The Devil in disguise

Harri's POV

"I am soooo sorry about that," I say as soon as Jazz and Theo are out of earshot, leaving SJ and I alone at the bar again.

He replies with a smile, "it's okay. It's nice that you have people around you that care."

"That's a word for it. Care," I chuckle letting out an audible snort.

I seriously need to stop doing that I think as I look over to SJ who is still smiling adorably. I swear those dimples will be the death of me.

We sit at the bar talking about everything from his sister's hour-long make up shop this morning, that almost sent him broke, to the Theo and Jazz situation. We are so engrossed in our conversation that we are unaware of everyone and everything around us, such as time, noise and the arrival of the devil herself.

"Oh so it's true Harri does have a boyfriend," a familiar nasally voice rings out. I turn towards the voice and regret the decision immediately when I see Cleo standing there, "and surprisingly he's not blind. He must just be stupid," she spits.

I watch as she orders her drink and winks unashamedly at the barman who in return looks her up and down taking in every inch of her skin-tight red leather bodysuit, red devil horns and a pitchfork. I feel her head growing in confidence by the minute.

"Oh Cleo, didn't they tell you?" I query, trying hard to keep the condescending tone from my words.

She flips her hair over her shoulder as if exacerbated just at the idea that I would dare talk to her, "tell me what?"

"That this event was meant to be fancy dress, silly," I reply mocking how apt her costume choice is.

From the look on her face, I can tell that she doesn't get the joke. "I am in fancy dress?" she retorts.

From the orange juice that SJ just choked on, I can tell that he didn't have the same problem.

"My mistake," I sing as I grab SJ's hand and jump off the stool. He follows one step behind me as I walk across the floor, although with his long legs it doesn't take long for him to equal my stride.

"Where are we going?" He asks wiping the last of the orange juice from his chin, slightly smudging his make up.

I look up at him, taken back by his height which I hadn't noticed before. I mean he's not a giant but compared to my 5.2" frame he towers over me. "The pond," I answer as we head for the exit.

Before we make it though the door we are stopped by Jazz, who is standing arms folded in the doorway like Security. "And where do you think you are going, H?" she questions.

"Nowhere, just thought SJ and I would get some fresh air. It's hell in here," I joke, gesturing towards Cleo who is still standing at the bar looking confused.

"Ergh, I see," Jazz mutters, making no effort to hide her displeasure as seeing the she devil.

"Where is your date?" I ask looking around noticing that she is standing there alone.

She chuckles, "he's coming. He is just trying to find your date."

"Well it looks like he found him," I say dryly as Theo and Rob make their way towards us.

I feel SJ's grip on my hand tighten as he mutters something about not wanting to meet Erik with a K. I run my thumb across the back of his hand as if to tell him silently that I am not going anywhere.

"You ready to go, Sis?" Theo asks as he reaches us.

"Go? We just got here?" I reply shocked at the suggestion.

He hangs his arm lazily over Jazz's shoulder. I am not sure if he is trying to make me feel uncomfortable intentionally or not, but either way it's working. "Uh, Harri it's been hours. It's almost midnight."

"I can take her home if you like, I have my car?" SJ offers as if sensing my hesitation at leaving.

Rob points at SJ but looks at me. "Who is this guy?"

"Who are you?" SJ counters, although I am fairly certain he knows who it is.

"Boys, take it outside," Jass suggests unhelpfully with a smirk.

I give her my most disapproving look. "Or not," she adds with an eye roll.

"You don't need to ask Theo if you can take me home. I don't report to him." I explain gently to SJ.

"Thank god," I hear Theo mutter under his breath.

He does look a little hurt and I can't help but feel that I've been a little harsh on him tonight. I mean in no way can one night of good behaviour make up for the years of torture he's put me through, but still he is trying.

"But Theo, do you mind if SJ takes me home?" I ask breaking the tension.

Theo smiles, ever so slightly, "fine by me."

"Well, it's not by me. I'm not leaving my date to get a lift home with some random," Rob interjects.

