"Phew, it's hot!" Kandi adjusted the strap of her tank top as she straightened from her awkward position hovering over the garden in her backyard. She rather detested gardening, but weeding it was a surprise for her aunt, so she'd live through it. And she got some sun on her gleamingly pale skin. It's true she'd be a lobster with freckles for a bit, but it usually darkened into a slight tan...just enough to keep her from looking so sickeningly white.

She felt her phone buzz against her leg and wiped her dirty hands off on her shorts before fishing it out of her pocket.

She had a new text from her friend Emily about how hard planning a two-month vacation in Europe was...Kandi felt herself rolling her eyes and wondering pessimistically if Emily told her these things on purpose to make her rich, important self feel even more important. Kandi honestly wasn't sure why they were friends, but occasionally Emily would be all "lovey-dovey-friends" with her and want to take her everywhere with her. It was so weird, because the rest of the time it was like Emily was using her as a punching bag. Anyways...she didn't feel like guessing at the status of her friendship with Emily.

Emily wanted Kandi's input on the things she was packing, so she invited Kandi for a sleepover. If there was one thing Kandi didn't do, it was hold a grudge. Even if she couldn't do all the things her friends were doing, she could be happy for and with them. Without unlocking her phone, Kandi texted back from her notifications screen:

Ok, sure, do I need to bring anything? What time?

It was as she sent the text she realized she had a message from her Wattpad account:

georgetaxes23: no problem, love. xx

"Love? Xx?" Kandi said aloud and crinkled her nose as she stared at the screen. It was a very British thing to call someone "love", right? And didn't they end their messages with an "x"? But why two "x's"? "Xo" was the standard "kiss, hug" for everybody she knew...but that was either if you were a flirty girl OR you truly were sending a kiss and a hug to someone you loved.

"Weird..." she said aloud again as she made her way to the house.

She stepped inside and shut the sliding glass door behind her. The air conditioning was working full force and Kandi shivered as she reached into the cupboard to retrieve a glass. She turned on the tap and began filling her glass with water. Her brow was still furrowed as she considered not talking to that profile on Wattpad anymore.

What if he's some kind of freak? I mean, it could also be a girl pretending to be a guy...

Kandi fished her phone out of her pocket and unlocked it, searching for the Wattpad app and opening it. She quickly found his profile and opened it up.

"Of course...no pictures." She muttered under her breath. He didn't even have reading lists or anything for her to see what kind of reader he was. Yes, she was going to go along with it and consider him a "he" like he said he was. Anyways, time to finish that chapter off...

She went to her room, flopped on her bed and opened her laptop.

"Hmm..."

After about fifteen minutes of typing, Kandi did a quick proofread and hit "publish".

"There she goes!" Kandi said out loud as she closed her laptop.

I wonder if "he" will comment...

Wow Kandi, chill much? You've got a ton of readers don't get stuck on one's opinion only...

She rolled her eyes at her inner conversation and shrugged her shoulders, glancing around her room to her window. She stared out her window for a few seconds, trying to think of what it was she wanted to do next. She felt like she should be doing something...

"Emily!" Kandi snapped her fingers and dug her phone out of her pocket.

Sorry Em! I will be there in 20 minutes!

She sent the text and leapt from her bed, flinging her closet door open and pulling out a zip-up hoodie and her tote bag from Canadian Falcon, her favourite designer store.

"What do I need, what do I need??" After scrounging around and coming up with random items one needs for a sleepover, Kandi left a scribbled note for her aunt on the kitchen counter and went out the door, locking it behind her.

The drive to Emily's was quick and uneventful and she was soon waiting at the front door.

"Kaaaannnddeeee!!!" Emily squealed as she flung open the door and dragged Kandi in.

"Dah-ling! I've missed you so much!! How are things, girl?" Emily was talking so fast she sounded like an excited hamster.

Kandi giggled at her friend's giddiness. "I know, right? It's been like, two whole days!" Both girls succumbed to giggles as they headed towards the stairs and Emily's bedroom. Emily was a lot of fun, but they were two very different people. A lot went on that Kandi didn't agree with or would never do, so she just stayed out of it. They'd had a set-to once, and it looked like the end of their friendship, but eventually Emily needed someone to talk to about boy drama, so they started talking again. Kandi realized that until Emily grew up when it came to confrontation, there would be no point in arguing with her. So by silent, mutual agreement, they left taboo topics untouched and just enjoyed each other's company when they could. And by the sparkle in Emily's deep brown eyes, Kandi knew tonight was going to be a fun one.

***

"Great party mate!" The sloppy drunk slapped his arm around Harry's shoulders.

"Yes, simply divine!" As he lifted the man's arm from his shoulder, Harry ruefully wondered why he wasted perfectly good sarcasm on someone too drunk to notice. "C'mon, lad, we gotta get you home, you've had well enough for one night!" Harry began helping the man towards the entrance of the large house and a quieter atmosphere where he could call a ride for this man.

