Seven

Chapter 64

"What are you wearing out tonight?" I ask Mesha as we eat.

"I brought a few outfits." She shrugs and flicks her long dark hair to the side so it doesn't get in the way of her food. As she does, more of her neck is exposed when the curtain of hair is moved to unveil a freshly dark hickey on the side of her neck.

"Oh my god!" I exclaim, causing her to look at me in alert but is confused. I put my food down and clap my hands as she still stares at me perplexed by my reaction.

"What?" Mesha asks puzzled.

"Your fucking neck Mesha!" I giggle with excitement and her hand flies up to cover the mark. But it's far too late, I've already seen the monstrosity canvassing her skin.

"You saw him again didn't you!" I accuse and she almost looks worried, her eyes darting to the side.

"Who?" Mesha questions me.

"Your secret boyfriend! Don't even bother to try lie the proof is right there on your neck!" I cackled and she visibly relaxes, giving me a small laugh in embarrassment.

"Oh shush!" She playfully shoos at me.

"He did a number on your neck oh my god." I move her hair back to get a better look at the purpling blood bruise.

"When do I get to meet him?" I ask her and she does an eye roll and repeats her usual response of,

"Maybe one day." Which makes me roll my eyes right back at her. I know that means she is still not ready to introduce him to her friends.

"Anyways, what about you? Am I gonna get to meet this Harry you were whining about in your sleep?" Mesha fires back and I almost choke. I stop laughing at the mention of him and look at her blankly.

"W-What?" I can feel my cheeks burning already.

"The mysterious Harry you were literally just moaning in your sleep for. Were you having a wee naughty dream Lilianna Kapley?" She teases and I swallow my food down hard as my ears now simmer and I feel incredibly awkward.

I turn away from Mesha and pick my food back up. I don't know how to answer this.

"Come on, you can tell me about him." Mesha nudges me gently. When I don't respond and instead take a bite of food she continues.

"Well I for one am actually glad you've met someone new you like. It's about time. Where did you meet this Harry?" She asks innocently. I know she's just trying to be a supportive friend and talk but if she really knew who Harry was she'd probably be pissed off. She's sitting here thinking I'm finally moving on with life and with my feelings when actuality it is the total opposite. I feel like today has been one huge step back in any progress I had made in my attempts to get over Seven. And it all started with that fucking song playing on the radio in Alec's car this morning. I don't know what to say or how to answer her questions other then to just tell her the truth.

"Uh." I swallow my bite and clear my throat. I don't know why I'm so nervous to talk to her about him. I guess because I know Mesha will hold me accountable for holding on to something as unhealthy as my relationship with Seven. Even after all this time. She knows how badly he hurt me, how disappointed I was that he not only left me but never bothered to check on me when I was so badly hurt and lying unconscious in hospital because of him. Mesha is on the same side as the rational part of me that I so easily push aside when it comes to thoughts of Seven. But unlike my rational side, Mesha is a little hard to ignore and her opinion of me means more than my own opinion of myself.

"Harry is actually, uh, well ..." I look over at her and she waits patiently for me to spit the words out.

"Harry is actually Seven's real name." I admit and watch for her reaction. She's composed but her brows rise in surprise.