That Summer Feeling: SUMMER 4EVER [H.S.]

20. Nuclear Seasons

The last thing I ever imagined I would do today is to go on a date with Harry.

I quickly diffuse the peachy pink color across my cheekbones when I accidentally packed the angled brush with too much blush. A panic arises for a second when the powder seems like it stained my skin. My hand wouldn't stop shaking.

Well, technically, it's a double date. And Harry is not going to be my date. Still, this arrangement didn't make it less nerve-racking. It didn't make it feel less than what it was. A double date with Harry. Fuck.

I feel somewhat content with my reflection. All my products set on my skin smoothly— bright and dewy where they should be. My lashes had been rediscovered by my curler and mascara. The red gloss over my lips shined nicely under the light and made them poutier than they were. I don't want to touch my face anymore so I don't fuck it up. My hair and outfit would be a different story because I spent so much time showering and fixing my face after the whirlwind of the morning I had.

EIGHT HOURS AGO

"Hey," Eli quietly clears his throat when he walks into the room. He closes the door behind him with his foot as his hands are carrying two white-colored mugs.

"Hey." I sit up and let my back lay against the solid headboard. I've spent about twenty minutes awake, laying on an empty bed texting back and forth with my parents, avoiding going out there.

"For you." He hands me a mug. It's filled almost to the brim with coffee mixed with creamer. The steam floats towards my face, the heat radiating to my hands when I take it.

"Thanks." I hold it from the handle and watch the steam climb over the edge. The talk Eli and I needed to have has been glooming over my head for a long time now. I don't want to argue anymore. There are several things I had to get out and I honestly have no idea how he's going to take it.

He sits on the edge of the bed with his mug in hand, body faced towards me. He glances at me a few times, taking a small sip and exhaling.

"I owe you an apology."

I turn to him. I'm surprised to hear him say that but right away I know that's not a good thing. I shouldn't be shocked by an apology from him, it's the bare fucking minimum. So I sit here and look at him, holding back my tongue just until I can hear what else he has to say.

"I may have overreacted last night." He pauses, glancing at me like he was expecting me to cut him off. He continues when I don't. "I had a bit too much to drink and I can't remember everything but apparently I was aggressive towards you and Harry. I shouldn't have exploded that way."

I softly blow over the coffee and take a small sip. The tip of my tongue burns instantly but the sharpness of it and the bitter taste that follows awakens me enough. At least he remembered to put creamer in mine and not left it plain and straight from the pot like his.

"It's all a blur to me now but I want us to move past this. I meant what I said last night, Lacey."

I instantly know he's referring to the three words he blurted out. I take a deep breath and carefully set my mug down on the nightstand beside me. I sit all the way up and look into the sincerity behind his eyes.

"You really hurt me, Eli. I've told you multiple times nothing is going on between me and Harry."

"I know, I'm sorry you felt that way." He sighs, sets his mug down too and scoots closer to me. "But I didn't like the way he was next to you. I'm not the crazy jealous type but when it comes to you, I don't know how to act sometimes." He finished with a light chuckle.