Permanent
Chapter 21
Ellie Hoover
“I still can’t believe this,” Gemma said, waiting to dry the dishes I was washing.
“Believe what?” I questioned.
“You being here. I never thought I would see you again after I heard you were going so far for college. You had always hated it here.” That was news to me, I thought.
“Well, here I am. I even surprised myself coming here to be completely honest. But I’m so happy Nana forced me to come out,” I sighed and handed her another wet dish.
“Everyone was so overjoyed, let me tell you. And I know Harry was the most excited out of all of us. Crazy you two met in Seattle.”
“Everything is crazy,” I laughed while my mind took me back to a couple days prior with my conversation with Harry about our relationship being crazy.
“Speaking of Seattle, how do you like it there?” She asked.
“I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. It’s amazing. Have you been?”
“No, sadly. Maybe I will come visit some time though!” Gemma clapped after setting the towel over her right shoulder.
“I would really like that,” I smiled. “And maybe I could even get you to model off some of my stuff,” I joked, half serious though.
“Yes!” I laughed at her overjoyed reaction. “I am sure Harry would be more than happy to do it also. Pose for you,” Gemma snickered. I gave her a questioning look and opened my mouth to speak.
“Are you guys talking about me again?” Harry’s voice entered the room from behind us.
I turned and looked at him unamused. “Yes, Harry. Because we talk about you all the time.”
His forehead rose with his eyebrows and his lips curved up. “Of course you do.” He took three long steps to reach me and pulled me into his with his long arms. I was trapped by Harry, his arms squeezing me almost to death. Due to my height, my head fell at his sternum and I was so close to him that I was almost suffocating; Harry left no empty space between the two bodies. I couldn’t even take a breath big enough to speak. My arms were left awkwardly at my sides and all I had to look at was the detail in his black sweater.
“Aw you love me. That’s why you’re obsessed with me. Don’t worry I love you too,” I heard him with my ear that was not jammed into the black material, covering Harry’s chest. He started spinning his torso with his body still wrapped around mine. I was forcefully whipped around under Harry’s lockdown, unable to escape. I lifted my limp arms that were resting by my sides. My hands slipped under his shirt and grazed up the sides of his torso. I felt the familiar warmth of his skin on my fingertips and I think at that point he felt my cold hands because he stilled at my touch. I’m sure he was confused until my fingers moved in an effort to tickle him. I succeeded when I felt his chest rise and fall in a rush of laughter and his body shake to let me free. I stood before him and we both stared at each other and smiled before breaking out in a fit of giggles.
“Haz, you nearly broke El!” Gemma yelled, ceasing our laughter.
“Haz?” I questioned, looking at Harry. His face revealed sorrow before he responded.
“It’s my nickname,” he said quietly. “You gave it to me when we were younger.”
“Oh,” I bit the inside of my lip. It was still a soft topic to touch on. The oven beeped, signaling the pie nan just baked for dessert was ready. Nan walked into the room with her usual smile.
“Thanks for doing the dishes, girls,” she said while grabbing an oven mitt out of the door next to the oven. “Because Harry is too manly to wash dishes,” she continued.
“I wouldn’t really describe him as manly,” Gemma snickered.
“I know. Just look at the bun,” I winked.
“I don’t even have a bun in my hair!” Harry complained.
“Alright alright. That’s enough with Harry. He is quite sensitive you know,” Nan winked. Even
Harry laughed. “Time for dessert!”
We all joined the rest of the group in finishing out our last dinner in a while.
“Phone?”
“Check.”
“Passport?”
“Check.”
“My cookies?”
“Yes nan. I have double checked everything. Don’t worry,” I turned to her, standing behind the island and trying to hang on to the tears glossing over her eyes. I walked from my spot at the breakfast table and reached my hands out to hug her.
“I love you nan. I will see you before you know it. Thank you for forcing me to come,” I murmured into her shoulder.
“I know, sweatpea. I just don’t want to let you go again.”
“I promise to come out and visit you more. I love you.”
The door shook off a knock, causing us to separate our embrace. I looked over my right shoulder to Harry, tall and lean in a pair of black jeans and his brown coat still on. His hair was down and his long waves hit the tips of his coat collars. His nose was shaded red from the cold air and snow that still encompassed the British outdoors. He looked undeniably attractive even though I didn’t want to admit it. I shouldn’t be admitting something like that about someone like Harry.
“Sorry to interrupt,” his deep voice sent shock throughout my body.
“It’s alright. We need to get going soon,” I smiled and walked to get my backpack on the breakfast table.
“I should leave now,” my voice shook. I looked up to my grandmother, now joined by my pops.
They both nodded before I went in to both of them, entrapping them with both of my arms into a hug. It was warm. Family. Something I had missed. Something I was going to miss.
“I love you both. I will call you when I touch down into Seattle,” I said, taking a step back.
“Talk to you soon, El,” pops said.
The two of them followed me out into the entryway, where Harry already had my duffel bag and luggage in hand.
