"Hold the fuck up, I'm coming right over, don't you dare move or I will track you down bitch!" Ruby shouted over the phone. I laughed in response. 

After waking up in the afternoon, I immediately called Ruby to tell her everything about last night. I wanted someone to talk to and Ruby was the only one that understood. I just confirmed her suspicions about liking Daniel. She took it better than expected by bragging about how right she was. I didn't have time to tell her anything after mentioning that he had taken me out last night. She simply shouted and hung up after. Ruby knew my address since she came over on Wednesday to do our homework for Chemistry together. 

Not long after there was a pounding at the door as if they were going to knock it down. I laughed, shaking my head. I'm surprised that there haven't been any complaints about the noise. Ruby was way too eager to discuss everything in detail. She will probably break down my door if she could, which frightened me. I quickly let her in before could cause any damage and she instantly ran into the kitchen. I raised a questioning brow as I leaned against the counter. Ruby had a grocery bag full of snacks that varied from chips, popcorn kernels, chocolate, and Oreos.

"Ok firstly, did you run here? And secondly, why did you buy all that to bring here?" I asked as Ruby threw the popcorn into the microwave.

"Yes, your house is literally like five minutes away from mine, thank fuck for that, and I bought all this shit because I'm going to need some snacks to munch on while you tell me all about last night" Ruby explained. "Can I sleepover? Hope you don't mind."

"Sure, my mother won't be home until the early hours of the morning but I'm sure she won't mind either way" I shrugged. Admittedly it was a relief to have someone here to spend the night with instead of being alone for the day. 

Once the popcorn was done, she grabbed the bowl and dragged me towards the couch to plop down on it. She looked at me with wide eager eyes as she shovelled handfuls of popcorn into her mouth. I threw my head back and laughed. She looked like a chipmunk with her cheeks puffed out. But also like a child on Christmas morning. I began to explain to her what had happened yesterday night while she listened intently. 

"Awwwww I wish I had a love like that" Ruby gushed before pouting.

"Love? What do you mean by that? We're not dating, we're just friends" I reminded her. I like him but I wouldn't say love, that's a strong term. I may be infatuated but not in love.

"That's because you've never been in love but just you wait" Ruby grinned smugly. I rolled my eyes, disregarding her comment. 

We later watched some movies while eating the food she brought after ordering some pizza. Ruby divulged what happened during the party last night. She met a guy named Damian Griffith and he's Ace's older brother. They both exchanged numbers but now she's scared because either Ace could ruin it for her or Damian thinks of her as a friend who's too young to date him since he's in his last year of college. The only thing I could offer her was reassurance. My mind went blank from any advice to give in response. 

One thing that was for sure is that from what I've witnessed, Ace isn't a bad guy, he wouldn't ruin anything for Ruby. He probably wouldn't care for who his brother likes. Daniel had told me about Ace pining over Ivy for years. I doubt that he would be jealous or pissed over something he can't control. Whatever happens, happens for Ruby and Damian. If he likes her back then it's all good for Ruby, she can be happy with him. Ruby was going to meet up with Damian tomorrow for lunch and a movie though it sounds more like a date then just friends hanging out but I can't be the judge of that. 

When the clock hit midnight, Ruby had fallen asleep. She was sprawled out across the couch with her head on my lap and her feet hanging over the armrest. Even if I wanted to move, I couldn't. The only noise was the low volume of the current movie we were playing, which was 'Breakfast At Tiffany's'. The end always gets me. It sends tears to my eyes but a smile to my lips. My phone buzzed from the coffee table in front of me, bringing me out of my concentration on the TV. I was careful to lean over and pick it up. The message was from Daniel. My lips twitched up unconsciously without my permission. Time passed as we messaged back and forth about our plans for Monday. We were going to ditch our last class and go to our usual spot early so Evelyn won't intercept and stop us again. 

When Monday came around, I felt anxious yet excited to skip school with Daniel. There's always a chance of Evelyn finding out. When she's curious and determined, she'll do everything in her power to find out. At the moment, I'm sure she doesn't know anything. When we talked yesterday, she apologised again several times, explaining the same reason she reacted the way that she did. I forgave her but we made an agreement that she'll trust me to know better and I promised her to stay away from Daniel. Though that was a lie to get her off my back for now until I can somehow get her to not freak out over us simply hanging out. 

On our way to school, Axel drove Kylee, Ruby and I to school. Ruby kept begging Axel to drive but he kept glaring at the road while grumbling at her. Now she's blasting music from his aux cord and singing on the top of her lungs off-key. Kylee and I laughed at her retaliation against Axel. She was trying to irritate him and judging by his expression and the way he tightened his grip on the steering wheel, it was working. By the time we arrived at school, Ruby had stopped gushing about her day with Damian yesterday. It got to the point where I thought her eyes would turn into hearts. She had switched from singing to talking in the snap of a finger.

