SAVED

Chapter 13

(sorry for the late update! ): i know i’ve been slacking but i’m really going to try and update at least every other day. please vote/comment if you like! xoxo) 

Harry. Of course. 

I finally feel relaxed for the first time today and am just not in the mood. Couldn’t he have waited until tomorrow to talk? Be lucky that he wants to talk to you at all. I clench my eyes at my subconscious and lower the volume.

“Hello...”

“Oh...hi! How are you, love?”

“Fine. Just in bed watching a film.”

“That sounds realllly boring.” He chuckles. I find myself doing the same from the amusement in his voice.

I roll my eyes and focus on the movie. Jackie just got locked in the closet. “So how are things?”

“Better now that I’m talking to you...”

Oh...well then. 

I’m confused by the unnecessary amount of anger I have towards him. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t feel as calm talking to him as much as Zayn, but talking to Harry ignites something in me. It’s a foreign feeling that I would usually rather dismiss. 

I do what I can to calm my beating heart. “So you called to talk then?”

“Well your text earlier didn’t really convince me, Emma...”

So we’re back to this. It would be so much easier to just drop it. 

“Harry it really isn’t a big deal. So what if you went off with a girl? It’s none of my business.” I hope my tone is casual enough for him.

“As long as you say so. I’m sorry regardless. You sounded pretty upset about it last night.”

I was upset but it was just a stupid spark of jealousy. I have no right to be getting jealous over him. I barely know him. 

“It was silly of me, Harry. Can we just drop it? Please?”

I hope then that he doesn’t ask me to hang out. I’m really looking forward to these plans with Anna. If your parents let you go. I’ll already be into the city by then. What would they do? Come into the city looking for me? I doubt they’d even care. I’m not even going to tell them. I could do what I want. I’ve never been known to be rebellious. Definitely stubborn, but never rebellious. Another new welcoming feeling. 

“Yeah, of course. I’ll see you tomorrow then, yeah?”

“Of course.” I smile. “Bye Harry.”

I make sure to turn my phone off before placing it back in my drawer. There’s nothing any of them could want more from me tonight and I could care less if any of my parents contact me at this point. 

The following morning I wake up before my alarm and my parents are still asleep. Last night my dad went straight to bed and my mom just bitched at me for not answering her texts. Whatever. Today is much nicer than the day before. I welcome the cool breeze that comes through my window, reminding me of my upcoming favorite season. 

Despite the decent amount of clothes in my closet I only wear a selected few. Most of my clothes are old and worn or have been hand me downs from one of my aunts. I haven’t purchased new clothes in ages and it makes me even more excited for my venture later on.

I decide to do something different today. Different from my usual leggings, tank and cardigan. I whip out an old pair of black jeggings that I forgot I had and a red and black plaid button down. It seems to look nice and it’s comfortable. I forgot how comfortable these jeggings were. It makes me remember why I love them so much. I go through my makeup and decide to do a darker eye than usual. I wouldn’t call myself a makeup guru but I do have a lot of it and enjoy applying it. I sigh and frown as I take a last look in the mirror. It seems impossible for me to ever be pleased with my appearance, but that’s life I guess. 

I grab my bag and scurry downstairs, grabbing my juice and a pop-tart from the pantry. I’m about to head out when I see a note on the table. It’s my mom’s handwriting.

Get home as quick as you can after your classes. Your bother’s coming home for the weekend and I’m making a huge dinner. Don’t be late. 

How does she manage to get under my skin this early in the day from a simple fucking note? My older brother James is like a patron saint with an ego the size of the sun. He got a basketball scholarship to UCONN and I don’t think I heard the end of it for a whole month. We never got along and like my parents all he’s ever done is belittle me and make me feel worthless. Steve, Jane and James Alder. Apparently they were the perfect little family until I came along. Sorry mom, but no thanks. I have better plans. I crumble the note and toss it across the room.

The ferry is a bit crowded then usual. Seems like everyone’s trying to take advantage of this lovely day. Either way, I make it to the city in record time. I stop in Starbucks to get my usual coffee and scone before heading across busy 7th Avenue. The sun feels good against my skin and I find myself smiling as I blend with the students around me. I find a shady spot and make myself comfortable before taking out a book I’ve read multiple times. The Bell Jar. I find myself relating to Esther quite often. 

Despite the usual negative feelings I have towards myself, I’m quite content and even a bit confident about today. I’m relaxed and refuse to worry about anything. If only I could wake up each morning feeling like this. 

I take a long sip of my coffee and spot Anna. I admire how fashionable she always looks. She’s wearing black leggings and a white sweater with black oxfords and an expensive looking tote bag to top it all off. It seems so simple but it makes her look elegant. I start to feel rather doubtful as I run my hand over my jeggings. 

“Hey you!” I watch her smile as she spots me and walks over.

“Hey!” 

She takes a seat next to me and pulls me into a small hug. “How are you this morning? I am loving this shirt!”

“Are you making fun of me...”

She laughs and I laugh with her. “Of course not! It’s different but I like it. Plaid suits you, Em.”

“Thanks...” I flush at the compliment.

“SO are you excited about later? What time do you get off again?”

“My math class ends at little after two. Around 2:15.”

“Okay that’s perfect. Is there anywhere you’d like to go in particular?”

I really had no clue. I know my shopping options are endless when it came to NYC but I don’t even know where to begin. 

“I think it’s better to leave everything to you.” I chuckle. I’m sure she knows the city way better than I do. 

“You got a point there.” She smiles. “I really can’t wait though. We’re going to have soooo much fun. Have you ever shopped in the city before?”

“Nope.”

I never had any friends to do something like this with so this will definitely be a first. Both my parents hate this city with every ounce of passion they have. There have been times where I’ve just sat in bed wondering what it would be like to spend a fun day in the city with my mother. Maybe going out to lunch or going to Central Park. That would never happen, unfortunately. All she does is work, come home, complain and watch her shows. It’s a cycle that repeats itself all week and when the weekend comes she doesn't want to be bothered with anyone or anything. I barely even associate myself with my father. He just hates people in general.

Anna and I become so caught up in talking that we lose track of time. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken so many words at once in my life. We both laugh at a joke she made about our English professor when we stand to leave and get to class just in time. The class seems to be pretty full besides an empty chair in front of me. As Professor Bacher enters my heart leaps as Harry enters behind him. He catches my gaze and sits in the empty seat before turning and giving me a breathtaking smile.