Falling For You

-XI-

Not exactly the longest chapter but enjoy!

**********

Harley 

He better actually show up. 

I really really hope that he's not one of those useless partners that do nothing but take fifty percent of the project's credit. 

1:15. 

I did say one and not two right? 

I snap out of my thoughts when the library doors burst open. 

Always such a dramatic entrance. 

Running a hand through his unruly hair a few times Cody places a few notebooks on the table. 

"Hey, sorry for being late." 

"You had me thinking I told you two instead of one." I joke. 

"Yeah I slept in." Judging from the mischievous glint in his eyes he did more than sleeping. 

"Okay..." Shockingly, he helped quite a bit with the project. Of course he had to put in sexual innuendos here and there but we were civilized. 

The silence is broken when Cody's phone starts ringing and vibrating on the table. 

Picking it up he brings it to his ear he smiles apologetically at me. "Hello?" His eyes crease slightly concentrating on what the person on the other line is saying. 

"Shit," he swears quietly. "Again? Okay, I'm coming back see you soon." 

He quickly hangs up pocketing the cellphone and hurriedly cleaning up his books. 

"Sorry I gotta go, something at home came up." 

"No problem, everything okay?" I don't know why I ask that, it slips out. Why am I even concerned about Cody Spears? 

"Uh, yeah." His actions prove otherwise but I leave him be. He says a swift bye before he's booting it out the door, the librarian shushing him till the doors swing shut. 

Gathering my stuff too I shove it into my bag. I'm surprised by the amount we got done. 

I send a text in the group chat to see what Drew and Ally are doing, now that I have the rest of the day off. 

Exiting the library much quieter than Cody, I make my way down the side walk. Conveniently, my phone pings alerting me that one of my best friends answered. Fishing my phone out of my back pocket I press on the home button unlocking it. 

I breath out a laugh when I read Ally's messages.  

I'm doing nothing. Please tell me you're near a coffee shop.

 Wait never mind I don't care if you are or not let's get coffee I'm dying for some of that caffeinated goodness. 

Maybe that's why she always has so much energy. Her caffeine consumption is probably more than the average person should have. 

I send back a text accepting her invite slash demand, telling her where I'm going. 

Knowing I'm only one block away from the nearest Starbucks I keep going straight. Waiting at the stoplight I stay until the little man brightens, signalling the flow of people onward. As it's Saturday the crowds are rather large with people of all ages bustling about. 

When I'm about five minutes from the Starbuck's entrance I spot an older man walking two of his dogs. Two really really pretty and cute Australian Shepherds. Hands down my favourite breed out of the hundredths of thousands. 

Not being able to resist I ask the man if I can pet them. 

"Of course of course," he nods enthusiastically. "They love people!" 

Running my fingers through their merle coats I revel in the fluffy and silky feeling. "What are their names?" 

He first points to the bigger blue merle. "This one here is Carson," then motions to the red smaller shepherd. "And this is Nevada. They were found in Carson City in Nevada, they're rescues." How people are heartless enough to abandon their dogs are beyond me.

"Aww, well they're super cute. I love Australian Shepherds." I give them each a good scratching behind the ear before standing up from my crouched position. "Thanks for letting me pet them, have a good day!" 

Offering a warm smile he replies. "Thank you, you too."  

Continuing on to my destination Ally is already waiting with Drew by the door. I guess Drew wasn't doing anything on this lovely Saturday either. 

Ally rolls her eyes once I get closer. "I swear Harley, you're going to become a crazy dog lady." 

"What, just because I like dogs I'm going to become a crazy person?" I raise an eyebrow smiling. 

"I'm not going to answer that, coffee is calling me." Pushing the door open she barely waits for us before rushing into the lineup. Addict here I tell you. 

Drew groans leaning on the wall. "Why did you have to crave coffee at this hour, it's too busy." 

"Nonesense," she turns her nose up. "It's never too busy." 

Drew and I share a she's-weird look briefly. 

Once we finally get through the line and have our drinks we decide to head to a nearby park. There was one dark and dingey table left at Starbucks, but there's a reason it was the only one left. 

Ally takes a sip out from her cup of whatever fancy beverage she ordered this time. "So Harley, how was studying?" 

I shrug my shoulders letting a group of preteens pass us before walking again. "Wasn't that bad, we actually got a few things done." 

"You mean Cody actually does work?" 

"Yeah, he had to leave early though, family emergency or something." 

"My partner may be hot but it's all beauty and no brains." Drew says sounding annoyed. 

Laughing I tease him. "Not so excited to be working with her anymore?" 

He looks as if he's about to say something but refrains from doing so. 

Finding a decent picnic table we sit down enjoying the suns warm rays. Most of the tree's leaves are browning, littering colourful leaves all across the park. 

Even with the cooler temperatures many ducks paddle about in the big pond that stretches into a big circle. 

I chuckle when I notice Ally shivering. 

"What? It's cold!" She glares. 

"You just had coffee to warm you up, and it's not even that cold." I state. 

"It's freezing." She practically chatters. 

Drew scans her choice of an outfit for the day. "Lee Lee, it would've helped if you had put on a sweater." 

"I wasn't cold then." She crosses her arms which are bare as she's wearing a loose purple T-shirt.  

Drew rolls his eyes but doesn't comment. 

After we finish up our drinks we walk back to Drew's house to watch a movie. 

A sappy cheesy over-the-top, romantic movie due to Ally's insistent request. 

Please, shoot me now.