ambivalent | hes

3

I sat on my bed, scrolling through Twitter on my laptop, when there was a knock on my bedroom door.

"Come in." I said.

My mother entered, walking over to my bed and sitting down.

"Hey. You've got everything packed?" I asked.

"Yep. I'll be heading out soon. I just wanted to tell my Lyla bear good bye." She told me, reusing my old childhood nickname.

I laughed and shut my laptop, pushing it aside and positioning myself next to her.

"I'll miss you." I said, hugging her.

"You expect me to believe that? You're going to have so much freedom that you're not going to remember me."

"You know that's not true, mom."

"I know, you're not going to have that many advantages. No parties or boys." She stated sternly.

I playfully slapped her arm and she laughed.

"In all seriousness, don't go overboard. I don't want to come back and be a grandmother at 43." She warned me.

"Don't worry, I'll just lock myself in the house for the next 4 months." I reassured her, joking in a sarcastic way.

"Alright, sweetie," She chuckled. "Have fun, but not too much fun, and text me every once in a while."

"I will, mom. Now go so you don't miss your flight."

We embraced one last time before she left, and when the front door closed, the house filled with an eerie silence.

I turned on my TV and watched movies on Netflix. After I started the second movie, I remembered the paper I had received from Harry.

I picked up my phone and the paper and entered his number into my contacts. I contemplated whether I should text him or not. It would be nice to have someone to socialize with while my mom was gone. I simply said "Hey" and waited for a response.

He didn't text back after a while and I eventually became increasingly tired, so I settled down in bed.

My phone buzzed after I had gotten comfortable. I groaned, feeling around in the darkness on my bedside table for it. Once found, I saw the text was from Bea. I opened it.

Bea: Hey Lyla! How's life back home?

Me: Not as good as Hawaii. How is it down there?

Bea: Amazing, the weather is great!

I allowed Bea to brag on about her time in Hawaii until it took a great amount of effort to keep my eyes open.

When I closed my eyes, I had no trouble drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

—

I was woken up by my phone ringing. I sat up, yawned, then reached for my phone. I answered, my eyes still closed.

"Yea?" I said in a monotone voice to the person on the other end.

"Did I wake you up?" Harry's voice sounded through my phone.

I suddenly became fully awake, realizing I had rudely answered the phone, and was confused as to why he had called me.

"Harry! Uh, no, I just, um, got back from a jog." I said, then smacked my palm against my forehead as I then regretted my excuse.

"Oh, you like to run?" He asked.

"Uh, sometimes." It wasn't completely a lie.

"Hmm, interesting. So, are you busy today?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Good, I was thinking we could do something today, and, you know, get to know each other."

"Yea, that sounds great." I said as I began searching through my clothes for something nice to wear.

"Alright, I'll pick you up at 1, if that's fine."

"Yea, I'm okay with that."

"I'll see you soon, then."

Once I hung up, I texted him my address and began picking out something to wear. Half of my clothes were strewn across my bed when I finally decided on a light, black spring dress that stopped right above my knees, matched with a pair of keds. It wasn't too classy or too casual, so it fit since I had absolutely no idea where we were going.

I showered and finished my hair and makeup around 12 o'clock, so I had an hour to relax. I decided to call Bea.

"Hey!" She said rather cheerfully, and loud.

"Hi." I laughed.

"I was just about to call you." She said. "I'm coming home tonight!."

"Really?" I felt slightly relieved.

"Mhm." She mumbled as shuffling could be heard in the background.

"I have a question." I asked, pursing my lips.

"Shoot."

I shifted in my chair. "So, I met this guy at work the other day, and he kind of gave me a ride home, and his number-"

She cut me off. "Is he cute?"

"Yeah." I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Let me finish. Is it weird that we're hanging out today?"

She paused. "Why, is he weird?"

"Hes nice."

"Then no."

I paused before there was a loud clap.

"Bea?" I said, concerned.

I could hear her laugh, and more shuffling.

"Sorry, I dropped my phone." She explained.

I chuckled. "I'm gonna hang up, go pack. I'll see you when you get home."

"Bye!"

I hung up and put my phone on the counter just as it buzzed.

How do you feel about gondolas? x H

I furrowed my eyebrows at Harry's text.

That's a strange question. They're fine, I guess.

I waited for a response, locking my phone when I didn't get one. I flopped on the couch and turned on the tv to kill some time.