Chapter 8: Chapter 8

The next day was Friday, my off day. And for that I was very thankful. It meant I didn't have to go to work and face those fake asses. I knew people were mean. But I had never really come into contact with people like that. It was really strange for me.

I spent most of my morning lazing around and eating things I knew were definitely not good for my health. But I did not mind. As my mother said anyways, I was skin on bones. I needed and wanted to put on some weight.

I would have spent the whole day like that, sitting, watching videos on YouTube, dancing stupidly to songs I loved if Parker had not called me.

I was kind of shocked. Why was he calling me? Sure we had talked a couple of times but I didn't think we had enough to talk about for a phone call. Phone calls for me were all or nothing.

I picked up nonetheless. "Hello?" I answered/asked.

"So you forgot about me? Just like that? I'm hurt," he said and I laughed, even though it was a bit awkward.

"I just– I've been really busy– and hungry," I don't know why I felt the need to add the last part. It was the truth though. I had not had a full meal the whole week and today I was too lazy to go out and get something.

"Hungry? Are you on a diet or something?" Parker asked and the confusion was apparent in his voice.

"Haha no. I'm just really tired to cook and I don't feel like sitting at some restaurant all alone," I whined. I was a whiner. Everyone who knew me well enough was aware of that fact.

"So if I said I was ready to sit at some restaurant with you, would you agree?"

"I– yes. Sure." I was a bit hesitant to accept because I didn't want any ambiguity between us. I didn't want to date him. And I sure hoped this was not a date.

"Why do you sound so unenthusiastic?" Parker asked and I laughed. Was it that obvious?

"As I told you, I'm laaazzzzyyy," I started, making sure to drag the lazy. He had to understand the extent to which it went. "So I keep asking myself whether it's worth leaving my couch."

"Of course it is worth it! Good food and good company? You definitely don't want to miss that," he said and I could practically hear the smile in his voice.

"Fine. Let me get ready," I acquiesced with a faint smile and I heard him whoop. I laughed.

"Okay. I'll pick you up in an hour."

I nodded my head, satisfied. An hour was enough for me to get ready. After he hung up, I went to the bedroom and started looking for what to wear.

Then I realized I was an idiot. Cause I hadn't even asked him where we were going. How was I going to dress? We were surely going someplace casual, but I really didn't want to show up and be too casual.

So I settled on something semi casual. I wore a white blouse dress that was sheer at the ends and split by the sides. I paired it with blue jeans and decided on sneakers instead of heels. Comfort was the key word today.

After getting done with my makeup, I received a text. It was Parker, telling me he was in front of my building. I hurriedly picked up my purse and phone, the essentials then went downstairs.

As soon as I got into the elevator, Harry got in too. I gasped. How did I not see him behind me?

"Um, hi," was all I found myself capable of saying.

I was still kinda mad about the we are going to continue this some other time thing, but he looked too good for me to be pettily angry about something so stupid. No, not stupid. Trivial.

"You look beautiful," he said and I widened my eyes in surprise. Was that a compliment?

"Yes, it was a compliment," Harry chuckled. I blushed. Had he read my mind or what?

"You can't hide what you feel, little flower. It's written all over your face," he teased and I got the strange desire to hide my face in my hands.

"You.. you look nice too," I returned shyly and he smiled again.

Suddenly, he lifted his hand and trailed it on the side of my face. Then he tucked a stray hair behind my ear. I was holding my breath. And I held it till his hand left my face.

I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. My heart was pounding and my pulse was racing.

"I– thank you," I said and he responded with a smirk.

We got out of the elevator and it turned out both of us were heading towards the front of the building.

"So you're going on a date?" he asked and I was thrown back into reality.

"Um what? I mean, no no. I'm not going on a date. Why would you ask that?"

"That man seems to think so," he said then jerked his head at Parker who was staring at me with a bright smile.

"No. He's just a friend," I said and shook my head at Harry.

"If you say so little flower. Enjoy your date," he said then touched my cheek and walked towards his car.

I touched my cheek too before snapping out of it and walking to Parker and his car. I smiled at him. He smiled back, but it was a little strained.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey. Who was that?" Parker asked and I frowned a bit. I really hoped he was not asking out of jealousy.

"Um, no one. Just my neighbor," I replied and got into the car as he opened the door for me.

