COUNTING STARS

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Ariel’s P.O.V
The next morning was a blur; the only thing I could think about was Harry and I just being friends. That he’s never going to flirt with me again, that he’s never going to look at me like he used to, I know I shouldn’t care because I’m with Jesse but maybe it’s just the ideal of me going to miss the one thing that treated me like I was worth something is gone. I sat down next to Barney and started my way on opening the chocolate milk “I got a surprise for us….as us I mean me, you, Sam….and Harry oh and Jesse can come too” I flinched at the thought of Harry and Jesse being in the same room. “Oh great!” I faked my excitement. “What….is….it” My sentence fell short as I spotted Harry walking towards our table with Sam. I grabbed Barney’s arm almost causing her to spill her orange juice. “Hey!” I leaned in closer to her. “Why is Harry walking over here?” I watched him conversate back and forth with Sam they were really

focused. “Oh calm down Ariel he’s just a boy” She winked. They came over sliding their trays down onto the table, both shrugging their bags off onto the floor. Sam circled around the table to give Barney a quick peck on the lips, I stared at them awkwardly then back at Harry he was already staring at me. He tipped his lips up into that inviting warm smile that I love and rounded the table as well; my skin was beginning to heat. “Can I have a hug Ariel?” I peered around, making sure no eyes were prying so they can report it back to Jesse. I scooted back my chair and got up. I wrapped my arms around his neck but no too tight; trying not to give him the impersonation that I adore this hug but obviously he wasn’t thinking the same thing as me. He coasted his hands around my hips locking his hand together holding me in place. Seconds later he released my back rubbing me in circular motion. He touched me like he was trying to comfort me like he knew something and was trying to heal it with this hug, I felt safe oddly I never felt this way with Jesse. Sam and him rounded back over to their spot sitting down. “Okay guys!” Barney was over excited. “Guess what?!” We didn’t waste our time guessing because we knew Barney was going to tell us anyway.

“My uncle Red is going to be out of town for a week and he said that we can use his cabin in Alaska!” She was grinning from ear to ear, Sam and Harry high fived each other; it’s so weird seeing Harry slowly break out of his reserved shadow. “It’s perfect Sam and me Harry and uh…..” She looked at me smiling secretively, she’s so sneaky. “Ariel…” Sam nudged Harry in the elbow; they looked at each other smiling. They shared something; they had this inside secret that they didn’t want to share with the rest of us. They busted out laughing and I just sat there awkwardly, I felt embarrassed what if they talked about me negatively, what if this whole time Harry didn’t like me he was just playing with my heart. They’re probably laughing because of how gullible I was to Harry. I sat there quietly masking this sudden anger, Barney leaned in close to me she always notice something about me. “They’re probably just laughing because of how awkward I just made everything….” I smirked at her then looked back at the boys. “I

guess….” I’m done with Harry now till there’s some sign that can tell me otherwise. “Any who, thanksgiving break is coming up so that’s when were supposed to leave, I think it starts…..on Thursday so I think you guys should mentally prepare what you’re going to bring” I nodded, I didn’t look at Harry for the rest of lunch though I could feel his eyes on me I just didn’t have enough courage or confidence right now to stare into those eyes because if I do…..then I can’t look away.
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The days turned into seconds they went by so fast the next thing I knew I was boarding a plane heading to Alaska! Freaking Alaska it took me packing my luggage and actually sitting down on the plane to take in where I’m going I’ve never been outside of Texas before. I took a seat near the airplane window, I looked out over at all the other planes parked on the concrete I wonder where those planes are going to. Barney came sitting down beside me. “Did you see that flight attendant?” I shook my head; she ran her hands through her hair primping herself up. “He was such a cutie pie, how could you have missed him of all people?” I shrugged my shoulders. Since me and Jesse been together I guess I’ve accustomed to not looking at other guys, which is odd and unfortunate that I happen to take an interest in Harry. The guys sat down behind us, Sam behind Barney; Harry behind me. My phone in my pocket buzzed like crazy I slid it out it was dad I rolled my eyes “Hello?” “Hey sweetheart have you guys token off yet” “No” “Um

