Black Temptation

Chapter 22

The sun's licked glaze starts to dry out as we make our way into my driveway. Sitting in silence , I can't help but think-in every way he is so damn wrong, yet what scares me the most is what sets me free. Free to talk how I want and feel how I want. His insecurities about his own shortcomings gives me the most incredible feeling of stability. I'm finally not the most damaged person in the room. Whatever he's giving, I need more of it.

He sets the car in park and slowly angles his head in my direction. We meet eyes and smile at each other. I get an incredulous anxiety and lose his gaze.

"Um..thank you for driving me, home."

I look away and suddenly he grabs my palm. He strokes it gently before filling his body with whatever scent my worked out hand possess. Dabbing a light kiss on it, I feel myself wanting to ask if he could stay, just to talk.

But that is ridiculous. He has better things to do then stand around and wait for me to call when I need a friend.

"We aim to please." He replies.

He lets go of my hand and soon I'm released from the peppermint smells of the Audi R8. We reach my door and the tall trees shade much of the needed sunlight. Level: stupidity. Trying to get my keys within the keyhole, I drop them on the ground but before it could even register into my brain that I need to bend, Harry already has them by the keychain.

"Thank you." I speak quietly.

"Now get inside and lock your doors."

I enter and soon embrace his friendly smile with mine, closing the door, now, more hesitantly than ever.

Accidentally slipping, I realize my foot glided on a pink note I missed. I pick it up and smell the familiar ordor of black vanilla. Moving to a light, I turn it on and watch as her light cursive drapes over the note and her cute little hearts play catch by, "Dear June"

Dear June, <3

I wrote you a note because I seen how you and Harry been hanging out and I didn't just want tuh call out of tha blue. First, thank you for tha treats basket, that was very sweet on yer part. It was mighty good, I enjoyed it. Also, that day you and Harry boy came over-June, we need tuh talk. Come by around 4 tomorrow, please.

Always in my sincerest prayers,

Ms. Tippy Tote.

Great. Is she pissed or just feeling guilty? Folding the note with my heart feeling like it's about to go under a guillotine, I look at the clock and realize it was only 7. I have nothing to do on a friday night and now, since I am workless for a week, I have nothing to do for the next 168 hours.

Going upstairs, I grab my mani and pedi kit and begin to work on these fingers and toes of mine while listening to Breaking Bad reruns.

"Walt! Save her! Don't just let her OD!" I scream, almost knocking over the light cream of pink polish onto my white covers.

And of course, the show ends with my sobbing, like a little toddler, as I blow dry my nails. A ringing comes from my cellular on the dresser next to me and I elongate and stiffen my body, reaching it without a smudge.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hello, Princess."

An unfamiliar voice speaks from my the other line. I freeze in fear, gripping the phone a little tighter.

"Uh...w-who is this?" I ask in a shaky manner. "...Harry?" I let out a sigh, but for a moment as I realize, I didn't give him my number.

"How did you get my number? Oh can't I check a voicemail without you snooping? And how do you spell, sneaky? N-No Harry! Not for real. It's an expression, goodness."