Don't Know Why

Chapter 3

Harry...

Scratching the back of my neck, I was fully aware how my pace slowed down to the point where I probably resembled a lad to receive chastising. The moment my booted sole met the concrete, I almost had the impulse to make a quick stop at the loo, just to make sure everything's quite appropriate.

But is there a certain thing as inappropriate when you're just meeting with a fellow student on the parking grounds?

She was easy to spot, casually leaning on one of the lamp posts, one foot propped against it and tapping it seems to the beat of whatever music she was listening to. Her head was down, gaze secured on the screen of her phone, unmindful of the hustle and bustle around her.

Observing her, I wondered what could've brought her to text me. Initially I assumed it had something to do with Kate, but since she's nowhere to be seen...

Bloody hell, just man up Styles, besides, only one way to find out.

She doesn't notice me until I'm standing at least a feet from her side, her head lifting up to look at me in question. Neither of us speak for some seconds and it's only then I realized the utter confusion on her face.

"Uh" She begins, plucking the earphone from her left ear. "Can I help you with something?"

"I guess? I mean yeah, you texted me."

Her head tilted to the side, eyebrows furrowing "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude nor offensive but I don't recall ever having your number in my contacts Harry."

I stared at her, trying to gauge if she's being sincere or not. It's like I almost expected her to suddenly blurt out that I'm being pranked, but I don't think she's the type to poke fun at others just to pass her time. Besides, on what grounds would she subject me to that? I become convinced that's indeed not entirely the case once I notice she appears to be genuinely lost as I.

"I don't have your number either, it just mentioned it was from you." It was only when the words left my mouth that I figured how defensive I sounded without meaning to and immediately focused on trying to retract it.

"May I have a look if you don't mind?" She asked seemingly unbothered by what I said, completely removing her earphones before placing it inside her bag.

"Here" I handed her my phone.

She took it from me, before taking a step closer. At first I stiffened, quite confused that she's limiting our space. When I see her sharing my phone with me, I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Of course.

Twat.

I really need to get my head out of the gutter.

"That's funny."

"What is?"

"I do remember sending an identical message and" she trails off, "figured, yeah that's my number. But I thought this number belonged to someone else."

At the mention of someone else my mind inadvertently drifts back to a prior conversation I had mere minutes ago. I do remember Lauren saying she'll also be meeting up with Alanna this afternoon and it would only make sense that she's the one Alanna is trying to reach.

But why would she end up texting me instead? Unless...

"Hey Alanna, where did you get this number again?"

"Lauren, she told me I could get a hold of her in this number."

You're welcome.

"Just, can you give me a sec" I mumbled under my breath, hoping she won't get the wrong idea with my annoyance. I turned around abruptly after she gave me my phone back, realizing a little too late that I didn't even wait for her reply.