The hallway buzzed with noise. Students grouped, others walking in pairs. Gossip, giggles, and stares filled the hallway. But there Harper was, leaning against her locker, Logan's hoodie in her hand.
She knew she had to return it, but her shy characteristic wouldn't let her. She just stared at it, recalling the moment he wrapped it around her waist.
"You messed up."
His words rang in her ears. The way his grip on her waist tightened sent shivers down her spine—even if it was for a brief second. The question was...
What was happening to her? Why did his presence have such an effect on her?
Snap—
"Harp?" The sound of Tyla's voice and the snapping of her fingers brought Harper Reed back into reality.
"Hey," she muttered.
"You good?" Tyla asked, and her reply was a sharp nod from her best friend.
Harper unlocked her locker, picking her glasses from it. The cry yesterday had caused her eyes to swell, and she didn't want to be seen on campus like that.
Tyla just observed her as she wore the glasses. Then, after some time, she smiled.
"You're so cute, and these glasses give you a whole cute nerdy vibe. I love it, babe," she complimented, her smile widening in the process.
"Excuse me, Ty, I'm anything but cute," Harper Reed spoke, the smile at the corners of her lips betraying how good she actually felt about the compliment.
"Well then, you are pretty, and sexy, and hot, and anything but cute... and ugly," Tyla teased, counting her fingers.
"That's not true," Harper giggled, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. Tyla joined her.
"Hey, have you seen Logan Hayes anywhere?" Harper asked after their giggle ended, her amber eyes searching.
"Nope. Not at all have I seen your perfect boyfriend," Tyla teased, a devilish smirk on her lips.
"He's not my boy—"
"Quiet. Someone might hear you," Tyla warned, the smirk not fading even slightly.
"He's not my boyfriend!" Harper said in a high-pitched whisper, causing Tyla to lift her hands in surrender.
Fixing her glasses, Harper rolled her eyes, walking past Tyla.
"I'll see you, Ty."
"Yep. I'll see ya," Tyla replied, a warm smile gracing her lips. Seeing Harper happy was all that mattered to her.
****
Harper's amber eyes did not give up searching for Logan Hayes. She still had the hoodie in hand. Just then, she spotted him, leaning on a pillar while fidgeting with his phone.
She gulped hard. Today she was going to control herself. She'd just shove the hoodie in his hand, mumble a thank you, and leave.
Once she stopped before him, she cleared her throat loudly, drawing his attention.
Logan Hayes looked up at her.
"Hi," she muttered.
"Hi," he whispered, his green grassland eyes lingering on her. Once again, he was mesmerized by her fascinating beauty. Her long dark hair was styled into a half-up and half-down with cute curtain bangs. She wore simple blue cat-eye glasses which framed her face perfectly.
For her outfit, it was a simple high school skirt with an oversized hoodie and boots. She had no makeup on except for the small lip gloss on her lips—her heavy upper lip.
She looked pretty and cute at the same time. This wasn't his type of girl, but why was he finding her cute?
"Logan?" Her soft voice pulled him back. Logan Hayes blinked rapidly, clearing his throat afterward in an awkward manner.
"Uhmm... Are you okay? How are you feeling today?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she nodded. "Actually, I came to return this." She held out the hoodie, which was folded awkwardly. "Thank you for this," she whispered.
"Oh. Welcome," he muttered, taking it from her. She felt a jolt of static when their fingers accidentally touched. She then quickly moved back.
Logan noticed, smirking.
"Sure." Harper smiled warmly, a smile that illuminated her beauty.
"But what's with the glasses?" he asked, staring intensely at her. Fixing the glasses, Harper replied, "Why'd you ask?"
"I... uh... just wanted to know?" he replied, his voice soft and his eyes never leaving hers. She quickly averted her gaze.
"Don't worry, Logan, your 'girlfriend'"—she air quoted—"isn't going to look this hideous for long." She deadpanned, rolling her eyes in the process.
Chuckling softly, Logan Hayes stepped forward, shrinking the distance between them. Harper swallowed, a pink hue climbing her cheeks.
"Who said you look hideous?" he asked, tucking a strand of hair from her face. Harper could hear the thud of her own heartbeat, and when his eyes dropped to her lips, she parted them absentmindedly, making them look even more attractive to him.
"I—I don't?" she asked, her voice almost unheard. He lifted her chin, staring at her. Allowing silence to take control, not wanting the moment to end.
"No," was his response. Soft voice and simple reply.
Click—
Harper turned to see some students taking pictures. She quickly stepped back. Realization hit Logan, and if Harper had been staring, she would have seen the slightest pink hue on his cheek.
What was happening to him?
Logan stared at the hoodie in his hands, then at her. "Uhmm... You could've kept it, you know."
Harper bit her bottom lip, voice barely a whisper, "No, I'm good."
"Great." He nodded, shrugging the hoodie over one arm. Harper forced a smile.
"I'll catch you around."
She turned to walk away, but his hand gently caught her wrist—firm, not forceful.
"Logan?"
"What happened though?" he inquired quietly. Harper swallowed.
"Nothing," she replied.
"You were like you didn't know about... uh..."
"It was nothing," she cut him off.
"Are you sure, princess?" he pressed.
"It was just Hazel playing stupid games. But it's nothing," she gave up, folding her arms.
"That bitch," Logan Hayes muttered.
"Did she hurt you, did she say anything?" Logan pressed, the concern in his voice increasing with each question. He was stepping closer without even realizing it.
"No," Harper Reed muttered. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat.
"Aight, princess. I'll deal with that bitch," Logan said with a wink and began walking away, leaving Harper stunned.
What did he mean by that—and why was he being overly protective, like he cared for her... for real?