nights; h.s.

36

I GAINED 6,000 READS IN A MONTH WTF

thirty-six

brooklyn

I returned to school, mostly forced by Maggie and thankfully no one talked to me. I received a little more dirty looks and snickers but it was nothing I couldn't ignore. The 8th period bell rang, sounding like heaven through my ear holes. I stood up rapidly, ignoring my teacher as he shouted about homework assignments as I rapidly packed my bag and speed-walked, like a soccer-mom late for her kids game, out of the room.

To my surprise I found Harry standing outside of the classroom, holding my jacket and hat that I was rushing to get from my locker.

"Hi," he greeted with a cheeky grin and I just laughed, setting my backpack on the ground and dressing my jacket over my shoulders. "Thank you," I smiled at him and he just nodded.

"How long have you been waiting there?" I questioned, dressing my bag and beginning to walk. "About 12 seconds." He said and I smiled. "Do you wanna come over?" He asked smirking and I just laughed.

"I would love too." I said courteously and he nodded. We walked side by side to the exit, and into the cold, only to enter Harry's car again and begin the drive.

As soon as I was seated, I pulled out my phone from my back pocket. For the 7th time this afternoon, my finger went to Instagram, and almost instinctively loaded the comments on Meredith's Instagram.

@xcxade: nick should have killed her now we missed our chance

@graysonray: he's gonna catch something fr

@paytongrim: name a worse downgrade. im waiting.

@miaturner: i feel bad for harry. he's getting so much hate :(

I sighed, pressing my phone off and shoving it into my pocket. I couldn't help but wonder if I should switch schools, obviously not this year, but in the fall. It's my last year of highschool and I can't spend it like this. I let my head fall against the cool window, watching as the glass fogged up under my nostrils.

I watched as Harry manoeuvred his car that sputtered, shook, and took twelve seconds to come to a complete stop through the familiar neighbourhood to his home. I hadn't been over to his house in a while but I remember it. It smelt of vanilla and old lady perfume, but it was strangely comforting.

"You're quiet." He comments. I don't respond.

"You okay?" He smiled, laughing awkwardly as he poked my thigh with his spare hand. "Nope." I shook my head, pursing my lips. Harry only chuckled, "what's wrong?"

"Everything." I responded dramatically.

"Brooklyn, come on. Meredith's a fucking asshole and so are all her friends but they shouldn't—"

"It's not just her friends."

"Huh?"

"Have you read the comments? Its not just her friends, it's everyone." I said, Harry stuttered as I unlocked my phone in my lap and it immediately resumed its place back on Meredith's instagram post.

"Brooklyn, it's only gonna make you feel-"

"Guys, I think Harry's going blind. Jeremy Bradshaw said, 'lol she must be loaded or something' to which Jason Carrington responded 'with diseases.' Caroline Jackson commented, 'I thought bestiality was illegal, to which Meredith responded with 3 laughing emoji's and the word true in all caps. Taylor Cannon said, 'have you seen its brother?' Marie Jenson said, 'R.I.P. all the crushes everyone had on Harry lol' to which nine people responded with a series of laughing emojis and true's.."

"Who cares?" Harry sighed and I rolled my eyes as he pulled the car into his familiar driveway. I clutched my backpack strap, throwing it over my shoulder and climbing out of the metal box with wheels Harry used to transport himself. He jogged infront of me and unlocked the door to his grandmothers house.

Everything seemed to be either white, brown, or green. There was many open windows that were lined with green plants. vines were strung strategically on windows sills and down walls. A green Christmas tree was placed in the corner, only lined with white ornaments. All of her furniture were all different shades of brown but every carpet and wall was white.

I didn't want to invite myself onto his couch or up his stairs so I stood to the side awkwardly waiting for him to lead with some type of instruction, but he didn't.

"What can I do?" He asked suddenly, breaking the minute long silence between us.

"What?"

"What can I do? To make it better?"

"There's no magic words, Harry. There's no formula, unless you can lighten my skin by a million shades," i huffed under my breath, hoping he wouldn't catch the end of my wish.

"I don't ever wanna hear you say shit like that Brooklyn." He said sternly, grabbing my wrist and jerking me slightly, I rolled my eyes trying to avoid looking into his.

"You can be a million shades darker than you are now and that wouldn't change how I feel about you- how Maggie feels about you, how TJ feels about you, how your parents feel about you. You are such a talented, beautiful girl, Brooklyn— your skin doesn't define your worth. You aren't your skin, you're you."

I almost wanted to scoff at how cheesy that was, and the lies this boy just spoon fed me but I decided to be silent.

Harry moved his grip to my waist, slipping his cold hands under my big sweatshirt and pressing his lips against mine. My eyes fluttered shut and I lifted my hand to meet his rosy cheek. I couldn't help but think about how unhealthy this is— getting this attached to someone when they're going to inevitably leave me in 6 months. It's not like he's going to a different school, he lives on a whole other continent.

Apart of me knew that Harry could be my last and only love, and I should just fall madly into him and not think about the consequences.

Another part of me knew that that was a fucking horrendous idea and the long distance would kill me. And kill us.

Harry separated from me, but keeping his face close to mine, guided me towards the couch. He laid down, pulling softly at my hand indicating I should follow. I straddled him, my left knee falling into the space between the back couch cushion and the seat cushion. We resumed our kiss almost instantaneously.

I felt his hands crawl down to the hem of my sweatshirt and he tugged on it, i just chuckled. "In your grandma's living room?" I whispered, "she's openminded." The brown haired boy shrugged and I pushed his hands away, still laughing. "Let's just go upstairs," I whispered and he nodded. I stood up from him, leaning over and grabbing my bag but at that moment I felt my phone ring and the sac vibrate.

Sighing, I pulled my phone out from the front pocket only to see MOM spread across the screen in bold. I held up one finger to Harry and slid the phone call to answer.

"Hello?"

"Brooklyn?"

"Yes."

"I need you.. go down to... TJ's in the hospital."

"What?"

"TJ is in the hospital."

"What! Why! What happened?"

"I don't know, I just got the phone call. I'm driving down right now it's Rosemary Medical centre. I don't know how you can get there, take a bus, or get Derek's mom to drive you but either way you'll get there before me. Just.. just go see him. Please."