Miss Atomic Bomb | a.i

•26•

I stared at my feet as Harley spoke. I didn't want to hear about what she wanted, all I wanted right now was Rae. I wanted to talk to her, not her best friend.

"Then what the fuck is it, then?" I snap. I sort of felt bad for being so aggressive, she hadn't done anything wrong. I was just done with people's bullshit.

Harley raises an eyebrow, almost confused at my choice of words. I was confused as well, what had gotten into me? It was amazing what a simple girl could do to me. It made me realize of how I was less of a strong person then I thought myself out to be.

"It's rae," she starts, and my head suddenly snaps up. "She's a mess, you know?" She said with a sorrowful glance.

"W-what do you mean," I breath, keeping myself away from any eye contact thrown my way from her.

"You know what the hell I mean, I mean she needs you, douche bag." She spits in reply. She really cared for her best friend, I could tell. She wasn't even concentrating on her asshole boyfriend, which I don't think anybody thought was possible. Her face was red, not like she'd been crying, but like she was overwhelmed and frightened.

"Even if I wanted to try and fix things with her, all she would do is push me back." I mutter, looking around her at the people behind the shelves of shoes, some peering over the racks, wondering why we were being so loud with each other.

"Do you honestly have anything else to live for, Irwin." that one blew. I shook my head, not wanting anymore frustration to build up inside. She was being such a bitch, thought I knew why, I wanted to walk away from her and end the conversation. But of course that couldn't happen, being trapped behind a counter for the next four hours.

"Look, can't you talk to me another time, I'm trying to work." I say, trying to convince her to get out of my face. I didn't want her to talk to me at all in the long run, but for now I just needed an excuse to get away from the girl. Her ears looked as if steam would blow out of them any second, her hands balling into tight fists as she stared at me from under her long lashes.

"Well i'm trying to help my best friend, so if you don't get your scrawny ass from behind that counter, and out the door, then you'll fucking regret it, and that is a promise." She said, ending her sentence with a grunt. I was secretly intimidated by Harley for a moment, though I didn't show it, the tables turned to her trying to convince me with excuses. and in all honesty, It was slightly working.

I rolled my eyes, rubbing my tired eyes from beneath my glasses. I was getting nervous. My palms were staring to sweat and I felt my knees buckle. I couldn't give in, for god's sake, I was at work.

"I'm sorry." I mumble, ending our conversation. Harley nodded, looking over-dramatically pissed.

"Yeah, I'm sorry too, Irwin." She spits lastly, before walking away. I watched as her feet carried her away to the door. I didn't want to give up on Rae, and after all that Harley said to me, it made my hopes grow from its little corner. I knew Rae thought of me, but I didn't think she wanted me to be involved with her anymore.

I was slowly changing my mind, realizing how much I needed the girl. She wasn't just some crush that never gave me a chance like before, this was different. She tried, and was trying. I had a random rush of want, feeling as if jumping over the counter and running all the way to Rae's house would be the best choice.

I didn't think I had the courage to say anything, but surprisingly, I shouted toward Harley, just in time before she could reach the door handle.

"Wait!" I said, halting her, causing her to turn around, arms crossed over her chest, a clear smirk written across her face. She knew her manipulation had worked, and some how, in a twisted way she found it amusing.