13   someone better call the fire department

It’s been two days since then.

My skin is back to its normal olive shade, by the way. It took lots of vinegar and soap to get it normal.

I haven’t even come across Harry, let alone spoken to him.

It seems like the ignorance is mutual.

I had caught a glimpse of his curls while I was folding laundry. Quickly I turned my back to the doorway. When I glanced back Harry was a shadow walking up a flight of stairs.

Good riddance, I say.

“Ouch,” Abigail winces. She’s drawn me out of my thoughts.

“Oh sorry,” I say. I steady the comb I’m yanking her hair with. Her straight blonde hair is soft and thin to the touch.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“French braiding is easy,” I say with a wave. “You’ll be so pretty when I’m done the boys at the Bowling Hut will fall to your feet.”

In the reflection of the mirror I see Abby roll her blue eyes.

My fingers twirl and tie her hair. I end the perfected braid by slapping her soft cheek with it. Abigail laughs, pushing me away.

“What did I tell ya?” I say and throw my arms up. “Lena is a hair PRO. P-R-O.”

Abigail hops from her chair. She wipes her palms on the white and fluffy skirt she’s wearing and then looks at me. “Are you coming tonight?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t wanna,” I say with a shrug.

Abigail narrows her eyes, not believing my story. “You’re telling me that you’d rather hang out HERE with my daddy and Cade all evening? Instead of going bowling with ONE DIRECTION?”

“Even if I WANTED to go,” I start to explain. “Not that I do, but I’m saying that even if I DID… I’m not even dressed yet. I’m still in these lovelies,” I say and gesture to my Barney and Friends pajama joggers.

And Harry is bound to be there.

Abigail sighs. “Fine. Will you at least stay in here while I finish my makeup?”

“Makeup? You’re going to a sweaty bowling alley not prom,” I joke.

Abigail ignores me, dipping her brush in thick makeup AKA face paint.

I smile to myself, pleased at my own sense of humor. I’m hilarious.

I take a seat on Abigail’s bed. The canopy above me is glittery pink and the floor is sparkly carpet. I pick at my nail beds, pushing my cuticles back with nothing better to do. There’s a Selena Gomez poster hung up in the corner by her Emblem 3 calendar.

Teenagers and their trends, I tell ya.

A soft rapping on the door makes me holler, “YEAH! COME IN!”

Slowly the door creaks to a crack.

Liam Payne peaks inside.

My heart has transformed to a jumping jack rabbit.

“Oh hey Liam!” I say as casually as I can. My voice cracks… just a touch.

Oops.

I can’t help myself, ok? He’s a meck of a ham.

Sorry… ^typo. I meant to say Heck of a Man.

…

Liam’s making my words jumble.

Help can’t okay I, myself?

Outside of my cluttered thoughts Liam smiles like a man angel. The lines around his mouth get deep as the Pacific Ocean, his eyes as sparkly as an ocean pearl. Those perfect lips are the color of a coral reef that houses the perfect merman of Liam Payne.

Oh my god I’ve lost my mind.

“I was just checking to see if you two were both coming tonight?”

Abigail starts to say, “I am but Lena-”

“Lena doesn’t know what you’re talking about,” I interrupt Abby with.

Abigail blinks.

“What’s going on tonight Liam?” I ask the boy.

And the boy answers, “Bowling. It’s our first night off in weeks. One of the few times they’ll actually let us do something fun.”

I wrinkle my brow. “That doesn’t sound fair at all.”

Liam shakes his perfect head, the light catching the caramel flecks in his hair and eyes. “Mr. Gallows is a real stickler. But he’s the new boss’ boss, so we have to do what he says.”

“Bowling eh?” I repeat. I smile. Does this look cute? “I’d absolutely love to go, Liam. Thank you.”

Liam grins. “Great! We’re leaving in an hour,” he says.

Was that a wink??? OH MY GOD DID HE WINK??? OR AM I LOSING MY MIND???

AHGOPASDNFOAYEGFOTLAKMDCLAPWOFRAWOET!!!!

My palms are sweaty as he shuts the door and leaves.

