Next day.
“You have got to be kidding.” Zoe spoke disbelievingly.
“I wish I was.”
My head sunk down into my hands, a deep sigh falling out of my mouth. When I raised my head the other two girls were staring at me. Lucy slowly spun round on my desk chair, her face gave off the impression she was deep in thought.
“Well, what are you going to do?” Zoe asked.
She was sat beside me at the top of my bed, our backs leaning against the headboard.
“There’s not much I can do, he knows where I live.”
My bedroom door flung open to reveal a panting Charlotte. She bent down undoing her laces before slipping her shoes off. Her hands pushed her hair back from her face, attempting to tame the wild locks.
“Sorry I’m late, what did I miss?”
She dropped her bag to the floor before climbing onto the bed and crossing her legs. She looked at me expectantly but Lucy cut in.
“Bo is being stalked by an extremely attractive but scary guy, who followed her home, saw her in her underwear then turned up in her kitchen the next morning and he’s now like best friends with her Mum.” Lucy’s words poured from her mouth.
Charlotte’s eyes grew wide. Her head turning from face to face.
“Oh and she’s going on a date with him tonight.” Lucy finished.
“W-what?”
Her head shook trying to take everything in. There was silence for a few seconds.
“Harry followed you home? I knew we should have stayed with you that night!” Charlotte threw her arms up.
“Can’t you just tell him no?” Zoe asked.
“But he knows where I live now, and my Mum thinks he’s the best thing ever. You should have heard her yesterday, she was so happy. And besides, we all know about his reputation, I don’t want anyone I care about to get hurt.”
Lucy planted her feet the floor at my words, ceasing her nervous spinning.
“Well, what about you getting hurt?” She spoke quietly.
I placed my hand over my eyes, wishing I had never met Harry. This couldn’t possibly get any worse. My mind wandered, I still had no idea where he was even taking me on our “date”. I used the term “date” loosely as I had no desire to spend an evening with him, knowing full well it was probably just an opportunity for him to feel me up. I leaned into Zoe’s shoulder as she wrapped her arms round me.
“It’s going to be alright.” She tried to reassure me.
But something in her tone made me think she wasn’t convinced by her own words.
***
I scrolled through Tumblr on my laptop, lying on my front with my ankles cross in the air. A wave of anxiety swept through my body as I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. It wouldn’t be long until the torture of seeing Harry would begin. My fingers eased through my hair which was still a little damp from the shower.
“Bo?” My Mum called through the door.
“Come in.”
She pushed the door open, her smile fading when she saw me sprawled out on the bed.
“Why aren’t you dressed? Harry’s going to be here soon.”
I felt like rolling my eyes, if only she knew what he was really like. She started to walk over to my wardrobe, but I quickly stopped her. I scrabbled off the bed, stepping in front of her.
“Mum, I can do it.” I huffed.
“Don’t be too long.”
Once she had closed my bedroom door behind her I fell back onto my bed. I cursed quietly under my breath. My head turned sharply, my phone buzzing beside me. I picked it up and opened the text.
From: Harry
I’m taking you out for dinner. Wear something sexy. H x
I didn’t reply, throwing the phone onto my duvet as I opened my drawers. I tugged out a top, deeming it more pretty than sexy. My hands went to the hem of my t shirt but I stopped myself before removing it. Glancing over to the window, my hands yanked the curtains shut. I quickly undressed, chucking my clothing to the floor before hopping round and pulling up my skinny jeans.
My long hair fell round my shoulders as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I had applied some make up, my eyelashes looking longer and darker. The clear lip gloss was dabbed over my lips and I swept a small amount of blusher over my cheeks. I took in a deep breath which puffed out in a sigh.
“Shit.”
I jumped as I heard my phone vibrate again. I forced down the lump in my throat as my fingers clasped round it. To my relief it was a text from Lucy.
From: Lucy
Be careful, the girls and I are thinking of you. Xx
A small smile spread across my face knowing that they were there for me. I placed the phone in my bag along with my keys and other essentials. My eyes darted over to the clock. Harry would be here in about 10 minutes, I felt like my heart was in my mouth. I hated it. It was like waiting to take an exam on sitting in the doctor’s office knowing you had to have an injection.
My ears perked up upon hearing a car pull up outside. I stumbled to the window, peeking out from behind the curtain. Harry stepped down from the large vehicle before slamming the door behind him. I grabbed my jacket from the wardrobe, not bothering to pick up the hanger that dropped to the floor. Pulling on my shoes I yanked the door open to my bedroom. The sooner this is over, the better.
“Bo! Harry’s here.”
“Alright!” I snapped.
I didn’t mean to be so harsh, but the whole situation was really getting to me. Reluctantly, I descended the stairs to find my Mum stood in the living room doorway waiting for me.
“You look lovely.” She smiled.
“Thanks Mum.”
Both out heads twisted to where the knocking was coming from. She gave me a kiss on the cheek before gently nudging me to the front door. I turned my head just in time to see her disappear, leaving me alone in the hallway. I drew in a deep breath, trying to prepare myself. It wasn’t much use though; I don’t think any amount of preparation would have helped me. My trembling hand caught hold of the handle. I opened the door to reveal a tall figure, a dimpled smile spread across his face.
“Hello, Beautiful.”