I dragged Ruby to class while Kylee went her separate way. Time rushed by in a flash through our first few classes. During English, there had been a surprising new addition to our class, a student-teacher. He was supposed to be supervised by our main teacher, Mr Delgado. He was a young twenty one year old male. He had dark brown combed back hair, emerald eyes and a rectangular jawline with a stubble. He looked older than he was with the navy blue two buttoned suit. A couple of the students admired him. Ruby and I weren't interested. He's no Daniel that's for sure. Unfortunately, he had skipped this class. 

"Bitch stop thinking about Daniel" Ruby whispered. The student-teacher was wandering around, looking to see if anyone needed help. 

"I'm not thinking about him" I lied. He always had a way of popping into my thoughts.

"Oh please, every time you either think or hear his name you have that look on your face as if you're in love" Ruby stated.

"Oh no, not love again" I silently groaned. Ruby stuck her tongue out in response.

"Am I interrupting anything here?"

We both jumped before spinning around to stare wide-eyed at the student-teacher standing behind us with his arms crossed and a stern glare. Some student snickered at the scene. We shook our heads in sync. He then let us off with a warning before going back to his desk.

"Who does he think he is? He isn't our real teacher, he's still in college, this is just to help him graduate" Ruby grumbled. 

"Well, nonetheless we have to listen to him no matter what" I shrugged. 

Once the bell rang for lunch, I was quick to pack my bag. Before I could exit with Ruby, my name was called out. I turned around to face the student-teacher sitting on his desk. He motioned for me to come talk to him. Mr Delgado left to go to lunch while he stayed behind. I racked my brain as to why he would need to talk to me but nothing came up unless it was because of what happened in class. Ruby frowned and tilted her head, staring at me with questioning eyes. I simply shrugged before telling her to wait for me out in the hall.

"Yes?" I asked while standing in front of him after Ruby had left.

"You probably weren't listening when I introduced myself, I'm Wesley Turner" he stated. I internally rolled my eyes. "Now I saw that you were talking during my lesson, I hope you got everything down Harmony."

"I got everything down, sorry for talking during your lesson" I apologised. I didn't mean it. I was still listening in class and only talked once. It's not like I was the only one but I guess I was the main focus. 

"It's fine, I'm glad that you got everything down because you look like a bright and beautiful student" Wesley complimented with the curve of his lips. 

That made me feel uncomfortable, especially when he called me beautiful. Not many guys have said that to me. It was nice but considering it was coming out of someone who was supposed to be a student-teacher, it wasn't received well. It was unprofessional though he wasn't much older than me and still in college. I preferred it when Daniel complimented me the day I helped him paint his room when he moved into Evelyn's home. 

"Harmony, Come on, You done?" I heard Evelyn's familiar voice complain from the doorway. I looked over my shoulder to glance at her standing at the entrance with Ruby and Kylee. Pure relief that we had been interrupted by her. My mind was blank from any replies to his comment.

"Sorry sir, I have to go."

I was quick to rush out of the classroom with my friends and head to the cafeteria. They bombarded me with questions about why I was held back. The only part I had left out when telling them was that he called me beautiful. I was overthinking things that weren't true and stressing myself out over nothing but a small comment that meant nothing. No point in making them question Mr Turner or make them go overprotective over something I may have misinterpreted and felt uncomfortable over. 

When last period began, I met Daniel in the car park. Ruby luckily agreed to cover for me in class and if Evelyn asks anything. "Ready to go?" Daniel asked with a grin. I smiled and nodded.

"Let's get out of here before the principal comes."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

Daniel took me to a diner called 'Late Night Dine Right' first since he insisted that we go eat before going to our spot. My stomach had been grumbling again due to only having half a sandwich for lunch and giving the rest to Evelyn. He was determined to get food in my system even though I reassured him that I didn't feel hungry. He was adamant on the topic. It was sweet that he wanted to make sure that I didn't starve but I'm sure I could have waited until I got home to make anything instead of making him come here.

We sat at a booth by the window before ordering. "I heard that we have a student teacher for our English class and that he wanted to talk to you after class, what did he want?" Daniel inquired.

Of course, Ruby must have told him

"He just wanted to make sure that I was keeping up with my work in class since I was talking" I shrugged. His eyes crinkled as if analysing me.

"There's more to this isn't there?" he questioned. My eyes widened. How could he tell? I'm not that easy to read...am I? I couldn't decipher whether that was a good or bad thing. 