I finally notice the creepy look Abigail is giving me.

I stare back at her, like “WHAT?”

“Lena loves Liam, Lena loves Liam-”

I chuck a goose feather pillow to her at the vanity. “Shut up!”

“No because it’s true,” Abigail says sassily. She knows she’s right and using it to the fullest.

“You’re crazy,” I mutter.

“You’re crazy IN LOVE,” Abigail stifles a laugh. “You should have seen your face Lena. I’ve never seen you like that before.”

“I don’t like him,” I grunt. “He’s not even attractive.”

That’s the lie of the century.

Someone please give this actress an Oscar!

“That’s why you had drool running down your chin?”

I wipe my face.

“Like a love sick puppy,” Abigail tells me.

I check over my shoulder even though we’re the only two in the room. “Okay. FINE. Maybe I like Liam just a little…” I say. Abigail wiggles her thin plucked eyebrows. “A LITTLE. I LIKE HIM A LITTLE,” I hiss. “You can’t tell anyone!”

“Of course not,” Abigail says with a smirk.

“I swear Abby if you say anything to him-”

“No I promise. My lips are sealed.”

I let out a big sigh, “To be completely honest? I haven’t liked a boy since I was fifteen.”

“You’re kidding?”

I shake my head around and peel myself off the bed. “Well. I guess I should get dressed.”

“Why? I’m sure Liam loves Barney PJs.”

Oh I taught Mini Me so well.

Didn’t I?

Just so clever, that one is.

I give her a playful wink and slip out of her bedroom.

In the hallway I can hear Cade and Ben running around the main floor below. They’re giggling like mad. I smile to myself.

I start to walk down the staircase. My bare feet slap against the floor. I yawn and scratch my cheek as I land on the first floor.

Rounding the corner Ben comes. He’s sliding on a pair of fuzzy socks. His arms flail out as he comes to a huge wall. Ouch, he slams and I cringe.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” I say.

A voice rings, “All you alright Ben?”

I turn on my heel.

Oh look here! Harry Styles is ALSO sliding across the floor in a pair of blue socks.

Harry stumbles to Ben’s side. He gives his hair a “super hip” flip to the side. Does he think he’s sexy? Or what? Come on, you’re only making yourself look ten times more ridiculous Harry. If that’s even POSSIBLE with how ridiculous you already are: in your bro tank and way tight jeans. Did he buy that pair at The Baby Gap? Because I think Cade has the same pair. Where’s the matching bracelet, huh?

Harry barely gives me a second glance before smiling down at Cade, who’s giggling and holding Harry’s hands and standing on his feet.

My blood boils.

I flip around to walk downstairs to my room.

“OH LENA!” Ben hollers my name.

I stop dead in my path, groaning.

So close. I was SO CLOSE to escape.

Darn it.

“Come play with us,” Ben says and slides in front of me. “Harry came up with this really cool game.”

“No thanks kiddo,” I reply.

“But it’s super cool. And I haven’t broken anything yet!”

“That’s great,” I say with a smile.

I can literally feel a pair of green eyes boring into my back.

Harry Styles is most likely glaring at me.

He’s probably just jealous of my hipster purple dinosaur jammies. I’m starting a trend with these babies.

Walking past little Ben I ruffle his thick blonde hair. For the first time all summer I notice he’s wearing his prescription glasses. “Good job wearing your glasses buddy!”

Ben glows. “Harry told me they looked cool.”

I pull my lips apart in a sort of smile with gritted teeth. Isn’t that nice? Harry got the boy to wear his glasses: SOMETHING I COULD NEVER DO.

I bet he thinks he’s SO cool.

“That’s…” I stutter and try to say something nice. “Nice.”

It’s not nice.

“Yeah. Harry’s really cool,” Ben says and smirks.

NO.

NO.

NO.

Harry’s anything but cool.

OK, he might be rich.

I’ll admit he’s pretty famous.

He might even be a tad talented…

And he has gotten… a little… handsome over the years.

But he is NOT COOL. Harry is- he’s- just, I uh… UNCOOL.

…

Buuuuuurn, Lena. That was a good diss.