excuse me miss no phone calls on flight” I nodded at him. “Listen dad I can’t talk on the phone while flying so I’ll call you when I land” “Okay sweetie be safe I love you……Bye” “Bye” I hung up the phone the flight attendant smiled then walked pass us. Barney leaned in next to me “See I told you….” I bumped her shoulder smiling. A slight bump hit behind my seat trying to get my attention I turned back Harry put his glasses over his eyes and flexed his jaw line not a small smile was spread across his lips. Was he mad? Oh no….was he jealous? He thinks I take slight interest in that guy? Oh how cute.

Seconds turned into minutes, minutes turned in to hours and hours turned into days I was getting bored sitting in the same spot repeatedly. And when turbulence would take control of the plane I would clutch the arm rest tightly and hold my breath till were flying back normal again. This plane ride was scary yet fun at the same time, my emotions were everywhere up, down, sideways I didn’t know what to do. Till I felt a presence towering my shoulder, Harry’s fingers brushed back my hair accidentally nipping my neck with his soft hand I breathed in deep my chest tightened. “Come to the bathroom……” Within seconds my hair fell back into its original spot and I heard him getting up and walk back towards the bathroom. I geared myself up, what did he want to talk about? I mean enough was said Sunday night since then me and Harry have barely talked unless he hugged me or asked if I wanted anything from the store from then on he didn’t touch me on purpose or give me that one warm inviting smile, he didn’t even touch the small of my back anymore. “I’ll be back I’m going to the bathroom” Barney was too busy caught up in her magazine she nodded. I scooted pass her and one more person then started my way down the aisle. I felt guilty, what if people saw Harry go in and now they see me go in? I looked around the plane but everybody was doing their own thing only some guys would look up at me but they weren’t staring at my face. I took a deep breath then opened the bathroom door and made my way in; I quickly closed the door behind me.

Harry was sitting on the toilet staring down at his hands, something was troubling him and I wish I could ask but that would give some signal that I’m caring about him that I have feelings for him. “Harry?” I said normally as if that name didn’t faze me or give me butterflies. “I’ve tried….” His voice was low, barely above a whisper and his husky voice made the words come out smoother. “Tried what? You tried to finally fix up that car of yours?” I started laughing but it faded away knowing I was the only one laughing. He looked up at me, his glasses were on so I couldn’t take him seriously then he took them off. OH well there goes the butterflies in my stomach and the excitement running through my veins and that sudden quick erratic speed in my heart. “I’ve tried being your friend but…..everywhere I go, every time I go to sleep…….” I

breathed shortly. Why? Why did he have to like me? This makes it harder for me to love Jesse faithfully. “Every time I look at you…..I can’t be friends with you…..” I headed towards the door, I was afraid to hear the next words. So we can’t be friends, so we can’t talk to each other this whole trip. “it’s fine we should get back anyways…..” With one stride he lift his arm tightening his grip around my wrist, it’s not his abrupt force that made me stop but after four days he

touched me, not his normal hug me touch or giving me a high five but he touched me in a way as if he wanted me to stay as if he’s been missing what I’ve been missing. “Ariel….you don’t know how hard it is…..” Hard what is? I only acted clueless because I’m waiting….waiting for him to say the words that were meant to be unsaid; say the words that has been locked away inside his head. He waited for my response, he wasn’t going to say the words I wanted to hear I

removed my wrist out his hold and back down beside my body. “It’s going to get….even harder knowing I love Jesse” I unlocked the door. “You…” I heard the hurt in his voice and took me all my power and hidden strength to not take him into my arms, I barely knew this boy but he made me feel so different so worth it. I stopped. “You love Jesse…..but not once, did you say you’re in love with him” I dropped my mouth open; speechless. I didn’t know what to say, he was right but how would he know what I said and not said he didn’t pay that much attention to me…right? I opened the door and walked out, switching my face into a settle one wiping away the intense conversation me and Harry just had.

Notes