Chapter Twenty Nine

                                    

                                          
Bo's POV:
"Just tell me how she is!" I growled at Valerie. Valerie shrugged indifferently, as if she didn't care anymore. "I swear to-" I began. "Oh my goodness shut the fuck up Bo Smith!" Valerie yelled. I looked at her in stunned silence, and she continued to yell. "I wouldn't know how she is because she's not fucking speaking to anyone! You broke her and threw her away like garbage. Do you know what it's like seeing your best friend die emotionally in front of you? Do you know how it feels to see it happen not once but twice? I didn't fucking think so Bo." She screeched. I was taken aback by her words. "I honestly didn't know I hurt her that bad." I told her. "Well from what I can see, you did. Regardless of what your intentions were." Valerie said before she walked away to join her boyfriend, Ashton.  I waved at my former teammate and began the walk to my truck.
                          
Later that night, I worked out harder than I ever had before. I took out my hurt, anger, and frustration out on the punching bag. I pictured Andrew's face for getting me into this situation, but mainly I saw myself. I was angry I let myself get into that situation, but a huge part of it was anger that I'd let Nova slip away. Adaptation blasted through my headphones, another lingering reminder that my time with Nova had been real. Lately, this song was all I'd play. It reminded me of her so much, it sometimes hurt to hear it. "Smith cool off, or you'll injure yourself." The trainer told me. I grunted in response and gave the bag one final hit.
                          
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Later that night I was walking over to Subway, and I saw Nova's familiar hair in front of me. As if she knew I was back there she turned around. She froze on the street and I did too. Neither of us moved and soon more people stood in between us, blocking one another from view.  I watched as Nova turned and walked down the street, almost ghostlike. 
                          
After seeing her, I wasn't hungry anymore. It had been the first time I'd seen her outside of school in almost months. And the worst part about it was, she was with another guy. She looked at peace and happy at least. She was almost the complete opposite of me; I struggled every time I saw her to hold myself together. It took all of me not to burst into anger or to talk her into being my girl again. It was as if she'd taken a huge piece of me with her when she walked out of the door that night.  Hurricane Nova had wrecked havoc on me, and I was starting to believe I deserved it.

                          
Nova's POV:
It had been a long week at school. Monty was back to being his usual annoying self, and Valerie had begun to say a few words to me. Ricky had given up all together and started sitting with Bailey's minions. I tried to do my mountains of AP homework when I got home, but I wanted Subway.  As I walked out the door my phone started to ring. My Caller ID said it was Harry so I answered. 
                          
"Hello?" I said into the phone. "If it isn't the queen of my heart, Nova Sparks!" Harry said into the phone. I giggled at what he said, and I put the car in reverse. "Yes Harry?" I asked. It was good to hear from him, especially after a week like this. "I'm in Taylor for the weekend, and I was wondering  if you'd like to pick me up. We could stay together this weekend." He offered. I knew exactly what staying with Harry this weekend would imply, but I found myself agreeing anyways. "Sure. I'm on my way to Subway now. Give me an address and I'll pick you up on my way." I told him. Harry gave me his address, and I told him I'd see him in 20 minutes tops. 
                          
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"Hey doll." Harry said as he got into my car. I smiled at him, and it was the first genuine smile I'd given anyone in awhile. He kissed my cheek and asked me how I'd been. "I've been okay." I told him honestly. He looked at me skeptically which was his way of telling me he knew I was lying. "What was his name?" He asked quietly. I found myself trying to say it, but it kept getting lodged in my throat. "Nova, baby, you're not okay. You don't have to pretend with me." Harry told me softly. We pulled up to Subway, and he grabbed my hand as soon as we got on the street. 
                          
When we walked out, I saw him. He was in his gym clothes, clearly just coming from a workout. I had heard from Valerie that he joined the wrestling team, so he must spend all his time at the gym. Looking at him, it was like time had stopped. Neither of us moved and people kept blocking my view of him. Harry came out to where I was, and we walked to the car. I walked away without looking back.
I held onto Harry's hand the entire time. 
                          
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I kissed Harry's neck slowly like he used to like. "Nova you don't have to do this." He told me, his voice deep. "I've had a long week, and I haven't been fucked properly since you left. I want this." I told him. "Baby--" He groaned before I pressed my lips to his. I needed a distraction from Bo, and Harry was worth all of this guilt I knew was coming later. His hands instinctively went down to my waist as the kiss deepened. 
"Are you sure?" Harry asked me one last time. I already had most of my clothes off by now, and I confirmed his question by pressing myself against him. "Let's take this slow." He told me before I lost myself in him. 
                          
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Harry held me in his arms as I traced the tattoo that was on his chest. "You're different." He told me. I looked up at him expecting him to explain himself and he smiled down at me. "In a good way, baby. If I'd told you last year to take it slow, you probably wouldn't have let me." Harry said. 
"Well you're different too." I answered. "I don't remember us ever being that gentle with each other. And you've got tattoos, a tan, your hair is longer, and you're not as squishy anymore." I babbled off. Harry laughed at me for a good five minutes, and I blushed furiously. "You're still cute Nova." He told me after he calmed down. I smiled up at him before kissing him again.