The Fast Lane

Chapter 25

Nervous wreck. If I could have called myself anything that morning it would have been a nervous wreck. I put on and took off my makeup seven or eight times because each time, I would put too much and my complexion would look orange and then I would put too little and it would be blotchy. Having forgotten to pick out an outfit the night before, I stared into my closet at the thousands of shirts and dresses I had, getting angry because nothing was good enough for today. In only my bra and underwear, I threw open the door to my room.

"Harry!!"

Across the hall from Ellie’s room, Caleb called out. “Alright Tris?” He opened the door, standing in nothing but his bright yellow boxers. Harry emerged at the top of the stairs between the two rooms and looked from me to Caleb.

"What the hell?" He glared at Caleb who simply shrugged and closed his door. Harry looked back at me.

"What is it Love?" He hugged me, forcing me up into his arms and carrying me back into my room.

When he finally let me down, I looked up at him and pointed to my closet. “My life would be so much easier right now if you could pick out an outfit for me.”

Harry laughed and kissed me on the forehead. He walked around behind me and put his chin on the top of my head as he and I both stared again into my closet.

"How about…" He reached around me to grab a plain black v-neck and 

Some black skinny jeans. “This?”

I looked for a minute and then smiled at him. I put on the jeans and the shirt, and finally one of my black converse and my boot. I looked in the mirror hanging on the back of my door. Harry came and stood next to me. I laughed when I saw us together; Harry was wearing a black long sleeved shirt and black jeans.

"You did that on purpose," I said, smiling up at him in the mirror.

"Of course." He winked. "You’re missing one thing though…" He took the black snapback from off his head and put it on my own. I laughed and adjusted it, and turning to Harry, stood on my toes and kissed his nose.

We walked down the stairs holding hands. Caleb and Joel were waiting on us in the living room. Harry nudged me and I giggled as I noticed that they, too, were wearing all black.

"Well don’t we just look fancy?" Joel laughed, looking all around at Harry, Caleb, and myself. He held out a black beanie to Harry, which Harry used to pull back his bangs. I couldn’t help but stare up at him and grin. The little bit of stubble around his chin and jaw made him look so sophisticated and the black just made him look downright sexy. I felt my cheeks flush when I noticed Joel and Caleb grinning at me with their eyebrows raised.

"Oh Harry, You look so handsome!"

"Oh Harry, you’re just too hot!"

"Oh Harry, you sexy beast!"

They took turns making fun of me. I laughed, even as Harry punched both of them. “Stop it, you two. I hired you to protect us and help us out, not make fun of my girl.”

"Aww did he just pull the boss card?" Caleb crossed his arms.

"He pulled the boss card. He pulled it," Joel said as he shook his head sarcastically and held out his keys to Harry. Harry tossed him the keys to his black car and called after the boys as they walked out.

"Remember, middle-aged guy, probably trying not to look too suspicious, potentially rich-looking…"

"We got it, we got it!" Caleb yelled as he dropped into the front seat of Harry’s car. "We’ll see you at the starting line."