“Ready?” He asked. I nodded before opening the door for him. I was hit a cold breeze and I snuggled my face down into my scarf before looking back at the two most important people in my lives; they both tried to conceal the sadness on their faces and I knew if I stayed any longer with them, I wouldn’t be able to take it.
Harry followed as I walked down the steps and into the familiar black car. I waited for Harry to get into the driver’s seat and looked out the window to the closed door of the charming familiar house I adored.
I felt a warm hand rest over mine as the car started to move forward. Harry gave my left hand a quick squeeze when I turned to look at him. We locked eyes and he smiled lightly.
“You’ll be fine. You’ll see them soon,” he said and looked back to the white powdered road
ahead.
My body was warm for the rest of the ride to the airport as he kept his hand latched to mine the whole way.
“Alright, well. I guess I will talk to you soon,” Harry said, rocking his weight back and forth between his feet.He attempted to keep his identity covered with a hat and sunglasses but I was sure it did no help.
“Yep. Thank you Harry. Really. For everything.”
“Thank you for coming back,” he paused and shot me his famous mischievous smile. “Smelly Ellie.”
I chuckled and smacked his arm.
“Ouch,” he shook his head and laughed. “Don’t forget about me. I expect five calls every day, best friend.”
“Mmmhm,” I rolled my eyes. Honestly, I thought this would all blow over and we wouldn’t really think much of each other after I left
He stepped forward and I readied myself for what was coming net. His arms wrapped around me, squeezing me nonsensically. I smiled into his shirt and felt a tear fall down. I hadn’t even noticed I was crying. He shifted me around in a circle, still holding me in his death lock. Harry left me go and looked down at me before placing a kiss on my forehead.
“You better get to your flight. Bye El.”
I nodded. “By Haz.” I started walking away and turned back to his noticeably fake smile. I kept walking though. I needed to move on back to my life back in Seattle. This was an unordinary vacation, but it was time to get back to my life.
I felt a strong hand pull me back with a tight hold on my forearm. I knew who it was just by the warmth his hand emitted. I turned and looked up to the familiar green eyes. We both got lost for what felt longer than it actually was.
He finally opened his mouth for an explanation. “Let’s take a vacation.”
“What?” I squinted. He made no sense.
“Let’s take a flight somewhere random in the world.Right now. Just you and me. Let’s go on a vacation,” he breathed out, nervously. I stood there. I knew it was foolish and I needed to get back, but I wanted to spend more time with this beauty in front of me. I wanted an adventure with him.
“Fine.”
“I still can’t believe this,” Gemma said, waiting to dry the dishes I was washing.
“Believe what?” I questioned.
“You being here. I never thought I would see you again after I heard you were going so far for college. You had always hated it here.” That was news to me, I thought.
“Well, here I am. I even surprised myself coming here to be completely honest. But I’m so happy Nana forced me to come out,” I sighed and handed her another wet dish.
“Everyone was so overjoyed, let me tell you. And I know Harry was the most excited out of all of us. Crazy you two met in Seattle.”
“Everything is crazy,” I laughed while my mind took me back to a couple days prior with my conversation with Harry about our relationship being crazy.
“Speaking of Seattle, how do you like it there?” She asked.
“I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. It’s amazing. Have you been?”
“No, sadly. Maybe I will come visit some time though!” Gemma clapped after setting the towel over her right shoulder.
“I would really like that,” I smiled. “And maybe I could even get you to model off some of my stuff,” I joked, half serious though.
“Yes!” I laughed at her overjoyed reaction. “I am sure Harry would be more than happy to do it also. Pose for you,” Gemma snickered. I gave her a questioning look and opened my mouth to speak.
“Are you guys talking about me again?” Harry’s voice entered the room from behind us.
I turned and looked at him unamused. “Yes, Harry. Because we talk about you all the time.”
His forehead rose with his eyebrows and his lips curved up. “Of course you do.” He took three long steps to reach me and pulled me into his with his long arms. I was trapped by Harry, his arms squeezing me almost to death. Due to my height, my head fell at his sternum and I was so close to him that I was almost suffocating; Harry left no empty space between the two bodies. I couldn’t even take a breath big enough to speak. My arms were left awkwardly at my sides and all I had to look at was the detail in his black sweater.
“Aw you love me. That’s why you’re obsessed with me. Don’t worry I love you too,” I heard him with my ear that was not jammed into the black material, covering Harry’s chest. He started spinning his torso with his body still wrapped around mine. I was forcefully whipped around under Harry’s lockdown, unable to escape. I lifted my limp arms that were resting by my sides. My hands slipped under his shirt and grazed up the sides of his torso. I felt the familiar warmth of his skin on my fingertips and I think at that point he felt my cold hands because he stilled at my touch. I’m sure he was confused until my fingers moved in an effort to tickle him. I succeeded when I felt his chest rise and fall in a rush of laughter and his body shake to let me free. I stood before him and we both stared at each other and smiled before breaking out in a fit of giggles.
“Haz, you nearly broke El!” Gemma yelled, ceasing our laughter.
“Haz?” I questioned, looking at Harry. His face revealed sorrow before he responded.
“It’s my nickname,” he said quietly. “You gave it to me when we were younger.”
