Harvey

"I need you to meet me tonight," she said softly over the phone. She knew damn well how to use the sweetness of her voice to carry out an authoritative command that required unconditional obedience.

"No, Liv. I already have plans tonight," I said as firm as possible.

"Look, Harv. If you want me to sign those damn papers, this is the least you can do," she reminded me. The sweetness that was once there was wholly dissipated by her demanding tone. 

It was wrong. She was wrong. I didn't have to do shit for her.

"What could you possibly want from me now, Liv?" I said. My anger escaped through my words. I felt the heat rising in my head with each second I stayed on the phone with her.

She was silenced. Then, a hushed sob rang in my ears. A burst of guilt punched through my chest as it tightened with each sob she let out. It might have sounded too harsh, but she knew exactly how and where to hit me. 

"Fuck!"

"Please, Harv," she begged through her sobs.

I shook my head in disbelief and answered with a defeated sigh.

My hands were wrapped tightly around the straps of my backpack as I walked through the hallway of the Coffey Hall building where the Department of Psychology was located. My anger could be seeping from my knuckles and through the wall, but I held myself together. I breathed in through my nose, then let the air escaped out of my mouth. 

Woo-Sah. 

I kept my head up and focused on the Enter sign outside of Lecture Hall A. I sat in one of the empty rows, but the room was quickly flooded with more bodies and their chattering mouths.

I pulled out my phone and went straight to my messages. This was not a good start. I already fucked up by not calling her. Now, I had to dump away my effort of sealing our meeting tonight into the trash and cancel on her. 

I should have never answered that phone call this morning. I beat myself up in my head as the professor continued his lecture on the social problem in my Psychology of Peace class.

Me (08:37 am): Good morning, Ally.

I sent the text, wondering if she was awake. It was a Wednesday morning. Tonight was supposed to be my chance to get to know her more before her trip to New York.

What's the point dude? She has a boyfriend. You need to back off. You should know better.

The more I thought of it, of her seeing that Nick guy in New York, the more I was consumed with envy. I wanted what was his.

That Nick guy is her boyfriend. Don't try to act stupid, Harvey. 

I had no right to be jealous, yet it was eating me inside out. I knew she wasn't anyone's property. But I wanted her. All to myself.

I tried to pay attention in class. I tried to take notes, but my mind was elsewhere. Until my phone joyously vibrated in my pocket and saw her bolded name in my inbox.

Ally (08:52 am): Hey! Good morning!

Me (08:52 am): Are you busy?

Ally (09:03 am): Just catching my breath.

Me (09:04 am): From what?

Ally (09:05 am): I ran my ass off trying to make it to class on time.

I chuckled. A girl sitting two seats away from me suspiciously looked in my direction. She probably thought I was crazy or rude because there was nothing funny about what the class was discussing. I flashed my eyebrows at her in agreement with whatever she was thinking and turned my attention back to my phone.

Me (09:05 am): Did you make it?
Ally (09:06 am): Yes! Thank God! Anyway, what's up?

I wondered if she went to school in Chicago, too. I wanted to know what class she was taking. I wanted to know what she was wearing at that time. It was a cold and breezy morning in the city. I imagined her jeans tightened around her ass as she took her seat, her upper body safely hidden and warmed underneath a hooded sweater, letting only her fingers peeked out from its sleeves. 

I smiled at the thought of how she would let her cheek rest on her covered knuckle with her elbow weighing on the armrest. These presumptive impressions of her occupied my mind. It was pleasantly nice imagery to get lost in. 

I had to tell her the bad news and I didn't want to do it through text.

Me (09:07 am): Can I call you after class?

Ally (09:08 am): Sure. I'll be free after 1 pm.

Ten minutes into my afternoon class, I excused myself to give her a call. It was already bad that I was canceling on the same day. I didn't want to make matters worse and drag it any longer.

"Hi, Ally."

"Hi," she greeted as her smile rang through her voice.

Damn. This sucked so bad. "I've got some bad news."

"Oh?"

"I hate to do this to you. But something came up and I really need to deal with it tonight. Can I take a rain check when you get back?" I humbly asked.

Her breathing was audible. It almost sounded like a breath of relief. "Oh. That's funny because I was going to tell you the same thing. I have to cover a shift tonight to make up for this weekend. I wish I could've told you sooner, but I just found out this morning," she explained.

"Well, that worked out. I was worried that I was going to leave you hanging," I said with relief.

"Yeah, weirdly enough it seems like the universe is telling us something," she said.

"That we need to reschedule for dinner instead of just coffee. When do you get back?" I asked lightheartedly.

I listened as she suppressed her soft chuckle, "No. You know what," she started off with a tone that suddenly made me feel uncomfortable.

"Call me crazy, but I think this is a sign."

"What?"

" I don't think we should keep talking after today."

"What?" I said again. This time I was baffled by her suggestion.

"Look, this just feels wrong. I need to figure things out without my mind being clouded by anything or anyone." 

"Oh." Even though I had no choice but to respect her, I didn't want to accept it. 

"You're so bold with your intention and I don't know how to respond to your honesty. And, talking to you every day definitely doesn't help the situation," she added.

It felt like a farewell, but her last statement was like a light peeking at the end of a tunnel. A small hope.Maybe.

"Okay. I understand. But, what if my intentions remain the same after a week of us not talking?" So much for respecting her wishes. Fuck. I had to try, at least.

"Oh. Ah," she contemplated. "I guess that's a start. That's a long time of not talking to someone you don't really know, and still feel the same way?" she continued in a questioning tone. "I doubt it," she whispered her answer. 

I wasn't sure if that was for me, or for her. But I knew my answer.

"Okay. I'll back off. I promise I won't text or call you."

I didn't know what would happen next. If I let her go for a week, she could work things out with her boyfriend. That would not be an ideal outcome. But, I didn't want her to be in an uncomfortable situation because of me. 

"Thank you for understanding," she said softly. "Goodbye, Harvey," her voice was low, almost like a whisper.

"Until later, Ally" I bid my farewell.

I waited for the call to end. I closed my eyes as the echoes of her breaths rang in my ear. I wanted the air that escaped her mouth warm my cold and pale skin.

I didn't need a week to think about my intentions. This was for her. I was willing to take the risk in hopes that the outcome would only be the beginning, not the end. 

"Bye," she said before ending the call. I opened my eyes and was forced back into reality by the bright lights hanging on the ceiling of the hall.

Ouch. 

A/N: What do you guys think of this break? Will you be able to do it if you were in Ally and Harvey's situation? Is it even worth it?

I know they've only started talking for a couple of days, but Harvey is so determined and I love that about him. I just really hope he stays like this and keeps his words (or thoughts) after a long and silent week, especially after his meeting with Liv...

Oh, yeah... Who do you think Liv is? 

***Don't forget to vote and leave your thoughts in the comment box. Thank you! Gracias! Maraming Salamat. Merci. Grazie. Xièxiè. Arigatō!***