I am standing alone in a crowded room. All people around me are strangers. I understand that there is something wrong. I am not supposed to be here...not with this people. I look around me once more. It is so cold and uncomfortable...something is wrong..."This isn't my place," I whisper to myself. I feel that I miss someone. Someone very familiar, someone dear to me. I know that I must find him, I need him like air. With every second of my presence in this room, I feel like I am slowly dying. I run out of the building, away from all those strangers. I am running barefoot on wet grass, I run and fall, and then again, I stand up and keep running. These streets are unfamiliar to me. There is no air, I am out of breath. I try to scream for help, but no one hears me, one moment and I will die. I will die if I don't find him...

"Get up you sleepyhead," some female voice woke me up.

I quickly opened my eyes and realized that it was just a dream. Jess was sitting on the edge of bed and continued waking me up. Meantime, as I was trying to get to my senses. It has been a while since I had nightmares. Although, even nightmares have a bright side. This unforgettable feeling when you wake up and understand that it was all just a dream. I blinked and enjoyed the fact that my nightmare was a dream, but not a reality.

"Fine Jess, I woke up," I mumbled, trying to get out of the blanket.

It was already so hot under the blanket that I couldn't bear it anymore. As I sat up, I adjusted my T-shirt humbly, so that Jess didn't notice. She got up from bed and smiled with satisfaction. Every time I get surprised by her positive attitude. And now as she is dating Brian, she shines like a sun every day.

"We are eating breakfast already, so hurry up, or else there won't be anything left. Oh, clothes are on the dresser!" Jess shouted and went out of the room.

As I nodded, I slowly got up from bed. Little by little, yesterday's events started coming back to me. Oh god, I tried clinging to Harry. Why I am so foolish and ridiculous? I came to the dresser and took clothes along which were prepared for me. Slowly, I headed over to bathroom to fix myself.

The reflection of the mirror didn't make me happy, I looked awful. After I fixed myself, I took the clothes. Male sport pants and a big hoody. Now then, I look like a thirty years old housewife. When I finally got dressed, I headed over to find a kitchen. I think it won't be difficult, because their laughter can be heard even from here. Interesting, how should I behave myself, maybe it's better to pretend that I don't remember anything? Perhaps yes. With these thoughts, I came into the kitchen. Jess, Brian and Harry were sitting at the table and discussing something.

"Good morning," I said, adjusting my hoody.

They turned around and started making fun of my appearance.

"My clothes look good on you," finally said Harry, looking over me again. Obviously, it was his clothes and moreover he's wearing the same hoody as the one which is on me. I didn't answer anything, just came closer and sat silently beside Jess.

"You want pancakes?" Jess asked me.

"No, but coffee would be nice," I feel so sick after alcohol and yet they offer me pancakes. Harry went to make me some coffee.

"Where are the others?" I asked Jess.

As I chose 'pretend that I forgot yesterday's evening' tactic, I was talking only with Jess and ignored the guys in every viable way.

"They have other things to do, so they left. Not everyone sleeps till the afternoon," my friend answered.

"By the way, it's time for us to go," Brian interrupted her.

"Yes. Emily, Harry will take you home," she finished sentence instead of Brian.

They were obviously in a hurry; Jess was already all dressed up. The perspective of staying alone with Harry wasn't making me happy. But I nodded in response. I didn't want to burden them; furthermore, it seems they have some important things to do. Jess hugged me before leaving. Afterwards they headed over to the front door.

"Bye!" I shouted back, while Harry sat opposite to me.

"Your coffee," Harry gave me the cup.

I silently took it and started looking around the kitchen. It is like mine, bright and comfortable. I must say it's quite spacious too and it seems that the kitchen set as well as other furniture in the house is from previous owners. A young man wouldn't settle in and buy furniture for his apartment. I am sure he won't stay here after the graduation. It was clean in the kitchen. There weren't any dirty dishes in the sink. Table was in the middle of the room and on the right side from me was a big window. There was a splendid view of the park. I tried not to look at Harry, so instead I stared at the window.

"How did you sleep?" he asked, eating up pancakes.

I couldn't resist and looked at him. Even after sleeping on uncomfortable couch, Harry looked perfect as always. Hair is well brushed and this never fading smile. He obviously didn't sleep well. I was still feeling uneasily, because he slept on the couch, while I 'occupied' his bed. Harry was eating pancakes with such an appetite, that I also started to think of grabbing one.

