What About Loyalty

Chapter 7

Ali and I slept together on my bed after the karaoke session ended. Don't get any weird ideas in your head. It's not like we took out clothes off and had s*x, because that didn't happen. Ali just didn't want to go back to her house in the dark. Besides, she brought over her bookbag and a change of clothes.

At exactly 5:45 AM, my alarm clock went off. That alarm is the only thing that wakes me up in the morning, and with good reason: the sound is so goddamn annoying!

Anyway, when that horrible screeching noise sounded, I got up, turned it off, then proceeded to wake up Ali. As I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth, Ali got herself dressed and dolled up. I say this because when I went back to my bedroom to change out of my pajamas, I caught a glimpse of her wearing pink lipstick and eyeliner. I'll admit that Ali's prettier without make-up, but when she does wear it, it makes her that more special a friend.

"Hey, Harv," she greeted.

"Morning, Ali," I answered back.

"That was a great night last night, wasn't it?"

"Of course it was. I wish it could happen again." I sincerely meant it. It was the most fun I've had in... well, ever.

"Let's hope so."

After I got done changing, Ali and I went down to the kitchen to get breakfast. Of course, my parents were still asleep on account of them not arriving until eleven in the evening, long after me and Ali packed it in. As soon as we got done eating out Hot Pockets, we went down to my bus stop, where twenty minutes later, the bus arrived.

Ali followed me to the back of the bus in the seat where I usually sit at. My spot was next to George, who they picked up at the stop before mine.

"Hi, George," Ali greeted.

"Hey, Ali," George replied. He then turned his attention to me. "Harvey!" he damn near screamed. "You won't believe what happened on f*******: last night!"

"Well, I rarely check social media," I told him, "but your attitude makes me curious. What's up?"

"Check this out," George said as he showed me his phone. I got a good look at a status from Bruce that said, "God, I can't believe Harvey Specter would physically abuse Hilary Hurston. He was probably high yesterday. And to think I was gonna let him be on the team this year."

After reading it over three times, I was mortified. What made it worse was the amount of comments that had circulated over the last six hours it was posted.

"No," I whispered, shocked at what I had read. "This never happened. I wasn't even near Hilary yesterday."

"That's not what Hilary thought," Geroge said as he fiddled with his phone before showing me a status from Hilary. It read, "News flash, Harvey Specter, my boobs are NOT your toys." Hilary's post didn't have as many comments as Bruce's, but I was still shot down by the absurdity of those lies.

"No, you gotta understand," I pleaded my case. "I did not touch her."

"I believe you, Harvey," Ali comforted as she put a hand on my shoulder. "Hilary never talked about you yesterday, which automatically makes their statements false."

"I think it's a surefire way for Bruce to not have you on the team," George theorized.

"Yeah, I heard 'em talking. But why?" I wanted to know.

"Well, he and Marvin told me that they hate your guts and couldn't stand the idea of you playing on the team. After I told them what a great guy you are and how you deserve to be on the team, they kinda got pissed at me and now I'm kicked off."

"Dude, that's harsh."

In the heat of the moment, I actually felt sorry for Ol' George. However, I'm also miffed that Bruce, Marvin, and Gloria would make up lies about me. But I just put it out of my mind for now.