Friday, March 13th, 2020

"I cannot wait for tonight!" Sydney practically squeals, wrapping her around Asher's shoulders.

He gives her a wry look but doesn't bother shrugging her off. "Party of the year," he grins.

"Party of the century," Sydney corrects, raising a finger in the air.

"Sure," Cooper laughs but stops midway when Sydney throws him a glare.

It had been three weeks since my failed attempt to outrun my new-found group and so far, I didn't regret a thing.

Tonight was Sydney's eighteenth birthday party. She had been organising it for months. Somehow, though, she'd kept it pretty quiet around school until late last month when she sent out the invites.

"Hey," Harry says, joining our lunch table.

He smiles at me, giving me a small nod.

He'd been taking me to school every morning for as long as I could remember now. I'd really started to get to know him. The best thing I had learnt was that we shared a similar taste in music, both loving Bon Iver and The Lumineers.

"What's up, dude," Asher says, slapping him on the back as Harry slides in to sit next to him.

Cooper gives him the nod and Kennedy waves.

"Talking about tonight, I'm sure," Harry remarks, tearing open his paper bag, producing a cheese sandwich. One of his favourite meals.

"How did you know?" Cooper deadpans as we all listen to Sydney speak animatedly about tonight's events.

Harry grins but I look away quickly, trying to focus on Sydney. It takes a lot of effort not to stare at his gorgeous face in my periphery.

"So, I need you all to be there early to help set up."

Asher groans and Sydney jabs him in the ribs with her elbow.

"No whining or I won't let you be my beer pong partner, Ash."

Asher looks hurt by the idea of this so he shuts his mouth, scowling at Kennedy as she sniggers next to me.

"You're so immature," Cooper laughs, shaking his head.

"How?" Asher gasps. "I am perfectly mature."

"Yeah, sure," Harry says, wracking a hand through his hair. His bicep ripples slightly and I gulp.

"What the fuck is this? Gang-Up-On-Asher-day?"

I can't help but laugh along with everyone else, quietly sipping my diet coke when Asher points his finger at me.

"Not you too," he whines. "I need someone to be on my side, Lon."

"Sorry," I shrug. "You just make it too easy."

"Anyway," Sydney says sternly, our attention drawn back to her.

"As I was saying, I need you guys there by six at the latest. I still have so much to do and it's starting to get really overwhelming. So I would—"

"Hey," Kennedy says, her hand reaching out to land on Sydney's. "We'll all be there. Right guys?"

We all nod, even a sullen-looking Asher.

Sydney breathes out, smiling appreciatively at us. "Thanks. You're the best."

"How's everyone getting there?" Copper asks.

"I can be DD if you need me. I won't be drinking anyway as I've got footy training tomorrow morning. Coach is not happy when we turn up with hangovers. He even keeps a breathalyser on him at all times. The dude's super strict on our alcohol consumption, especially when the seasons about to start."

Kennedy leans into her boyfriend, entwining their hands together.

"Ken's already coming with me," Cooper states. "Anyone else?"

"Sounds good," Asher grins. Asher didn't play footy. He told me once that golf was more of an elite sport and that high school football was for wimps. Who knows how he got that idea but I didn't comment on it.

"I'll be driving too, anyway. Gotta stay on coach's good side," Harry adds.

He and Cooper both played for the school team and although they were still in the preseason for a few weeks, Kennedy told me that they were super serious about their sport and wouldn't ever miss even one practice.

"So, Lon?" Cooper speaks.

"Oh, um—"

"You can come with me if you want," Harry interjects. "It'll be easier that way."

"Makes perfect sense," Kennedy grins mischievously. "I mean, living so close to each other makes it perfect for you to get a ride together."

Cooper grins, throwing me a sidelong glance. He wraps Kennedy's arm around his shoulder, pulling her into his lap.

"Right," Harry agrees, seemingly oblivious to the secret remarks that Kennedy was making about us.

"Yeah. Right," I mumble, lightly slapping Ken's arm when she starts to giggle quietly.

She needed to stop hinting at things. Nothing was ever going to happen, I'd make sure of it. Not that I was entirely sure if Harry was interested in me anyway. He seemed to treat me the same as Sydney and Kennedy. It would stay strictly platonic regardless.

I can feel my blush spreading. I wish that I wasn't so dense and easy to read half the time.

Luckily the bell rings, signalling the end of lunch and our final period before the end of a long week.

This was what I had been avoiding since Sydney invited me to her party. I was going to have to sneak out and just pray my parents didn't take it upon themselves to check on me after six.

Luckily, we had an early dinner and now they were both in the lounge room watching the news.

They were both in a good mood so I didn't think they would check on me, especially when I told them I was retiring to my room to do homework for the night.

Up the street.