"There now, you set right there..." Harry balanced the man upright with one arm and fished his phone from the back pocket of his jeans with his free hand, dialled a number and brought it to his ear.

"Yes, Peter? Yes, please bring the car around, I've got a lush here that you need to take home for me." Harry paused and looked back over his shoulder at the pulsing, gyrating party further in the house. So much for a quiet get-together..."you can take me home too and come back for the rest of the lads. Alright, 5 minutes? Perfect, I will meet you outside."

Harry slid his phone back in his pocket and successfully leaned his unwitting charge against the nearest wall.

The guy's gonna pass out before I even get him home.

"Hhhhhnnnnnggg..." Harry sighed heavily and dragged his hand down his face, pausing to let his thumb and forefinger pinch his own nose while he stared off into space. He inhaled sharply and refocused on the drunk man beside him, who was now singing a little ditty about "smoking weed" under his breath.

Harry rolled his eyes and smirked. "C'mon now, it's time to get up, where's your wallet at lad?"

"Wallll now, here's the thang...I thhhhinnk itssaa in my tttchhjjjacket over thare withhh my ex. Can you see her?"

Harry turned and squinted at the crowd. "Who's your ex?"

"The lawwwvliest Kendall hersssself!" This grand statement was elegantly punctuated with several hiccups. Harry looked back sharply at the drunken man.

"Kendall...Kendall is your ex-girlfriend? Why have I never seen you before?" Harry's brow wrinkled as he looked down at the man pathetically giggling,

"Don't know maaaannnn!! Hee-hee!!"

Harry rolled his eyes and headed towards the centre of the house. Kendall was reclined on a sofa with her long legs curled up behind her, and her right arm propping herself up as she leaned against the back of her seat. In her hand was a glass containing some ice cubes that were discoloured by a dark liquid. She was conversing with someone who was standing behind the sofa when Harry approached to grab the jacket off the sofa arm opposite Kendall.

How can someone so drunk remember exactly where their jacket is at a party?

Kendall raised her glass to her lips just as her gaze left the person she was conversing with and met Harry's eyes. Harry smiled casually at her and she lowered her gaze demurely. She finished sipping her drink, letting her lashes flutter perfectly over her glass before raising her eyes back to meet his, boldly. A small smirk played over her features and her gaze held something hidden, but impregnated with suggestion. Harry felt something inside him stiffen and his face fell from a smile into a smirk as he grabbed the jacket off the seat, nodded at Kendall, and turned to make his way back through the sweaty, smelly, drunken crowd.

Kendall smirked to herself as she watched his broad shoulders gently push through the people who had no idea he was even there. She couldn't help but admire him. His frame, so large and strong, was easily able to push through, but he was being as gentle with these crazy party-goers as if they'd been children. Impressive. Intimidating. Yet so patient. He was an enigma, alright. She let a small giggle escape her throat before turning casually back to her original conversation.

Meanwhile, Harry had finished jostling through the crowd, found the man's wallet and checked the driver's license. Yep, this is the same man. He found the man slumped against the wall humming, "You Are My Sunshine" with his eyelids half-closed. Harry stopped for a second and looked at the image of drunken humanity before him.

How do I always seem to find myself in these situations?

With a final sigh, he reached down and hoisted the man into a sitting position.

"C'mon mate, we've got your coat here, let's get it on you."

"I don't waaaaaant toooo!" The man slurred drunkenly.

"Look, mate, I know you're hot, but it's nippy out there and you need it...plus I don't want to carry it."

The man groaned dramatically and threw himself backward against the wall, causing Harry to nearly lose his balance.

"@$!?!" Harry cursed and grabbed the man more aggressively, hauling him to his inebriated feet. Harry looped his arm under the man's armpits and was thankful that the man was too drunk to complain any further. They carefully made their way to the door and Harry managed to swing it open with one arm.

Once they were outside, Harry could see that their Range Rover was waiting. Harry staggered carefully as he supported the man down the stairs and to the vehicle. He reached out and opened the door just as the driver came around to assist. The man was half asleep and very heavy in his drunkenness so it took a lot for the two men to wrestle him into the back seat. The driver slammed the door and looked at Harry,

"Where to?"

Harry sighed and starting walking to the front passenger door of the vehicle.

"I'm coming now as well."

The driver nodded, "yes, sir."

They got in the vehicle silently and buckled their seat belts. As they started to move, Harry broke the silence,

"I will help you get him home, then you can take me back to the hotel. Oh, and Peter? I'm Harry, not sir."

Peter didn't say anything, but smiled quietly and drove on into the night.

I'm so so sorry for not posting for so long! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please vote and comment!! :)