I sigh on the inside.

I say a few more useless things and then scurry out of the room. The second I’ve gotten to the staircase I hear Harry start to chat it up with both Cade and Ben. MY boys. He’s talking to MY BOYS.

I grit my teeth and slam my bedroom door.

Can I kill him now please?

Or at least put him under Snow White’s spell?

I’m sure Allrecipes.com has some sort of poison apple instructions.

I take a look around my bedroom. It’s not as big as my last, but I still don’t mind it. It’s got a smaller bed and no windows.

I trudge over to my still unpacked suitcase. I rummage around my wrinkly things. The thought occurs to just skip bowling all together. But I told Liam… and Liam is just so… sigh.

I have to go. I have to go because I said that I would.

Ugg why do I have to be so nice?

I toss a pair of jeans on the ground by my feet. Maybe I’ll wear those, I don’t know.

I stumble across a decent looking shirt as I pop a bubble of pink gum. It’s got longer sleeves and a few buttons near the top. It’s white… sorta. With some blue speckle things. I toss the shirt over my shoulder and grab a pair of white wash jean shorts. Then I snatch my black belt; because the pants are about two sizes big. They were the only ones left on clearance.

I get dressed in the middle of the room. I chuck my dirty clothes in the hamper by the door. They fall perfectly in the center of the basket.

What can I say? I have great aim.

I walk over to the mirror on the wall. I cringe at my weirdo hair and droopy eyes. I was up all night with Cade: who had another nightmare about mommy being gone. Poor fella, I know.

I quickly put my hair up in a top knot. I don’t even care if it looks sloppy.

Trying to be proficient I’m attempting to put my Birkenstocks on whilst walking to the bathroom. I hobble to the counter and fall against the sink basin. Grumbling under my breath I open drawers. I can’t remember where the heck I put my favorite tube of lip-gloss…

Oh it’s right there!

I snatch the thing and put the cherry colored paint on my lips.

Eh, it’s not half bad.

It looked better on Abigail when she wore it.

I paint little wings with eyeliner in black. I finish the cat eyes and then put my favorite pair of Mickey Mouse ear rings on.

I finally get done making myself look decent. I flop onto the fluffy bed with a sigh. I make snow angels in the duvet. The AC hums above my head where the light fixture doesn’t shine.

I don’t know how long I’ve been downstairs when someone ratta tat tats on my door.

“Y-ELLO!” I shout.

“BOWLING TIME!” Ben screams through the wood.

I pull myself from the bed and saunter to the door. I almost forget my backpack and black wallet as I’m reaching for the doorknob. But a corner peaks at me from under my dirty clothes and I snatch it up.

I fling the door open. On the other side in the hallway are Louis and Benny. Both of them smile when I make a weird grin greeting.

“Well don’t you look dashing,” I tell the seven year old in shorts and polo.

Ben rolls his sapphire eyes.

I embarrass him all the time.

It’s what I live for.

“You ready?” Louis asks. He’s wearing a tank top and a pair of dark shades on his brown haired head. His eyes are sparkly and sweet.

“As I’ll ever be.”

Ben tugs on my sleeve. “Come on then slow poke. We’re all waiting on you.”

With an evil grin on my lips I bend down. I snatch the devil child up by his knees and fling him over my shoulder. He’s trying not to laugh and sound mad as he screams, “Let me down Lena!”

We walk upstairs. Wow, he’s a lot heavier now than when he was three.

I readjust my hold on Ben and bounce up and down.

“YOU’RE CRUSHING MY RIBCAGE WITH YOUR SHOULDER!” He screams.

“That’s what you get for driving me to drink,” I say out of breath. Whew, this is the first workout I’ve had all month.

Exercise is exhausting, I’ll tell ya.

We get to the top of the staircase. I practically almost run into the rest of our group. Liam, Zayn, Niall, Abigail, and… Harry… are all chatting it up waiting to go.

This is going to be an interesting outing.

Let’s just pray that I make it through the night without a warrant out for my arrest.

I’m sure murder in the first degree has a pricey bail.

“We ready?” Liam asks. He tugs his jacket around his shoulders and flips the hood.