I smile at my phone in my hand, Harry's name briefly lighting up my phone before I tuck it inside my wallet.

Harry had agreed to park at the top of the street so that I could stealthily climb out my window, trying not to trample my mother's freshly weeded garden bed.

I'd never been more thankful for a single-story house in my entire life until this moment. My feet hardly make a sound when I land in a crouch, suddenly feeling like a ninja.

I shut my bedroom window as far as I can without it closing so that I can get back inside tonight.

I crouch down below all the windows I pass on my way down the driveway. It was just to make sure that my parents haven't suddenly decided to move to another room.

Once I'm past my letterbox I sprint like my life depends on it, wallet clutched tightly against my chest.

The hot summer wind that passes me as I run is refreshing, despite the humidity.

I spot Harry's car up ahead and try to calm the surge of warmth spreading through my stomach.

I reach for the handle, hopping into his car.

"Hey," I breath, suddenly puffed out.

"Did you get out alright?"

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't," I remark.

"Fair enough."

Over the last few weeks, Harry had become increasingly aware of my overprotective parents. I hadn't exactly given the explanation as to why they were the way they were, but he never asked me to elaborate anyway.

"You look nice," he comments.

I look down at my outfit. I'm wearing the only party dress I really had with a plunging neckline. It was a bodycon dress which meant that I'd wouldn't be able to breathe after all the pizza and chips. But nonetheless, it was my favourite party attire.

"Thanks," I whisper. "I didn't have a lot of options. I kind of chucked a lot of my clothes out when I moved here."

"How come?"

Fresh start.

"I hadn't cleaned out my wardrobe in years and besides, it made it easier to pack."

Harry flicks on his blinker and turns out of my street.

"What time did you want me to take you home?"

Harry knew that I was feeling nervous about tonight, with the knowledge that my parents could find out I wasn't home at any time. All they had to do was open my bedroom door and bam! Everything would turn to shit.

The worst part of all was the fact that I didn't know how they'd react. I didn't know if they'd just trying calling me or if they'd be more extreme and call the cops.

"I don't want to ruin your night," I say.

"You won't be. The earlier we leave, the more sleep I get before training. I'd say that's a win."

He grins at me and I can't help but do a quick scan of his outfit. Black jeans, white v-necked t-shirt.

Shit, he looked good. I hated myself for being so superficial, but seriously, why did he have to be so good looking and modest? That just made it worse.

"So, it's your day to be in charge of the music," Harry says, raising his eyebrow.

We'd started something that seemed to be a tradition now. Every time I got into Harry's car one of us was in charge of the music. We alternated.

I open Spotify on his phone and type in my song.

"My favourite from our favourite," I say. The speakers fill with Rosyln by Bon Iver and St Vincent.

"I'm gonna tell you something but you can't tell anyone," Harry warns.

"Promise," I say, holding up my hand, middle and index finger wrapped around each other.

"I watched New Moon just to hear this song."

"There's nothing wrong with a good vampire movie. I don't think you should be ashamed of that."

Harry turns right and I watch out the window, the only light coming from the streetlamps.

"He'll be on tour here next month."

"Who? Bon Iver?"

"Yep," Harry nods. "I think a few tickets might still be available."

"No way."

"Yes way," Harry laughs.

I search for my phone in my wallet before pulling up Safari. Surely enough, once I've searched it in, Bon Iver will be touring near us next month.

"We're going. We have to," I blurt.

"I know."

"Huh?" I frown.

"I know we're going. I already bought us tickets this morning."

"What?"

He smiles at me, wracking his hand through his hair.

"Think of it as an early birthday present. For May."

My heart swells. He remembered my birthday.

"No, Harry. I'll pay you for—"

"Nuh-uh," he shakes his head. "People don't pay for their birthday presents, Lon. That isn't how it works."

"Harry, I don't know what to say."

"Say nothing. I would have done it regardless. I wouldn't miss seeing my favourite singer, especially with someone else who loves him just as much."

"Thank you," I say, tears suddenly springing to the corners of my eyes. Luckily it was too dark in the car for him to see.

He shrugs, wracking a hand through his hair as he drums his fingers on the steering wheel.

"I don't think it's fair to live your life without at least seeing your favourite singer once."

Harry and I had both never seen him live and it was something that we spoke about regularly when we listened to him in the car.

Harry drives one-handed, casually resting the other on the wheel. Before I think better of it, I reach over briefly, lacing our fingers and squeezing gently.

"Seriously, Harry. Thank you."

We pull up out the front of what must be Sydney's house and I notice Cooper's car parked on the other side of the street.

Harry smiles at me and I almost feel myself leaning forward but my seatbelt pulls me back, giving me the wakeup call I needed.

"So, shall we get this party started or what?"