Project: CA, U.S.A. | Harry Styles AU

Chapter 16

“It was times like these when I thought my father,

who hated guns and had never been to any wars,

was the bravest man who ever lived.” (Harper Lee)

I sighed and put the book down on my lap. Around me, the birds were chanting, some parents were laughing and playing with their kids on the playground and some young people were sitting on a blanket on the grassy floor, sun-bathing and listening to the music that they played over some portable little speakers.

I, however, sat on an old, green colored bench, where the coating was already flaking off a bit and had to do my homework. But it's not like it was the worst thing to do. I actually really liked the book that we had to read right now, it's just that this quote reminded me of my own dad. And with that, a general wave of homesickness overcame me and dimmed my mood a little bit.

I didn't have the greatest vibes of all-time already anyway, because of the previous encounter after PE. Even if I didn't want to admit it, it bugged me a  bit. And the fact that it bugged me, frustrated me just the more. Ugh.

Another negative side-effect was, that I -out of all things- had forgotten to bring my purse along with me. So even if my vision would creep over to the inviting, bright painted ice cream and smoothie kiosk several times, I wouldn't be able to buy something against my homesickness and bad mood, since I got no money. Life can be so cruel.

All that together made my current life situation not quite as enjoyable as I wanted it to be.

I put the book beside me on the bench and rummaged in my bag, looking for some tissues. When I found the desired item, I quickly leaned back on the rest and removed the little tear that was starting roll over my right cheek. Dammit, emotional me! Get your s hit together! I told myself.

I snuffled a little bit, gulped and put the used tissue in my pocket. After that, I moved into a cross-legged position and took my book in my hands again to distract myself from my thoughts.

Just then, I felt someone sit down next to me.  I didn't look at him or her, but soon the person started to lightly hum a familiar song and his voice showed that it was a man.

Best Day Of My Life by American Authors, that's what song was. Well, seems like at least one person on this bench was in a good mood. But it was none of my business anyway, so I just ignored him and flipped the page.

"Such a sad book?" I jumped a little bit at the sudden voice and looked up at the person with slightly furrowed brows.

"Sorry?" I asked confused.

The male looked back at me with a small sympathetic smile.

"Is it such a sad book that you're reading? Or why the long face?"

I caught myself studying him. He was about my age, maybe a little bit older. He had blonde hair, styled into a messy quiff and a lip piercing. Which, speaking of the latter, suited him pretty well concerning the fact, that I normally wasn't one to like piercings and stuff like that too much. Also, he still had a bit of ice cream on the left corner of his mouth. That's why he's in such a good mood. I thought grumpily to myself.

Anyway, I slipped out of my thoughts.

"Uhm..no, actually..-" I couldn't end my sentence. Because a) I didn't want to spell my personal reasons to a stranger (see how I've learned, though!) and obviously b) I didn't want to blame my bad mood on the lack of ice cream either. I wasn't that much of a child anymore. Or at least, he needn't to know. And c), there was a horribly familiar group of high school students making their way in the field of my vision. A curly-head among them. Of frickin' course.