Seriously, buckle up. Easily the longest chapter with 1965 words. A lot happens. Enjoy<3.

Did I go to bed with a smile and warmth pressed on my chest? Yes. Did I also have fantasies of Harry actually liking me until I fell asleep? Yes.

Emily and I slept like depressed teenagers until my mother woke us up, an hour before Harry's dad arrived to pick her up.

Initially I was against having her come and stay. I thought it would ruin my chances with Harry and he'd just see it as a ploy to get closer to him. Also you kinda don't want to meet the sister of your potential boyfriend by babysitting her but Emily was cool. She didn't freak out and I think she had a good time. By being me and not the nosy part that wants to know more of Harry, I had a good time and got to learn something about him.

I'm not like the others. I've only know Harry for maybe two weeks. Three? I did want to know more about him. What he was like before it happened, his interests, the way he thinks. Unlike everyone else, I didn't know him for years. It felt like a disadvantage but I was willing to let it be especially since everything was going fine so far.

Mom and dad weren't talking to each other ever since Harry came over. I was tempted to ask him what he said to my dad, because I definitely wasn't going to get anything from my dad, but I doubted he'd tell me anyways. I wasn't particularly worried though. I think dad had something going on but until he admitted it to mom then it was silent treatment. One thing I knew was that it was about Harry.

When the familiar rumble shook the house, I got excited. It seems that's how it always starts whenever I see that car. That or disappointment which I felt when it was Harry's father and not him. Then that disappointment turned to content as I watched Emily interact with him.

Mr Malakai didn't look bad at all. In which I mean he looked normal, not hot or anything. He did have bags under his eyes but considering what he was doing that weekend, he looked good.

Besides what was going on between them, both my parents were there to see her off.

"Thank you for watching her. I really appreciate it." He spoke so easily. I couldn't help but wonder if this was how Harry was before. Then I wondered if that would matter since I'd fallen for a boy who wasn't anything like that to begin with.

Then he looked at me and the connection was undeniable. Every Malakai had that effect on me apparently but Harry's dwelled deep into me.

"And thank you, Alice, for taking care of my girl."

That Monday I was ready for school, already tired of the tension in the house. Unfortunately that also meant dealing with drama. Per usual.

Shana phoned the day before once again just to talk after another update of what was happening. One thing was for certain, it was going to be interesting.

On the brighter side, I realized that I officially had more friends than I did in Charringfall. I knew and talked to a lot of people, sure but when it came to friends the only real one I had was Célia. Now I had Annabeth and Shana at the least. Célia still hadn't responded to my messages though I was sure she knew of everything. The shooting had been on the news for a day or two.

Someone slung an arm around my hip and pulled me closer. My heart throbbed as Shana smiled. "Tell me everything."

The approach of the cold season had taken a break that day which meant it was sweltering. Mom always said that it meant a storm was close. When the winds disappeared with the moon and the heat beat down on the Earth. That explained the tight white crop top and shorts Shana wore, the color making her skin pop. My eyes found the stud in her nose that was always there.

I shrugged and threw my own arm around her shoulder. "It was good. Nothing bad happened. Fun."

She playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, I could tell by how she was eavesdropping on our call the other day. Nice outfit, by the way."

I looked down. I was just wearing a short, dark blue denim skirt with a beige t-shirt tucked in. It complimented me, not as well as Shana's outfit but it did.

"Thanks, you too." I made a show of eying her down. "And next time don't call to spill tea if you don't want eavesdropping."

She dropped her arm to fold them over her chest. "Whatever. Let's hope today isn't too crazy. Also, you look sexy."

The morning went smoothly as both boys weren't there. It was a bit strange that Bran wasn't though but at least London seemed okay. From what I heard from Shana, she had definitely calmed down a bit.

Friday was booked off by physics. Apparently the practical would take all school day so a day away from math and everything else? Yes please.

Today seemed to going good. Heck, I was in a good mood and it was a Monday. As usual, that ended when I got to the cafeteria.

Bran was sitting next to my seat, which is usually where Harry sat. I inwardly groaned as I saw everyone (who were already there) sitting quietly, eating.

Nonetheless, I sighed and moved to my seat.

"Hadley!" Immediately Bran called out, seemingly fine. Okay maybe nothing had happened even though London was sitting at the table. "Tell me it's unfair."

I looked at everyone who were still silent, everyone shrugging. London's eyes switched between him and I. "Uhm, what's unfair?"

He sighed heavily and leaned closer as if to tell a secret, which was funny because the entire table could hear just fine. "I went out this weekend, around the town and guess what? All the girls want Harry! Can you believe it?"

