cherry || h.s

chapter 4

Lyla didn't realize that she fell asleep after sending Harry her message. She also realized she forgot to ask Seth for his extra key back. She felt more conflicted than ever.

She got up to start her day, going to start a fresh pot of coffee. Breakfast was something small, she still wasn't feeling that great because of the big cry she had yesterday. That's just how Lyla worked. Being upset and conflicted caused her to have a hard time functioning. It was a good thing she even got up to her alarm to get ready for her first class.

Lyla walked to her first class, music theory. She hadn't had a chance to check her phone since last night. She opened it to see another message from Harry.

From harry
Don't apologize for that! I would love to take you out to dinner sometime and get to know you a little better! I'm really just looking for a friend right now and I believe you are too :)

She entered theory class right as it was time to start. Of course that didn't give her any time to respond to Harry. The fact that he asked her out to dinner made her heart flutter. She couldn't get the image of him out of her head. The beautiful green eyes, the chocolate brown curls, and his strong nature. He held himself well. Like he knew his place, but also wasn't afraid to cross a line if it was necessary.

Lyla continued to daydream about Harry until her first class was over. As soon as class was dismissed, she pulled out her phone and responded to Harry.

To harry
Hey Harry! I'm sorry I didn't get back to you, I feel asleep. Yesterday was a long day, I'm sure you understand. I would love to go out and get to know you! I am just looking for a friend right now. The world is a pretty lonely place and you just seem so great. I'm available any time after 3:30 today. Just let me know what works best for you :)

The butterflies came back. She knew she shouldn't have felt them like this for Harry, but she couldn't stop them. Harry felt different, unlike any guy she'd ever met. He wasn't in life for the sex and drugs and alcohol. He was in it for the experiences, and she could tell that just by his eyes. The little flecks of gold speckled through his eyes lit up like the sun when the light hit them just right. It was like a million ballerinas dancing in his eyes, like the waves of the ocean shining off of the sun. His face showed sincerity. How he actually cared about her and what she was going through. It was like he was sent from God to help Lyla.

*~*~*

Harry's POV

Harry went to bed disappointed. No text back from Lyla. He knew she had a long day, so he understood, but she was someone he couldn't help but smile about.

Just the thought of her drove him up a wall. He knew that he couldn't be her boyfriend...not yet.

Of course Harry actually wants to be her friend. He wants a strong bond with someone that seems so special. While being her boyfriend might be a great thing to come in the future, he just needs to focus on being her FRIEND right now.

Waking up the next morning, Harry saw a text from Lyla. This made him spring out of bed. He was so ecstatic.

To lyla
Perfect! Where is a good place we could go? We could either meet there or I could pick you up. I'd be happy to do either! :)

"Mark!! Mark!!" Harry ran into Mark's room to tell him the good news. "I'm going out with her tonight!"

"That's great Harry! Remember, she's freshly out of a relationship, and girls here can rebound real quick." Mark said.

"What do you mean rebound?" Harry asked, feeling dumb because he didn't exactly understand what Mark was trying to say.

"When someone rebounds it's like when they just get out of a relationship and get with someone super fast to make their ex jealous. Something like that. Just don't become her rebound, because she'll probably just end up going back to her ex." Mark says wisely. Harry didn't know much about local girls. He didn't know much about girls, period. He was lucky to have a friend like Mark to keep him in the know.

*~*~*

Lyla's POV

"Harry and I have a date?" She said to herself, a little bit in shock. It had been planned out that they go to the mellow mushroom and Harry will be driving. It's a few miles off of campus, but it is one of the few local restaurants that isn't a fast food joint. As much as Lyla loved Taco Bell, she hoped it wouldn't be there.

"Shit what do I wear?" She thought as she walked back into her apartment after a long day of classes. She had about an hour and a half to get ready before Harry was picking her up.

Since it was mid October, she picked out a burgundy sweater and some ripped black jeans with a pair of vans. Her hair was up in a messy bun with a thick headband and her speckled glasses were on—she didn't have enough time to put in her contacts. She decided to put on a bit of concealer to hide the dark circles she had from crying and restless sleep, and a little bit of mascara too. She wanted to keep it simple since they were only friends. She didn't want to impress him TOO much. But what did she have to lose? He already saw her in one of the worst states she's been in.

At 5:30 sharp, she heard a knock on her door.

"Ok Lyla, stay calm. ONLY friends. He will NOT be your rebound. He's too nice. Just get to know him" she said firmly but softly to herself in the mirror before she went to open the door for Harry.

"Hello" Harry said simply, discretely looking her up and down.

"Hi Harry" she said with a small smile.

"You look wonderful," Harry said with a small smile on his face, his green orbs shining in the light of the shitty LED lights of the apartment hallway.

"You as well," she said back to Harry.

"Shall we go?" Harry asked as he reached out his arm for her to link hers to his.

"We shall," Lyla smiled down at the floor as a blush crept onto her cheeks. She couldn't wait.

———————

Hi like all 20 of my readers! I hope you're enjoying this story so far. It's basically just an idea dump for me, but I hope it's satisfies your little bit of craving for Harry. I know writing about him has satisfied mine :)