the simple bare necessities - the jungle book
"Oh, you're joking," I say to myself as Michael pulls the Jeep into our driveway. "Dude, why are they all here?" I whine to my brother, watching as all the car doors open and boys step out of the vehicles parked in our drive.
"Cause. You think we're going to the drive-in alone?" he scoffs, as if I'm stupid and I roll my eyes, looking to Harper to back me up. She just continues to look out at the boys, surveying the crowd.
"Well the drive-in isn't for another six hours," I remind him. Cole just shrugs and they both ignore me. The Jeep parks and for a moment I stay put, not ready to get out in front of the boys. It's not like I want to impress any of them - I've been embarrassed enough around them to know they don't think highly of me anyway. But I just don't want to give them another reason to make fun of me.
They never had that issue with Harper. She's perfect, in every way. And any insult they thought of, she could make vanish with simple words and a dazzling smile. I didn't have that charm or ability, so I was fighting for my life anytime the boys came around.
I push myself up to exit the Jeep, trying not to think about them but focusing on swinging my feet out and landing on the ground, my Converse thudding against the pavement. I turn around as soon as I land, grabbing my bag from the seat, already starting to walk away from the boys.
I hear light footsteps coming around the Jeep and, without looking up, start walking down the driveway, Harper meeting me at my side. We escape without being bothered and Harper grunts as she looks back, noticing they're walking to the backyard.
"This is ridiculous. I just wanted to swim," she whines, continuing to look behind us and I just laugh, shaking my head.
"No, you just want to see Elijah so you can ask him all about Nick," I claim and she scoffs, her mouth agape as she blinks at me, but her lips curve to a smile.
"How dare you assume that of me." She bursts into a fit of giggles after saying it, biting her lip.
"Oh, I forgot, you're way over him, right?" I joke, reminding her of the conversation we had literally last night about how we're staying single for the summer because we can't experience our first boyfriends without each other by our sides. She opens the gate to her front yard, shaking off her hand after burning herself on the black metal that's been baking in the sun all day.
"Obviously," she states, rolling her eyes for show. Harper's always been like this. She says she's not interested in any guys but one comes walking by and she'll drool. It usually stays the same guy for a few months or so before it changes.
"So you're not gonna pick out an extra cute outfit just in case he's at the movie tonight?" I test and she opens her mouth to deny it, shutting the front door of her house behind us.
"No...?" It's more of a question the way she says it and I just laugh to myself, pulling off my shoes as we hurry up the stairs to her room, the air getting stuffier as we go up.
"Harp, I don't understand. He obviously likes you, just go for it," I try for the millionth time, sitting on her nicely made bed on my stomach, facing the closet she's walking into. As she disappears behind the door, I take another look at her room and remind myself to clean mine before I leave.
Harper's room is always pristine and orderly, and everything has a place. The room really encompasses Harper - the light blue walls decorated with photos and hanging plants. Her floor is carpeted and old, but she always vacuums it to make it look brand-new, making a real airy feeling. It always makes me feel bad for knowing all of my clothes are scattered around my floor.
YOU ARE READING
But I Can't Lose Her
Romance"You can't be serious. You can't sit here, and tell me you don't care how much this would kill Harper and Michael," I protest, sitting up on my hand, watching him below me. I feel his hand tighten slightly as he swallows, taking breathes I can feel...
