“Bye dad,” I said dryly as I went down my dad’s police car. The dead air between my dad and I was nerve-wracking.

“Come home early.” He said, his eyes fixed on the steering wheel.

I nodded half-heartedly as I remembered dad’s harsh words last night. “Okay.”

As usual, everyone stared at me as I got off my dad’s car. I was probably the only student in school who had an overly protective dad. Evident whispers could be heard from the students’ mouths.

What a loser. I feel so bad for her. Sucks to be her.

Those words are what I usually hear from them. But I didn’t mind them. Well, it was more of because I got used to it.

Walking down the hall, I ignored the people around me and went straight to my locker. I quickly got my books as I heard the bell ring.

“So?” Lydia’s high-pitched voice was heard beside me.

“So what?”

“Are you going?”

Sighing, I slammed my locker and looked down on the floor.

“I guess that’s a no?” She frowned and I nodded. “As usual.” She rolled her eyes.

The bell rung for the second time, initiating the start of classes.

“Well, I better go. I’m going to be late.” Lydia said. “I’ll go tell the others about the bad news.”

Something was suddenly stirring inside me. Wait. Will I let this go? If I will, then I'll miss out on a lot of stuff. Again. There was a part of me that wanted to go against my father's decision, but at the same time, I wanted to follow my conscience. (which was to follow my dad's orders) Last night's experience made me want to follow my inner most desires. I've already had a quick taste of freedom that night. I should carry on with this freedom.

"Lyd! Wait." I called.

"Mm?"

"Tell them I'm going." I said firmly.

**

Harry's P.O.V.

I woke up feeling groggy. I checked the clock and realized it was already past 10. I was late for work. Slamming my head on the pillow, I groaned as I overslept again. With that, I decided not to go to work today. I could fix my motorcycle today.

"Harry. C'mon, man. Help me out here." Jack said, as he pats on my shoulder. "Don't worry, no one will get hurt here."

I froze as I remembered what Jack had told me last night.

"Shit." What have I gotten into?

I tried to shake off all these unwanted feelings and decided to take a shower. I wore my usual white v-neck shirt and tight jeans as head to the auto shop. Before I head out, I checked my phone to see if there were any texts or calls I’d been expecting from someone. But there was none, sadly. Had she not seen it yet? Or was she ignoring me?

*A few hours later*

"It's good to go. Just had a few glitches to be fixed." The man from the auto shop said.

"Thanks." I said as I handed him the cash.

I quickly rode my motor cycle and its engine sounded as if it was brand new.

As I drove my newly fixed vehicle on the quiet streets of Cheshire, I decided to stop by a tea shop. I thought I needed some time to think; think about what Jack had told me.

I swung the doors open and noticed someone familiar sitting at the corner of the dimly lit room. I looked closer and I knew it was her; the girl I had met last night. Seeing that she was alone, I decided to keep her company.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" I said, smiling.

Her eyes were glued on the book she was apparently reading but her eyes quickly shifted to my gaze as she heard me.

"No--" She said, her eyes seemed to be in disbelief as she saw me. What a reaction. I laughed.

"I'm hoping you still remember me." I said as I sat down on the chair, opposite to her.

She nodded gently, her brown waves, swishing slightly as she looked up at me. I noticed her cheeks flush a shade of pink. “Yeah.. Harry?”

I smiled. “Bree?”

“Yeah.” She said softly, her gaze not stable.

“So.. what’s a young girl like you doing here?” I said as I rested my chin on my clenched fist.

“Nothing, really.. I just..” She pushed herself back a bit, widening the distance between us. “wanted to relax.” She said, as she bit her bottom lip.

Bree’s P.O.V.

“Oh. So you do this alone?” He asks, his head tilting to the side.

Why does he want to know?

“Um. My friends.. are actually coming.” I bit my lip, again.

“Oh.” He said, nodding his head. “Well then I guess I should probably go.. I wouldn’t want your friends to think I’m stealing you from them.” He chuckles.

I felt my breath hitch as I heard his statement, well, joke rather. I looked down on my lap, making sure he wouldn’t see my flushed cheeks. Not now, Bree. Not now.

“Here’s your order.” The waitress said. I felt relieved as the nerve-wracking tension between us disappeared for a while. Looking up again, I noticed the waitress was casually glancing at Harry very now and then. Her eye lashes fluttered as she looked at him with flirtatiousness. Although Harry’s eyes were not on hers.

I felt her push the table slightly, causing my tea to spill out on me. She laughed quietly as she walked away. Did she do that intentionally? Cunt.

“Whoa, whoa.’ Harry said, and immediately grabbed a
tissue. “Here.”

“Thanks.” I said, biting my lip as I took out the stains.

“Tea, eh?” Harry smiles a lop-sided smile.

“Yes..” I said shyly.

“Why not have some vodka?” He jokingly implies.

I reckon he had seen me drink vodka at the club. He probably knew I wasn’t used to drinking it.

He laughed, his usual raspy tone evident. “And that’s why it’s called a tea shop.” I laughed.

“Well, that’s a good looking cupcake.. You’re into sweets too, eh?” He cocks his brow and smiles.

“Mm..” Why was he so curious. And didn’t he just say he would be leaving?

“Hm.. I know a good place. Check it out some time.” He then grabs a small paper from his pocket, and hands it to me.

“I will.” I said, smiling. “Um.. So, how about you?”

“What about me?” He laughed.

“You like sweets, too?” I ask. The curiosity Harry had seemed to transfer to me.

“Sort of, yeah. Well, I come to tea shops like this to just relax.. basically. Like what you’re doing.” He grins.

“Oh..” I was rather amazed that we had a thing in common.

Seeing Harry to be bit older than me, it seemed as if we had nothing in common at all. But we actually did.

“Acutally..” I said. “I usually come here to forget.”

“Forget what?” Harry asked.

“About everything.”

“Define ‘everything’,” He smiles.

“Everything, I mean like problems at home. How my da--” Whoa there, Bree. Too much information.

“Go on.” He insists.

“Nothing. I--” My sentence was left unfinished as I noticed a familiar figure calling my attention. “Bree!” The familiar high-pitched tone. It was Lydia.
Harry turned to his back as he heard Lydia.

“Well then.” He said, as he smiled back at me. “I guess I better go.” He stands up.

Okay so he didn’t even order anything and he just leaves after our conversation?

“See you, Bree.” He smiles. Again.

See me? When? He then swings the door open.

“Bye, Ha--” Too late. He had already left.

“Breeeee!” Lydia squeals as she sits down beside me, tugging my arm.

“Ouch, Lyd. Calm Down.” I laughed.

“Spill!” She demanded.

“Spill what?” I asked, pretending to be clueless about her question.

“Oh you know! Who was that insanely attractive man you were with 10 seconds ago?”

“A stranger.” I bit my lip as I tried to hold back my smile.

“Don’t lie to me..” Lydia pouted.

“He really is..” I insist.

“Oh? So you two laugh and smile at each other like you’ve know yourselves for too long? You call that a stranger?” Lydia frowns, her tone, ascending.

“Well, yeah..” I smiled.

“C’mon! Spill it!” She squealed.

“Tonight. I’ll call you tonight. I have to go. Dad will be furious.” I said as I realized it was almost past dad’s curfew.

“Pft, fine. I'll be waiting!” She smiles.

I realized Lydia was right. Although Harry was a complete stranger to me, I was comfortable around him. There is something about him I just couldn’t describe. Technically, me and Harry are both strangers to each other, but how come it feels like we’ve already known each other too well?

Strangers, huh?