Carrying the Torch

Chapter 5: My Closet

"Har-Harry. Wow." She repeats in shock.

I don't understand how I can be so numb yet feel so much. I slam the door shut impulsively. I wipe my tears and try to focus on something else. Anything else. I gain my composure as much as I can but, it's like picking up shattered glass bare-handed. I slowly open the door again.

"Here this is enough right?" I pull out a twenty and hand it to her. I can't even look her in the eyes.

"Uh, yea. I think so. Here's your order. Harry, I know you hate me but, I'd like to talk sometime." She hands me the pizza.

"Umm, here's your tip." I give her a five dollar bill. She nods a small thank you and turns away.

I close the door and stare down at the pizza. I can't even eat all of this anymore. Suddenly I feel nauseous. I put the pizza down and stumble to the couch. A tear runs down my cheek at the thought of you. If only the girls I've played could see me now. I angrily brush off my tears, ashamed. I can't run from her forever. She seems exactly as she was as when we first met.

"Excuse me. I'm so sorry, let me through please." She softly said as if she were about to just crumble.

She hurriedly made her way through the school hallways. She tripped and I caught her in my arms. I looked to her face and caught my breath. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Small plump lips, long curly untamed blonde hair. Startling gray eyes, and petite soft, yet bold features. Her eyes were watering and the way her nose was pink suggested she was going to cry.

"Can you please let go of me now." She asked barely audible.

"Umm," I clear my throat "yea, sure. Sorry about that." I let go of her fragile frame. She patted herself down and went back to her rushed bee line. I ran after her without meaning to.

"Hey, wait up!" I shouted to her. I finally caught up to her as she entered a janitor closet. I knocked softly on the door.

"Please leave me alone." She choked out.

"You're kinda in my closet. I've been using it for years." I lied.

"Oh. I'm sorry." She replied and I heard shuffling on the other side of the door. She opened the door looking confident, and as if she was never crying.

"I had to- uhh- I had to get something... Important." She lied looking back behind her. She looked down at her small hands. An annoyed look crossed her face when she realized that wasn't a good lie because, her hands were empty. "Couldn't uhh, couldn't find it. All that for no reason."

She tried to walk past me but, I held her back.

"Excuse me. I need to go." She said irritated. I stepped inside of the closet and pulled her in. I shut the door behind us and looked her in the eyes.

"What was wrong? Why were you crying?" My British accent still extremely strong.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She looked around avoiding my gaze.

"I know what I saw. Please answer my questions." I pleaded.

"It was nothing. Just some people that think it fun to annoy girls who aren't as pretty or popular as them." She said as if it meant nothing to her.

"Well honestly? You're the most gorgeous girl in this school. And, you're fit. So it all must be jealousy because I can see why they would be. Like have you ever seen yourself in the mirror before? You're.. Breathtaking." I blushed. She laughed and looked down at the floor. When she looked up I could see the blush on her cheeks clearly.

"You didn't have to exaggerate, a simple 'you're pretty no matter what they say' or 'don't listen to them' would've been okay." She replied.

"I was simply telling the truth." I shrugged.

"Well, I have to go..-"

"Harry." I answered her unasked question.

She nodded and grabbed the doorknob. "Taylor." She simply said before she disappeared into the crowded hallway.

The first day we met. She was so.. Amazing. We were amazing until she messed everything up. She killed all the love I had left to share with a special girl. An image of Lily flashes through my mind. I shake my head an attempt of clearing my head. Well, I need some sleep, sleep helps. I set my alarm earlier than usual, I have to go to the café. I lay my head down and as soon as I close my eyes my mind goes through a quick slide show with Taylor and Lily.

···

"Hey, stranger." Dream Girl greets me. She looks as amazing as ever.

"Hi, I didn't quite catch your name before." I reply remembering how her name was blocked out.

"Wow, after two days you forget my name. I'm offended, just for that you'll have to find out yourself what it is." She decides folding her hands. A small smirk creeps onto her face and her eyes glimmer deviously.

"How am I supposed to do that?" I ask.

"Well, do I remind you of anyone?" She looks at me expectantly.

"Two at least. You look like Lily but, personality wise? A combination of Lily and Taylor." I mutter confused.

"Well, my name is a combination of their names. There's your hint." She looks at me flirtatious.

"Well darling, we could make this simple. Tell me your name so while you're screaming my name, I can encourage you." I flirt as she looks at me in shock yet devious.

"Well you're quite cheeky." She says still in shock.

"I've finally done the impossible of shocking you." I laugh.

"You have." She nods in approval.

"Well you can pay me by telling me your name." I state as serious as possible.

"After three attempts I will." She compromises.

"Laylor?" I guess.

"What type of name is that? It sounds so wrong." She shakes her head chuckling.

"Lory?"

"No."

"Layli?"

"Tayli"

"Tayli? You.. Look like one, sorta." I analyze her face making her blush.

"I prefer Tay but doesn't really matter." She says indifferently.

"Well, tell me Tay, do you want to have the best night of your life?" I smirk at her and she looks at me as if she can read my mind.

"You don't even have my number and you expect me to sleep with you? What kinda girls are you used to? I'm a bit offended." She scoffs.

"Well, lately I've attracted a different one." I smile at the thought of Lily. Wait, no.

"Well, you need something different. You're too, boring and routine like. Sex must be boring too." She rolls her eyes examining her nails.

"Well you could find out for sure." I smirk at her as she throws her head back in laughter.

"Sex really means nothing to you?"

"Well of course it means something. Mostly my enjoyment."

"Make a deal with me."

"Sure.."

"Don't have sex until you're sure the person is special and worth it. You have your virginity back."

···

I wake up to the sound of the pounding alarm clock. I recollect my memories and thoughts. I quickly get ready to leave for the café.

···

I finally arrive at the café and enter. I look around and I find Lily in the same booth as before. I start on my way to her.

"Are you gonna make the deal or not?" Tayli looks at me expectdly.

"Deal."