Exchange / H.S

5 / Getting a Grip

KACEY'S POV:

"Thanks for absolutely nothing, I'll just find it myself." I told the operator angrily. Is it that hard to find an address? She kept telling me that it wasn't registered, but I'm sure she was bullshitting me. If I couldn't go to his house I'd go to the next best option.

"Pam?" I yelled. No response. She wasn't home. I got up from my seat at our "kitchen table" (which was really just some chairs around a tablecloth-covered box. Yes, a box. I bug Pam about it all the time, I mean she's only had this apartment for a year and a half.) I grab my car keys from the hook in the entryway and slam the heavy front door. I lock it with the black key, I had color coordinated my keys, black was the house key. I didn't paint my my car key of course, which I pulled away from the rest on the ring and unlocked the doors to my 2007 Volkswagen Golf. It was white, and was in pretty nice condition including the black leather interior which I loved. Once I got inside, I put the key in the ignition and was greeted by some obnoxious song playing on the radio. I wasn't in the mood for any noise but the sound of my own breathing, leading me to angrily slam the 'power' button on the dashboard. I backed out of my spot in the driveway and sped off on the main road, making turns to the cause of all this mess.

Once I got to my destination, I looked at the sign one more time before making my way in, West Mandeville Bakery. I heard the 'ding' sound indicating that a customer had entered but little did the stupid machine know I was not here to buy anything. Lucky for me, the queue wasn't long and I cut the two waiting. I turned around before they could say a word and mumbled. "I'm not buying anything, don't bunch your panties I'll be out of your way before you even know what you want." and with looks of awe they shut their mouths and adverted their eyes.

"Next pl-" I heard Harry stutter in shock. I probably wasn't the first person he expected. I shuffled over to the counter and planted both my elbows down staring straight into his eyes.

"Just the man I was looking for," I breathed out "Meet me outside, now. I don't care if you get someone to cover your spot, hell I don't even care if you leave the counter unmanned, get outside," and without another word from either of us, I stormed away. I leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette. I don't usually smoke, only when I was stressed, annoyed, or trying to get my mind off of something specific. Right now I was the first two. I looked down at my disheveled outfit consisting of a black lace long sleeve shirt and black leggings, it was transitioning into fall and I was getting chilly without a sweater of some sort, but honestly I was just trying to get something done.

I heard the sound of the door indicating a leaving customer, and saw Harry untying his apron.

"Can I help you?" he says in his raspy voice.

"Actually you can.." I replied hastily.

"I was implying that I wanted a reason Kacey, could you share with me why you made me leave my own workplace, during my shift with no previous notice whatsoever...?"

"Could you share with me who told you that you know me?" I fired back

He used his large hands to rub at his eyebrows which were furrowed in confusion. 

"Kacey listen you're a very nice girl but you barely make sense. Ever."

"Jesus Harry get a grip." 

"A grip on what exactly? Kacey you storm into the bakery, cause a scene with the customers, make me leave, and now outside without proper clothing you're making me play some kind of ridiculous guessing game as to why this is all happening."

"This isn't a game." I said biting at my fingernails. Harry's hand raised from his side to push my hand from my mouth. I rolled my eyes at the gesture. 

"What is this about?!" he sighed before moving next to me and sliding down the wall sitting cross-legged looking up at me. I mimicked his actions, hating the height difference it had caused.

"I'll tell you exactly what this about.." I trailed off. He just looked at me. I was slowly losing the anger and seriousness that I had before, I wasn't truly sure why I had interrupted him so urgently, and to be honest my "problem" wasn't really much of one. "I'm sorry."  I mumbled.

With that he moved his hand to my chin, I guess the somber look on my face triggered sensitivity in him. 

HARRY'S POV: 

I was so confused, I mean utterly and truly and clueless as to what the pretty girl in front of me was going on about. She was hinting about me "not knowing her" but I don't remember implying that I did. I had done some searching of 'Kacey Evans' on the internet but it was sincerely out of curiosity, and not once did I mention any of my findings to her. I haven't even talked to her after she stranded me on the sidewalk in front of Pulse. 

"Go on." I muttered. She took her hand to her hair and fumbled with it a little before taking a deep breath and beginning her reason/speech. 

"Listen Harry, like I said before I don't know who told you that you know me, but you don't. I knew it was you who gave that guy my number and it was too far, way too far. Even for you. I understand it's for my work and you probably thought you were helping me get business, but clients aren't even my responsibility. Not to mention, how I didn't mention me being in tattooing. How did you know that? I wish that you knew how different we were."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it would be such a big deal.." I mumbled, raising my hands in surrender.

"It wasn't, don't you see?" She tugged at her shirt sleeves. "That's not what this is about. I understand that I'm confusing and I apologize for sounding like a psycho but basically I just want you to know that you know nothing about me. If you looked me up on the internet, good for you, but none of that has what really matters about me." She said looking at the ground. She needed more than this moment. 

"Wait here." I blurted out, before rushing inside. I went straight to the back, hanging up my apron and grabbed my grey sweater, and clocked out without another word. I'd explain tomorrow. As I stepped back outside, I handed her the sweater. "If you don't hate me Kacey, Come with me. Please I just wanna show you something." 

"Why? What are you talking about?" She asked, sounding tired.

"Please." I said grabbing her hand, helping her up and leading her to my black BMW. I opened up the passenger door and pushed some junk from the seat, motioning for her to sit. Once she was situated I leaned over her and did the seat belt. I couldn't figure out why I was so concerned for her safety, or why I couldn't just tell her to buckle. I swear she brings out the weirdest shit in me. Her eyes were wide with shock as I sat down in the drivers seat and sped down a route I knew all too well.