Chapter Four
Rivals
My legs were so exhausted. I can already see myself waking up tomorrow morning barely able to walk due to the soreness that my thighs contained. I've been running all day as if my life depended on it. It was a reminder of why I never considered cross country although many coaches from my middle school up to now always recommended me to run because I had long legs.
After school I decided to grab a bite at the local diner near my house. It was a typical day in Chicago to the others around me but I, on the other hand, disagreed. My head was hurting so much. I truly was over analyzing my day and I couldn't stop myself. I tried thinking of other things to think about but everything around me reminded me of the exact same thing I was trying to distract myself from in the first place.
Although I was hungry, I couldn't eat anything. Just seeing the things the strangers around me ordered made me nauseous. I felt a weird feeling deep inside. The type of feeling you get when you're involved in irrelevant drama and you know that at this very moment there is nothing you can do about it.
"You're not going to order anything?" a worker asked me as he was cleaning the table in front of me. He had his sleeves rolled up reveling a few tattoos. I took notice of how his muscles flexed as he would work his arm in circular motions while his free hand grasped the edge of the table.
"No, maybe in a few minutes. I'm not feeling well." I replied honestly. I looked out the window and noticed a few freshmen walking on the sidewalk opposite to where the diner was located. I took notice on how carefree and happy they were. It reminded me of freshmen year and all the great times I had.
The worker directed his arm across his head, removing any sweat that was there. He made sure that his hands weren't anywhere near his face since they were contaminated with cleaning chemicals.
"Well if you need anything just let me know." he flashed me a smile and proceeded on cleaning the other tables. I nodded and pulled out the flyer I had stuffed in my book bag earlier today. I placed it on the table and tried smoothening out the wrinkles the paper had. I examined the flyer closely and started to imagine myself at the dance and all the things that could possibly occur if I do decide on going.
"Oh so you go to Montgomery High?" the worker asked me. He had a basket of dirty dishes resting on his side.
"Excuse me?" I asked. I gave him a blank expression.
"The flyer," he said while pointing to the paper in front of me, "you go to Montgomery High right?" he asked once more.
"Yes? Why do you ask?" His face expression changed the moment I confirmed I did in fact attend Montgomery High School.
"I go to Monroe High." he stated. I scrunched my nose as he said Monroe and I realized why he made a weird face expression a few seconds ago. We attended each other's rival schools. Although our school principals were 'close friends' the students from both Montgomery and Monroe had different opinions about the schools and our relationship to one another. Everyone who lives near this end of Chicago knows for a fact that the two M's don't get along at all.
"Sucks, I was really considering you to be a new friend of mine." the guy stated. I hinted sarcasm in his tone of voice. I looked at him with an awkward smile.
"Oh goodness I was thinking the same thing." I stated while putting on a fake pouty face. He just chuckled. I took notice of his beautiful smile and saw that his bottom lip was bruised. My fake pouty face soon disappeared. He took notice of my sudden change of emotion and brought his long fingers to his bruised lip.
"It's nothing," he half smiled, "I just had important business to take care of today and it got a little too hectic." he continued. I furrowed my eyebrows, hinting to him that I was worried although he was a complete stranger. My eyes also hinted sadness although I knew for a fact he wouldn't notice.
"I'm Lily by the way." I said trying to change the subject. "Lily Carter." I smiled at him. He stopped touching his bruised lip and smiled back.
"Well Lily do you mind if I sit with you?" he asked.
"Of course not. It's not like I'm going to beat the crap out of you only because you attend my rival school." I said. His eyes widened while he pulled the chair out. I just simply giggled.
"I'm Harry," he said while wiping his hand on his apron and then extending it across the table for me to shake it, "Harry Styles."
I shook his hand. "It's very nice to meet you Harry." I replied.
"Since I like you I'm going to be nice to you Lily." Harry stated.
I nodded my head. "Same, you're the only exception." I would have never guessed I would have even talked to someone from Monroe. It's forbidden. Although there are no official rules, we just all automatically assume that someone from Montgomery should never interfere with someone from Monroe and vise versa. Because of this, I lost some of my very best friends from middle school.
"Are you hungry now?" Harry asked.
"A little." I stated shyly.
"You're lying. I can hear your stomach all the way from over here."
"Okay, maybe more than a little.."
"I'll be back. Stay here." he commanded.
"Okay."
I started to play with the straws that were on the table and looked at the clock from time to time. Within ten minutes or so Harry came out of the kitchen with two meals. The meals were your typical American hamburger with fries.
"Do you mind if I dine with you?" Harry asked. I nodded and he gave me such a warm smile.
He placed both our meals on the table and headed back towards the kitchen. He came out with two milkshakes.
"I'm assuming you like Vanilla?" he asked. He handed me my milkshake and sat down.
"Thank you Harry." I said to him. I made sure we were making eye contact. I wanted him to know that even though this was a very simple act of kindness, I truly was thankful for it.
"Anytime."
We both started to dig into our meals. I haven't had a nice dinner with someone in such a long time. My parents of course don't count. For a second I did in fact forget about my worries. Harry and I had such an amazing time conversing about who's school was better. For me, obviously Montgomery High was. I also told him how I didn't really like the movie Tarantula and spoiled the movie for him on purpose.
Once we were done, I thanked Harry once more. Since his shift was over he offered to take me home. I refused his offer kindly but he insisted. As we made our way outside I made sure that Lucas was no where in sight. This was sort of becoming a bad habit for me.
"Are you okay Lily?" Harry asked.
" I'm fine Harry." I gulped. I'm pretty sure he felt the nervousness and tension I was feeling. "Really Harry, I'm fine." I stated again. I smiled and started walking.
"Where are you going Lily?" he asked.
"Home?"
"I'm not going to let you walk. My motorcycle is over here." he gestured me to walk in the opposite direction. We walked a little farther down the sidewalk and soon enough we were standing in front of his motorcycle. He hopped on and I just stood there.
"What's wrong now?" he asked.
"I've never been on a motorcycle before." I mumbled.
He smiled and gestured me to sit behind him. "There's a first time for everything Lily. Don't be scared. Trust me, you're going to love the rush from riding on a motorcycle."
"I trust you." I hopped on the seat behind him and he handed me a helmet. He turned around and undid my ponytail. He looked at me while his long fingers worked their way through my hair. Then he placed the helmet on my head. He placed the other helmet on his head and started the engine. It startled me and I had no idea where to place my hands.
He grabbed one of my hands then he grabbed the other. "It's okay Lily." he assured, "Just wrap your arms around me." I wrapped my arms around him and I've never felt safer in my life. He jerked one of the handles back and forth making the motor roar louder.
"Ready Lily? he shouted.
"Ready as I'll ever be.