“Oh,” I bit the inside of my lip. It was still a soft topic to touch on. The oven beeped, signaling the pie nan just baked for dessert was ready. Nan walked into the room with her usual smile.
“Thanks for doing the dishes, girls,” she said while grabbing an oven mitt out of the door next to the oven. “Because Harry is too manly to wash dishes,” she continued.
“I wouldn’t really describe him as manly,” Gemma snickered.
“I know. Just look at the bun,” I winked.
“I don’t even have a bun in my hair!” Harry complained.
“Alright alright. That’s enough with Harry. He is quite sensitive you know,” Nan winked. Even
Harry laughed. “Time for dessert!”
We all joined the rest of the group in finishing out our last dinner in a while.
“Phone?”
“Check.”
“Passport?”
“Check.”
“My cookies?”
“Yes nan. I have double checked everything. Don’t worry,” I turned to her, standing behind the island and trying to hang on to the tears glossing over her eyes. I walked from my spot at the breakfast table and reached my hands out to hug her.
“I love you nan. I will see you before you know it. Thank you for forcing me to come,” I murmured into her shoulder.
“I know, sweatpea. I just don’t want to let you go again.”
“I promise to come out and visit you more. I love you.”
The door shook off a knock, causing us to separate our embrace. I looked over my right shoulder to Harry, tall and lean in a pair of black jeans and his brown coat still on. His hair was down and his long waves hit the tips of his coat collars. His nose was shaded red from the cold air and snow that still encompassed the British outdoors. He looked undeniably attractive even though I didn’t want to admit it. I shouldn’t be admitting something like that about someone like Harry.
“Sorry to interrupt,” his deep voice sent shock throughout my body.
“It’s alright. We need to get going soon,” I smiled and walked to get my backpack on the breakfast table.
“I should leave now,” my voice shook. I looked up to my grandmother, now joined by my pops.
They both nodded before I went in to both of them, entrapping them with both of my arms into a hug. It was warm. Family. Something I had missed. Something I was going to miss.
“I love you both. I will call you when I touch down into Seattle,” I said, taking a step back.
“Talk to you soon, El,” pops said.
The two of them followed me out into the entryway, where Harry already had my duffel bag and luggage in hand.
“Ready?” He asked. I nodded before opening the door for him. I was hit a cold breeze and I snuggled my face down into my scarf before looking back at the two most important people in my lives; they both tried to conceal the sadness on their faces and I knew if I stayed any longer with them, I wouldn’t be able to take it.
Harry followed as I walked down the steps and into the familiar black car. I waited for Harry to get into the driver’s seat and looked out the window to the closed door of the charming familiar house I adored.
I felt a warm hand rest over mine as the car started to move forward. Harry gave my left hand a quick squeeze when I turned to look at him. We locked eyes and he smiled lightly.
“You’ll be fine. You’ll see them soon,” he said and looked back to the white powdered road
ahead.
My body was warm for the rest of the ride to the airport as he kept his hand latched to mine the whole way.
“Alright, well. I guess I will talk to you soon,” Harry said, rocking his weight back and forth between his feet.He attempted to keep his identity covered with a hat and sunglasses but I was sure it did no help.
“Yep. Thank you Harry. Really. For everything.”
“Thank you for coming back,” he paused and shot me his famous mischievous smile. “Smelly Ellie.”
I chuckled and smacked his arm.
“Ouch,” he shook his head and laughed. “Don’t forget about me. I expect five calls every day, best friend.”
“Mmmhm,” I rolled my eyes. Honestly, I thought this would all blow over and we wouldn’t really think much of each other after I left
He stepped forward and I readied myself for what was coming net. His arms wrapped around me, squeezing me nonsensically. I smiled into his shirt and felt a tear fall down. I hadn’t even noticed I was crying. He shifted me around in a circle, still holding me in his death lock. Harry left me go and looked down at me before placing a kiss on my forehead.
“You better get to your flight. Bye El.”
I nodded. “By Haz.” I started walking away and turned back to his noticeably fake smile. I kept walking though. I needed to move on back to my life back in Seattle. This was an unordinary vacation, but it was time to get back to my life.
I felt a strong hand pull me back with a tight hold on my forearm. I knew who it was just by the warmth his hand emitted. I turned and looked up to the familiar green eyes. We both got lost for what felt longer than it actually was.
He finally opened his mouth for an explanation. “Let’s take a vacation.”
“What?” I squinted. He made no sense.
“Let’s take a flight somewhere random in the world.Right now. Just you and me. Let’s go on a vacation,” he breathed out, nervously. I stood there. I knew it was foolish and I needed to get back, but I wanted to spend more time with this beauty in front of me. I wanted an adventure with him.
“Fine.”
Notes
This chapter is a little wonky, but I am excited about the future. Thank you to all who read and comment. Love you all! I am not sure if I will be able to update this weekend or not... Halloween weekend!
Please please please vote and comment. I would love suggestions for the future as well.
xo.
PS anyone dressing up for Halloween?
YOU CAN'T JUST STOP HERE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE UPDATE!!!
2/25/17