I feel SJ's grip tighten in my hand he again. "Calm down, Erik with a K. I'm not some random," SJ reassures with just the hint of bitterness in his voice.

While Rob flinches at the use of his first name, or perhaps the emphasis on the K, or while he tries to work out how SJ knows his name, Theo and Jazz let out audible laughs. "Oh right, so who are you then?" he demands.

"Settle down Rob. She is my sister, not yours." Theo soothes placing his hand on Rob's shoulder. Rob goes to open his mouth but decides against it. I think he knows better than to argue with Theo who is almost twice his size. Clearly Theo wasn't hit with the vertical challenges that I was.

"He's not some random guy and apparently he's not a sixty-five-year-old drug mule stripper either," Jazz adds, leaving Theo and Rob confused, but SJ and I laughing.

"He's her boyfriend. Isn't that right guys?" Jazz suggests with a wicked smirk.

OH, FOR FRUITCAKE'S SAKE! I scream telepathically at Jazz. I take it by the gulp and look of panic on her face that she receives my message loud and clear.

Theo and Erik with a K  tune back in and seem just as keen as Jazz to hear the answer.

SJ clears his throat, "uh... yeah. That's right, isn't it, Harri? I'm your boyfriend."

I snap my head so quickly in his direction that I am surprised that it doesn't break right off. Was that a question or a statement? I search his face for any hint to see if he is joking but with all the makeup he has on I can barely make out where his eyes are. He squeezes my hand again prompting me to respond.

"Yeah, that's right. He's my boyfriend," I manage to squeak out, running out of breath halfway through the word boyfriend so it sounded more like I breathed it rather than spoke it.

Did I really just say that? Did he really just say that? Keep it together Harri. Spontaneously combusting is probably not the best way to start off a relationship. Ah, relationship! We're in a relationship?!? I mentally scream at myself thankful that SJ, or anyone else is unable to hear my thoughts.

"Whatever dude," Rob mutters as he turns to walk out the door. "What kind of a name is SJ anyway," he mutters as he raises his hand above his head in a wave. Without so much as a look back over his shoulder as he disappears into the darkness.

"Ah, fish sauce! I really should go get him," Theo exclaims. "Jazz are you coming with me?" he asks as he turns to go fetch Erik with a K.

I watch as Jazz actually looks like she is also about to spontaneously combust. I swear that girl has no chill. She stands there for a second longer than necessary just staring back and forth at SJ and I. I know her well enough to know that she wants to yell something about young love but before she has a chance to get it out, Theo runs back into the hall, picks her up off the ground and throws her over his shoulder like she is a sack of flour.

She screams at him to put her down but he doesn't listen instead he walks off with her, butt in the air, her fists banging on his back.  I listen for the familiar sounds of her bangles as she swings her arms but apparently they didn't match her costume so she left them at home.

Theo continues to ignore her demands to be put down. Just as he reaches the door for the second time he turns around to face us, "hey SJ."

"Yeah, Theo?" SJ responds.

"Whatever you're thinking of doing to my sister, I'll do to you." Theo says laughing so hard that he almost drops Jazz.

"Shut up Theo!" I yell after him.

I look over to SJ who shrugs at me. "Well there goes my plans," he laughs.

"What did you have planned?" I snort. Thankfully my costume makeup hides the evidence of my embarrassment.

We walk hand in hand outside. The cool air hitting our faces. As I breath out a puff of fog leaves my mouth and I realise that for the first time we are truly alone.

He looks down at me with a smile, "scratch that. Somethings are worth the risk."

——-

Author's note:

Ahhh. What do you think about jealous SJ?

And what about Erik, with a K?

I'll admit I struggled a bit with this. I want to make sure I'm writing something that is realistic and relatable but I'm also trying not to make Senna seem too soft/smooth, partly because he's a teenage boy and partly because I don't think that's Harri's type. I like that they're honest with each other, awkwardness and all. Anyway let me know your thoughts.

Next chapter, Serri are alone. No distractions... or is there 😅😂

-Trudz

Sorry if you had trouble reading I've re-uploaded.