"I slept well," I answered honestly.

"And you?"

"Me too," he answered. I shifted my gaze and looked on the window again, as if there is something interesting.

And so, we continued our conversation. We were discussing weather and pancakes, which he cooked himself. After twenty minutes I was already sitting in his car. A black Honda was in top ten of the most popular cars in America. Thanks to my dad for this knowledge. As I was sitting with Harry in his car, I stopped feeling myself silly next to him. "Maybe he doesn't remember anything himself," I was mentally comforting myself. We drove off from Harry's house. He lived in a simple apartment house. According to Harry, Ted lives somewhere near to him. From the one side of the house there was a park and from the other was another house.

"Emily, how long you're planning to behave yourself like this?" Harry couldn't stand it anymore.

"What?" I asked.

His question took me by surprise. I didn't understand what he was talking about.

"You act yourself so histrionically and all these stupid questions about weather," the guy continued.

I raised my eyebrows and flatted myself inadvertently against the seat. Now I understand what he has in mind. I think I should better pretend that I still don't know what is going on.

"Let's just clear up everything right now, okay?" Harry said, as he continued driving the car.

"Clear up what?" I kept playing an idiot. Of course, I understand what he's talking about.

"There you go, you're up to your tricks again..." the guy said laughing.

I turned to the window and started looking at people passing by and flickering streets. Today is a pleasant weather; I could have walked by foot. If only I knew the road, I would have gone home by myself. I peered at my clothes. Well, my appearance is totally not for a stroll. I was wearing Harry's clothes, which is by far bigger than my ordinary ones.

"I don't understand what do you mean," I answered laughing as well as my companion.

"We're friends, Emily, and that's it," Harry said with a serious voice. I quickly turned around and looked at him.

The guy was sitting beside me quietly and looking at the road, just rarely shifting his gaze on me.

"Of-of course," I agreed stuttering.

Harry stopped glancing at me, while I fixed my eyes on him. His words hurt me, but I shouldn't show him that. Although, why they had to hurt me? I don't care really.

"You're a womanizer or something?" I asked, trying to turn this conversation into joke, I hope that I succeeded. He burst into the laughter and turned on the music.

"I just think that serious relationships are a waste of time," Harry answered calmly.

These words also ruffled my feelings, but I don't know why. "I am happy that I made you laugh, pompous dimwit", I thought to myself.

With daylight, his hair looked nut-brown and gleamed with different shades. I narrowed my lids, thinking what I should answer.

"So then, you're a womanizer," I sighted and continued to amuse him.

I don't know why I keep cheering him up. Harry and all his friends think that I am a clown. Whatever I say it makes them smile. Dad says that I don't have a sense of humor at all. Mom claims that I am a cold fish. Jess considers me as a goody-goody girl. Harry thinks that I am cheerful. Who should I believe? Maybe because of this I am playing up to Harry and make him laugh. I like being a cheerful girl in his sight. It is better than a cold fish and goody-goody in one skin, on top of that without a sense of humor.

"I'm glad that we talked," Harry said when we arrived next to my house. Our ride wasn't long. Turned out that he lives nearby. It took only fifteen minutes.

"I'll return your clothes later," I said getting out from the car.

"Okay. It appears that you can be an ordinary girl when you don't act like a haughty....Well you know who," Harry said.

I have just changed my opinion about him and he is back to his old tricks? As I slammed the door, I headed over to the house. Like hell I will return him clothes! First thing first, I will burn them. I was so angry at him. Harry is just another stupid idiot.

"Bye Emily!" he shouted me back.

I didn't answer anything, just silently went home. As I came back home I took a shower right away. Warm water is always relaxing. Harry's words were still in my head, they are making me restless. I was thinking about him while I was preparing the dinner. I was thinking about him when I was cleaning up my room. When will Jess come and release me from my thoughts about him? Although, today she didn't return home, she wrote me that she would stay with Brian.

In order to distract myself somehow, I decided to get down to my homework, but even that couldn't help me. I was thinking about Michael, how I didn't see who he is? Michael lied to me when he said that I am precious to him. I was so stupid and naive. This lie was right beside me, but I couldn't see it. I was blaming myself for my own naivety and foolishness. There were so many things according to which I could have realized that he is lying to me. I was blind. With these thoughts, I fell asleep.

