Late nights

III

- I don't mean anything at all, I'm just saying there's a reason for everything. - Tom kept himself from snitching.

- You're a mysterious man, Thomas.

- It's Tom, but sure. Better mysterious than boring, right?

- Whatever you say. - She stood up and walked back to Harry.

- Oh, by the way, - Tom shouted from across the class, - Murphy's first law.

Emily didn't understand why Tom mentioned Murphy's laws. She didn't even know the first law, so she had to look it up sometime later.

"Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". "Interesting" Emily thought. She didn't know what Tom meant, but the law didn't leave her mind for the whole week. 

Without her finding out anything for the entire week, Tom knew he had to say something.

- You haven't figured it out yet, huh? - Tom asked.

- Figured out what?

- Well, I won't tell you. All I'm gonna say is that that Finnish exchange student is...well let's say licentious.

- What the hell does that word even mean?

- It's hard to explain. It means smutty, in one way or another.

- Olivia? Smutty? And with who.

- With the boy who lived. - Tom chuckled and walked away.

Emily understood the joke but didn't laugh. She was too far in her thoughts. Harry - Emily's boyfriend was nothing like Harry Potter, but Tom was proud of his tiny joke. He thought it would lighten the horrible news. Emily instantly ran to Harry to confront him:

- Harry, I need to talk to you right now. - She took him aside.

- Yeah, what's up baby?

- Did you cheat on me? - She asked straight away.

- What are you talking about? With who? Why would have I done it?

- Well I can have my suspicions. Tell me honestly. Did you cheat on me with Olivia?

- Liv? You know I don't like foreigners, why would I ever do that?

- I'm sorry, I'm just really lost. I'm really sorry. - Emily felt stupid thinking that Harry could cheat on her. 

The school year ended and Tom finally had more time to do his own personal work. 

One chilly morning he was at the beach and met Emily. Well, Emily met him.

- Hey, enjoying summer? - Emily smiled.

- I thought I wouldn't have to meet you anymore since school ended, but I had the misfortune of being wrong.

- Ouch. What are you doing here?

- Just observing, taking a breath. Really didn't think I'd meet anyone here, but here we are.

- We sure are. - Emily sat down on the sand. - It's a cold morning.

- Yeah, but I prefer it being cold than scorching hot. Why are you here? - Tom asked a question hoping to quickly end the conversation. - It's summer, you can sleep in.

- Couldn't sleep, so I just happened to wake up early and go for a walk to the beach. Why did you tell me that Harry cheated on me when he didn't?

Tom huffed and stood up:

- Well, I don't know. I saw Olivia in the men's bathroom, your boyfriend left it soon after. I just kinda put the two and two together, but if he tells you otherwise, maybe I made a mistake. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. Coincidences happen, they aren't unusual.

- It kinda seems like you have something against me.

- I don't. I dislike everyone the same. - Tom walked away.

Emily sat on the sand for a little more to gather her thoughts and think about what to do next. She didn't text or call, she immediately went to Harry's house to ask him about cheating again. The second time around she felt stupid about asking, but she knew it was the right thing to do. 

- Let's go for a drive. - Emily said, not wanting to break in down in his doorway.

- I can't. Why didn't you just text me?

- Yes you can, let's go.

- Umm, okay, sure. - He grabbed his keys with a dissatisfied look on his face. 

Emily got in the car and told Harry to just drive forward. While driving, her legs felt uncomfortable in the seat:

- Who was sitting here last? The seat is pushed forward.

- No clue what you're talking about, nobody was here.

Emily knew she needed strong evidence for her case, as much as she didn't want to believe it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, she saw a pink hoodie in the backseat.

- Who's hoodie is this? - She started breaking down.

- It's yours, isn't it?

- Harry, I'm not an XS. Why are you still denying it? I know you're cheating on me with Olivia, that Finnish b***h. - She started crying.

- First of all, don't call her that. Listen, Emily, I just felt unhappy and I made some bad decisions.

- You're trying to blame me? Are you serious? Stop the car.

- No, come on.

- Stop it!

Harry stopped on the side of the road and Emily got right out. She threw the hoodie and started walking home with tears rolling down her cheeks. She was lost, distraught, and had no clue where to go. She didn't want to go home but she didn't want to be outside either. 

Luckily, she knew where Tom lived since she had visited him when they were both children.