Left on read

Harri's POV

"He left you on read?"

"Errr, I guess....Is that what's it's called when they see the message and don't reply?" I ask unsure.

"Yeah it is. I'm sorry, H."

"Why?" I question, like I don't already know what's coming.

She gives me this look that screams 'seriously', although she doesn't say it. With a low voice, she breaks the news that I was expecting. "It's a low key way to brush you off".

"Ah well," I say shrugging. "What does it matter anyway? I don't even know him."

She gives me a sympathetic smile, before waving her arms in the air, her bangles clanking. "Good thing there are plenty of other fish in the sea."

I look down the halls finding nothing to capture my attention for more than a second, not even a mildly interesting poster in sight. "Haven't we already established this, the guys in this sea give me the cringe sweats."

She scrunches her nose, "ewww. Okay, then. Guess we'll have to do some travelling."

"Guess so. Maybe we shouldn't limit ourselves to seas', perhaps we could also look in streams, rivers and maybe even a dam or two," I say only half joking.

"That could work since I know you like things that are a not too mainstream. Haha, get it?!? Main-stream?"

"Yeah, Jazz. I get it," I reply sarcastically. "Very punny!"

We make our way down the hall towards our next class. As always, everyone's eyes follow Jazz as we walk. She doesn't even notice, well not that she says anyway.

"What mood do you think Grayson's in today?" I ask attempting to change the subject.

"Savage?" She answers, handing me her books so she can fix the loose strands of her braid. "Not sure he has any other mood to be honest."

I look down at the books in my hand. I am not sure where she found the time but somewhere between yesterday and today she's covered every folder with different colored contact adhesive. The top one is this hideous shade of fuchsia. It's so bright I can feel my eyeballs burning and swiftly thrust them back in her hands when she ties off the braid. "You're probably right. The guy has no chill," I say at the same time taking another look at her books and thinking that he isn't the only one.

We're not even through the door before Mr Grayson is yelling at us to be quiet and take our seats. Jazz and I sit in the middle of the class and take desks next to each other. We figure being in the middle we can blend in with the crowd. If you're at the front you're in his eye line. Same goes for the back and the sides. The middle is just perfect.

It's the usual story, Grayson lectures and we listen before he opens it up for discussion. Today we're talking about the potential effects of the polar ice caps melting, which is one of his more interesting topics. I'm deep in thought planning my response just in case I am called upon to give my opinion when I feel my phone buzz from my pocket. I can't resist the urge to check it, after all, it pretty much never rings and stealthy slide it out of my pocket into my hand. I unlock my screen under the desk which it quiet the art form, almost letting out a yelp when I see one new private message.

Mr Grayson's voice sounds from behind his desk, "Miss Harlow, this is the second time in two classes I've caught you on your phone!"

"I wasn't... I was..." I scramble.

He looks over the top of his glasses. "Don't try that with me, every teacher knows what's up when you start looking between your knees while smiling." His eyes narrow, "unless there is something else funny going on down there?"

I feel my face start to burn as the class erupts into laughter. I look over to Jazz who looks equally as mortified as I feel.  "No, Sir," I manage to squeak.

He takes three long strides towards my desk, his hands reaching out towards me. "How about you show me what was so interesting and I'll decide if it was worth interrupting my class?"

I clench my phone tightly. "No please don't..." I beg in a futile effort to stop Grayson as he pries the phone free from my hand.

My face now fully on fire with embarrassment I can actually feel tears welling in the back of my eyes.

"What do we have here. Oh, it's a private message," Grayson announces, his voice getting deeper with every word.

Trying to hide my embarrassment and the tears which I know are coming I bow my head placing it in my arms which are folded on the table and silently pray to all of the gods that he doesn't read the message out loud to the entire class. Between the laughter I hear a few whispers, some gasps and footsteps as Grayson walks back towards his desk. I look up slightly and watch as he places my phone in his desk drawer.

"SJ, can wait. You can get your phone back at the end of class, Miss Harlow," he announces as he closes the drawer and directs his attention back to the still chuckling class.