On Sunday, we decided with Jess to go shopping and in the evening, we watched some interesting comedy. And so, I spent my weekend, I entertained myself in any feasible way. A week has passed, there was nothing interesting. I communicated with the guys, Harry demonstrated his indifference towards me and overall, this feeling was mutual. Only sometimes I was entertained by phone conversations with my dad. He was saying how he missed me and how much he was waiting for my arrival.

I always was a home-loving person and I have never left my parents for such a long time. Even if I am eighteen years old already, it doesn't mean that I am a self-dependent adult. Judging by recent events, age doesn't define matureness. In my eighteen years, I am still a naive child. My mom in her forty years behaves herself like an adult, who has lived hundreds of years on the earth. My dad looks sometimes like a sixteen years old teenager or maybe even younger, who runs to watch his cartoons. Jess is eighteen years old, but it looks like she is twenty. I miss the old times, my parent and home.

On Friday I decided to go with my new company to the club. Well, actually they convinced me to go. Jess saw that I am sad, so she decided to cheer me up. I didn't want to stay home again, moreover on weekends. After thinking for a while, I decided to go with the guys and chill out.

"What are you going to wear today?" Jess asked me, chewing an apple. She was sitting in my room and helped me to pick a dress.

"I don't know..." I answered honestly.

"I have an idea!" Jess shouted, jumping off the chair.

I didn't even manage to ask, as she has already run out of the room. Her ideas always end up badly.

"What idea?" I asked, hoping that she will hear my question.

"This!" my friend exclaimed, as she returned to the room. She was holding a white dress.

"Put on this..." she continued by holding out a light chiffon dress.

"No Jess, it's yours," I replied briefly, even though I liked that dress.

"I have never worn it and didn't even intent to. I bought it and I don't even know myself why," Jess insisted smiling.

"Thank you..." I replied.

The dress was gorgeous, Jess was clearly lying that she didn't want to wear it. I looked in the mirror and made sure of that once again. The light material was gently touching my skin. I wasn't even embarrassed that it hardly hid my knees. Thin shoulder-straps and a little décolleté. This dress was mine; I felt it right away as soon as I put it on. Brian picked us at ten and we headed over to the club, where the others were already waiting for us.

"You look great!" Ted exclaimed, just as he saw me.

"Thanks, you too..." I replied, pointing at him.

"Oh, it's not a big deal. The same old jeans, he just changes T-shirts sometimes," mumbled Matt aggrievedly.

"No, it's not like that, you're just jealous!" Ted answered.

"Mattie, you look perfect too," I interrupted them.

I liked Mattie and Ted, especially when they are together. They are funny and act sometimes like some kids. I have noticed that Ted likes making fun of Mattie and he in return takes it personally.

"Oh, look at that, you pleaded for sympathy?" Ted continued making fun of Matt.

"Stop it already," Brian interrupted them laughing. We all exchanged looks, someone is missing.

"Where is Harry?" Jess asked.

"He's driving over with his girlfriend," Ted replied and rolled his eyes.

I wanted to go down the drain or that a meteorite hit me, or maybe something else. But instead I decided to stay indifferent.

"Interesting, it's a blond or a brunette?" Mattie asked spitefully.

"Let's have a bet?" asked Ted, looking at us.

"A tall brunette," Chris replied.

"A blond with big tits!" Jess interrupted him.

"You're describing yourself?" Brian asked, looking at his girlfriend and she stuck out a tongue in response.

"Tits are for sure, he likes that kind of girls," Ted continued. I decided not to participate in their so called 'guess it game'.

"And legs for days," - Matt added.

"A brunette with breasts and legs for days," Chris said looking into the distance.

We all turned around at once. Harry was coming towards us holding hands with a tall brunette. Everyone started laughing.

"So, who won?" I asked.

"It seems that no one, it's a draw," Brian answered.

We continued staring at Harry and his girlfriend until they finally came to us.

"Hi," Harry began to speak. Everyone replied him, except me.

"This is Olivia," he continued.

Olivia was standing in front of me and smiled with her beaming smile. She got acquainted with all the guys and we went to our table. Harry was holding her waist and sometimes his hand slid on her hips. Don't pay attention Emily, he won't ruin your evening.