Moonlight

Chapter 20: Harold?

Ariana's POV:

The door to the locker room shut after me and I nearly sprinted back to the field. I wasn't sure how I'd be able to cheer or at least pay attention to the game without breaking down in front of everyone,

Everything is so confusing.

Victoria came looking for me in the hallways and I couldn't help but break down in her arms. Quiet sobs left my lips as she held me closely. It took a few but I managed to calm down enough to make my way back to my teammates and lead them.

I stepped through the tunnel, holding onto Victoria's bicep as we walked to the others.

Subtle cheers were shared between the cheerleaders and the audience. We got a first down after Jax caught a pass over two players.

I stood on the wet grass, putting my hands near my mouth to amplify my voice, "Who rocks the house?" I yelled, waiting for everyone to say the next line.

Y/N had managed to make her way from the middle of the student section down to the first, throwing me off, but thankfully Victoria caught on and continued the cheer.

The game eventually concluded and I went home before saying goodbye to everyone in hopes of avoiding Y/N but it didn't work. She was my neighbor, meaning it was inevitable.

"Have a goodnight Ariana" I heard her say from a bit away. Instead of responding, I began rushing to get inside to avoid any more contact with her. I fumbled with my house keys as my heart raced, dropping them in the process of trying to unlock the door.

"I'll stay away, no need to worry" She said lowly, unlocking her front door and slamming it shut.

Great.

I feel guilty.

The rest of my night didn't go by any faster. I took a shower in hopes of making me more tired but it was no use. I flipped and fumbled in bed constantly, wanting nothing more than to talk to the girl I was desperately avoiding, kinda.

The exhaustion kicked in nearing 5 in the morning, the time Y/N and Jax decided to go for a run. Their conversation is what caught my attention, I heard her voice and suddenly became interested.

She wore a tight fitting white v-neck long sleeve, a pair of grey shorts that rode her thighs relatively high, and white sneakers to match. Her ponytail full of curls swung back and forth with each step.

"So how are things with you and Ariana?" Jax asked and Y/N sighed heavily, her hands moving to rest of her hips while he stretched his legs.

"I'm not sure, honestly," She paused, spreading her legs to stretch before continuing, "She like—it's complicated. We've kissed a few times but she just, every time it happens she leaves and tells me she regrets it but it doesn't feel like that?"

She shook her head and shrugged.

"I don't wanna talk about it, she is so fucking confusing"

I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling for the next while until I eventually fell asleep, only waking up when my mom said she was going to run errands and I'd be alone for a majority of the day.

I didn't want to sit inside and rot, I knew myself and that's exactly what I'd do. Instead of being alone, I responded to Dalton's offer to come over and watch movies.

After a shower and new change of clothes, I was on my way to Dalton's. It didn't take very long to get there. He met me outside and walked with me to the front door, letting me inside first.

I sat on the living room couch on one side with Jordyn on the opposite end. Dalton sat, or I should say laid on the loveseat by himself.

Jordyn had been trying to talk to me for the past 10 or so minutes but cut herself off after each attempt. "I just—it's cause I know you're kinda friends with her" She said quickly, not giving me enough time to process what was said aside from the ending.

"With who?" I asked confused, she had been ranting but never said a name.
"Y/N"

She blushed at the mere mention of Y/N.

"Oh god you're still talking about her?" Dalton said with a groan. He used the remote to pause the TV as he rolled his eyes.

"What? Im so confused"

Dalton quickly explained, "My sister has a crush on Y/N and has been too scared to make a move"

Jordyn rolled her eyes this time.

"That's not true!" Dalton laughed loudly. "I'm not too scared to make a move, it's just—" It was Jordyn's turn to get interrupted, "So you admit it? You do have a crush on Y/N"

"Oh" was all I could say.

"Oh?"

I'll admit I was a bit disappointed, or maybe annoyed would be a better way to describe what I was feeling.

"Oh as in interesting but I think Y/N is seeing someone"

I was doing my best to lead Jordyn another direction because as a friend to both of them, it wouldn't end well. Y/N shouldn't be with anyone but—

"Who?"
"Uh—"

I blanked, running through an endless list of names in my head but not being able to pick one as they weren't good enough for my friend, Y/N.

Before I could be pressured into answering, the doorbell rang and outside was the Domino's pizza delivery.

Thank god.

The rest of the day at the Gomez residence passed by rather quickly, Y/N wasn't brought up again because their mother came. Jordyn asked me not to mention her crush to anyone, especially Y/N herself and I pinky promised I wouldn't.

Y/N's POV:

The next day at school was an easy one, I had successfully avoided Ariana for the first 2 hours. We had a senior assembly instead of having our 3rd and 4th period today. With a gymnasium full of seniors, I was bound to see her but I hadn't.

Although a part of me wanted to, I knew it wouldn't end well but I couldn't help to look around for her, hoping she'd be looking for me too.

"This year our senior trip will be in New York, we'll be staying there a week. Our itinerary is very strict. Anybody who steps out of line will be sent back to the rooms under the supervision of our vice principal" Our Principal, Mr.Eisenberg announced.

He continued, "Now, I'm aware most of you will have questions about how we're going to be able to pay for this trip. The answer is a fundraiser"

"You'll be split into groups of four to five students, I suggest you get to know the other people in the group because they're responsible for your success and vice versa" Mr.Eisenberg finished, leaving the other staff to finish the assembly as he walked out.

"The groups are posted outside of the building, organized by your 4th period teacher. I wish you all the best of luck" Mrs.Berry concluded the assembly and released the students, letting us leave the gymnasium in organized chaos.

I made it to my 4th period classroom, reading off the names of the people in my group but stopping when I didn't recognize the first.

"Harold?"

"Who the fuck is Harold?" I asked loudly, apparently too loud because he heard. I hadn't turned my back but the smell of a strong cologne filled my senses.

"My friends call me Harold as a joke but my name is Harry" He said with a fading accent, his minty breath hitting the left side of my face.

I turned around finally, asking, "You're Harry Styles?"

"Just call me Harry, I assume you're Y/N?"

He had a head full of curls, a few of them coming down to rest above or cover his a portion of his eyes. He had two thick stripes of black paint, one on each cheek.

His hand was extended, waiting for mine.

"You play baseball?" I asked as if it wasn't obvious to tell by the red jersey he wore and bag he carried with a bag sticking out the top.

"I do, care to watch after school today?"

-

Coming for me for not updating is crazy. 😔