You'll Never Lose Me (Never 4)

Scott and I are sitting on the sofa watching Stranger Things, we like the same stuff and tend to binge watch it all together. Either in person or sitting on the phone and watching it simultaneously. Oh yes, we have one of those annoying friendships and although it’s formed really quickly, it doesn’t feel weird or awkward.

“He’s going to die,” Scott says and I want to slap him.

“You say that about everyone I like,” I point out and he slaps a wet, sloppy kiss on my cheek.

“Ewwwl,” I screech and push him off the sofa but he doesn’t stay down for long.

“You are so mean to me lady, clearly you only want me for my good looks,” he says with a wag of his eyebrows and I can’t stop laughing until Harrison is suddenly looming over us and even Scott looks shit scared.

“Who the fuck is this?” It comes out as a growl which only intensifies as I roll my eyes at his attitude.

“Harrison this is Scott, Scott this is H. He’s one of my guys,” I say with a dramatic sweep of my arm that only he appreciates. You just can’t get the right audience these days.

“Hey H, nice to meet you. I’m the new best friend,” he says as he holds his hand out and Harrison looks at it as though it’s something ridden in filth.

I am not going to stand for this, he’s being rude and Scott doesn’t deserve it.

“Hey mardy arse, take the attitude down a peg or two before I abandon all hope of salvaging my good mood,” my tone is as sharp as a knife but it’s only making his eyes narrow at me.

“Scott is my friend from class, the one I was taking portrait photos of,” he’s looking at me as though he has no idea what I’m talking about.

“For crying out loud,” I throw my hands up in the air and get off the sofa to get some space between us.

“He’s gay,” is suddenly shouted from down the hallway and I can’t get over how unbelievable this whole situation is.

“Thanks Sawyer,” I shout back towards the kitchen and you can hear a pin drop with how quiet it’s become.

“Sorry, I didn’t know,” H says, shaking Scott’s hand but even Scott can tell what’s about to happen. The way he’s looking at me and slowly moving around, oh yeah, shits about to get real.

“Why should that matter?” my tone is cold enough to freeze a room with the heat from the sun shining down upon it.

“He likes guys, so there’s nothing to be worried about,” he says, as though my question perplexes him and he can’t fathom what could possibly be wrong.

“Scott my man, now is probably the time for you to run for cover,” Sawyer says as he appears in the doorway and it only strengthens H’s confusion.

I walk over to him and jab my finger into his chest, I wonder if he can feel my anger pouring out of me in waves.

“It shouldn’t matter if he’s gay, bi or collects women like you collect your tools or Noah collects movies. He could be the biggest playboy around and it wouldn’t mean anything, not if you trust me,” the heat and anger leaves me replaced with nothing but sadness.

Because he doesn’t trust me, not really. Otherwise it wouldn’t matter how many guy mates I had, he would know that I wasn’t interested.

“I do trust you woman, but it isn’t as though you only like me now is it,” this hurts more than any physical blow. Didn’t we go over this when Elijah came back on the scene, what more can I do?

“That’s a little uncalled for mate,” Sawyer says as he comes further into the room, going into full on protective mode.

“This has nothing to do with you Sawyer, there’s no threat around so keep your arse out of it,” Harrison bites out and it’s only pushing me further and further away.

“You’re full of the low blows today ain’t ya Harrison, well I’m here to keep her safe but nobody said it was all I could do. Now you’re upsetting the poor lass and pissing me off and I won’t be leaving until I know she is okay,” his voice is hard and his eyes are dark. I can see qualities in him that I haven’t noticed before, a hardness that he keeps under wraps. Just another piece of the Sawyer puzzle.

“I’m going to my room,” I say numbly but as Harrison grabs my hand all I see is red and I don’t even realise my hand is swinging until it connects with his face and the noise of it travels across the room.

“I can’t deal with you right now,” I can’t even look at him as I brush past and make my way upstairs.

Scott, bless his heart follows me up to make sure I’m okay, after waiting in the hallway to make sure that I would be okay and we get to making plans for me to leave. I’m not running away or ghosting on them but I need some space, so why shouldn’t I join up with the girls a little earlier

than planned.

ME: I’m going away for a couple of weeks, thought I’d better let you know in case you decide to come down on an impulse.