Galileo - l.s

eighteen

Harry waited by the curb, his duffel bag next to him. His leather book was open and he was sketching the long-limbed, bare tree trunks by the fields on the horizon. The chill of winter was starting to pierce through his flannel shirt, and through the thin layer of the T-shirt underneath. Occasionally a student or faculty member would walk by on their way to the parking lot. In the distance, the soccer players were leaving the field and cleaning up their equipment. He could hear their high, resonant shouts echoing in the air.

“Hiya, Harry!”

Harry looked up. Julie was walking out of school toward him.

“Julie, hey,” Harry said. He raised his hand in greeting.

“Need a ride home?” She set her backpack on the ground and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Oh,” Harry grinned. “I was just waiting for someone. Thanks, though.”

“You sure?” Julie said. “It's no trouble.”

“Yeah, I’m good,” Harry replied.

“Harry,” Julie said, standing next to him, “will you be going to the game this Saturday? I'm going with my friend Patti. I don't know if you’d want to come with us.”

Harry’s expression didn't change. He seemed chipper and happy. “I don't think I can go, Julie. My mum will be here.”

“Oh,” Julie was taken aback. Harry didn't seem to be too affected at all. “Is everything alright?”

“No worries,” Harry said. He closed his book and put it away in the duffel bag, putting his pen in the pocket of his pants. He rearranged the books inside the duffel to fit, and then zipped it up.

“Okay. Harry,” Julie said, hesitantly. She waited a moment, and then added, “I'm always here. If you need someone. For anything, you know? Anything.”

“I appreciate that, Julie,” Harry smiled. “You're a good friend.”

Julie’s face lit up. She said animatedly, “Do you think you’ll go to the dance on Saturday night?”

“The dance?”

“Homecoming,” Julie said. “I'll be there with friends. You should come. Have you ever been?”

Harry pursed his lips. He stood up and brushed off his pants, straightening his shirt over them. Harry tucked a curl behind his left ear. His hair was almost long enough to go without the scarf.

“Nope, can't say I have.”

“It might be fun. Although, the music is usually crap, and the food isn't great, either.”

“Jules, you’re giving me all sorts of incentives to go!” Harry laughed.

“Yeah, that sounds pretty bad, doesn't it?” Julie giggled in response. “But being with friends is fun. You know, getting dressed up, taking pictures, letting yourself go and having a good time. I'd love to see you there! People on the soccer team usually go. Maybe Louis will be there.”

“I'll be where?” They turned around to the sound of Louis’s voice. Louis was jogging out from the school, carrying a heavy workout bag and a backpack. Harry’s smile widened, revealing his front teeth, his eyes wrinkling in affection.