Aphrodite // H.S. (Mature)

XXVI

It's been a week since graduation and the night of the party where I got totally hammered. I don't remember much, the last thing I remember is calling Harry and then it's all foggy. The morning after I had the worst hangover and slept all day. Harry's been acting a little weird but I'm not sure why. I've asked him countless times and he just says it's nothing. He didn't tell me what happened either, he just shakes his head and says he just came and picked me up. I feel like he's keeping something from me and I'm getting really irritated.

It's currently six in the morning and me and Lucas are at a gas station in town. We're driving to Chicago today to go to our freshman orientations we scheduled for the same day. After that we're going to check out the apartment his parents agreed to pay for and then we're going to millennium park. I asked Harry to come but he said he couldn't because he was too busy with work.

As Lucas filled the car's tank I was buying coffee and mini packaged donuts. Since it's so early and neither of us are really that hungry yet I only get the donuts but we'll stop to get real food later on. It's really not too far so I think I can last until we reach the city. The clerk just so happened to be Hector the hair collector which made me laugh to myself.

"Yess I need fuel." Lucas said taking his coffee. "Wake me up when we get there." I say jokingly and close my eyes. "I don't think so." Lucas says slapping my thigh with extreme force. I practically screamed while grabbing my stinging thigh almost spilling my coffee. After a few moments of clutching my leg I quickly slapped his leg back. "AH FUCK YOU." He screeches clutching his own leg now. "That's what you get." I say blowing on my coffee so it cools. "Whatever, let's hit the road." He says putting his sunglasses on and pulling out of the gas station.

...

As we're driving my mind keeps wandering to the possibilities of what happened while I was pretty much blacked out. I honestly don't know what I could've done for him to be acting different.

"Hey.. do you remember anything from that party last week?" I ask hoping Lucas knows something. "What do you mean?" He asks. "I blacked out after I called Harry to come get me and ever since that night he's been acting weird." I told him. "Hmmm, nope I didn't see you-well actually when me and Jerry were um, in his car I saw Harry pull up and you were staggering around but thats it." He says. "Really? That's it?" I ask. "Yes that's all, you didn't even tell me you were leaving with him by the way. Harry called Jerry. Oh my god that rhymes." He says laughing at his accidental rhyme.

"Harry literally will not tell me what happened and I seriously have no clue. He's been really distant and I can't take it anymore I don't know what to do." I confess feeling better being able to tell Lucas since he's my only friend I can talk to about Harry. "I wonder what his deal is. It can't be that bad right?" He responds. "I honestly have no idea." I say as I get my camera out and take a few pictures of Lucas driving since the lighting looks good and his hair is messy in just the right way.

...

As we get to the edge of Chicago the traffic starts getting heavy and I start getting nervous. Good thing we left early because it's eight and orientations at ten. We should have time to eat quick and then head our separate ways. Once we get into the city we find the street the apartments on and park. From there we start walking and find a restaurant to get something to eat fast and then be on our way.

"This place is cute, I could definitely see myself coming here to have dinner after a long day of classes." Lucas says taking in the surroundings. "What if you don't like the food?" I ask. "Then I'll just come for the good vibes. This place just feels positive." He says sighing happily.

Our food arrives and we eat fast before we leave. Since we didn't want to be driving around everywhere we're going to ride the L.  Lucas' train shows up before mine so as I'm standing there waiting I try to imagine myself here next fall. It's not the first time I'ver ever been here but now that I know I'm going to be living here it's different. Could I picture myself here for the next four years minimum?