I brushed my hair as I stared in front of my mirror, humming along to the music playing from my phone. I decided to leave my hair down rather than styling it since it was naturally soft wavy. For my date with Daniel, I wore my black and white gingham skirt with black stocking and my slightly oversized red jumper that was neatly tucked into my skirt. For my shoes, I wore my tan heel ankle boots. The necklace that Daniel had given to me on my birthday sat comfortably above my chest. I've never taken it off except for when I've had to shower. It's something that has become special and close to me. 

I was supposed to wait for Daniel out front since he was going to pick me up. He didn't tell me where we were going, only that it was a surprise. He looked eager for tonight, to show me what he had planned. He really wanted to make our first official date special. I don't want anything fancy, I just want something comfortable where we don't have to pretend to be some posh couple when I just want to have fun. Ever since I've met Daniel, all I've wanted to do is things that I would normally never do or would avoid doing. 

I sighed as I grabbed my purse, putting it over my shoulder and making sure I got the essentials. I could hear the sound of the TV from the living room when I got to the bottom step meaning my mother and grandmother were in there watching. From the archway to the living room, I could see that my grandmother and mother were playing what looked like a game of poker while my grandmother yells in victory. She's always been good at the game and always wins against my mother or me. I smiled at how much they were having fun. It's been a while since we've had nights like these, where my mother isn't overworking herself and gets to just enjoy the moment.

"Well look at you honey, you look beautiful" my mother gushed with a soft smile when she noticed me watching.

"Knock him dead" my grandmother winked. I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Thank you, I'm going to go now, bye, have fun!" I called over my shoulder as I turned to exit the house.

I checked my phone, the time saying 7 pm flashed against the screen. I sat down on my front step, thinking that it shouldn't be long until Daniel was supposed to arrive. But soon it started to feel like hours have gone by but in reality, it's only been thirty minutes. I've been checking my phone constantly for any messages as to why he was late or if I was supposed to go meet him because of a delay but nothing, just a blank screen. I kept trying to reassure myself that he was either late or something happened at home and he couldn't leave. 

It didn't take long for that thought to be squashed after I received a message from an unknown number with an attachment. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as my thumb slid across the screen to unlock it. My eyes widened and I felt my breathing pick up at the first thing I saw when I opened the message and looked at the photo. It was of Daniel and Sylvia kissing. She seemed to be enjoying it more than ever and he didn't even seem to be rejecting it. It was taken just out front of the school and from what I could tell, it was taken today. 

"I should have known this was too good to be true" I whispered to myself. 

I had to stare up at the sky just to prevent the tears that were welling up in my eyes from spilling. I didn't want to go back inside and worry my mum and grandmother because I know they'd ask a million question that I wasn't willing to answer nor know the answer to. And here I thought he wouldn't hurt me again. God, I feel like such an idiot who got played for the second time and it's only been one week. If it wasn't for this photo, who knows how long I wouldn't have known this was happening behind my back.

I didn't want to believe it but with the proof right in front of me as a constant reminder every time I stare down at my bright-lit phone, I can't deny it and make excuses. Just then I heard a car pull up in front of my house. I looked to see Daniel's truck. I wasn't in the mood to confront him about the photo. I didn't want to breakdown in front of him and let him know how much this hurt inside. I was quick to stand up and start sprinting away from my house, swerving away to avoid Daniel's vehicle. I could hear my name being called out by him but I ignored it and kept running.

The thing is that I didn't even run to Kylee or Ruby's house or even Evelyn's. I didn't even call Maddie for comfort. I just ran to anywhere that wasn't near my house or near him in general. I wanted to be alone even though I knew how stupid that was, especially at this time. I threw all caution to the wind and kept running to see if I could find somewhere secluded to cry. I could feel the lump in my throat and my vision became blurry from tears building up but I used my sleeves to wipe them away. 

I ran for maybe ten minutes where I came to a forest, running through the trees until I got to an abandoned warehouse. I ran inside just as it started to drizzle, feeling the rain slide down my face and start to soak my clothes. I could feel the goosebumps on my skin at the sudden gust of cold wind hitting my body. There was rubble around each corner but I didn't care, my mind didn't even process where I was. My back collapsed against the white brick wall that had started to peel with white paint. My body began shaking as a sob escaped my lips. I slid down the wall until I was sitting on the wet ground. 

The rain had started to leak in through the cracks on the tin roof. This was probably the worse area to go to while it was raining and during the night time. I couldn't bring myself to leave. I know Daniel would try to follow me, I just hope he wouldn't tell my mother and grandmother and bother them with the fact that I had left, upset. I wanted them out of this, unaware so they wouldn't have to be involved because I don't want them to worry, they've had enough of worrying and being overwhelmed. They don't need to hear about my teenaged drama and feel like they need to do something about it. I need them to just have fun and enjoy themselves. 

