotted my phone on the kitchen counter and I stopped walking, coming back to reality and realizing who could be behind that door.

I slowly approached the door and looked through the peephole, finding Harry waiting with his hands in his pockets and eyes wandering around.

Swear words escaped my mouth seeing him there.

"Why are you here?" I asked the door still between the two of us.

"You know why." Looking through the peep hole I could see the annoyance in his voice by his facial expression and I wanted to slap him even more.

"Listen," I swung the door open. "You lead me on, I liked you and I was willing to keep going even with how much of an asshole you were. You completely disappeared, like Casper the fucking friendly ghost for weeks! You can't expect me to coming running back to you!" I snapped.

Frankly I wish I had a secret camera somewhere to record his utter surprise. He stood at my door speechless, his jaw hanging low.

"We kissed and you said it meant nothing to you!" I yelled, letting out every ounce of anger I've held in since Halloween.

"Did it mean something to you?" He asked, his voice significantly lower than mine.

"Does it really matter?" I threw my hands up in the air, completely frustrated.

"Yes, did it mean something to you Evangeline?" He asked again, in a more authoritative tone.

"What do you want me to tell you, that I actually was beginning to like you? Because Harry yeah, yeah I liked you regardless of how much of a prick you were!" Harry stared at me with a blank expression.

"Give me another chance."

"You're joking?" I laughed.

"Not a bit."

"No."