CLICHE

Chapter Three

Monday is the day I dreaded the most. 

Everyone hates Monday's but I hated this one the most simply because I knew that I would have to deal with the consequences of leaving the party with Harry on Friday night. I moved like a zombie the entire morning while getting dressed. It took me about thirty minutes to even put my heels on. 

I hated wearing heels to school but I'm a fashionista in everyone's eyes. 

Now, I'm parked in the parking lot and watching everyone walk into the school from my car. I had been ignoring Rickey and Cyndi for the rest of the weekend and I couldn't help but worry about seeing Jake at school today. I wanted to avoid everyone at this point. Sighing heavily, I opened the door to my car and stepped out. As soon as I stepped foot into the school all eyes were on me. 

I was used to it but this time it was different. 

Everyone wanted to know why I left the party holding Harry's hand. Everyone just stared at me in confusion and shock but I put my head down and continued to walk away. 

"What the f**k, Carter? I was so worried about you at the party! I heard gunshots going off and saw everyone running but I couldn't find you anywhere yet I hear that you left the party holding hands with Harry?" Cyndi exclaimed while sitting in the desk next to me. 

I sighed, "I don't want to talk about it, Cyndi." 

"How stupid could you be? He came to the party and not only did he crash it but he had a f*****g gun! He could've killed someone! He could've killed you! You know about his reputation yet you were dumb enough to leave with him? My God Carter!" She continued. 

"Cyndi, I do not want to talk about it! Give me space!" I replied. Cyndi stared at me for a few seconds before turning faced the front of the classroom and she didn't say another word for the remainder of the class period. 

Lunch had finally rolled around and I dreaded it even more. I wasn't hungry anyway so maybe I could just leave? I groaned and bumped my head against my locker in disappointment. There was no way I'd be able to leave campus. Slamming the door shut, I marched down the hall and towards the packed cafeteria. As I walked in, eyes wandered to me but the conversations never stopped. I rolled my eyes and walked over towards the table where Cyndi and Rickey were already sitting. 

Rickey leaned in and wrapped his arms around me, "I won't even ask. I'm just glad you're okay!" 

"Thank you, Rickey." I said while managing to give him a soft smile. 

Rickey was very understanding when he wanted to be and I appreciated him for always trying to see things in a different light. 

I couldn't say the same for Cyndi. 

She looked down at her salad and avoided any eye contact with me as I did the same. 

I blocked out everything else as Rickey and Cyndi began to have a conversation about women's rights. I rested my chin on my hand as I stared at the guy sitting at the empty table in the middle of the cafeteria. 

Harry. 

He wore his black shades with a black shirt and black sweatpants as his fingers tapped away on the table. He looked straight ahead and didn't show any signs of stress. I couldn't say the same. 

I wanted to walk over to his table but I would have to deal with even more stares and I wasn't ready for it then I didn't want to hear anymore bullshit from Cyndi. I looked down and began to play with my fingers a bit before looking up towards Harry's table again except this time his head was turned towards me. 

Fuck it. 

I jumped up and pushed my chair under the table as Cyndi and Rickey stared at me in confusion. I tossed them both a soft smile before making my way towards Harry's table. The conversations of everyone slowly came to a pause as everyone's eyes watched me. Harry kicked the chair in front of him which caused it to slide back. 

It was an invitation. 

I sat in the chair and watched as Harry's posture changed. Instead of slouching in the chair like he was, he had sat up in alert and leaned forward. I sighed as he pushed his plate towards me. 

"Eat," He demanded. 

"I'm not hungry," I mumbled. 

"Princess," He whispered, "Please eat," 

I nodded my head softly before digging into the burger, "I've been stared at all day!" 

"You should be used to it by now!" 

"I'm used to being stared at in awe not in shock," I groaned while throwing my head back, "There are even girls staring at me in disgust!" 

"Ignore them," 

"I cannot do that! I'm not as strong as you are, Harry!" 

"Yes you are," 

“Please!" 

Harry sat back and stared at me for a bit before asking, "What does that mean?"

"What?" 

"Please," He answered, "You say it a lot!" 

"I don't know," I shrugged, "It's kind of like how Mean Girls had fetch and Clueless has as if, it's just a saying!" 

"I have no idea what those are," 

"You have never seen Mean Girls?" I asked. He nodded his head no. "What about clueless?" He nodded his head no. "You uncultured swine!" 

Harry's lips slowly curved until it was a full smile then a small chuckle came out. I stared at him in awe as he continue to laugh. 

There was a group of girls at the table behind him and they gasped as they stared at him while he laughed. 

Harry was laughing. It wasn't the little chuckle or smirk that he usually wore when he was with Angelo or Ray but it was a full on laugh. 

"It wasn't that funny," I mumbled.  

Harry took his glasses off before standing up and walking around the table. He pulled the chair next to me out before sitting in it. 

It was once again silent in the cafeteria as everyone watched on. 

I could even see Cyndi and Rickey watching from afar. 

"I'm picking you up tonight at seven so be ready," 

"Picking me up? For what? Where are we going?" 

"We are gonna visit one of my favorite restaurants and I'm gonna take the time to get to know you," 

"I think I should be the one trying to get to know you," I whispered, "You're like a closed book!" 

He chuckled before staring at me intensely then sighed, "Let me get to know you first, Princess." 

He stood up and grabbed his glasses before putting them on. He pushed the chair back under the table and prepared to walk away but I grabbed his hand before he could get any further. 

"Why do you call me that?" I asked. 

Harry slowly turned around, "Call you what?" 

"Princess," 

"Because I like to call you that," 

I slowly let go of his hand and watched as he made his way out of the cafeteria. I sat there and stared at the ground as the cafeteria was filled with silence and all eyes were on the door that Harry had just walked out of.