I hugged my knees to my chest, resting my forehead against the top of them. My phone started to vibrate in my purse that was still strapped around my shoulder. It's most likely Daniel and I don't want to talk to him, not now not ever. I really fell for the act that he had regretted his action before and that he actually liked me but I see that I was wrong. Now I just feel like I was completely oblivious. I guess Sylvia got what she wanted. I thought she was planning something and this is it, she won. 

I sighed as my head fell back against the wall gently, making sure not to hit my head hard against the brick. My crying had ceased and all I felt was my stomach-churning. I closed my eyes shut, trying not to think about the whole situation that just unfolded today. I didn't want to think about Daniel and feel upset for myself. I ended up retreating to the back of my mind, into the darkest corner of my mind where I forget about everything around me and focus only on myself. I don't remember much after that, I must have blacked out because next thing I know, I'm waking up to someone putting something warm over my shoulders. 

A familiar smell of a certain musky cologne filled my nose. I sighed in content just as I was scooped up into someone's arms. I didn't panic because it was a familiar feeling, a safe one. I leaned my head on the person's shoulder, drifting off to sleep yet again. The next time I woke up again, I noticed I was in my room and in a large oversized hoodie that I know isn't mine but it had the same musky scent. The only thing still on from last night is my stocking. My purse was hanging on the hook that hung on the back of my closed door. I was confused at first until last nights events came flashing into my mind. I sat up, pushing my hair back with a huff.

"Harmony, are you up?" I heard my mother's voice from behind the closed door. 

"Yeah, I am!" I shouted.

"Breakfast is ready, come down once you're ready, we need to talk" my mother instructed, sounding serious. I hope she didn't find out what happened last night but I did stupidly fall asleep in the abandoned warehouse when I was meant to go back home after an hour or two. I don't know how I got home, that's the worrying part. I guess I'll ask my mother about that or she'll tell me. 

I  decided to stay in the hoodie that I was wearing since it was comfortable but decided to wear my black tights underneath. I head downstairs, into the kitchen where my mother was sitting at the dining table, eating waffles. My grandmother must still be asleep upstairs since she's been sleeping in the same room as my mother. I joined her at the table but still felt nervous at what my mother needed to talk to me about. 

"What happened last night Harmony?" she immediately questioned.

"What do you mean what happened?" I asked with a frown and tilted head. 

"Don't act like you don't know, you didn't message me that you were going to be staying out late while you were on your date, I was worried sick until Daniel showed up with you sleeping in his arms, drenched in rain letting me know that it was his fault you two got stuck outside while it drizzled the night" my mother explained with a stern glare. I paused, my mind trying to process the information. So it was Daniel that found me in the warehouse. Shit, that means I'm wearing his hoodie. I should have known from the smell, the exact same one from last night. I need to get out of this as soon as possible.

"Um yeah sorry about that, I guess I lost track of time." my voice croaked as I spoke. 

I hated lying to my mother but I just can't have her fretting over me. That's the reason I haven't told her about the failed scholarship because I know she'll go back to overworking herself to get the money we need for me to go. If I told her about this, she'd probably drop everything and try and get me to talk about everything. I know she'd be watching me like a hawk since back before we moved and before I told Maddie everything, I dealt with being upset by running away from home and at times not eating, only the bare minimum. But there's nothing to worry about this time, I don't do that anymore, not since I learnt to overcome it. 

My mother sighed and placed her hands on top of mine to hold them. "You know, I'm worried about you Harmony, you had tear streaks down your face yesterday, are you sure you're ok? Because you know you can tell me anything right?" my mother encouraged softly. I smiled to reassure her.

"I'm fine really, I know I got you to talk to," I said. I do know that I can always talk to her and I have but it's a little bit more difficult now with what I had with Daniel. He was my first official boyfriend and that didn't even last long, it only lasted barely a full week. 

"Good, don't ever feel like you can't tell me anything because I always want what's best for you" my mother advised. 

"Thank you, mum" I mumbled. 

Just then the doorbell rang and we both turned our heads in confusion since we weren't expecting anyone. My mother got up to answer the door. I tried to lean back in my chair to see from the archway who was at the door. My eyes widened when I saw Daniel talking with my mother. I ended up losing my balance on the chair and fell back. I groaned in pain as I heard shuffling of shoes against the floorboards. Daniel's worried face was the first thing I saw once I opened my eyes. I scrambled to get back up and took a step back.

"Are you ok Harmony?" my mother asked with a frown.

