Luella

23 | a lottle

L U E L L A

"Nice choice," His voice makes me jump, dropping the book from my hand to collide rather loudly with the floor. I scowl at Harry with all my might and shake my head, bending down to retrieve the book and put it back in its place.

"You can't do that," I hush and step back from him, looking around us. "We can't talk here."

Harry nods, his gray beanie preventing his curls from tumbling onto his forehead. "Outside, then. Come."

He follows the way outside, nodding at the meekly grinning store owner. Once we're engulfed by the coldness of the Lancaster streets, I'm shivering and it's not that hard to notice. Harry's eyes roam my face and I try to avoid looking anywhere near those green devils.

"I came in my car," Harry points out in a questioning tone, his suggestion clear. I merely give him a nod as I recognize the fancy, expensive black car of his, wasting no time in taking advantage of its high-tech heater that still has its effect even the car's off.

Harry gets into the driver's seat next to me and the air is instantly thick with tension and awkwardness. But when Harry speaks so casually the next minute, I find myself feeling pitiful. I shouldn't have involved in anything with Harry, this is mentally tiring.

"So, you read?" He asks, scratching his cheek anxiously. I curl my lips inwardly and set my jaw before I open up my purse, fishing out his cracked-screened phone.

Outstretching the device to him, I almost fail to acknowledge the grimacing look on his features. "Here's your phone, Harry."

"Oh..."

"Yeah," I still avoid his curious gaze. "And I'd prefer it if you didn't talk to me at all."

Harry's frown pulls on that part of me that longs for his existence, but I've been working on the larger part of me to be immune to his ways -even if only for this moment.

Taking a deep breath, I reach for the door handle. But a clicking sound echoes throughout the car, making the message clear. I try the door again nonetheless, but huff when it doesn't open. He's locked me in.

Falling back against the leather seat, I direct my words to Harry. "Unlock the door, Harry."

He ignores my desperate pleading. "You said we needed to talk, yeah? So, let's."

"I only wanted to give you your phone back so there won't be any reason for us to talk again."

"No, but..." He looks like he's searching for an excuse, and he comes up with a weak one. "But the bet is still on."

A bitter, humorless laugh escapes me and I shake my head in disbelief, finally being able to make eye contact with his pale green irises. "What bet? The one where you screw that innocent girl you like over, only for your cheap friend-with-benefits? Now, why would I participate in such thing?"

Harry looks as if I've slapped him and his cheeks are lightly tinted, parting in surprise. I swallow and sit up straighter, feeling more comfortable with myself.

"Can you unlock the door now, please?"

"Let's clear things first," he says with a tone of finality. I open my mouth to interject but Harry's already listing the things and counting them on his fingers. "One, I have a confession. There's no girl I want to ask on a date. I only just wanted to hang out with you."

For a flicker of a moment, I'm taken aback, but my subconscious nudges me and I cross my arms over my chest, unconvinced.

"Two, I'm not a player, I never mean to play with or hurt anyone's feelings. Three, I know Ben is a rat ass and told you about my latest episode, but I also know you're aware that Poppy and I are friends with benefits. So, that really shouldn't be a problem, unless you're jealous..."