I stutter when I notice how attractive of a nose he has. “Yea-yeah,” I finally mutter.

I unglue my eyes from his physic and trail them to his mates. Zayn looks hardcore in dark clothes that peak his bright ink. A rather fetching Niall smiles sweetly and wipes his palms on the legs of his dark wash jeans. I can’t help but notice how Harry has been staring at me for a few moments now. When our hard gazes meet he raises a single eyebrow. His bottle green eyes narrow at me momentarily before he huffs and shakes his head. Then he looks away.

What da heck?

That was not just a normal evil look. No his face was too… tight. Harry has something filthy up his stupid sleeves.

My stomach tightens just thinking about it.

I wish I can read his mind like I used to. I wanna know what I should scream to him about next.

“You coming Lena?” A voice calls out.

I turn around to the front door. While I’ve been trying to sort out all these Hazza emotions the posse has left me in the entry hall. All but Niall have slipped out into the sunny summer weather. He’s waiting for me on the threshold like a true gentleman. The door is propped open for me.

“Thanks Niall,” I say. I walk for him with my hands in my pockets. I give him a sorta smile before stepping past him. It’s about a zillion degrees outside. In fact, it’s so freaking hot that I think the birds are sweating. WAIT-no that’s just water from the bird bath.

Anyway it’s really hot.

Some way or another I end up driving my crappy van with Ben and Zayn in the backseat. Niall rides passenger and the others all got in one of those fancy slick black cars parked out back.

I flip on the radio and pray for something decent.

Eh, it’s preppy and fun.

I start to put the van into drive and glance out my window. There’s nothing but clear driveway ahead of me.

I start to drive.

“WOAH!” I scream, slamming my Birkenstocks into the breaks.

An eager black SUV is spitting gravel as it whizzes in front of us, barely skimming my hood by inches.

Filthy brat Harry Styles is sittin pretty in the front seat.

He sees the glare I’m shooting his way and then… SMIRKS.

“Ouch Lena,” Ben whines from the backseat. He’s rubbing his temple where his head hit my seat.

“It’s your new buddy Harry’s fault,” I spit. Literally, I have saliva flying out of my mouth.

I only notice Niall’s arm when he retracts it back to his lap. During the close call he had thrown his arm up to guard me. Without him there I would have ended up with my chin on the wheel.

I glance over to Niall and he blushes.

Aww…

“Can we go now?” Ben’s whining again.

I realize I’ve been staring at blonde haired blue eyed Niall for too long and pull out of the driveway.

“How far away is it?” Ben asks.

I know this is just the start of a billion questions.

Ah seven year olds.

“Not far,” I say with a glance back at him. He’s playing on his DS. That ought to keep him out of my hair for a minute or two.

“Are we going to eat dinner there?” Ben asks another.

I nod and say, “Sure. But we should probably bring home something for Cade.”

“Can I have some money to go to the arcade?” He asks ANOTHER question. Surprise surprise!

I sigh, “Did you bring money?”

“No…”

I roll my eyes. “Sure,” I say. “But don’t spend all of it on those crane toys. You always end up in tears.”

“NO I DON’T!” Little Ben shouts. I’ve embarrassed him in front of the cool older boys yet again. Oh darn.

Hehehe.

I smile to myself quietly and turn at the light. The other car is in front of us as we take the exit and spot the Bowling Hut from afar. I remember going here a few random times. It’s one of the only bowling places in the city. Thankfully I’ve never been bowling with Harry. So no awkward memories to associate there.

But remember Lena? You’re bowling with the bloke tonight!

Ugg! Can I just please go home?

Unfortunately I’m in too deep. I have no choice but to pull into the parking spot and take the keys from the ignition. Niall catches my eye as we both climb out and I smile. He looks away fast like lighting.

Cade practically runs me over to get into the bowling alley. I jump out of his way next to Zayn.

“Thanks for letting the little bogies come,” I say with a grin in his direction.

“They’re great kids,” Zayn answers. “They get along really well.” He smiles sneakily after he says it.

…

Wait a minute!

