faded

chapter 3

i sat in the cafe, slowly sipping on my iced coffee as i scrolled through my phone. i didn't wanna risk making eye contact with anyone i knew, and then being forced to talk to them. i didn't want to have to plaster a fake smile on my face and say with a preppy tone,

"Hi!!! how have you been? oh, i've been great-"
and all that.

it's been about 20 minutes and parker was still nowhere to be seen. i rolled my eyes with a hint of annoyance at the fact that she wasn't here, and opened the messages app on my phone. i clicked on her contact and texted her:

"where are you? i'm almost done with my coffee and don't wanna sit here forever. come or i'm leaving."

that might've come across harsh, but at this point it was the least of my problems. i needed her and i wasn't just going to wait here by myself, though it is better than being at home with my father.

my head turned at the sound of a bell, which rang when someone walked through the entrance door. i looked up, expecting to see parker. yet, my eyes widened drastically as they were not met with my best friends brown eyes, but harry's bright green ones.

this has to be a fucking joke
i mumbled to myself, turning around almost immediately and closing my eyes for a second.

why did it feel like he was always there? why couldn't i seem to get away from him, when his presence is the last thing I need or want? it didn't make sense to me.

i pretended as if I didn't even notice him walk through the door, and continued scrolling through my phone. But the only thing going through my mind was the series of events that were about to happen.

as him and his group walked past me, i could feel their stares against the back of my head, burning a hole through me. i rolled my eyes and ignored the feeling and their relentless stares. they made their way up to the front, as I could hear them order their drinks. my head couldn't help but repeat harry's order even before he said it, remembering what he got everytime they came to the local coffee shop. iced vanilla coffee with creamer and a brownie to go. i pushed away the urge to let out a soft smile, remembering how different things were; how much he's changed.

they made their way in my direction, going to the booth a few spots behind mine. as they passed me, zayn gave harry a shove hard enough to cause him to fall toward me, his beverage spilling all over me and my work. my hair was completely covered in iced coffee, along with my sweatshirt which was now damp and uncomfortable.

a loud gasp escaped my mouth as i stood up, my jaw now dropped completely to the floor. i looked up at harry, in complete shock and disgust. his expression back at me gave the impression that he almost looked sorry, but i knew deep down that he couldn't sympathize anyone but himself.

"are you fucking kidding me right now? first knocking me over in the hall and now this? get ur head out of ur ass harry," i yelled, gaining the looks of those around me in the coffee shop. at this point, I couldn't even care about the judgmental glances I was getting. My aggravation towards my ex best friend completely took over me, as I grabbed my stuff and stormed out of the coffee shop.

before i could make my way down the street, i heard the all too familiar voice call to me from outside the coffee shop.

"emma wait..."
harry shouted, running over to me as i made my way to the parking lot.

i looked ahead of me in complete annoyance, before turning on my heels to see a guilty looking harry standing right in front of me.

"what harry... what do you want," i said with little to no patience, my hands attempting to ring out the coffee soaking in my sweatshirt.

he looked down at how soaked i was, and took a step forward.

"emma i'm so sorry.. zayn pushed me and i-i tried to stop myself b-but then i fell forward and my drink spilled on y-"
before he could finish his sentence i stopped him, rolling my eyes.

"look i don't wanna hear it okay? it's whatever. just leave me alone okay? you seem to have no problem doing that based on our communication since 8th grade." i snapped, a fake smile forming on my face before i turned around again to make my way to my car.

"emma please..." he said, his hand gently grabbing my wrist to turn my around. he spun me to face him, my face only inches from his now. my eyes locked with his for a second, before i realized what was happening and pulled away almost instantly.

"here... take this," he said, using both hands to take off his football jersey. it had number 20 printed on the back, and our school name and logo on the front. he handed it to me, a sorry facial expression shown on his face.

"thanks." i said bluntly, grabbing it and beginning to walk to my car.

i could tell he hadn't walked away, there was no footsteps heard and he remained in the same standing position that he was in when we talked. before i stepped in my car i heard him yell across the street, "i'm sorry emma... for everything," i closed my eyes lightly as he said this, not knowing what to say or how to even respond.

i stepped into my car, and completely lost it. tears streamed down my face as my hands covered it, leaning forward into my lap. all the pain and feelings i've experienced for the past 3 and a half years were hitting me all at once, like a thousand knives to my chest.

as much as i hated to admit it, i missed him...

and his presence was completely bittersweet.

how do y'all like the story so far??? lmk if u have any recommendations 🖤🖤