Rebel Hearts

Chapter 2

Middle School

Every now and then, Stephen would look at Harley and he would feel bad for the rest of the day. He kinda felt bad about staying away, but he needed to focus on what he was going to do with his life and with the stuff he had seen Harley doing, he couldn't risk being part of it. He kept the focus on his schoolwork and exercise. He played basketball for the school and was very popular among the athletes. He didn't know why he played, but one thing was for sure, he absolutely hated it. He didn't want the attention, he wouldn't tell anyone, but he did still watch Harley every chance he could get. The other kids always told him it was a bad idea, but he kept up with it.

Harley, on the other hand, was much too focused on working with the bad guys that she never really paid attention to Stephen. SHe had never noticed him when he'd watch her. She'd wanted to approach him several times, but ended up deciding not to. Harley only took quick glances every so often towards Stephen. He finally walked over and sat next to her one day at lunch, but it ended up just being an awkward silence since neither of them knew what to say. Harley finally broke the silence by asking "Hey Stephen, it's been a while, how are you?". He was glad she had said something. "It has been a while. I'm not doing to good honestly, how about you?" he said as he leaned down to take a bite of his food. Of course, even so long apart, he still managed to pack the same lunches as her. She finally made eye contact with him. "I have been doing ok, what's going on with you? Are you ok?" she asked, looking slightly worried. "I don't know, I have just been feeling lonely, I don't want all this popularity. I never have. You remember that. I just want to get away from it all for a while." He replied. That's when he got a look she had always recognized, he had an idea. Good or bad, she couldn't tell.

He took her hand and stood up "Let's go somewhere after school" he said. "Meet me at the back of the school where no one else is." He smiled and took off with a smile before she could object. She couldn't help but smile also. This was the first time they had talked in forever and she couldn't get the buzz out of her head. She was nervous but very excited. Her first time alone with him in a long time and he wanted to meet her after school in a secluded area. She had a million ideas running through her mind about what he could be wanting to meet her there for. A few hours later they were both in their last class watching the clocks, excited and nervous about the meeting after school. 

Stephen was ready to go about five minutes before finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of school. Harley was a little slower at packing up. Stephen quickly walked over to the secluded area behind the school. Harley finished packing late, just as usual so she wouldn't have to be near anyone when she left. She walked out into the courtyard and to the back of the school where she found Stephen pacing back and forth nervously. He looked up and saw her. He waved his hand, beckoning her out of view of the rest of the school. She was nervous about someone seeing her go back there but once she saw the coast clear she took off into the back over to Stephen where he immediately hugged her. He realized what he was doing and quickly stepped back muttering a sorry. 

She flinched at the hug but nodded to his apology in acceptance. He smiled at her before speaking softly "Harley, I miss hanging out with you, and you remember how I had wanted to get away from everything. Well, we have a four day weekend this week and I may have convinced my parents to rent a small cabin near the ocean. I was wondering if you would like to go?" he asked hopefully. She was thinking for a few minutes before she realized how much she had missed him. "I think that would be nice if no one else is going to be near," she said. She didn't like being around a lot of people and Stephen knew that. "Trust me, no one will bother us," he said. "Then sure, I would absolutely love to go with you," she replied. 

"So we will need to leave tomorrow right after school. That means you will have to bring a bag with anything you want to bring assuming that's ok with your parents?" he said. She looked at him with a smirk "Since when do I ask?". He laughed and replied "That's what I thought you would say. Could I at least give you a ride home since.." He looked at his watch and back at her. "Your bus left about five minutes ago." She looked at him an smiled "Of course, but what will I tell my parents so they don't call the cops when they realize that I don't come home tomorrow?" she questioned him, to which he responded "Well they liked me before when we were hanging out, so just tell them you want to spend the weekend with me." he said.

She smiled and followed him to his truck where he opened the door and let her in. He walked around to the other side and got in. They buckled their seatbelts and he started the truck quickly. They drove to her house in silence. He slipped his hand into hers without thinking as they got there. "I will see you tomorrow, ok?" he smiled. She kind of freaked out in her mind when he held her hand but quickly calmed down as she let go and got her stuff and stood outside. "I can't wait" she replied with a smile. She slowly walked off towards the door. He didn't leave until she went inside. She kept looking back to the truck and she looked from the window outside as he finally left. 'What have I gotten myself into?' she thought to herself.