"No."

I throw an old t-shirt across my closet.

"No no no no no no."

"Wear are they?" I mumble to myself.

Digging through my now messy closet, I sigh in defeat coming to a terrible conclusion.

I lost my Converse.

I half heartedly pick up my black low top converse and shove my feet into them lazily.

A wave of anger hits me as I realize that this is some horrible prank that my idiot brother has pulled on me.

Okay so not a prank. Sweet mother of all things Converse.

I stick my hand out the window and decide it's getting cooler outside.

California weather is fantastic but I despise when it gets in the 60s so I shrug on my thin state basketball tournament hoodie that covers my state basketball tournament t-shirt.

I immediately curse myself for being so coordinated with my outfit choice today, but don't bother changing or finding a different hoodie.

On the drive to school all I can think about is where I could've left my converse.

But all my frustration disappears when I see the green sticky note on my locker and I read the words written on it in blue pen.

I found your converse in my car dear, mind picking them up from me?
-Nathan

I resist the strong urge to squeal and rush across the hallway to Nathan's locker.

There's green sticky note with the same blue pen writing on his locker too.

Basketball meeting, sorry #3, you know how it goes. Meet me at lunch for your shoes
-Nathan

"You have got to be kidding me." I mutter, pressing my forehead to the cool metal of the locker in front of me.

It's only 8 a.m and I'm ready for this day to be over.
*-*
"Who are you and what have you done with Harley?" Amber says, her eyes wide and her finger pointing to my feet.

"I couldn't find my converse this morning." I pout.

"Let me guess, your closet looks like hell?"

"You know it."

"Oh honey." She pats my shoulder sympathetically a sad smile on her face.

"I know. But..."

"But...?"

"Guess who found them?"

"I have no clue. Who?" She asks.

"Two words. Golden. Boy." I hold up a finger for each exaggerated word.

Her eyes widen and her jaw drops. "How does he have them?!" She shrieks.

"That's what I would like to know. Oh-oh shit! I- I have to go. See you in fifth!" I rush out of the library and sling my bag over my shoulder.

I ignore the odd looks I get as I continuously curse under my breath and briskly walk down the hallway.

I barley see Mr. Golden Boy in the swarm of jocks surrounding him. The crowd disperses after he catches my eye and says a few words that I'm able to make out as "I'll catch you guys later."

"Aye number three. Didn't think you would show." Nathan's classic playboy smile appears

"Sorry I have a life, I forgot." I reply bitterly.

"I like your shoes. Not your usual, but you still work it." He comments

"Not sure if that was a dig or a compliment so I just won't give a shit." I'm not even caring if I'm being a bitch.

Helps me hold a reputation.

"Why can't it be both love." He winks

"Don't call me that." I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Why not; love." He smirks at if he's just committed a crime and got away with it.

"That's beside the point. Where are my shoes?"

"Ah...the real question is...what would you do to get them back?"

"What's your game?" I ask hesitantly, quirking an eyebrow. 

"Play me one on one." He states simply. THERE'S A CATCH. There's always a catch.

"Where's the catch?"

"I was hoping you'd ask that, number three."

I stay silent, waiting for him to continue on.

"If you lose, you go on a date with me and I keep your shoes for another two weeks."

"And if I win?"

"No date and you get your shoes back immediately. Deal?" He hold his hand out halfway between us, ready to be shook.

"Deal." I say dryly. I give his hand a good shake and turn on my heal.

"And Harley?" I turn slightly toward him, quirking an eyebrow, my eyes zeroed in on his.

"I'm looking forward to our date." I shoot him a glare and walk away with my head held high.

I'm not going on a date with him. I hold myself to a higher standard then that.
*-*
"So he practically asked you out." Amber says.

"If I lose. And I don't lose." I say, spinning my desk chair around to face her.

"Harley honey, he's a foot taller than you—" She starts, sitting up on my bed.

"He hasn't seen how quick I can pop a three."

"Whatever. But you should just lose anyways. You guys would be the cutest jock couple ever." She gushes.

"Who cares? I'm not interested in him."

"That's what they all say." She sighs dramatically and I roll my eyes are her logic.

"Listen. I don't hate him. I don't love him. We're friends, sorta. So get over your fangirl side and help me figure out how to get out of this date."

I seriously hate having to put her fangirl side in check but what needs to be done, needs to be done.

"Fine whatever." She says curtly. "But what if you lose anyways? You can't get out of that date and you know it. Nathan's a persistent one and you love your shoes."

"Damn it I know. Maybe I can just...buy a new pair."

"You know you couldn't."

"I know. But all the jackass wants to do is play games and all I want is the shoes my sister gave me when she was dying."

"He doesn't know does he?"

"Fuck no. Literally it's just you Collin and Connor that know."

The less shit I tell people, the less there is for people to use against me.

"Why don't you tell him and get your shoes back then?"

"I made a deal. I'm not backing out on it."

"Okay I see where you're coming from."

"I'm exhausted already Ambie." I whine, closing my eyes and tipping my head back towards the ceiling.

"Me too Hars. Me too."
~

So I just updated two days in a row....this is what car trips are good for right?

But yeah...lots of Amber and Nathan in the chapter. I missed them :'(

But they're back :)

So what did you think about this chapter?? Let me know :D

Okay until next time!

[P.S. For my Faking Perfect readers, I am working on a chapter, slowly but surely :)]