Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Chapter 5: Memories

Author's note: The song accompanying this chapter is the first song on Ella's playlist made by Harley.  

Harley insisted on driving us to school since it was our first day back. I happily obliged knowing that my driving skills were mediocre at best. Plus riding with him helped me feel more at ease with going back to school. 

Moments after I had gotten in the car Harley started singing as he bobbed his head and pumped his fist with the words of the song currently blaring through the speakers. I couldn't resist digging at him.

"See I told you words are powerful, you are doing what the song is saying. Moving and grooving and all" I yell to be heard over the intense sound.

Finally I can see the horizon, the finish line in the distance. I can hear the crowd roar my name as I speeds by to take first place. That is until Mr. Rainy cloud comes and pours on my parade.

"The words had nothing to do with me moving, well I take that back. I may have moved like the words said but only because the beat of the song was good. 

That m'lady is what got me 'moving and grooving' as you said. I actually learned in psychology that music is more powerful. Gavel coming down and......case closed your honor we side with the prosecutor" Chuckling Harley glanced over at Ella to see her hiding a smirk.

"Okay enough of your court phrases we all know you spend way too much time watching Tv court shows. You are not fooling anyone into thinking you're going to law school Miss Ell Woods"   I huffed out the sentence as though it were smoke and I was a dragon.

"Ouch, okay shot to the heart. And for the record for my birthday last year we watched a court case marathon because you insisted I would like it... so." He mumbled under his breath "case closed" hopping she wouldn't pick up the lightly dropped words.

"Hmm... well... I didn't think you'd absorb it like a sponge" I say cockily crossing my arms over my chest to act as a protective barrier.

To avoid an all out war Harley began to mess with the old radio, jumping from station to station; until he decided there wasn't anything else on worth belting out. 

He resorted to the mix tape he got made for Ella as a get well present. When he dropped her off that night she forgot and left it. Perusal, she would forget her own name if Harley didn't use it as often as he did. After placing the 8 track in he glanced over at Ella. 

She had her arms crossed and was staring out the window lost in her own thoughts. As the first song started to play she slowly started moving her head towards him. She had the cutest, goofiest grin on her face. The kind that made her eyes crinkle in the corners and showed her dimples.

After the first few seconds Ella was belting out every word louder then Harley had a few moments before. She was entangled in the lyrics and wind as she rolled down her window.

At the time it seemed like the perfect start to a great day. 

The music faded into the background like white noise as the school appeared before them. The red brick building stood in contrast to the green of the woods behind it. 

The sight of all the people in the parking lot and courtyard made her sick. She wasn't ready to be bombarded by questions. She wasn't sure what had happened herself. 

A wave of panic crashed over her. She fought to breathe but her lungs felt like they were sucking in water instead. She felt like she was being tossed around in her mind. 

She felt Harley's arms around her. He was hugging her tightly and stroking her hair while whispering in her ear. The roar of the waves calmed slightly and she was able to make out what he was saying.