I glanced at him. Girls want Harry? I wouldn't blame them but it just seemed odd. If you think bad boy, you think dark haired, smoking, tattoos. You didn't think blonde hair, aesthetic, has a fashion sense, no smoking, no tattoos. In a sense, Harry was almost an all American boy gone wrong. That, and how this town acted around him, sounded almost alien.

"You sure about that? I thought everyone was afraid of him or something. You know the way they act?"

Bran opened his mouth to respond when a pressure settled around my throat. My head was forced up and, before I could panic, my eyes met his.

The heat seemed non-existant to him in his grey hoodie. His hair, crazy as usual, dangled as he looked down at me. I realized his hand was still around my throat, my head level with his...

"You afraid of me, Alice?" He asked slowly and softly, his fingertips dragging up and down what would've been my adams apple.

I swallowed and he definitely felt it. It's weird how I was able to read him. He didn't really move but his eyes seemed to tilt or enlarge to show the slightest reaction. He was amused, amused I swallowed and that was enough to snap me back into my body.

"You'd like that wouldn't you, Harry?" I for one wasn't against emotion and teasingly smiled.

He exhaled and ran his fingertips up my chin and tapped my nose before moving to sit across from me. When he sat, he adjusted himself almost like something was bothering him and stared back.

"What did I tell you, unfair!" Bran huffed, this time everyone laughing at him besides London who allowed herself a smile.

I leaned forward on my crossed arms resting on the table. I found it cute that he didn't look down at my chest, his eyes staying on mine the entire time.

"You're a kinky motherfucker, aren't you?" I teased. Annabeth, who was next to me, choked on her food in surprise. Or maybe shock.

Harry placed his hands on the table and leaned forward too. "You're the type of person that would enjoy that."

My mouth hung open as he got his lunch out. I slumped back in my seat, defeated but my heart still hammering. It seemed like he was getting used to talking to me out in public and that was definitely flirting. It also seemed like he hadn't noticed what was going on by the table before he arrived either.

He opened up his lunch box to reveal what looked like Lays' chips. Shana moved into the seat between them and grabbed one. Harry looked at her. Heck, even I did.

She pouted and made puppy eyes. "Come on! You haven't made your homemade chips in forever. Please?"

Oh, so he cooks. That meant they weren't Lays at all but homemade chips fried. I had never seen anything like that but it seemed that Shana loved them. Harry sighed and pushed the container between them so they could eat it together. I smiled.

"Thank you for watching my sister." He spoke between mouthfuls, watching Shana devour his lunch before meeting my eyes. "I owe you one."

A strange feeling settled in my stomach. It was something that has been on my mind for days now, everytime my thoughts wondered to Harry and they often did. I figured if he owed me one, this was it.

"Then I'll have to cash that one in now." He looked confused as I bit my lower lip. Now or never. "I want you to apologize to Jessica."

Even Shana, who definitely loved the chips, stopped chewing to look at us. I admit, it sounded stupid but I wanted Harry to at least end it properly with her before he started chok- I mean liking me. Jessica was, at the least, just as much as blamed as Harry and he should at least apologize to her. If that meant he was angry at me and didn't talk to me anymore then so be it.

He definitely did look angry. I had never seen him like this. Actually scratch that. The last time I'd seen him look like that was the moment when that woman broke his car's windshield.

He stared at me for a few moments and, just when I thought he would explode, he nodded. He pushed the container to Shana and slid out his seat, walking towards Jessica.

I had a moment of doubt. What if he just walked there and said his sorry? Would that be enough? How would Jessica react?

"Jessica," The cafeteria grew still as she turned to him. She looked shocked which I didn't blame her. This was as random as it gets. He held his hand, car keys dangling off his fingers. "Let's go for a ride somewhere."

Her beautiful eyes flew between his and his keys. Then she looked around, at her friends and the other students watching. Her one friend, a stylishly dressed woman with brown hair and pretty green eyes, seemed hesitant but nodded.

"Uhm s-sure, I'll just-" She gestured to her stuff on the table and Harry nodded. He turned and made his way swiftly out the cafeteria as Jessica scrambled to put her things away.

She turned to her friend again who gave her another nod and then followed Harry out. I had another twinge of doubt. The guy who could like me just left with a gorgeous, popular, kind woman because I told him too.

I sighed and grabbed a chip with all my friends still staring at me. For better or worse, it's done now.

So I casted Megan Suri as Shana because I just binged Never have I ever and she played such a supporting role in the show that I couldn't help but think she would be perfect. Should we cast others?

Also make sure to follow thethaledwattpader on insta for posts about Her Road.

Did you enjoy this chapter? It had a lot in it and was definitely longer. Tell me your opinion on that.

-Josh