How To Break The Rules (Harry Styles)

Lesson Four: Breaking the Basic Rule

I dragged my cello back in. Well, so much for Harry’s help. I pushed the cello inside the family room, not bothering to place it back inside the cabinet. I would get a good scolding from my mom once she sees this. I check on Daniel who was in the kitchen and notice that the bottle he was holding was halfway empty. Why didn’t I take it from him a while ago?

“Daniel, put the bottle down.” I demanded. He only gave me a smug look before brushing me off. “Mom is going to see that and she will get pissed.” I said. “Why bother?” He turns to me. His eyes are red from the alcohol content which I’m pretty sure is high. “It’s nothing new. All mom does is nag.” He waves his hand frantically.

He’s right, this is actually nothing new and there’s no use in stopping him. Why do I even bother? My phone rings. I give him one last look. He finally placed the bottle in the bin and raised his hand in surrender. “Are you happy?” He exclaimed. He stormed out of the kitchen. I rolled my eyes, probably just the alcohol. I run off to my room and answer the call.

“Honey, I’m meeting with someone tonight and I’m not sure if I would be able to make it to dinner.” She informed. Yes, mom, I’m doing fine. Cello lessons were a bit horrible but I’m doing okay.

“Okay, mom. I’ll take care of Daniel.” I said. She sighs, “I don’t know what to do with your brother.” She said. “You know him, mom, he’s…he’s just confused.” She sighs. I almost feel sorry for my own brother because of the judgements he gets but I remember that it was his own doing. “Okay, I’ll see you later, honey, bye.” She says and before I could say anything else, she hangs up.

I decided to call Andy again but it was still Tracey who answered.

There was a knock on the door and I hurried down. It was Andy, panting and sweating. “What happened to you?” She asked. “I have news for you and I was so excited and I ran and, then, I bumped into some trash cans then I got chased by dogs, now, will you let me in?” She said that all in one breathe. I stepped aside to let her in. She plopped herself down on my couch, sighing. “Want some water?” I asked. She nodded and I made my way into the kitchen.

“I went to NYU today.” She said. “Andy, we just finished junior year. Don’t you think you’re going too fast?” I sit next to her, handing her a glass of water. She empties the glass in one chug. “Brad is going to college and I just want to be with him.” She said. “But you are fast forwarding your life, don’t you want to just chill down for a while? I mean, Brad is off to college, it’s his time to worry, not yours.” I said. “You wouldn’t understand yet because you haven’t found the one.” She pointed out which actually is true but at the beginning of summer, you’d think about college when you just passed junior, that’s overrated.

“Besides, when did you meet Brad? A few months ago? Maybe you should both warm up a little more before you decide on the future?” Because I miss my best friend.

“Why wait? You know, it sucks that you have to wait and check. You just hang out with him for a few months to see if he’s worth it. I don’t want to wait, Mariana, I mean, he’s already there and I might lose him if I don’t plan ahead. He has to be a part of my future.” She said. “That’s why I’m planning it now, with him.” She added. “What if your relationship goes downhill? I’m not saying it would but it could.” Hey, I rhymed.

“You could really say that to me?” She scoffed. “No, well, I’m sorry, okay? It feels like you have all your time devoted to Brad and my summer was planned to be with you. I mean, once we go back to school, we’ll both go in circles because we’re graduating.” I said.

“And you don’t even answer your phone, it’s like Tracey has custody on it because she’s been answering them.” I added. “That’s where it is! I swear when I get home, Tracey will get it.” She yelled.