"Um yeah, totally fine, I just lost my balance" I replied, trying to play it off like it was nothing though I still felt a sting of pain on my back. I'm so stupid for doing that when my back has had enough damage caused by the floor. 

"Can I talk to you Harmony?" Daniel asked as I avoided looking at him at any cost. I didn't want to but I guess I can't avoid him forever, especially since he's here now.

"Sure" I muttered, nodding slightly. I walked around Daniel to head upstairs, into my room where we could talk privately. I made sure to close the door behind us because I didn't want any of them to hear us talking. It was silent between us, the only noise was someone mowing the lawn outside, probably from our neighbours. 

"Why are you avoiding me?" Daniel spoke up first. I can't believe he's asking me that when he should know, there's no other reason as to why I would be upset with him unless it involved her. 

"Does your kiss with Sylvia yesterday ring any bell?" I snapped, letting my anger slip out slightly. His eyes widened. I could see the guilt in them but then again, that could all be in my head. 

"How do you know about that?" Daniel asked. That's the question he went with? This is serious and I wanted an explanation. It didn't matter how I knew, I knew nonetheless and it stung my heart like a bitch. 

"Don't go off-topic, if you want to talk then explain that" I demanded. 

"Listen I was going to tell you about it yesterday when I was supposed to pick you up to tell you in person so I could explain that I was ambushed, she kissed me but I pushed her away as soon as it happened" Daniel explained. His eyes were pleading me to believe him but I don't know if I can. I hugged my arms and rubbed them while looking down to avoid his gaze, knowing that I would give in if I stared into them for one more minute. "Please tell me you believe me" he begged. I remained silent. I didn't want to say anything because I couldn't, I couldn't tell him what he wanted. I still had doubts, I didn't want to be fooled all over again. Two times is enough, I can't let it happen a third time. Daniel reached his hand out to touch my cheek but I took a step back away from him. His arm dropped to his side and he sighed. "I see you don't believe me."

"I'm sorry Daniel but I can't, not when you've done this before and the photo sent to me didn't show you looking off guard" I mumbled, my voice coming out low and soft.

"Wait, photo? What photo?" he asked while furrowing his eyebrows. I contemplated showing him the image but I thought that there was no harm in doing so. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and handed him it to him with the picture in full view on the screen. I had to turn my head away so I didn't have to look at it. 

"This was sent to me last night," I told him.

"Someone must have planned for this to happen, it was taken just before I pushed her away, Harmony don't you see, they wanted you to believe this, they knew exactly when to take the photo to make me look bad, they wanted you to hate me" he explained.

"I don't hate you but I don't trust you either" I admitted. I was angry and upset with what he did but I don't think I could ever hate him. I just don't think I can stay in a relationship with him when I have trust issues. 

"Please Harmony, don't throw us away after just one week" Daniel pleaded. I closed my eyes shut. I wish this was all a nightmare. I wanted to wake up so that this would be all over. 

"I need more time Daniel, it's hard to believe everything when there's no proof but an image, please try to understand" I muttered softly. He sighed, running his hand through hair, pushing it back.

"Ok, I understand but please think it over, you know deep down I'm right," Daniel said. It's true, he knew me well. Deep down, I felt like he was right but I was still scared that I was wrong. I didn't want to be in a cycle of getting upset every time something like this happens. I don't need that in my life.

"I'll think it over," I agreed to his wishes. 

Daniel gave me a nod and walked around to leave but stopped once he was at my side. He leaned over to kiss me on the cheek before he left, closing the door behind him. I wiped the lone tear that slid down my cheek. I placed my phone that he gave back to me before he left back on my nightstand before sitting crossed legged on my bed. I grabbed my drawing notebook from my drawer and opened it up. I could feel my eyes tearing up at the few pictures I drew of Daniel, especially from the one when we were at our spot. 

I flipped through to a clear page to start drawing, which is another way I found helps me whenever I start to feel like my whole world was crumbling. It's the only way to express my emotions. I spent the whole day cooped up in my room. My mother and grandmother checked up on me at times and I made sure to reassure them that I was fine. I only left for the essentials, even to eat dinner with my family. When day turned to night, I tried to fall asleep early but I ended up just staring at the ceiling with my thoughts always going to Daniel. 

I huffed, turning onto my side and shutting my eyes to try and push any thoughts of him out of my head. Even when I'm supposed to avoid anything to do with him for a while until I feel better, he always seems to appear in my head. It's like I'm watching a movie involving flashbacks of the best memories we've had together and I start to miss him, which then starts to hurt more. I waited for what felt like hours until I drifted off to sleep, dreading the next day for my thoughts to be evaded by him again.