I like you

Harri's POV

I like you too, SJ." I reply without giving myself an opportunity to change my mind.

Did that just happen? I think to myself as I skip down the stairs to breakfast. He likes me. He said it. I mean I know he was drunk but that still counts, right? But why hasn't he replied yet? It's been hours and that was his last text. Maybe it was just a game. What if he's playing me? I mean he did say that I wouldn't like the real him. What does that even mean? Why are boys so confusing.

"I know you're not a morning person but..." I look up at Theo who is sitting on the other side of the bench with a cup of coffee. I cross my brows in confusion, and he nods towards my hands. When I look down I see that I am so distracted by my thoughts that I am about to pour orange juice on my cereal.

"Oh, thanks," I mumble quietly as I change the juice for a carton milk.

"What's on your mind, Sis?" he asks.

I can't quite tell if he is being sincere or setting me up for something, after all, it has been a while since we've had a heart to heart let alone since we've had a normal conversation.  I just want to grab him by the shoulders, shake him, scream in his face and ask him what frittata goes through boys minds. Of course, I'd be asking on behalf of all girls not just for my own personal selfish reasons.

Instead, I decide to take a tentative approach, "just school," I answer coolly.

"Know the feeling..." he grumbles as he puts his coffee cup in the sink. "If you want a lift to school, I'm leaving in ten!"

Seriously, he's going to give me a lift? I run upstairs and run a brush through my hair, my blonde roots are really starting to come through. I skip the eyeliner for the first time in weeks and grab my bag, beating Theo to the door.

The car ride is quiet save for the hum of the radio. I contemplate asking Theo what is wrong but don't want to ruin the mood. Luckily, I don't have to because he does it for me. "So how's the boyfriend?"

'He's not my boyfriend," I reply dryly.

I see him roll his eyes in the rear vision mirror. "Ok, so how's... errr, what's his name?"

"SJ." I mentally slap myself. Don't give him any details Harri.

"Yeah him."

"Probably passed out somewhere with a hangover," I whisper not taking my eyes from the window and the passing sidewalk.

I don't have to see him to know he is smirking. "Oh... got yourself a bad boy, do you?"

"He's not a bad boy! At least I don't think he is, AND he's not mine. We're just......" I pause trying to think of what we are. "We're friends."

"Ah ha, and how does SJ feel about being friend-zoned?" I look over to the driver's seat. Is this really my brother, or is this an imposter? I search his face for any distinguishing features. Yep, there is the small scar above his lip from when I kicked him in the face when I was five and on the swing and he ran in front of me. It's definitely him, or an alien has taken over his body. Either one. I haven't decided yet.

"Why are you being so nice?" I ask cautiously.

He flinches slightly but doesn't take his eyes off the road. "Can't a brother just be nice to his sister?"

It takes all my energy not gag. "Seriously, Theo. What is it? Are you dying?"

He scoffs, "No I am not dying."

"Then what is it?"

He sighs heavily, "it's Jazz."

My blood pressure rises instantly. "NOOOO egging way! It's not happening, Theo!" I scream as we pull into the school car park.

"Harri please..." he says almost begging. "I want to take her to the Halloween dance."

"She is my only friend and I don't need you ruining that for me. Forget about it! Forget about her!" I snap as I get out of the car.

He grabs hold of my sleeve, "Don't you think I've tried?"

"Well try harder," I yell slamming the car door, causing everyone to look up. I storm off without so much as a glance over my shoulder.

Mental note, castrate Theo.

****

"I swear to god I am going to my murder my brother one of these days," I huff slamming my books into my locker.

"What's he done now?" Jazz asks with a smirk.

I glance sideways at her. Yep, there are a pack gummy worms in her hand. Mental note, call the doctor and see about getting her committed.

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing," I answer. I feel slightly guilty about not telling her about Theo but I just cannot deal with that drama right now. Or ever...

"Fair enough," she chirps, pushing off from the bank of lockers she's leaning against.

"Anyway, we have more important things to talk about, Jazz. Like your gummy addiction. I mean you're far too perky for this time of the morning."

"Well you're not, so maybe you should try sugar as your main food group and you might be perky too." She flicks her blonde hair over her shoulders sarcastically, the familiar sound of her bangles hits my ears.

"Errr no. I'm perfectly happy over here with my non-perky, non-gummy dependant lifestyle. But you do you. "

"I intend too," she sings. Part of me wants to slap her. A very small part of me, but still it's there.

Oblivious to my thoughts she continues, "so tell me, did you hear from lover boy last night?" she questions rolling the word lover so it sounds more like love-ver.

"Yeah," I answer unable to hide the fact that my whole face is blushing so much that I am basically glowing like a hot poker. Jazz sees right through me.

Her eyes light up and she stops dead in her tracks. "OH MY GOD! What happened? I want details!"

