18

V. - "I've always liked my fruits ripe."

Elle’s POV:

"What the HELL was that?!" I shouted, running upstairs after my brother towards his room. I caught him roll his eyes before slamming the door just before I could get in.

My fists pounded the door, “Open up right now, Gabriel!”

"Or what? You’ll have Harry drive over here and bust down the door." His voice scoffed from inside and I winced.

"No, we are just friends. Gabriel what is your problem with him? He is a nice guy." I stopped banging by now and my voice was soft.

There was silence at first then Gabriel spoke again. “I don’t want him to hurt you… like mom and dad, you know?” My heart seemed to shatter in pieces when I heard how cracked his voice seemed.

"I won’t let him hurt me. I promise." After I said this the door pulled back and Gabriel stood there, watery eyed.

We both hugged and I rested my chin ontop of his head, taking my fingers through his hair gently. “I promise…” My voice repeated.

-

It was finally Friday and I smiled happily as Harry drove me home from soccer practice again. I did get a schedule change out of my class with Travis and I haven’t seen him the whole rest of the week. I have done nothing but only talk to Harry since we have became pretty attached to each other. People have begun to notice it too, especially the people on my soccer team. Always asking if we are dating or not, even the coaches. It was starting to become a daily routine.

"So are you going to the party with me or not?" Harry asked, his green eyes locked on the road ahead of him. Ringed fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly as if anxious to hear my response.

"I don’t know. Will it have a lot of cute guys?" I laughed, but Harry tensed up.

He shrugged his shoulders, “A couple of seniors from different schools will be there, freshman in college, you are bound to meet a cute guy there.”

"Okay I’ll go, lighten up." I rested my hand on his thigh lightly and Harry gripped the steering wheel tightly. In an instant I moved my hand from him and placed it in my lap. I hated how awkward I was around boys.

"I guess I’ll pick you up at 11?" Harry parked outside of my house and still had his eyes on the street in front of him. His jaw tensed and his eyebrows furrowed over his eyes.

I nodded my head, “Yeah. I’ll be waiting outside.” Once I had gotten my bag and soccer stuff out of Harry’s trunk he gave me a hesitant wave of the hand then drove off. Jeez, what was his problem?

-

"Stay by me, ok?" Harry whispered harshly to me as we walked up the steps of the house with blaring music. I had caught a glimpse of what other girls at the party were wearing and I immediately regretted my outfit choice. A short flowy black dress with small rose print on it, a light washed denim jacket, and black high topped vans. My hair was also down in it’s natural wavy state and I just wore winged eyeliner and mascara. Other girls wore tight jeans and crop tops to show off as much skin as possibly so I felt like a nun compared to them.

I looked over at Harry who had his hair covered in a green beanie, curls peeked out from under it. His torso enclosed in a plain white t-shirt and plain denim jeans and vans completed his look.

"Just- if any guys offer you something, don’t take it. No matter what, understood?" Harry looked at me with a serious gaze that forced me to nod my head up and down in response. This made him ease up a bit and smile at me. His fingers intertwined with mine making my stomach sprout butterflies as we entered the house.