Lie to Me

{ 1. Dinner for Two }

1 year before

My alarm screeches relentlessly pulling me from yet another light sleep. These days I just couldn’t seem to get to sleep, no matter what I tried. I groaned and swung my feet over the edge of my bed before grabbing my phone and switching the alarm off.  Looking at the screen of my phone I saw that I had a few messages from my boyfriend, Max telling me that he wanted to catch up with me after class. I send him a quick text before reluctantly pulling myself out of bed and walking to my dresser to start getting ready for my first day back at college. And isn’t that just so exciting.

“Max I’m on my way, the traffic is bad though so I might be a little late,” I say into the receiver

“That’s fine, just let me know when you get here.” Max says before I say goodbye and place my phone on the passenger seat. 20 minutes later and I only just arrive at the restaurant in downtown Seattle. Jumping out of the car I run inside and am guided to an empty table. Sitting on my plate is a folded piece of paper and written on the inside it says, “I’m so sorry, work called again. Tomorrow night?” in Max’s distinct handwriting. I sigh and sink further into my chair; this is the second time this month Max has had to suddenly disappear because of work. I wouldn’t mind except for the fact that now I have nothing to do.

I sigh as the waiter walks away. I swear everyone is staring at me, the loner, ordering a meal for two. It’s not my fault I was born with a big stomach and am in a relationship with a hard-worker. Looking down at my phone, I check to see if maybe, just maybe Max has actually decided to follow through with his plans for once. And of course I’m rewarded with nothing, not one single message, not even from my mother. It’s when I look up that things get interesting. There across from me sits a guy who looks oddly familiar. “Hi,” he greets me cheerily “It’s great to see you again, Maddy. Sorry I invaded on your table, but you looked a little lonely.” I wince as the face finally finds a place in my mind. Harry it is, the name that seems very familiar, but I’m not quite sure why.

“No it’s fine really, not like anyone would’ve turned up anyway…so, how are you …Harry?” I ask. He seems surprised that I actually remember his name; little does he know I have an uncanny ability to remember names. Unfortunately for me, not much else.

“Well I’m good thank you. May I ask why you’re here, alone?” Harry says as he lightly gestures to everyone else in the restaurant who sits with their significant other.

“Are you suggesting that having dinner by myself is against some set of rules?” I laugh shaking my head as I watch Harry’s face drop then rise again when he sees I’m only joking “No, my boyfriend, Max couldn’t make it tonight.” I mumble, suddenly serious. The dinner than arrives and I agree to share it with Harry even though I could easily eat the whole thing by myself.

“He stood you up?” Harry questioned through a mouthful of spaghetti

“No, no. Well yeah. Kind of. I suppose.”

“What an asswipe.”

“Hey! Don’t say that about Max! He is still my boyfriend.” I defend.

“I’m only kidding,” he chuckles “How about we get out of here? Get some ice cream or something.”

“Sure why not?” I reply with a slight nod. We both stand, and I quickly pay for the bill even though Harry insists that he has more than enough reason and money to pay. Walking outside I suddenly become aware of how cold it is and regret not having brought a jacket. Harry immediately offers me his brown leather jacket and I take it reluctantly. This night has turned out to be so cliché. First he comes and has dinner with me, then lends me his coat. I’m just waiting for it to rain so we can run for cover than end up making out under a tin roof.  And of course just as I think that, it begins to rain. No, it begins to pour so hard I could swear that the man upstairs is doing it just for my benefit. He’s probably laughing at how stupid I look tonight too. Anyway, Harry and I run to the nearest covered area and stand under it, waiting for the rain to subside. Only it doesn’t and Harry is left standing with me and I try desperately to wipe the not so waterproof mascara from under my eyes.

“You okay there?” He murmured.

“Oh, yeah I’m just trying to uh clean the mascara off my face.” I insist, waving him away from me. I sense him lean away and I’m part grateful, part sad because I’ve never had a guy that good looking come that close to my face, like damn son.  Finally I seem to have gotten rid of it and I can focus my attention on the attractive guy standing two feet away from me.

“So,” I say awkwardly. Great conversation starter, I know.

“So I don’t think we can make it to the ice cream shop” Harry states, turning his gaze to the still open ice cream store down the road. Thing is, I really need ice cream right now.

“I’m going.” I say, determined to get that ice cream.  Looking up at Harry I see the smile on his face.

“Last one there gets second pick,” I announce before bolting out into the pouring rain. I can feel Harry right behind me, gaining on me quickly.  I shout out as he takes over me, his long legs extending way further than my own. I channel all my inner runner and bolt. I manage to catch up but I can’t overtake him so we both end up in a tie. Together we reach the threshold of the ice cream place, soaking wet and gasping for breath. Running in the rain sure is hard. I take a few steps towards the counter and lean on it, choking out my order before hitting Harry to make him order as well. “Strawberry and chocolate please,” He requests politely.

We sit at the table opposite each other and I can feel Harry’s eyes burning into me as I gulp down my ice cream. “What?” I ask, looking up through my eyelashes at him.

“It’s nothing just, you have a bit of – here” and with that Harry reaches out and brushes away strands of hair from my face, then continues to wipe a small part of ice cream from the edge of my lips.

“Your hand is really hot,” I remark, and it’s true his hand is like a burning fire against my cheek.

“No it’s not, you’re just blushing that’s all,” Harry states a smile threating to emerge across his features. He leans forward and suddenly our lips are nearly touching.  I can feel the heat between us and I find myself leaning even further forward, my body attempting to close the gap. Then I begin to stutter out a string of unintelligible words before leaning back into my chair.

“I should, um, go.” I manage to say as I quickly push my chair back.  Harry spares not a single second grabbing my wrist and telling me to wait. And I do, I wait as he takes my phone and programs in his number before insisting on walking me home. It isn’t long before we reach the front door of my apartment and I turn to say goodbye from the doorway, but Harry has already disappeared.

 Shrugging I walk inside, taking in the darkness of my apartment and creep to the dresser quickly get a change of clothes before heading to the shower. Before I slip out I take note of the breathing shape lying on the other side of the bed, making sure not to make any noise. I make sure to bit down on my bottom lip to prevent any threads of music slipping because I already know that Max is asleep now. Finally, I make it to bed, climb in under the warms covers and snuggle my body against Max’s. And as I fall asleep by my boyfriend’s side I dearly wish it were someone else instead.