OK, really super sorry about yesterday. The computer with the story on it had lost it's internet connection. That might happen again, since we've been debugging our system.
Thanks again for all your review, they do really mean a lot to me. I don't think I'm all that good at writing Harold...or Leshawna, for that matter. Sorry if they seem OOC...:/
December 7
Harold:
"Leshawna?"
There was silence on the other end. Did she not want to talk to me that bad?
I had been sitting in the den, watching the latest Frosty re-make with my little cousins Stuart and Savannah. The Christmas tree was lit, some strands blinking off and on slowly. Scattered around the room were little Christmas characters that sang whenever you pressed a button.
Savannah wasn't really paying attention, actually messing with a Santa Claus in dark glasses that played 'We wish you a merry Christmas' with a saxophone. She kept pressing the button over and over, while Stuart, who was really into Frosty, kept turning his head to shush her.
I stared at the screen, barely registering the snowman that danced and sang across it. All I saw was Leshawna with her bodacious booty and outstretched arms running towards me under the full moon…squeezing me in her arms and whispering, "Boy, you some kind of crazy!", before puckering her fine lips and pulling me closer to them…
"Harold, Harold!" Stuart's voice broke my daydream. I adjusted my glasses and said, "Yes?" trying my best to be patient.
"Savannah won't stop being mean!" Stuart whined, and pointed his finger at his older sister who was sitting perfectly still on the couch. Her face was of pure innocence, watching the flat screen and pretending she couldn't hear her brother. I rolled my eyes and stood up.
"Savannah, why don't you go help frost the cookies? Last time I checked, the frosting was green." As I predicted, her head instantly snapped up and she made a beeline for the kitchen. Stuart looked up at me and said, "Thank you, Harold."
I said, "No problem," before walking off to my room. I needed to check my Castles and Centaurs forum. I just posted a rousing debate thread on whether the Sirens in the East Sea of Urista were better then the Mermaids in the North Strait of Tamania. I mean, its so obvious that the Mermaids were better, but of course it was an interesting topic. And it would get my mind off of her…
"Harold! Don't forget to take out the trash!" My mom called from the kitchen.
"I know, Mom! I'll be right there! Gosh!" I mumbled the last part, but apparently not soft enough.
"Harold Norbert Cheever Doris McGrady the fifth! Do not talk to me in that tone of voice, especially around this time of year!"
"Sorry Mom…" I said, and sulked up to my room.
On my computer, I looked over the posts on the thread. There were valid arguments on each side, and as I skimmed I found a post that made my whole body freeze.
Look, everyone knows that the mermaids are totally rocking. For example, I once met this dark skinned one with these absolutley luscious chocolate almond eyes. Instead of trying to steal my Dragon Sword of Scales like one Siren did, this mermaid actually gave me a power up for it and then kissed me on the cheek!
Chocolate almond eyes…
I couldn't help it, I immeaditly grabbed my phone and started to dial Leshawnas phone number.
No…I couldn't. She obviously didn't want to talk to me. I left her exactly eleven point two messages, and she hadn't responded to any of them.
Sure, it hurt…I love her. Maybe I'm just a love sick puppy, but I love her. I don't care that she's loud, or big. In fact, that's what I love about her. It's what made me notice her.
I stared at the phone number on the screen. It would take just one button to leave another message. Another attempt at a dream that just wasn't going to happen. Another night of heart ache. Just another…
No.
No, not this time. I am through being the wimp, and being ignored. I am through being put down and tossed into the garbage like a radioactive can of waste. I got past Duncan. He messed with my clothes, he put my underwear in a s'more, he teased me for my name, and I still got past him. I humilated him, just as he humiliated me.
So am I going to let my fear of being rejected stop me from trying? Stop me from pursueing the girl I had fallen head over heals for? No. I'm not.
Without thinking about it anymore, I pressed the Call button and pushed the phone to my ear. I held my breath…those nagging thoughts of doubt tugging at my brain, trying to bring me down. And then, a voice came on.
""I just can't, OK?"
"Leshawna?" I asked, confused at to what she was referring to…Was that a rejection...? It couldn't be, could it…?
"Le..Leshawna…?" I repeated, my voice notably more choked up. I couldn't help it. At least with her not replying my messages I knew she wasn't on the other end, just…there…
Finally, she spoke. "Harold. Um...How's it going?" She obviously was feeling awkward. I learned how to read the emotions in voices at Interrogative Steve's Interrogator Camp. She probably didn't know how to tell me I should just give up.
"I guess its good," I said uncertainly.
"Well that's…good."
"Yeah…Leshawna?"
"Harold, please don't ask me. I just don't know anymore."
I suddenly grew angry. "Leshawna, I really do like you. And I saw you on the last aftermath of TDA. I know you like me too. I'm also getting really tired of this game. I have…" I stopped, not wanting to tell her how I've been crying. I took a breath and resumed my speech. "I have all these feelings for you, but unless they get somewhere I'm going to go insane! And I just…don't know what to do anymore, like you. Just tell me anything at all that will help me."
Silence.
"Harold…" Leshawna said after a minute, "I'm sorry. I've been so scared that if anything happened between us, and it was messed up…I just don't want to lose you…Great, now I'm sounding like some white girl on Days of Our Lives." She was trying to make a joke, but neither of us was laughing. "I've been in so many crazy relationships that ended in nothing. We've just said goodbye to each other, those bo's and me. And I don't want to that to happen to us."
"Yeah, I get it…" I sighed, "But that can't be me. I won't let it be me. Leshawna, please, trust me."
She paused. "OK, how about this. I agree on one date. One date. And if I don't feel it, if I don't think we should go farther, we bury our feelings and are just friends. Deal?"
"Yes. Deal." I nodded my head. Just take it slow, Harold, take it slow, I thought to myself.
"Well then, I'll call later?" Leshawna said.
"Yeah…um…Bye."
"Bye. And Harold?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks. For the call. I never would have picked up the phone without your help."
I smiled softly, and said, "Your welcome." I hung up only after I heard the click on the other end. I stared at the ceiling and said after a moment, "Booyah."
