Saving Gace

I quickly sat up and scrambled to put my jacket back on before he saw too much. I looked up to see him sprinting over. It was my neighbor, Harry. We knew each other from when we met when I first moved here, and we’ve had a few classes together, but like I said, I don’t have any friends here. He’s always been one of them that will say hi in passing or in class, and I will always fake a smile. He was in athletic shorts, showing off his long, toned legs and running shoes. He was shirtless, revealing his nicely toned abs as well.

“Hey, Harry. I, uh, I’m fine,” I lied and put on a smile.

“Come on, Adley, don’t lie to me,” he pleaded. “What happened to you?”

I tried to play it cool. “Harry, I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Please don’t lie to me. I saw the bruises,” he pressed on.

Shit. Way to go Ads, you really blew it this time. My heart was racing. “Oh, those? They’re nothing. I just tripped and fell the other day,” I lied.

Harry stared at me with a look of… concern? That can’t be right. No one has cared about me or the crap in my life since I moved here. “Please stop lying to me,” he pleaded as he gently placed his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look in the eyes.

Wow, he has the most beautiful shade of green eyes I’ve ever seen. Snap out of it, Adley. I was suddenly aware of how dark it was. I didn’t realize how long I’d been laying there. “What time is it?” I asked.

“9:30. Stop changing the subject. Will you please tell me what happened to you?”

9:30? Dad should be asleep by now, so it should be safe to go home. Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late. I should be getting home,” I said as I started picking up my bag.

Harry continued to watch my every move with a pained look on his face. “Fine,” he finally spoke. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but at least let me walk you home?”

“Harry, I-“

“Please. I was on my way home anyway,” he pleaded, cutting me off.

I hesitated. “Okay,” I finally agreed. What’s the worst that could happen? I mean, he said I didn’t have to tell him. “What are you doing out here so late anyway?” I questioned.

“I could ask you the same question,” he said playfully, raising an eyebrow. “I was out for a run,” he continued with a shrug. “I was on my way back when I saw you.”

I just stared at the ground as we continued walking home. I can’t believe he saw. As uncomfortable as I am that he saw the bruises and is walking me home when he doesn’t really know me, it kind of feels nice to not be by myself for once. We walked in silence the rest of the way home.

“Thanks for uhmm, walking me home,” I said as I turned to face him.

His face still looked pained. “No problem. I’m happy to do it,” he said forcing a smile.

“Well, goodnight,” I said turning to walk in the house.

“Hey, Adley?” he called after me, causing me to stop dead in my tracks.

I hesitantly turned to face him. “Yeah?”

“I’m here for you, you know, in case you ever want to talk,” he said as he awkwardly faced the ground.”

“Thanks, Harry. That means a lot,” I smiled at him. It was a genuine smile- for once. It really does mean a lot me. Harry has always been nice to me, and he seemed genuine tonight. I probably wouldn’t be sharing this with him though. It’s just too much.

He smiled before turning to walk away. “Goodnight,” he called out.

“Hey, Harry?” He immediately turned to face me. “Could you, you know, not tell anyone about this?” I awkwardly asked as I stared at my feet before looking up to meet his gaze.

I can’t quite read the look on his face…worry? “My lips are sealed,” he promised. Harry then cut through the yard to his house.

I turned back to face the front door. Here we go again. “Please be asleep,” I quietly muttered to myself before walking and shutting the door behind me.

Notes