H&M

Chapter 8

"And you be the reason, I'll be the rhyme. We've both got way too much ahead to worry 'bout what we've left behind. "

Maya • • •

I woke up Sunday morning to Sara's low grumbling.

"I got a really bad headache." Sara said from her side, barely audible. She decided  to party again Saturday night while I decided it was best to stay in and watch Netflix on her laptop.

"How much did you drink last night?" I asked

"Not too much." She grumbled

"Do you want to get breakfast after showering?" I asked her. I'd been dying to see the cafeteria.

"Sure.." She hesitated before sitting up on her bed. "Let's head to the showers together."

We both grabbed our belongings before heading out the door.

The elevator occupied only Sara and I.

The corridor was filled with life. Frats threw foam footballs overhead, some watched television while others engaged in conversation.

We made a right into the showers. The atmosphere was steamy and not just because there were probably 100 naked bodies in the coed showers.

Sara and I chose showers relatively close to each other. I closed the curtain before I slipped off my clothing and let the steamy water caress my body. I couldn't remember the last time my home had hot water.

I felt all of the last few months slip freely from my body.

Micah isn't dead, he's more alive than we'll ever be.

Mom isn't dead, she's more alive than we'll ever be.

Daddy isn't dead, he's more alive than we'll ever be.

Tears stung my eyes but I couldn't let myself cry in a public shower. After taking a few deep breaths I reluctantly shut off the hot water and wrapped the large blue-gray towel around my body. After grabbing my belongings I slipped out of the shower and headed to my room.

"Maya." I heard a disembodied voice call from a distance.

I turned to meet Harry's green eyes. His perfect body leaned against the wall with a white towel lazily wrapped around his hips, just low enough to show his deep v-lines.

I couldn't imagine him having any more tattoos, but I couldn't be more wrong.

I admired the large butterfly that lay just beneath his pectoral muscles. Two large swallows captured my interest next, they faced each other just beneath his collarbone. I wanted to know the story behind them. It took all my strength not to reach out and touch him.

"Hey, Harry." I smiled at him after objectifying his body.

He ran his fingers through his wet hair, showing off his toned arms.

How did he manage to make me feel so helpless just by moving?

"I was wondering if you wanted to.." Harry began.

"I had a great time Friday night." A tall blonde said before she put her hand on his shoulder and kissed it.

I shifted uncomfortably as she walked past us with a satisfied smirk.

What did she mean? He was with me Friday night.

"Are Friday nights always this eventful for you?" I laughed, trying not to sound hurt. Why did I feel that way? We barely knew each other.

He took a shallow breath, not offering an explanation. "As I was saying, would you like to grab breakfast?"

I was tempted to say yes, very tempted. Should I let his little rendezvous with Elsa the Ice Queen slide?

"Sara and I are already having breakfast, but you can join us if you'd like."

"Oh." He paused. "Sure, I'll meet you at your dorm in about half an hour."

"Sounds good." I winked playfully before I left.

When I walk into the room, Sara was already half dressed.

"Did I really take that long in the shower?" I asked her.

"Not really." She said squeezing into her jeans. "I'm just more of an in and out type of girl."

I nodded slowly, "Harry's joining us for breakfast... I hope you don't mind." I said before putting my things on the bed and drying myself. I didn't know how to tell her I didn't want her to look.

"Harry?" She asked curiously. "Junior, Harry?"

"Maybe." I said. "He never told me. Why?"

"He's.." She paused before pursing her lips. She searched for the right word. "Known."

"What do you mean?" I asked while walking to the sleek black wardrobe that occupied my side of the room. I settled on a short black romper, Harry seemed to like black.

(Omg that wasn't supposed to be a race joke)

She ignored my question, probably for the best.

After slipping on my undergarments, I wiggled into my romper. I checked myself out in the long mirror that Sara bought from home

"You look hot." Sara assured me.

"Thank you." I smiled at her. "You do, too."

I admired outfit. She wore a simple gray sweater with black jeans. I wish I looked that good without trying.

"I stole this outfit from my sisters closet before I left." She informed me as I moisturized my skin with cocoa butter.

I laughed at her confession.

Sitting in front of the mirror, I applied full coverage foundation before doing a quick eyeliner and adding mascara to my lashes.

"Harry's at the door." Sara informed me. I tried to ignore the leap in my chest. I stood, opening the door for him.

"You look gorgeous." His deep voice told me. His words only worsened my heart rate. He wore his usual attire, but managed to make it look brand new.

"Thank you." I fluttered my lashes, smiling. If I were white, I'd be blushing.

" So you keep the beat, we'll stay on time and fill the pages with just how both our worlds collide, when I'm left in your eyes." -Go Radio (Collide)