when loving lies // h.s

chapter 4

Mrs. James invited my parents to stay for wine and of course they accepted. All I wanted to do was get bundled up in bed and sleep for a thousand years. I sat on the small, white arm chair in the living room, going through my phone as my parents mingled in the kitchen. My phone buzzed as a text from Caroline appeared on the the screen.

*where are you right now?*

*dinner with my parents...why?*

*shit, never mind*

*what's the matter?*

...

Twenty minutes had passed and still no text back from Caroline. I began to get worried as I thought of all the possible situations she could be in.

"Ahem," a deep cough roared through the room. I jumped, lifting my head to see the hoodie boy, standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing in my spot," he questioned, sauntering over to where I was sitting.

"I'm sorry I-" I tried to spit out an explanation but words refused to come out.

"Just go sit over there, yeah?" he scoffed, I scrunched my eyebrows together as I stood. He sat in the spot where I was once seated and I was forced to sit on the couch across the room. What a gentleman.

"What was your name again?" I timidly questioned, hoping he wouldn't explode on me.

"Harry," he stated, coldly. Shivers ran down my back by his stern tone.

"I'm Amelia," I explained, trying too hard to be polite to someone who obviously didn't care.

"Listen sunshine, I don't have time for small talk, my show's about to start," he sighed, putting his hands behind his head as he slouched back.

"Sunshine?" I uttered, almost too quiet to be heard.

"Yeah, that dress is blinding," he almost laughed. I looked down at the hideous yellow fabric laced to my body and regret washed over me. I never should have went along with my mom's opinion.

I sat quietly, chewing on my finger nails as Harry chuckled at friends every one and a while. I sighed, checking the time.

9:30

My parents were never going to hear the end of this, sticking me in a room with a brooding boy like this one. I sighed once more, receiving a glance from Harry.

"You don't have somewhere else you can be?" he rolled his eyes. I wish I did.

"Look here..."

"Amelia!" my mom called, entering the room. Harry rolled his eyes, slouching back down.

"Time to go hon-...oh I see you two have hit it off nicely," she smiled, grasping her hands together in joy.

"Hardly," I spit, standing and pushing passed my mom. As we stepped outside to the sidewalk my mom smiled to me.

"He seems nice," she nodded, smiling wider.

"Mom, are you blind?" I called, throwing my arms up.

"Amelia, watch your attitude," my father growled, clicking the button to unlock the car. I felt my phone buzz in my hand. The screen lit up...Caroline.

*Meet me at the spot in twenty?*

Shit.

"Mom," I called from the backseat. I felt the smooth road under us as we pulled onto the asphalt.

"Yes, Amelia?" she turned to look at me. I was fidgeting with my nails as I looked up to her.

"Can I meet Caroline at the park? She needs to talk to me," I questioned with my fingers crossed.

"No, Amelia, it's nearly ten o'clock," she shook her head. I huffed, sitting back further into my seat. This would have to be done the hard way.

"Fine," I sighed in defeat. I would just find my own way out.

The drive home felt quicker than the drive to the James's house. I sighed pulling off my heels as I reached my room. I nearly ripped the hideous dress from my body, tossing it to the floor. I dressed myself in sweats and a t shirt and drug myself back downstairs.

"Mom...Dad...i'm going to bed," I quickly called, turning quickly back up the stairs, closing my bedroom door. I waited for twenty minutes to pass before I locked my door and turned off my light. I stared at my window, debating if I was actually going to do it. Fuck it. I was controlled enough to almost be a college student. Right?

I pushed it open, threw down the rope ladder and crawled out into our shrub bushes, falling in the process. Shit. I quickly climbed back up to close the window. Then I quickly called Caroline.

"Hello," she chimed "Where are you?"

"Caroline, can you pick me up? My parents said no but I snuck out my window," I laughed lightly.

"Emma, you live on the second floor," she laughed.

"Rope ladder, baby," I chuckled to myself.

"I'm on my way, don't get caught," she cut, quickly hanging up.

I sat quietly on the curb of my neighborhood, looking up at the clear night sky.

"What the hell are you doing?" a now familiar voice called. Harry.

"What do you want?" I huffed, standing, brushing myself off.

"I'm just wondering why the hell you're sitting on a curb at eleven thirty at night, do you sleep here?" he scoffed, rolling his eyes at me.

"I'm waiting on someone," I spit back at him, tucking my hands in my pockets fiercely.

"Whatever," he sighed and kept walking.

"Where the hell are you going?" I called and he turned to face me.

"I'm doing that thing they call...walking, I think it is," he remarked with a look that called me stupid. I simply turned and when I turned back around to look, he was gone.

Soon, Caroline's car pulled up to the curb and she motioned me in.

"Get in loser, we're going to the park," she lamely referenced mean girls.

"You're so lame," I laughed, slamming the car door shut.

Without much conversation we made our way to our bench at the park. As we sat down, Caroline pulled snacks out of her bag and I laughed as I took a chip.

"So what did you want to talk about," I asked as I continued to munch on snacks. Her eyes focused on something behind me and she froze.

(Hey guys I hope you're enjoying so far!!! Love you all so much xx)