"Didn't look like no one to me," he said and I raised my eyebrows.

I waited for him to get into the car, then I asked, "What do you mean it didn't look like no one?"

He looked pensive for a moment, then said, "Forget it."

I let out a breath and looked out of the window. I really didn't want this to get awkward. We had at least three more hours in each other's company. So we had to make the best of it.

"So where are we heading to?" I asked, in an attempt to get the conversation going.

It worked. Parker smiled. Then said with a mysterious look on his face. "You'll see."

I smiled back at him and leaned comfortably against the chair. I hoped and I did have a feeling that today was going to be a good day.

***

Parker was crazy. And that was the truth. He had taken me to an arcade, claiming I was too uptight sometimes and that I needed to let loose a bit. I had let the comment slide. But I was going to take my revenge.

We had just finished a paintball game– which I had won by the way– and we were finally heading to go and do the fun stuff. Eat.

We reached a nice little restaurant. The exterior was charming and it made me want to get in as soon as possible.

We walked in, Parker behind me with his hand lightly placed on the small of my back. I felt slightly uncomfortable. But I didn't want to embarrass him by telling him to remove his hand. I left it until we reached out table, one next to the window.

As soon as we sat, I admired the surroundings. It was really cozy and welcoming. And the scents and flavors in the air were making me want to order already.

"So, did you have fun?" Parker asked and I nodded happily. Granted, I didn't have any chemistry with Parker. He was just a friend to me. But that didn't mean I wasn't allowed to enjoy his company. He was a fun person to be around.

"Is that even a legit question? Of course I did!" I exclaimed and he laughed.

As soon as I opened my mouth to say something, the waiter walked to our table. I looked up at him. He was cute in a boy-next-door kind of way. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

"Hello, I'm Wesley and I'm your waiter for today. Call me when you're ready to order," he said then placed menus in front of us.

I smiled at him then he left. As I turned to Parker, I saw that he looked annoyed and his mouth was set in a straight grim line. I was almost reluctant to ask him why he looked mad. But I had to.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine," Parker answered, then swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

I looked down at my menu to avoid the awkwardness and heard him clear his throat. I looked up and he offered me an apologetic smile, which I returned.

After we had decided on what to order, the waiter came back. We gave our orders and when he smiled at me again, I smiled back.

"Hey man, stop flirting with my girl!" Parker exclaimed all of a sudden, hitting his hand on the table.

I jumped. What was his problem?

"Parker–"

"You, shut up!" He said, pointing at me. I raised my brows. What had gotten into him suddenly.

"You have no right to–" I started but he interrupted me again.

"I said shut up, Iris. We're on a date together and you keep flirting with others? First it was your so-called neighbor and now it's the waiter? Come on, have some dignity"

"You know what? I'm gone," I said then picked up my bag and stood up. His expression softened a bit then went back to an ugly one.

I walked out, without looking back. I felt embarrassed. I hadn't led him on. I didn't think I had. So why did he feel it was okay to treat me like that? I felt so humiliated.

I called a taxi after walking a few miles and got in gratefully as soon as it stopped in front of me. My brain was ringing. I really didn't know what had sparked Parker's reaction. I was confused.

But if there was one thing I was happy about, it was that he had shown me his stupidity so early. I hadn't gotten attached to him yet and for that I was happy.

I reached home quickly. And as soon as I was about to get into my apartment, I heard someone behind me.

"Why do you look so sad, little flower?" I sighed and turned around. It was Harry obviously, and he looked worried.

My heart maybe missed a beat. I was happy he was worried about me. But I didn't know what it meant. Did he like me? Was he attracted to me? Or did he just see me as a friend, or worse a little sister?

"I– you were right about that being a date," I said, sighing.

"What happened?" Harry asked in his so attractive accent and I sighed again. I really didn't want to stand her in the hallway and tell him about it.

Apparently, he saw it and said, "Come to my apartment. We'll have a drink and you'll tell me all your problems."

"All?" I asked with a small smile.

"The ones you're ready to share."

I thought for a moment. Then nodded. It was going to do me some good to talk to someone. And it didn't hurt that he was cute.

"Let me get changed," I said and he nodded. Then a mischievous look came on his face.

"Wear something sexy," Harry said then turned and walked towards his apartment. I stared at his back for a while then shook my head with a smile. He was definitely something else.