The Skin I'm In

Chapter Thirteen: Us...Well Not Really

Spring's P.O.V

Suddenly walking into journalism with his hand in mine was different. The latte in my hand tasted sweeter than usual, maybe it's the fact that he slept over, maybe it's the fact that I smell like him because of the sweater swallowing my frail figure, I'm wrong. Maybe it's because summer is getting closer and the Florida sun is making my senses cloudy or the purple dye in my hair is seeping into my brain.

"What are you thinking?"

I look up at him, feeling my cheeks heat up suddenly at the thought of being caught in the act of thinking about such thing; an us.

"Nothing. I just didn't study." I lie.

I totally studied, just not for this moment with him and the audience staring among us, not for the witty smile he threw at me that I barely dodged. This was hard, I don't like him. I cant like him.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. You're smart, as for me, I can't say the same."

I chuckled softly as I watched him take out his phone.

"Guess what?" He chimed.

I raised my brows, intently waiting for the boy to spill his thoughts.

"I've got a date."

I felt my face fall and suddenly my latte wasn't so sweet anymore.

I chuckled nervously, "really? Yay. A date!" My teeth gritted automatically.

"But, here's the best part, it's a double date!"

"Oh, who else is going?" I rolled my eyes mentally.

I don't know what I thought, we were just friends, I need to wake up from whatever fantasy this is and smell the roses, the painful roses that would tell me he's way out of my league. Harry stared at me for a long minute as I sipped on my latte, amusing myself with the slurping sounds.

Wait...

"You got me a date?" I whisper-yelled.

He nodded happily, like this was a good thing.

"You can't just set me up with somebody. I don't do good in social situations and I've never been on a date!"

I wasn't exaggerating when I said this. I couldn't do this, I was gonna be judged on everything, my physical condition, my body, everything. I already felt like I was under a microscope hanging out with an upperclassmen.

"You'll love him, he's really nice."

"That's great Harry, but I really can't do this."

"You don't even have to like him, just do this for me? Please?"

I don't get why he needed my help. I'm sure with his looks he needed minimal. I simply couldn't go, my parents would never let me go somewhere without a chaperone, It's not like I can sneak out, they would literally murder me.

"You don't understand. I can't. I'll be looked at weirdly. Not to mention that my parents would never let me go to this especially my mom and-"

He didn't understand where I was coming from, I was looked at as crippled. I have every reason to be afraid to looked down by these people that know nothing about where I come from or what I've done to get to this point, no one understands.

"Okay. How bout this? You meet him at lunch. If you don't like him, you don't have to go."

"I'm sorry, Harry I can't."

He nodded, the bell sounded, signaling that class was starting and with that the conversation was put to rest.

-

Harry was generous enough to walk me to my locker before kissing me on the cheek and hugging me tightly before telling me he'd see me in the parking lot later.

"Hey," I pulled him back to me.

"You're not mad at me?" I asked.

"No, of course not. It's a stupid date."

I couldn't help but let my eyes flicker down to his lips as I smiled nervously.

"Lips!" I squeaked.

Oh no.. it's happening again.

"What?" He chuckled.

"I meant- lips! Are her lips soft? Cause you know, hydration is key when it comes to this area." I motioned towards my mouth.

"I don't know. Good one though!" He smiled.

"You know me, just looking out for her best friend!"

Hugging me once again he disappeared into the crowd and suddenly that latte wanted to make its way upstream.