Silk || hs

Booze and Band Parties

Though my conversation with John undoubtedly changed my opinion of Harry, the other part of me who is lowkey obsessed with him, can't help but hope for some kind of message from him. And unfortunately, this part of me remains disappointed. It is now Friday and history class has come and gone with still no word from Harry. When I arrive at my dorm, I see that Sadie and Jess are there sitting in the common room watching some ridiculous show called "Southern Charm." I decide to watch it with them, and though the people are completely insane, I can't help but watch because of the complete train wreck it is.

When the show ends, I ask my roommates what their plans are for the evening, and they inform me that they will be hopping from one band party to the next. They inquire about Harry and whether I will be attending his party or not. Sadly, I tell them that since he hasn't reached out to me, I don't think I will be going.

Almost like he could sense me talking about him, I get a text from Harry. It takes a lot of self-control, but I manage to wait seven whole minutes before opening it, and, at Sadie's rather aggressive request, I read it aloud.

"Sorry we didn't get to speak much this week. Been busy with some exec stuff. Hope you can make it tonight. H."

We sit in silence for a few moments contemplating the simplicity of his message before Sadie asks, "Wait, I thought you said he literally didn't even look at you all week?"

I nod in confirmation and look back down at my phone. I reread his text a few times and by the fifth time, I'm honestly a little pissed off. He didn't so much as look in my direction or make any effort to speak to me either in person or over text, so for him to be so nonchalant about it frustrates me. I get that he's busy and all, but like, don't pretend like you talked to me when you didn't. I haven't any contact with him since our amazing date, or I guess I should say, what I thought was an amazing date.

"Well, that's shitty," Jess says, sitting upright on the couch and pulling her knees to her chest. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," I sigh, putting my phone down beside me. I'm going to need a few minutes to concoct a reply. If I go, then he'll think it's okay to not talk to me for a week straight and that's not acceptable. If I don't go, then whatever it is we're doing is probably over. Then there's what John told me to consider. Not going would most definitely be the smarter thing to do, but the part of me that is infatuated with him urges me to not lose out on what I could be having. Clearly, my own brain can't possibly decide this, so I put it to my roommates to decide.

"What do y'all think I should do?" I ask them.

Jess simply shrugs, "It can't hurt to go."

Sadie, however, has a much more complicated response, "No. You shouldn't go, but you don't want it to be over, I assume. So, what you have to tell him is that you're going party-hopping with us and that you might show up at some point, which of course, you won't. Then, if he really likes you, he'll be hung up on you all night wondering when you'll stop by, and if he texts you tomorrow asking where you were, then that'll be evidence of it. This way, you let him know that two can play at whatever game he's playing with you."

When Sadie finishes, she wears a devilishly proud look on her pretty face, and I can't help but look at her in awe. In reality, I know there are a lot of flaws with this plan and it probably won't work out the way I think it will, but still, my present frustration makes Sadie's scheme seem like the greatest plan ever devised.

"You're a genius," I state simply, picking up my phone and beginning my reply. I decide I won't address the part about him being busy and instead jump straight into my plans for this evening.

"Ok, how does this sound? 'Would love to, but I'm supposed to go out with my roommates tonight. Might stop by eventually, though. If I do, I'll let you know.' Is that okay?" I question, and Sadie nods.