I open my mouth then close it again. Finally I say, “Was that supposed to reference me and Styles?”

Zayn doesn’t say a word but scratches his cheek with a certain look to him.

“Well I’m going to ignore that comment,” I joke with Zayn. “Because frankly it was rather rude.”

Inside the alley Liam is already getting bowling shoes for our group. The AC is on full blast and so is the Black Eyed Peas. There’s no one in sight because we’ve reserved the place just for One Direction. I can only imagine Abigail’s excitement at this point. To relate I try to picture myself hanging out at the cinema with Britney Spears or the Backstreet Boys.

Yep; it’s a pretty thrilling idea.

The attendance bloke at the counter looks to me for my shoe size. He’s got bright red hair and weird glasses.

“Uh,” I scratch my head and look to my feet. “I think I’m a… 5.5.”

Bowling Employee guy slaps my ugly orange and tan shoes in front of me. I shrug my shoulders and slip them on my feet. I try to ignore the hundreds of germs I can feel crawling on my ankles.

The next hour is a blur. Ben, Harry, and Louis are in the arcade while the rest of us try to beat each other in the worst game of bowling I’ve ever seen. None of us makes many points at all. I haven’t said a word to Harry all evening and I hope to keep it that way. But as long as he keeps his distance I’ll keep my head… hopefully.

We’re all taking a quick break to eat some chips. I’m presently icing my elbow. I fell and went splat on the way up to the alley. It wasn’t very graceful. And everyone laughed.

I was like, “Thanks guys. Love you too.”

Whatever. We’ll see whose laughing when they want me to make peanut butter sandwiches.

Ha-Ha is what I say to that.

“I finished my root beer,” Ben tells me with his big eyes.

I slide my cola across the table and he eagerly slurps it down.

I glance around at the group. Everyone is busy making small talk and laughing. Liam looks handsome sitting on the bench with his legs swung over. I move my gaze before he notices I’m staring. Harry in fact has been rather peaceful.

All in all: it’s been a successful night!

Knock on wood…

“I think I’ll go get water,” Liam says and stands.

“I’ll come too,” I say with a smile. I hope I look at least a tiny bit cute. “Ben needs a root beer.”

Liam waits for me by the tableside while I catch up. We fall into step side by side, close enough to touch. Together we walk on down to the café that’s only a few feet away. Out of the corner of my eye I see a few heads turn at our exit.

I lean up against the counter and ask the lady for Ben’s pop.

“And just a few water cups for us,” Liam says.

The blonde lady nods and goes to fetch our things.

Liam turns to me with a smile. “You're a pretty decent bowler,” He says.

What do I say? WHAT DO I SAY!?

“Oh sure. You’re the best bowler out of all of us,” I say with a grin.

“Well I’m just glad you decided to come tonight,” Liam says sweetly.

…

Please excuse me while I fall to the ground at his feet.

BRB.

“You know,” I say. I lean a bit closer to him and take lead. Our shirt sleeves are touching. “I am too,” I say a bit softer.

Our eyes lock.

I feel the breath get knocked from my chest as I smell a whiff of his cologne.

I’m just about to trail my hand across the countertop to his when…

A raging Harry Styles squeezes to the counter. “Hey miss! Could I get some nachos?” He shouts to the employee.

WAY TO RUIN THE MOOD YOU BLOODY IDIOT.

I step away from his smelly body and pop my gum. Ignoring me completely Harry says, “Want anything Li?”

“Nope. All good here,” Liam says casually. He has no clue I was just trying to pull something.

And now I’m mad.

Someone better call the fire department because I’m about to set this kid’s hair on fire.

I clench my fists and stride off.

I plunk down across from seven year old Ben, who has no idea the power of Liam Love.

“Where’s my root beer?” He asks, offended I forgot about him.

Frustrated and tired I dig around my backpack. I pull out some money and hand it to him. “Here. I’m going to the toilet,” I mutter and grumble away.

I stomp across the carpet and down a few steps. Tucked away in a random corner I see the women’s room. Ready to go inside and break something I head full steam ahead.

“Where you off to Juliet?” I hear Harry’s voice tease.

