Chapter 6. Harper The Matchmaker
I was sitting in American History class when a paper airplane hit my desk. I picked it up and examined it carefully. It was addressed to me, so I carefully opened it up.
"Mason, meet me at the back table when lunch starts.
Harper" it said. I met Harper like she asked me to, and got straight down to business.
"How can I help you?" I asked kindly.
"Alex is really upset, but she won't tell us what's going on. Can you help us?" Harper pleaded.
"I'll do my best" I promised and ran to find Alex.
"Hey Alex, what's the matter?" I asked.
"Nothing really" she said and tried shffake me off.
"I don't believe that for a second, now what's wrong?" I persisted.
"Have you ever had the feeling you're disappointing someone?" she asked.
"Yes" I replied truthfully.
"Well, I feel that way right now" she snapped.
"What's up?" I asked.
"It seems like the same thing always happens to me. When I like someone, they either don't like me and can't admit it, or have some sort of horrible secret. When will I ever find the right person?" she asked.
"I understand how you feel. I have to be very careful in those situations as well. It's easy to be taken advantage of because of your looks, your money, or some other great quality you have" I agreed with her.
"Also keep in mind that you're only seventeen. You have your whole life ahead of you" I reminded her.
"Are you upset about what I said?" I asked remembering our conversation about how she needed to know the truth.
"Yes" she answered and her voice broke. I felt horrible about the whole situation. First of all, I fell hard for the girl. Second of all, I was so caught up in being honest that I never considered her feelings, and third of all, I didn't even give her a chance.
"Alex, I really like you, I just don't want to tell you my secret and change your view of me" I told her with as much truth as possible.
"Mason, I really care about you, now don't let this secret bring us apart" she said and I smiled. At the lunch table, Alex seemed to be feeling a little better.
"Did you figure it out?" Harper asked.
"Yeah, I did" I answered.
"Yeah, we knew what was wrong. We just wanted to get you two alone because it's obvious you like each other. I just wanted you to see how she feels" Harper confessed.
"You knew?" I asked sharply. Harper didn't understand the risk she was putting me at. Well, she had a good reason though, and it's not all about me. After school, Alex and I walked towards the sub shop, but decided to go for a walk in Central Park first. We walked around for a little while until we stopped under a tree to rest.
"I had a really great time today" Alex said and I couldn't resist touching her hand.
"I hope this wasn't a one time thing" she continued. The wind blew and a piece of hair fell in her eyes. I brushed the hair away and placed my hand on her cheek. Her skin was soft and beautiful. Before my voice of reason could speak up, I cupped her face in my hands and pulled her towards me. In the moment, I didn't care about my secret. I didn't care that eventually telling her my secret could risk our relationship. I was entranced by her eyes and the softness of her skin. I pulled her up until her face was level with mine. I then tilted her head towards me and kissed her.
"I knew it" a voice hissed from behind a tree.
"Harper? Oh hi!" Alex said and moved away from me abruptly.
"You're welcome" Harper said giving me a wink. Emily and Bridget were smiling like kids being told they were getting ice cream.
"Awe! That was cute, but that would've been even cooler if that guy was Gregg Sulkin" Emily cooed and Bridget slapped her and stomped on her foot.
"Ouch! What was that for!" shrieked Emily
"Don't compare them. We're supposed to be happy for Alex. She got the thing she's wanted most of all for about a month now" Bridget scolded her friend.
"Oh, right, sorry" Emily mumbled and hugged Alex. I walked back to my house to see Grant in front of the tv.
"Hey" he said and I took a seat next to him on the couch.
"What's on your mind man?" Grant asked.
"Nothing" I lied.
"You can't hide from me Gregg" he said and I scowled at him. He's always known me better than anyone.
"I fell for a girl at school" I admitted.
"Well, that's good! It goes right along with your whole normal scheme" he said lightly.
"No! It's not good! If my feelings for her stay the same after school, how can I get back to acting?" I countered.
"Just follow your instincts and you'll figure out what to do" he said and gave me a brotherly hug. Mum made her way into the house and smiled at us.
"Wow, you two are actually sitting near each other and not fighting" she observed.
"We're capable of it Mum" I retorted and pulled out mz new cell phone. I had to get mine replaced when I moved here. I decided to text Harper to thank her for what she'd done. I never pictured the food for clothing girl being the one to do my matchmaking. It worked out okay for me though