So since everybody liked Crush so much I decide to do another story about Joe and Harlee in their youth. This is an AU story about the two of them falling in love and learning how to be there for one another . It's a very different story from Crush and they will both have to learn lessons about how to properly love one another. I hope you enjoy the first chapter .
Harlee Cates had just finished having a celebratory moment with her boyfriend after her Volleyball Team's important victory against their rival school . She wasnow in the locker room treating an ugly bruise on her wrist " Good lord " she shook her head and applied more ointment . The pain was truly irritating but she hoped that the treatment would help the pain go away sooner than later . Harlee was already changed and grabbed her gym bag.
As she was leaving the locker room her best friend Nai snuck up on her giving her quite a fright " What is really good winner ! " she hugged Harlee from behind " Oh gosh Nai you almost gave me a heart attack " Harlee held her chest and giggled . " I am sorry girl but you know I had to get hype , you kicked ass in that match today ! " Nai kissed Harlee's cheek before releasing her . " Thank you Nai , I needed to kick butt to get to those playoffs . It was scary but I am proud of my performance " she smiled and rubbed her bruise some more " You see this battle wound Nai … that represents my dedication …. " she nodded . " I see girl , I am proud of you " Nai gave the thumbs up " I gather that you and Arjay are going to celebrate later "
Harlee pulled her hair into a ponytail before shaking her head " I actually just saw him , he has to prepare for his SATS so I am just gonna go on home right now " she shrugged in a bit of discomfort
" Yeah right Harlee ! We are going to get some pizza , if I had more money I'd take you for something fancy … come on girl you kicked ass today " Nai tilted her head playfully trying to tempt Harlee.
Harlee was mostly into her sport and her relationship , Nai was a bit on the wild side but Harlee loved her for it so she couldn't turn down the invitation " Pizza sounds lovely " she nodded " Yay girl ! by the way I wanna show you something on our way " Nai grabbed Harlee by the hand and pulled her along.
The two friends had ventured off to get a simple victory meal , they had finally reached the vintage pizzeria and placed their order .
It was rather empty and chill , but after all it was the evening and most of the students may have been done with school. " What is it that you wanted to show me sis " Harlee sipped her soda . Nai was rather giddy and excited to express this to her " Well girl you remember the detour we took to get here ? … there is a really cute guy at St. Paul's and I kinda … like to look at him you know ? " she chuckled . Harlee was amused by her friend's bashful nature and it was rather sweet " Why are we just now having this discussion ? " she leaned back and raised her eyebrow " I don't know …. I just don't know what to say to him you know ? " she shrugged " …. Like what did you say to Arjay when you two first met ? "
Harlee took a breather just as their waiter placed their slices of pizza on the table " Well … it was weird . It was in chemistry tutoring , we just used to talk alot and then one day things just got carried away at his house … and now here we are a year later " she smiled .
" See you are so lucky Harlee , you date a guy on the honor roll and you kick butt in Volleyball … I wanna be in your place so bad " Nai smiled in bliss " Oh Nai , me and Arjay's relationship isn't that special … I mean I love him alot but … you don't need to be jealous boo , maybe one day we can go to St, Pauls and talk to your guy " Harlee winked and grabbed a slice.
Nai was rather happy to have Harlee's support but before she could properly thank her , three handsome young men entering the restaurant caught her eye . The straw slipped from her mouth and she quickly tapped Harlee's wrist " Oh my god it's him … and his friends " she gasped and jumped back.
Harlee turned to see the young gentlemen causing Nai to freak out " Harlee don't look , they might see us " she shook her head " Isn't that what you want ? " Harlee giggled and continued to look . They were attractive indeed , a holy diverse trinity of fine young gentlemen clad in burgundy blazers and cream colored pants held their heads high as they searched for seating in the pizzeria .
One of the gentlemen that appeared to be their leader caught Harlee's eye , although she was in a relationship simply looking was harmless especially since he was so handsome . " Would you stop that ? " Nai slapped her hand " Ouch that really hurt Nai ! " Harlee was knocked out of her daze by Nai's heavy hands. " I'm sorry just act normal … stop drawing attention " Nai nodded to Harlee whom just rolled her eyes in response .
They called themselves playing it off until the ring leader walked to their table stroking his chin " Excuse me ladies , I hope I am not interrupting anything " he smiled . Harlee and Nai were both left speechless by his appearance , he was tall and his complexions was on the peachy side but it was his dark features and solid jawbone that perfected him " …. You are fine " Harlee twiddled her thumbs in hopes to do some talking for her friend who was just speechless " Good , because you see me and my boys … well we always sit in this booth " he shrugged .