I turn on my heel briskly, staring straight into his putrid green eyes. “Leave. Me. ALONE,” I bark.

Harry leans up against the wall beside the restroom. He plucks a big nacho from the plastic bowl and plops it into his huge mouth. “So I see you have a thing for my friend now,” Harry says rudely.

I blink.

“That’s stupid,” I mutter.

“No. No it’s not. Because you have the same look on your face when you talk to him like you did for Greg and Henry and even Damien. Who was WAY out of your league, by the way.”

I grit my teeth together.

Of course he knows. He knows EVERYTHING because he’s a stupid KNOW IT ALL!!!!

And he already knows so why lie?

“Why do you care, huh?” I spit back defensively. I have my arms crossed over my chest and my toe tapping the ground.

I probably look mental.

“Oh don’t mistake any of THIS,” Harry pauses to madly gesture to himself. “For me caring. Because I couldn’t care less about you and your life. Especially your love life.”

“Ditto. Now are we done here?” I snap.

Harry purses his thin lips. “I think so,” he says slowly. “I just wanted to remind you that I still know everything there is to about you. And that Liam might not like all of that information.”

I run my shaking fingers into my hair and tug. Why does he even have to be here, huh?

“I didn’t sleep with Donovan Harry,” I say. “I swear we’ve already had this bloody embarrassing conversation.”

“I remember that well. The one where you called me a player?”

The look on his face says it all.

That one statement bugs him more than I do myself.

“Seriously?” I gawp. “That’s what this is all about?”

“No Lena. It’s all about you. It’s all about you because it always has to be,” Harry snarls.

He looks like an angry poodle.

Bark. Bark.

“It’s never been about me,” I say with a snarl. How could he be so dense? “You started all of this. YOU. Y-O-U.”

Harry’s gripping his nacho tray angrily. There’s a spot of cheese on his lip as he frowns. The space between his furry caterpillar brows gets wrinkled. “I did what was right and I haven’t regretted it for a second.”

That makes it even worse. How could he just ruin our friendship then just… forget?

I want to bury Harry in a field.

“You told my parent’s I had sex with Donovan! In what world is that right?” I sputter.

Harry grits his teeth. “I thought you did,” He mutters.

“Well you sure thought wrong. And you should feel really bad about it,” I snap. I cross my arms over my chest again.

“I don’t,” Harry says. He points his chin higher.

I feel like we’re six years old again; bickering about who would get the toy spaceship first.

I narrow my eyes at him. I have so much bottled up inside of me to tell him. But I don’t know where to start.

LENA STOP. This boy isn’t worth it. He obviously doesn’t care about YOU. So why care about HIM??

I stomp away from the bathrooms. I pass Harry momentarily and he says, “Oh and by the way…” He smirks. “I thought I should tell you about Liam’s girlfriend.”

A giant squid has just squeezed the soul out of my heart.

Closing my eyes tight I take a deep breath.

He’s just saying that to get under my skin… right? There’s no way that he could possibly have a girlfriend and not mention it…

“She’s a blonde.”

My eye lids fly open. Harry Styles is grinning like a mad man, looking as cynical as Jack the Ripper himself. Harry knows he’s just torn me into two… and he’s happy about it.

With my heart pounding in my ears I take a step towards him.

I snatch Harry’s nacho tray from his big hands. In two seconds flat I’ve smeared the cheese all in his curls and down his pretty little face.

I toss the plastic plate at his chest.

Harry is as still as a cheese covered statue. The cheese almost boils on his forehead because he’s so mad.

It’s my turn to smirk.

I take a step back to look at his cheese covered self. I’ve permanently stained both his shirt and jeans. The weighed down curls on his head are dripping in thick yellow.

“This is a good look for you,” I say with bite. “I never liked your curls anyway.”

Then I let my mature side take over. I walk away with my head held high.

I’m passing the café counter to get to the alleys again. I’m planning on maybe taking the bus… or hitchhiking… or jogging even! I just wanna go home, I tell ya.

“Where the hell are you going?” A very angry Harry Styles shouts. He’s briskly striding towards me with his fists at his sides.

