After

Chapter 26.

"We aren't going anywhere, this was a bad idea" he snaps, turns on his heels and walks away.

What the hell? He really is bi-polar, I am sure of it. The anger and frustration I feel towards Hardin returns and I make my way back to my room. When I open the door I find Zed, Tristan and Steph inside. I would usually be annoyed with this many unexpected guests but I need the distraction and I really like Zed and Tristan.

"Hey Tessa! How were your classes today?" She asks and gives me a big smile. I can't help but notice the way Tristan's face lights up when Steph smiles.

"They were okay, you?" I sit my books on my dresser and she tells me about her professor spilling coffee on himself so they got out early.

"You look nice today Tessa" Zed tells me and I thank him and sit on Steph's bed with the three of them. The bed really is too small for all of us but it works. The door opens a few minutes later and we all turn to see who it is. It's Hardin. Ugh.

"Geez Hardin you could at least knock for once" Steph scolds him and he shrugs. "I could have been naked or something." she says and he laughs. She smiles, obviously not angry at his lack of manners but I am sure she is used to him walking in here all the time.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before" he jokes and Tristan's face falls while everyone laughs. I can't find the humor either, I hate thinking about Steph and Hardin together.

"Oh shut up" she says, still laughing and grabs ahold of Tristan's hand. His smile returns and he moves a little closer to her.

"What are you guys up to?" Hardin asks and sits on my bed. I want to tell him to get off but I keep quiet. I thought for a second he had come here to apologize but now I know he just came to hang out with his friends and I am not one of them.

"We were actually going to go to the movies, Tessa you should come" Zed smiles. Before I can answer Hardin interrupts.

"Actually Tessa and I have plans" he says, there is a strange edge behind his voice. He is so moody.

"What?" Zed and Steph say in unison.

"Yea, we have plans. I was just coming to get her" Hardin smiles and stands up. "You ready or what?" My mind screams 'No!' but I nod.

"Well we will see you all later" Hardin announces and practically pushes me out of the door. He leads me to his car and surprising me, he opens the passenger door. I stand still with my arms crossed.

"I will remember not to ever open a door for you again" he snaps and I shake my head.

"What the hell was that? I know you didn't come here to get me, you just told  me that you didn't want to hang out with me" I yell. We are back to yelling at each other. He makes me crazy, literally.

"Yes I did, now get in the car"

"No! If you don't admit that you didn't come here to see me, I will go back in there and go to the movies with Zed" I tell him and he clenches his jaw. I knew it. I don't know how to feel about this revelation but somehow I knew Hardin didn't want me to go to the movies with Zed and that is the only reason he is trying to hang out with me now. "Admit it Hardin or I am going"

"Okay, fine. I admit it. Now get in the damned car. I won't ask again" he says and gets in the car. Against my better judgment, I get into the car. Hardin still looks angry as he pulls out of the parking lot. He turns the screaming music up way too loud. I reach down and shut it off.

"Don't touch my radio" he snaps.

"If you're going to be a jerk the whole time I don't want to hang out with you" I say and mean it.

"I'm not, just don't touch my radio." My thoughts go back to him tossing my notes into the air and I want to yank his radio out and throw it out the window. If I knew I could, I would.

"Why do you care if I go to the movies with Zed? Steph and Tristan were going too"

"I just don't think Zed has the best intentions" he says quietly, his eyes glued to the road.

I begin to laugh and he frowns. "Oh, and you do? At least Zed is nice to me" I can't stop laughing. The idea of Hardin trying to protect me in some way is hilarious. Zed is a friend, nothing more. Just like Hardin.

Hardin rolls his eyes but doesn't give me an answer. He turns the music back on and the screaming music literally hurts my ears.

"Can you please turn it down" I beg.

He turns it down but still leaves it on. "That music is terrible" I tell him and he laughs.

"No it's not, I would love to know your opinion on good music" he smiles. He looks so carefree with his window down, the breeze blowing through his hair. He reaches one hand up and pushes his hair back. I love the way his hair looks when it is pushed back. I shake the thoughts from my head.

"Well I like Bon Iver, and The Fray" I finally answer.

"Of course you do" he chuckles.

"What is wrong with them? They are insanely talented and their music is wonderful" I defend my two favorite bands.

"Yea.. they are talented. I hear their specialty is putting people to sleep" he laughs and I reach across and playfully swat his shoulder.

"Well, I love them" I say with a smile. If we could just stay in this playful state, I might actually have a good time. "Where are we going?"

"We are going to one of my favorite places"

"Which is where?"

"You really have to know everything that is going on don't you?"

"Yea.. I like to.."

"Control everything?" he interrupts and I stay quiet. I know he is right but that's just the way I am. "Well, I am not telling you until we get there.. which will be only about five minutes from now" he tells me and I sit back against the leather seat of his car. What kind of car is this anyway?

"What kind of car is this?" I ask him. I need a distraction from not knowing where we are going.

"Its a Ford Carpi, a classic" he boasts, obviously proud of his car. He goes on to tell me about it even though I have no idea what he is talking about. I like to watch his lips as he talks, the way they move slowly as the words are even slower. "I don't like to be stared at" he says harshly but smiles a little after.

"I .. I was just listening" I lie, my mouth dry.

"We are here" he says and pulls onto a gravel road.