"How did you know?" I asked, deflecting from his original question.

"You look like you were holding back from saying something else, now don't change the subject, what happened?" Daniel demanded. I sighed, slouching back in my seat.

"Ok so maybe he called me a 'bright and beautiful student' but that's it, I just found it weird since I'm not used to it but nothing to worry about" I explained, trying to play it down. Daniel seemed to then narrow his eyes as he clenched his hands into a fist on top of the table. I frowned. "Are you ok?"

"Isn't it unprofessional to call a student beautiful? Even if the bastard is a student-teacher and still in college."

"I don't know, maybe" I shrugged. I wasn't really sure. However, I don't think that that was the problem here. Daniel grumbling to himself, cursing Mr Turner out. He looked about ready to punch someone. He probably would to Mr Turner if he were here in front of him. That thought alone was concerning.

"Daniel" I called out softly. He either didn't hear me or ignored me because he kept continuing. The veins on his forearm popped up from clenching his fists tightly. I leaned forward, enough to clasp my hands over his. It did the trick of shaking him out of his daze to look at me with with a surprised expression. "Daniel, are you ok? You're worrying me."

His lips curved up in a half-smile. "Sorry, I'm ok, I'm fine now, there's nothing to worry about, I promise" he reassured me. I tilted my head with a smile.

"It's fine, I'm just glad that you're ok now" I beamed.

We were able to have an enjoyable conversation with a couple of jokes here and there while we ate. I argued with him though when he paid for me. Having people pay for me is nice but not all the time. It makes me feel guilty that he's spending his money on me when I can also pay for myself and he could save that money for something more important. But evidently, in the end, Daniel won the battle and dragged me out of the diner in a rush with a smug smirk before I could complain any further.

When we got to our spot, I made sure to collect my sketchbook and pencil before following to the opening of the cliff. We sat on the patchy grass and embraced the autumn breeze that brushed by. I took the opportunity to use this area as my muse for the day, just like Daniel was the first time I drew him at Evelyn's house. Something that sparked my creative side and urged me to copy down the memory onto paper. There's inspiration everywhere, an idea on what could be brought to life and turned into something beautiful. 

My hand had a mind of its own, tracing the details of where the sea meets the rocks in small waves. From the distance, standing near towards the edge of the cliff was the back of a boy and girl staring at the horizon while holding hands. I was deep in focus to notice Daniel had snaked his arm around my waist and leaned over to look at my book until I felt his hot breath against my neck. A pleasant shiver ran down my spine. 

"What are you drawing?" Daniel questioned. I jumped a bit, bringing me back to reality. I glared at him before replying.

"The view."

"Thank you for the long description," he said sarcastically while rolling his eyes. He continued to try and look at my sketch but I shut my book to tease him. I grinned before poking my tongue at him. Daniel raised a brow before his lips curled up into a smirk. He was quick to yank my book out of my hand and runoff. My eyes widened before I got up to chase him around.

"Daniel! Give it back! That book is for my eyes only!"

"Well, now it's also for my eyes." 

I tried to catch up to him. We were now running through the trees. The sun was peeking through the branches, guiding us. He laughter echoed throughout the small forest. He stopped to take a quick peek. I came to a halt beside him and reached over to snatch it back but then he held it up while still looking at the sketch. A huff escaped past my lips before jumping to grab my book but he was too tall. It was no use with our height difference. I chewed on my bottom lip, watching for his reaction.

"This is extraordinary Harmony, I can see how talented you are as an artist, you have a gift" Daniel complimented. My cheeks heated up as I looked away. 

"Thank you, that's what I was hoping for" I mumbled. Daniel handed me my book back and I looked up at him.

"I'm sure Columbia University will love to have you attend their campus next year in the fall with the kind of skills you have" he smiled with encouragement. 

I returned the gesture with a joyous smile. He may not know it but it gave me the confidence I needed. The one thing I wanted more than anything was to get into Columbia but there's always a part of me that doubts my work. There will always be someone better than me. But what he said helped soothe my worries though they'll never completely be gone until I can get an early scholarship. Mrs Stone offered to help when she asked me to stay after class on Thursday. She was going to be holding onto my work that she dubs the best to put into a portfolio while I did my main painting at home. 

Daniel guided me to sit by the same fallen tree stump to talk while I finished off my sketch. He joked around and pretended to pose to be my muse instead so I could draw him. His idea of posing is flexing his muscles out as if he just got done lifting weights. I chuckled silently while drawing him. It was something for him to keep since he wanted to 'frame' it though I doubt he was serious. I relished in the way he made me laugh while doing something that brings joy to my heart with the person that makes me forget about my fears.