Some alternative song is playing above us. I turn around and scream above the music, “I’m going wherever I wanna go because you aren’t the boss of me!”

I know, SO clever Lena!

“Don’t just walk away from me,” Harry growls. Somehow he’s made his way to my side in the last few seconds. And yes, he’s still very cheesy.

I dart around the other side of the counter, practically shoving a poor employee out of my way. Sorry mister…

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I ask loudly. Harry’s on the costumer side of the counter bar, his hands spread out on the table top. “I was doing just fine without you!” I shout.

“I never wanted to see you again either!” Harry says back. His face is as tight as I’ve ever seen it.

Why is he still here!? Why doesn’t he just leave me alone?!

I reach under the counter and grab a stack of thick cups. Using my sweaty right hand I throw the plastic things straight for his face.

Harry ducks and grunts.

“I’m sick and tired of you ruining my life,” I say and throw another cup.

Harry picks up a condiment bottle. “I could say the same thing,” he growls. Taking the ketchup in both hands he aims the weapon towards me. My entire life flashes before my eyes as he squeezes. In two seconds flat the cold tomato paste is running down my cheeks and chest.

OH NO HE DIDN’T!!!

My hands fumble with the soda pop machine. I think the employee is yelling at me now. But all I can hear is the sound of carbonation hissing from the soda hose. Lemon Lime pop is flowing like freaking Niagara Falls and splashing Harry Styles in the precious face.

“You think,” I mutter out of breath. “That you’re so much better than me!” I finish my sentence then spot the container of chopped onions. I fill my fists and throw.

Harry has flown to my side of the counter. He’s reaching into a bin and chucking chunks of painful ice cubes at me. One ridiculous sharp piece hits my cheek as Harry says, “You’ve always been jealous of me Lena!”

I can’t believe he just said that!

My fingers are shaking. I dash behind a giant freezer and Harry follows. I slip and fall to the ground. By my feet is a bag of frying flour. I use my sticky hands to throw the white stuff on Harry. He’s trying to avoid my blows and staining my shirt with mustard.

We’re having a freaking food fight.

I never thought it would come to this.

“Jealous?” I sputter. “I have ten times the life you have!”

It’s not a lie but not exactly the truth either…

Harry’s almost out of breath. His face is as red as the ketchup on my legs. Sticking to his Sprite covered skin is white and flaky powder.

“You never wanted me to sign up for the X Factor,” Harry says. “And this is why! You knew I’d do well and you were jealous!”

“What the heck is that supposed to mean?” I ask, throwing olives at him.

Harry tosses a stack of paper plates towards me. “You didn’t want me to succeed. You were trying to slow me down!”

My heart is pounding into my ribcage. He thinks he knows me still. But Harry doesn’t known anything! None of that is true! Years ago the only thing I wanted was for him to make it big! I can see stars dancing around my blinking eye lids as my anger triples.

“I didn’t want you to fail!” I scream. “I didn’t want you’re stupid little heart to break! And it turns out I should have been worried about you breaking MINE!”

The last words shock both of us to a standstill.

What. Did. I. Just. Do?

I just admitted to something I’d never admitted to out loud.

I said that Harry Styles left me broken.

And it was the truth.

Harry Styles broke my heart. He broke my heart because, for a while, I thought I loved him.

Harry stares at me with the blankest expression. He drops his aim and stares straight at me. Some sort of odd expression appears in those dusty green eyes of his... I realize with a start that it's sadness...it's regret. It’s paused him long enough for a chance to escape.

I’ve left the kitchen faster than you can say, “I really really hate Harry Styles.”

I march out of the venue’s front doors. I blink in the sunlight. Nothing but ugly rage is boiling up inside me. Harry better not get the wrong idea: I don’t miss his stupid self anymore. Sure, I was heartbroken. I was a wreck when we “split”. But that doesn’t mean I need him.

In fact I hate him now.

I hate Harry. I hate Liam’s girlfriend. I hate Holmes Chapel. I hate The X Factor. I hate Derek. I hate Sparky The Lizard. I hate this stupid bowling alley. I hate pizza.

Most of all I hate myself.