Wolf

In some way, Harry was "back to normal." But something was up. I could tell. He didn't want to talk about the other night. Actually, he refused to but he was my best friend.... and if his silence meant I could keep him, I was fine with that.

"Hey, Dyl, wanna go to a party tonight?"

"Umm...sure." I slipped my shirt over my head and walked out of his bathroom. Dad's home so I stayed over his house. But a party? We never go to parties...

"I know it's not the norm but one of the football guys is throwing a party and I just thought we could check it out."

"Sure. I don't mind." If he wants to take me to a party, who am I to say no? Maybe it'll take his mind off things. He'd been zoning out a lot.

"Are you staying the night or going home?"

"I'll stay. My dad's back. Speaking of... where's your mom? And Gemma?"

"Mom had a business trip and Gemma's staying with a friend.They have some all night project."

"Cool. Mall, then?"

"Sure. Who's car?" Escalade or Explorer, I pondered.

"Yours." I said, settling on the Escalade. Last Saturday was weird and hectic. I'm going to be as nice as possible. Plus, I like his car better. It has a T.V!

"Let's go." He grabbed two hoodies from his closet and threw one to me. I slipped it over my head as the cold nipped my nose and we walked out the door.

Beep! Beep! He unlocked the car and turned on the heat. Thank god!



We pulled up at the mall five minutes later. Grabbing my hand, Harry ran us through the winter air as rain started to fall, freezing before it hit the ground.



"Do you mind if I see your outfit?"

"Harry, we're not getting married. It's fine." As I exited the dressing room, I saw a bit of hurt flash across his eyes.

"I'm sorry but--"
"Wait." He cut me off. "Turn." I turned and stopped to give him a good look at the snug jeans, purple combat boots, and purple halter top I planned to buy.

"I like it." He nodded his head.

"Of course you do... It doesn't make me look fat?"

"Dylan," He put his hands on my shoulders, "you are beautiful in every single way, to quote Christina Aguilera. Don't let anyone tell you you're not.

"Thanks." I smiled, weakly.

"Now, go change, woman! I'm hungry."

"Okay, okay. I'm goin'." I quickly changed back into my jeans, converse, t-shirt, and Harry's hoodie.

"K, let's go." I said as I walked out. I stopped to pay.

"It's cool. I got it."

"No, I-"

"I said I got it, Dylan." Harry dimpled at me. I just shook my head and tried to hide my smile. After he paid, we went to the food court.

"I'll get dessert, you get the food?" I asked him. That was our "restaurant" ritual whenever we got pre-made food. I got the dessert, he got the main course, and then we mixed our drinks.

"Of course!" He laughed along with me. Harry took off for his choice of food. Hmm... what should I get for dessert?

CINNABON!

I bought a large cinnamon bun and a Hi-C. I picked up an extra cup and headed for an empty table.

Harry slid into his chair a moment later.

"What'd you get?" I asked.

"Ten piece, spicy, barbecue wings and a sprite from Nandos. You?"

"A large cinnamon bun with extra frosting and a Hi-C from Cinnabon."

"Whelp, let's do it!" He split half the chicken into another box. Pushing the Cinnabon to the middle of the table, I handed him a fork. We mixed our drinks, then I tossed the other cup. It landed in the trash with a thud.

"She shoots, she scores! And the crowd goes wild!" I pretended to be a basketball star.

"Ahhhhh!" Harry stage screamed. After finishing the best barbecue chicken-- but what do you expect, it's Nandos-- we start on the cinnamon bun. All I have to say is that the extra frosting was a good touch.

"I'm still thirsty." Harry tossed his empty food remains in the garbage. LIGHT-BULB!

"I have something. Hold on." I got up, only stopping at the trash can and one other place. I came back to the table with a large, chocolate, Sonic milkshake.

"Yes!" I smile at Harry's excited expression.

"I didn't have enough with me for two so we can share."

"Fine by me." I handed him a straw and placed my own in the chocolaty goodness. Halfway through the shake, an elderly couple interrupted us.

"Aww, George, look! They're so cute." The old lady says to her... husband? I think. She turned her attention to us. I gazed up at her side-ways, my mouth still slurping from my straw.

"How long have you been together?" I nearly choked on my milkshake. I pulled away from the cup before I killed myself.

"Oh we're not...he's not... um." I stuttered as I swallowed hard, scrunching my eyebrows together and looking down, searching for the right words to say.

"For almost five years now." Harry jumped in. I shot him a look.

"Our anniversary was February 1st. My birthday."

"That's so cute! They don't make couples like that in this generation anymore." I silently plead him with my eyes to stop talking.

"Yeah, I'll show you her anniversary gift next time I see you." What? He knows her?

"Why would you do that?!" I smacked his arm as hard as I could as we exited the mall.


"I was just playing, Dylan. Calm your tits."

"Do you know that lady?" I can't believe he embarrassed me like that!

"Yeah. Linda works at the nursing home I volunteer at sometimes."

"I can't believe you said that! Dating? Really? For five years?"

"Could you seriously not imagine dating me, Dylan? Is the thought that repulsive?" I looked at him sharply, and saw a hurt expression on his face.

God! What's with him?

But I wonder...
Could I ever imagine myself with Harry...?

Notes