Rather than explaining everything I just hand my phone to her to read the messages for herself. In the space of the next thirty seconds, she blurts out, "Oh my god, he was checking in with you! Oh my god, he was drunk AFFF! Oh my god, he IS a drug mule- I knew it! Oh wait, scratch that, no he's not. AWWWWWWW he likes you!!! I told you it was love."

Just when I think she is about to spontaneously combust from the excitement she grabs me by collar pulling me into a hug. "And you like him too! I'm so happy for you, Harri!"

"Jazzzzzz. Chill." I whine.

"I'm thinking a beach wedding," she says as she lets go, and looks me in the eyes. Her left brow raises slightly. "Wait....why do you not look happy?"

"Did you notice that he didn't reply after I said it back?" I ask trying not to sound bitter.

"Oh, tbh no. I got too excited. I'm very emotionally invested in your relationship. If you didn't already know that."

"No, shitt....ake" I reply, correcting my language at the last minute.

"Don't stress your pretty little head, H," she says, grabbing my face like you would a toddler. I watch as she stares at my hair and looks physically repulsed by my roots. "He's probably just passed out drunk somewhere."

Mental note, buy more black hair dye.

"Yeah, I guess.... do you think I should text him again and make sure he is ok?"

"Harri don't ask me for advice, I can't even get myself a date to the Halloween party," she responds. Pings of guilt come right on cue as I remember my argument with Theo. "But yeah, for what it's worth it can't really hurt," she adds.

I take my phone back from her and send SJ a quick message checking to see that he is ok. As I place it back in my pocket, Jazz flings her arms in the air catching me off guard.

"I didn't even tell you yet!" she practically yells. No screeches.

"Tell me what?" I ask scared of what is about to come.

Her eyes are so wide, they almost pop out of her head. "Guess what was trending number one on Twitter last night?"

"I don't know, Jazz..... The Dolan Twins got a haircut?"  I answer sarcastically.

"No, H. That was last week. Guess again!" she instructs.

"Jazz, I'm not in the mood. Just tell me, please?"

"Shiitake! Harri. Shiitake!" She screams, causing me to flinch.

"Okay.... Sooo people like mushrooms?" I conclude.

"No. Harri. You don't get it," she cries excitedly. Throwing her hands up with such force that her bangles almost fly straight off her wrist.

"So calm the french toast down and explain then, woman," I sigh, exasperated by her energy.

She grabs me by the shoulders and looks me straight in the eye. "Ok I'll speak slowly, so you can follow along."

I'm about to argue but she shoves her index finger against my lips, shushing me instantly. I glare at her but her finger doesn't budge.

"Last night at the Gate Thirty Four private gig, Jax said Shittake instead of s.h.i.t on stage," she states proudly, spelling out the word. She waits a moment before removing her finger from my lips.

"Okay.... I don't get it?"

"Oh Harri. We say shittake instead of s.h.i.t," she says again spelling out the word as if that clears up the confusion. I just stare at her blankly. "Nobody else we know says shittake, or food-related words instead of s.h.i.t," she attempts to clarify.

"Errr...." I at this point I am pretty sure Jazz has lost her mind.

"Do I have to spell it out for you Harri?"

"Yes please, Jazz," I answer still confused about where she is going with this.

She takes her red heart-shaped sunglasses from off the top of her head and hooks them on to her yellow sweater. "It means we're on the same wavelength. Me and Jax. It confirms that he hears my subliminal messages, Harri. AND It's only a matter of time before he knows I exist and comes and saves me from this...." She wails excitedly, her arms waving in the air.

Mental note. Prioritise to do list:

1) Have Jazz committed.

2) Buy more black hair dye.

3) Castrate Theo.

"Oh right. It must be love," I reply with one pretty epic eye roll.

"Yes, Harri it is. Yes, it is," she answers with a straight face.

"Jazz?"

"Yes?"

"I also say shiitake." I point out.

"I don't see your point, H."

"Maybe. And come with me on this one," I say linking my arm through hers. She glances sideways at me but says nothing. "Maybe, Jax is subliminally hearing me, and he is going to come down here and rescue me..." I say, holding my laugh knowing that I am about to trigger her.

She looks at me, blinking hard. "Harri. I am only going to say this once so listen hard."

I answer with a smirk, "yes, Jazz."

"I'd cut a blueberry for less..."

And with that, she walks off. Her blonde hair bouncing off her back.

"Stone cold, Jazz. Stone cold savage."

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Authors note:

What do you think- Is the Theo/ Jazz thing a game changer? Did you see it coming? Does Jazz like him too?

Did Jazz react the way you though she would hearing Jax say shiitake?

What about Harri- does she have a right to be angry at Theo? What about at SJ? I'm mean she finally found someone she likes and told him how she feels and now all she is getting is radio silence.

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to know your thoughts.

Also it's a new chapter bonanza- another one is coming up really soon!

- Trudz