Hope

Chapter Seven

A week after talking to Sophia, I finally swallowed my pride and built up enough courage to apologize to Jeff.

Much to my relief, he accepted my apology almost immediately. That was one weight lifted off my shoulders.

I refused to let Sophia's words drag me into a dark world of confusion, so I rebuilt my walls that were demolished by Sophia, exposing my vulnerability.

The only alteration was that Jeff was not locked out this time.

As the weeks go on, confusion crawls it's way back to me.

Not because of Sophia, but because of Harry.

I fail to understand why, every time I look at him, my stomach somersaults. Or why a wave of electricity passes through me when our skin makes contact. Or why I find comfort in those jade eyes.

No matter how hard I tried, I failed to block the feelings out.

I never thought I'd be able to feel any affection to the opposite sex, after what happened to my parents. I didn't dare to imagine being involved with someone because I thought I'd never be happy again, so I'd just be waisting my time and theirs

I sure am not happy now, but whatever I'm feeling when I see Harry's face as I walk out the gates of my school, feels like it's pretty close to happiness.

“I came to rescue you but it looks like I'm late,” he says, pushing himself off the tree he was leaning on.

I chuckle.“Where's the shining armor?” We start walking towards the little suburb where my house is located.

He scrunched up his nose. “Ooh, I was suppose to bring that too?”

I shook my head. “You're a bad knight. What did you bring?”

“Myself. Isn't that enough?”

I shrug. “I guess you'll have to do.”

His face suddenly lost all the humor it held moments ago and turned serious. “There's someone I want you too meet.”

He stopped walking and turned to face me. “Who?” I asked.

“My sister.” He bit his bottom lip- a habit he does when he's nervous.

“Oh.”

He smiled a smile that didn't show his dimples. “She's at the coffee shop.” His smile grew when he mentioned the coffee shop but it still didn't reach his eyes.

“Okay...” The idea of me meeting his sister clearly didn't appeal to him and, honestly, it doesn't appeal to me either.

But if he doesn't like the idea, why did he ask me to meet her?

We walk into the shop and the smell of coffee immediately welcomes us. I expect Harry to pick a table but he carries on walking, so I follow him.

He opens a door on the other side of the shop I hadn't realized before and motions for me to step through.

I'm now outside again but before me are stone tables with stone benches and only a few are occupied.

“I didn't know this was here,” I say, furrowing my eyebrows.

I look up to see Harry's eyes on a beautiful female with blonde hair striped with pink highlights. Her long legs were crossed and she had her eyes on Harry, a smirk dancing on her pink lips.

She raised an eyebrow and her eyes shifted to me, raking my body in a way that made me feel so self-conscious, I wanted to hide behind Harry's tall frame,

“That's her,” Harry confirmed, walking towards his sister. I follow behind.

“Harry!” She exclaimed, getting up and pulling her brother into a hug, kissing his cheek.

“Gemma,” Harry said, pulling away. “This is Kathryn. Kathryn, Gemma.”

“Hi.” I said, throwing my shoulders back in an attempt to look more confident.

“Ah, the Kathryn,” Gemma smirked and held out her hand.

I looked at it briefly before I shook it.

I don't think I like her.

“The lucky one,” Gemma said, wiping her hand on her long striped dress.

“Gemma,” Harry warned.

“What, little brother?” Gemma tilted her chin, her green eyes still rest on me.

Nope, I don't like her.

I lean on the fence, crossing my arms. “Am I missing something?” I ask.

Gemma sat down, crossing her legs and rests her elbows on her knees. “No, not at all.” Her voice was soft and had an accent similar to Harry's, but hers was thicker. “Oh, no, I take that back. You appear to be missing a fashion sense. What is that you're wearing?”

“Gemma!” Harry looked at his sister, astonished.

“Don't raise your voice at me, little bother.” Her eyes don't leave mine.

“Well, my apologies, madame. If I had known I was going to be in your presence tonight I would've made an attempt to look presentable. I hope you don't expect me to get on my knees and worship you,” I say, dusting my pants. “Because these jeans are new.” I gave her the best fake smile I could manage.

She smirked and turned her attention to the fence.

“Gemma,” Harry hisses before I hear a sickening sound, like metal dragging on metal.

Suddenly the fence collapses, taking me down with it. I hear fabric tearing.

Harry rushes to my side, pulling me up. “Are you okay?” He asks, searching my face.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” Other people's attention is towards me now, and I notice Gemma is stifling a laugh.

“Oh, no. Your new jeans are ripped,” she snickered, obviously enjoying herself. Harry glared at her.

I look down to inspect the damage. A jagged line ran from my knee to my upper thigh, exposing my pale skin.“Cool. I've always wanted ripped jeans,” I say, trying to hide the irritation in my voice.

“I think it's time to go,” Harry said.

Gemma frowned. “But you didn't even order coffee.”

“Goodbye Gemma.” Harry turned and stalked towards the door.

“I'd say it was nice to meet you, but lying isn't my best quality,” I say.

She smiled. “Likewise. But, unlike you, I am a very good... manipulator.” Her smirk grows. “And so is my brother. Unfortunately, his feelings get in the way of what he really should be doing.”

I ball my hands into fists. “And what's that?”

“You'll find out soon enough.”