I feel a hand on my elbow and tilt my head to see Jazz giving me a sympathetic look while mouthing "wtf?" Which for some reason, possibly due to the relief that my message wasn't read out aloud, makes me smile. Or maybe it was Jazz, who proudly claims to be 'the only teen who doesn't swear' mouthing the F word that makes me want to giggle.

I take a deep breath and decide in that moment not to let Mr Grayson or the cackling hyena's around me, get to me. I sit up in my chair, blink away the tears and attempt to act like nothing's happened; which must come as a surprise to Jazz who stares at me for the rest of class like she's waiting for me to fall apart and is on standby to pick up the pieces.

Fortunately the bell rings not long after and everyone gets up to leave without further prompting. I walk towards Grayson at his desk while Jazz waits for me by the door. "Can I have my phone back please, Sir?"

"Harri, you're a good student," he says, in the softest voice I've ever heard from him. "I don't like see you distracted by your phone or boys."

I smile politely as he retrieves my phone from the drawer sliding it across the desk. "Well, I am almost 17, Mr. Grayson. I think boys are almost a rite of passage."

He looks at me knowingly. "That might be, just don't let them get in the way of doing what it is you want to do."

"I'll keep that in mind," I state as I leave the room collecting a smiling Jazz who is still waiting by the door.

Neither of us say anything for the first few steps but before we're even halfway down the hall Jazz bursts out laughing to the point where she has to stop to catch her breath. "What the fudge, was that?" she yells between breaths loud enough that I'm sure Grayson can hear.

"Don't know. Life lessons by Grayson?" I giggle both at the situation and her use of the word fudge.

Jazz is the master of the self-censor. She generally swaps curse words for totally unrelated words. Most of which are food related and which are almost always guaranteed to make me question our friendship. Still unable to contain her laughter she throws her back dropping her fluro books to the ground. "Sounds like a reality tv show."

"You know what's funny? I'm not even mad. I mean that was the most embarrassing thing ever and I almost let it get to me but.... " I trail off while helping her pick up her folders.

"Wow, Mr G was right, this boy is changing you already." She places her bangle laden hand to my forehead as if checking my temperature which I promptly remove and offer an epic eye roll.

"I'm not sick."

"Suuureee. Whatever you say. Now tell me why the sudden need to check your phone?"

"Oh, shit. SJ. I forgot he replied."

"I think you meant, Shiitake mushroom," she corrects. "Now tell me what does it say?"

I roll my eyes again, "I think you're more invested in this than I am."

"Shut up. I'm just taking an interest so if he turns out to be a 53-year-old man I can be there to tell you I told you so," she replies sarcastically but knowing Jazz there was probably also an element of truth.

It's funny up until this point I hadn't actually considered the fact that SJ might not be SJ. What if it is someone else? What if this was someone messing with me? I mean I wouldn't exactly put it past Cleo and her gaggle of bimbo's to do something like this.

As if sensing what where my brain is at Jazz invades my thoughts. "Stop with the catfishing fantasies and tell me what the message says."

Taking a deep breath I read the message out loud.

"I get you. I have a few friends who'd I'd trust with my life, but I can count them on one hand. There are many more people who I don't trust, but I guess that comes with my line of work.

I'm kind of between places right now, and mostly on the road. How about you?

Sorry, it took so long to reply it's been a busy day."

"What the fruitcake does that mean? His line of work? Is he a drug dealer?" Jazz questions, pulling on her braid.

"Who knows. Maybe he imports shiitake mushrooms?" I tease in an effort to lighten the mood.

While I'm joking with Jazz about SJ's message it still has me curious. "Imma just ask him."

"Okay. Be careful. I don't want to read about you on the news being used as a drug mule."

I ignore her last comment. I mean I don't even know the guy but something tells me he is what he says. Not that he's really said anything at this point.

"Sounds like you've got a group around you? You said you're on the road, does that mean you don't go to school?

I'm in Chapledown, do you know it?

By the way, I forgot to ask how old are you?" I ask despite knowing what his profile says.