Harlee was a bit confused by his words and looked over to Nai whom had appeared to be dumbfounded as well " Oh … well the seats are not reserved so we just … sat here " she giggled " and we are in the middle of a meal " she grabbed her drink and took a sip. Nai knew her best friend very well and knew what direction this could go in , she was not prepared to take a chance of being embarrassed infront of her crush who watched his friend from afar " You know what we were just finishing up , just give us about a minute or two and we will be out of your way " she spoke in a hurry and began to gather their plates of food " Excuse me … don't mind my friend here , like I said we are in the middle of eating … this is not the only booth available " she shrugged and smiled just to irritate him.
" I see … " he slowly nodded his head and took a step back , he and Harlee had a brief staring contest and her bold attitude was rather amusing to him " You two are not from around here , so I will let ya'll rock …. besides that bruise on your arm is really unflattering on a girl like you " he snickered and knocked the table with his knuckles " Enjoy girls , they make some good pizza here " he gave Harlee a wink and went back to his buddies who were laughing amongst themselves .
Harlee pretended to be repulsed by his nerve but apart of her liked the attention , she couldn't admit that infront of Nai due to her crush " That's the guy you like Nai ? " she chuckled " Girl please ! He is too tall and too built for me , his friend is another story though …. but now I'm all embarrassed and stuff gosh Harlee do you have to tell people off ? " Nai ran her fingers through her hair " I didn't do anything wrong , and also you need to just stop letting people walk all over you . You should make sure that your boy isn't a jackass like his friend " Harlee called herself glancing over but found herself in a bit of shock seeing her recent enemy leaning against the bar stool laughing with his friends once again while looking their way " Are you sure those boys go to a catholic school ? " Harlee rolled her eyes and picked at her crust that was getting rather cold . She didn't realize how much she kept starring , as annoying as he was his face was just incredible even when he acted like an elementary school student.
Harlee looked over once more and took notice of him watching her , he mouthed something inappropriate which left her in disgust " … You know what Nai … lets get out of here " she slid her plate to the side and grabbed her bag. Nai was slightly confused but didn't argue against Harlee's wishes because she was too embarrassed " Okay girl let's dip " Nai quickly slid out of the booth and grabbed Harlee's arm " Damn girl are you okay ? " she asked.
Harlee was very annoyed and didn't bother to answer Nai nor look at the young men who ruined her girl talk with her best friend , she stormed out of the pizzeria as the fellas laughed in victory .
" Joe , my man ! you did it " a young man by the name of Richard nudged his leader and pal " You know what it is Rich , I wasn't even gonna be that rude until shorty decided to mouth off to me . I had to bug her out a bit " he shrugged and took his place in the booth " Man I can't believe you said that , she probably ran home crying " the third companion named Morris shook his head and laughed " That's not my problem , she should have just moved out of the damn way . This is our house … people don't like it too fucking bad " Joe smirked and grabbed a shot of bottled tequila from his jacket pocket " You always have the treasures my dude " Rich raised his fist " You know it my man " Joe nodded to his fellow friends as they prepared to spike their own drinks.
An hour had gone by and Harlee finally made it home , the smell of oxtails lingered through the house and it helped change her mood " Something smells really good " she half way smiled and allowed her backpack to hang off of her shoulders .
" It's your favorite , I figured I'd prepare you something nice since I couldn't make your game today " Harlee's older brother Kalek appeared from the kitchen to greet her " You really are the coolest big brother a girl could ask for " she chuckled as they hugged " I'm your only big brother " he smiled before released her " Congratulations on your victory " he held her hand joyfully before taking notice of the bruise on her arm " … Wow you must have been really aggressive on that court today " he cringed " You know how I do Kalek " she giggled " But it was all worth it in the end … it always is … " she sighed blissfully " I hear that , go on and freshen up while I prepare our plates … you should call Nai to come and join us if she is not busy " he nodded and wiped his hands down his apron " Done ! thanks Kalek " she nodded before running up the stairs .
Elsewhere , after some boy time with his pals , Joe Anoa'i had the house to himself but his bedroom was another story. After and ugly breakup with his girlfriend Samira , Joe was taking advantage of his freedom and having some fun with a fellow student . The girl named Leslie traced her fingers around his bare chest as he held her in his arms " My father would kill me if he ever found out that I was doing this with you " she giggled playfully " That's why this is sexy , you won't tell … and I won't tell . At church on Sunday we just act like nothing happened " he smirked " I know right ? " she sat up and played with his gold chain " It's a shame you don't want a girlfriend , We would make a nice couple … and it would make our parents happy " she winked . Joe felt some discomfort due to her words and turned his head away " Well it is what it is , not really seeking a relationship … just a damn good time … don't take it personal " he sat up and took a stretch before rolling out of bed " My parents will be home from the show soon …. you should go " he said while pulling up his sweatpants.
Leslie held his bedsheets against her chest and felt rather awkward " That's right , your brother is a wrestler like your dad …. " she pulled her hair back " Yep ! but like I said they will be home soon , so you should probably go "