Afire Love (h.s)

three

The next morning I'm awoken to the sound of birds chirping and cars bustling through the streets of Greenwich. For the first time since moving into this apartment, I've managed to sleep until 11am, which isn't bad for me. Although my record is 3pm, but that's beside the point.

As I'm laying in bed, the events of last night come into my mind, a small smile laced on my face. I'm glad Harry seems to have changed his tone since the first time I met him, and I may have even made a friend. He was in such a state when I found him outside our apartments, and my curiosity doesn't help when all I can wonder is why he was in that state, and who he had fought with.

My mind is full of thoughts, before I remember what day it is today - interview day at the gym. It is now 11:13am, and my interview is at 12pm.

I decide it's time to get out of bed so I'm not late for the interview, first impressions are everything. I put on my skinny black jeans, and my black heeled boots, before pulling on a white buttoned up blouse, and then tying my hair into a half-up, half-down style. I glance at myself in the mirror, and approve of my look.

As I'm about to leave for the gym, I notice that there is note on my doormat, which had obviously been slid underneath the door. I unfold the piece of paper, and there, in neat handwriting, is the message:

Liliana,

Thank you for last night, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. It won't happen again.

Harry. x

I reread the note twice, confusion flooding through my mind. What does he mean? Does he not want to be friends? These questions run through my mind, however I don't have time to worry, as i have to make my way to the gym. I pick up my keys and pull on a jacket before turning and heading to the gym. 11:48am.

"Thank you very much for your time, Miss Jones, your first shift is on Monday at 11am, I will email you the rest of the details, " the manager, Lisa smiles to me as i stand up out of my chair. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity, I really appreciate it," I reply back as I shake her hand and turn to open the door. "Don't be late!" she teases, as I close the door behind me, laughing at how kind she is to me, considering I only met her this morning.

So, I got the job, and to my surprise, the interview went well. I managed to answer her questions the best I could, and she told me that I was very well suited for the job, due to my "fantastic people skills".

As I walk towards the exit, I notice that familiar figure walking towards me, "Harry!" I call, he turns back, an annoyed expression on his face. "What?" he snaps back, sighing as he waits for me to speak. "Hey, I just wanted to know how you were feeling?" I ask concerned, noticing he's tried to cover up his black eye and cuts on his face. "I'm fine thanks. Look, I didn't mean to invite you in last night, I don't like getting close to people and it won't happen again," he says to me, tapping his foot impatiently. I open my mouth slightly, shocked at his cold tone towards me, "oh, okay. Enjoy training," I nod to him and walk away, shaking my head at his rudeness towards me. What is his problem?

Monday rolls around the corner, and I am soon sat at my new desk, two hours into my first shift. It has gone well so far, and I have made a new friend, called Charlotte. On my lunch break I text Olivia and Bella in our group chat, telling them that the job is going well, and they seem happy for me.

At around 3pm, Harry walks through the entrance of the gym, ready for his training session. He comes up to the front desk, and hands me his gym card. I scan it in the machine, and smile at him as I hand it back. He simply nods in return and carries on his way to the training room.

Soon enough 6pm rolls around, and it is time for me to walk home. In the rain. I haven't seen Harry leave the gym, so he must be here still, but I shake my head of the thought of him. I write my name down on the rota for my next shift, and wave goodbye to Charlotte as I walk out the entrance of the gym. The rain hits me almost straight away, and I curse to myself, wishing I had bought a jacket with a hood on it with me.

I've been walking for a total of 1 minute and 30 seconds, and already, two cars have sped past and splashed up puddles onto my legs, making goosebumps raise all over my body, just my luck, my subconscious grunts. As my teeth start to chatter, I hear another car making its way up behind me. I start moving to the left side of the pavement, preparing myself for another splash of cold water on me, but the next action surprises me. The black Range Rover stops next to me, and I hear a window being let down. I'm a bit cautious to turn around at first, but ignore my subconscious, and turn around to face the car.

There, to my surprise, is Harry, my neighbour. He's sat in the driver's side, and is smirking at me, "want a ride?" he asks, winking at me. I roll my eyes at his flirty behaviour, "sure," I shrug, silently thanking him from saving me from the rain as I climb into his car.

We soon arrive back at the apartment building, the rain has seemingly got heavier, however. "Wanna wait until the rain stops?" his voice sounds as he stops the engine, "yeah sure," I reply, undoing my seatbelt as he does the same.

We sit in silence for a while, before I end the silence, "How old are you Harry?" I question, trying not to sound too forward. He turns his head towards me as I do the same, and look into his bright green eyes. "23, you?" he answers, "21," I reply coolly, "You're already a boxer?" I question, "that's impressive". He smirks back, his face getting closer to mine, "Yeah, I guess it is impressive. What's the real reason you moved here, Liliana?" he questions, but I grimace at the name, turning my head away, sighing. "Please, don't call me that. I could ask you the same question," I reply, my voice quiet. "We all have secrets, Lili," I notice his face has got extremely close as I turn my head back towards him. "Indeed we do," I whisper back, the distance is centimetres between us now, as we are both lent over the console in between our seats.

He looks from my eyes down to my lips, and back up again, his peppermint breath fanning across my face as he breathes out. "It just depends on how good you are at hiding them," he replies, before leaning forward, his pink lips brushing my own. My heart rate has increased rapidly as I feel the softness of his lips press against mine. He brings his hand up to my face as he pushes his lips further onto mine, his tongue slipping through as soon as I kiss him back. My mind is wild, his aftershave and peppermint scent filling my senses as he kisses me. Before long, he pulls away, and I stare at him, what have I just done? He hates me, and I hate his coldness towards me.

"I, uh, the rain has let up," I mumble before turning and opening the passenger door, knowing full well that it is still pouring down. I slam the door shut before quickly pacing towards my apartment, his scent and the thought of Harry's lips on mine fills my mind as I head towards my apartment.