Unpredictable Love

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Karleigh's POV

The reflection before me is slight pleasing, and I mentally thank myself for buying this outfit. After slipping on a white gypsy top that exposes my shoulders, I rampaged through my closet in search of shorts. No shorts were to be found, but I came across my old sheer, scarlet maxi skirt that has a long slit up the front to show off on of my legs. The skirt has a lovely flow to it and the way the shirt exposes a barely visible sliver of my midriff, really goes great together.

I apply some red lipstick to match my outfit and compliment my fair skin. As for my hair, I didn't really feel like putting in much effort so I did a sloppy fishtail braid. Hopefully, this is decent enough for Aunt Jocelyn's liking, this is her company after all.

"Karleigh!!" Aunt Jocelyn calls from downstairs, just after the doorbell rings and I know that Anne is here. I don't bother responding to Aunt Jocelyn, and I don't rush into the dining room. Slowly, I continue to finish up and from the living room I can hear people talking. One last time, I check the mirror and prepare to deal with Aunt Jocelyn's unwanted company.

I pad into the living room, and I can see a small huddle of people. Anne and her husband? Fiancé? Whoever he is, smile over at me and I make my way over to greet them, bile rising in my throat that the thought. To the left, Aunt Jocelyn is hugging a young man whom I'm assuming is Anne's son.

"You look beautiful, honey." Anne compliments and she throws her arms around me in a welcoming embrace. My arms don't hug her back, and I awkwardly stand there until she drops her arms.

"Karleigh, this is my husband, Robin," she tells me and I smile at the older man. "And this is my son, Harry." Anne adds.

My head snaps up and just my fucking luck, Harry is standing before me. He gives an uncomfortable wave, but I can't move. I'm frozen, dumbstruck and nobody is saying anything. For a moment, I think I hear Aunt Jocelyn giggle, but I'm not sure. Harry scratches the back of his neck and opens his mouth to say something, but quickly shuts it.

"Um, hi... I'm Karleigh." I say, mainly out of expectation. Harry continues to stare at me blankly, and chuckles at my introduction. I force my eyes away from him and follow Aunt Jocelyn into the dining room. Everybody takes their seats, and I sit as far away from Harry that I possibly can.

Holy shit. His mom, almost gave me a ticket. My head is spinning, and it can't take my eyes off of my plate that Aunt Jocelyn has set in front of me. Suddenly, it doesn't look as appetizing as I had imagined.

"So Karleigh, what are your plans for college?" Robin, Harry's step father asks and I scramble to gather my thoughts.

"Uh? I'm not quite sure yet." I mumble and everyone's eyes are on me.

"What she means to say is, she's unsure of whether or not she's going to college here or in Atlanta." Aunt Jocelyn justifies for me and I shoot her a thankful expression.

Dinner continues on as usual, everyone is joking with the exception of me. I'm not really sure what the topic of their discussion currently is, but I really don't care. All I care about is getting out of this room, going somewhere where the walls aren't caving in on me. Somewhere, where Harry's eyes aren't watching my every movement.

I dare to look up from my plate, and glance around. Nobody seems to notice my observing eyes, but Harry turns away from their discussion and meets my gaze. Neither of us say a word, his green eyes piercing through mine.

I drag my eyes back down to my plate and I can hear Harry sigh. It was a bad idea for me to look around anyways, I'm stupid.

Everyone begins lifting up their plates and trailing to the kitchen with them, placing them into the sink.

"Thank you so much for the dinner, Jocelyn." Anne says to my aunt with a warm smile.

Both Anne and Robin embrace Aunt Jocelyn, Harry's nowhere to be found. Relief fills me at the absence of Harry, the pressure is slowly fading.

"I'll walk you out." Aunt Jocelyn tells them, and I realize Harry must've exited the house, probably to get away from me.

As they all walk out the front door, I take that as my que that dinner is officially over with. I walk back to my room, not bothering to shut the door all the way. From the bathroom I hear the sink water running, and I remind myself to scold Aunt Jocelyn when she gets out.

Clearly she knew Harry was Anne's son, that's obviously why she invited them over to our house for dinner. I'm just shocked Harry actually came along.

An uncomfortable feeling is coming from my scalp, and I'm sure it's from my braid. Threading my fingers through the hair tie at the bottom of my braid, I undo the fishtail. I massage my fingers through my hair and it falls down into loose waves. Thoughts of Harry's face from dinner flow into my mind, and I grip the edge of my dresser for support.

"What's wrong with me?" I mutter to myself.

"I've been asking myself that same question a lot these last few days..." A deep, husky voice says and I gasp and spin around.

Harry is standing in my doorway staring at me with a torn expression on his face. Unsure of what to say, I remain silent and concentrate on taking even breaths.

"Talk to me Karls." His voice is begging, and I cannot take it. I shake my head and stare at the ground.

"Please?" He pleads, "Please, talk to me?" He whispers and my heart throbs.

"I don't know what you want me to say." I confess and I can see his heart sink.

"Anything."

"Harry, for your own sake, I think you should go..." My words come out shaky and once again, I can't bring myself to look at Harry.

He stands in my doorway for a moment longer, my words seeping into his brain as I turn my back on him. I don't turn to see him leave, but I listen to his feet pad down the hallway.