Absolution ➺ H.S. AU

Chapter 17 ➺ Harry

Tomorrow is the first day of school, and I really want Paisley to ride with me again this year. She got her repaired car back in the middle of the summer, but to be honest, I really love our time together to and from school. I wanted to ask her the other night, but the time just wasn't right, and I didn't want to ruin a good moment.

I just have such conflicting feelings for her. One moment, she's so kind and polite, and I wonder why she would ever waste her time on someone like me. The next, we're arguing over some petty thing and just butt heads.

The one thing I can't deny though, is that I definitely enjoy spending time with Paisley. She's unlike any of my other friends, and I guess I crave that uniqueness.

For some reason, she makes me feel nervous and vulnerable like no one else had been able to. I guess it's because she put me in my place the first time we ever talked.

I pulled out my phone and decided to send her a text and extend an invitation to drive her to school.

To: Paisley- I know your car is fixed, but I was wondering if you still wanted to ride to school together? You don't have to if you don't want to though.

A couple minutes later, I was extremely relieved to have a reply from her.

From: Paisley- I'd love that! It actually makes getting up for school fun because I know I'll get to see a friend :D

To: Paisley- Great :) I'll pick you up at our normal time then. Have a good 'back-to-school' night's sleep.

From: Paisley- Sounds good! You too!

I set my alarm for tomorrow morning and then hit the sack, falling asleep immediately.

* * * * * * *

Paisley shut the car door behind her as she shoved her backpack in the back seat, and handed me a styrofoam cup of some steaming liquid.

"What's this?" I questioned, my eyebrow shooting up.

"A cup of 'get-through-the-first-day-of-school' coffee." She said, chuckling as she put on her seatbelt. She was wearing a floral printed dress, with some sandals and her hair pulled off to the side in a braid.

"Oh, thanks." I said, taking a sip as I backed out of the driveway.

"No problem. I was making myself one and figured I might as well make two. We're gonna need it since it's our first day of senior year." She said, excentuating the 'senior year' part. She was one of those people who was super excited for their senior year. And I was one of those people who couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.

"Oh, yeah. Cause we're super cool seniors now!" I said sarcastically. I know she hated when I did that.

"Oh, shut up Styles. Don't try to tell me you're not even a little bit excited."

"I'm not excited." I said blankly.

"Don't you have, like, one class you're looking forward to taking?" She urged. Leave it to Paisley to try to get me excited for school--on the way to school.

"No, I don't get excited for class." I said, a smile taking over my face. She should know this about me by now.

"Well, I'm excited." She said, sensing my doubtfulness and giving up.

"I'm glad you're excited." I told her genuinely. And it was true. Paisley being happy also kind of made me happy. Just because when she was happy this aura of joy just sort of radiated off of her, like no one I've ever met before. Maybe that's why everyone seemed to like her so much.