Mandolin Rain

Harry's POV- Chapter 9

I don't know why I lied to Elliot when I told her I broke up with Zoe. I don't know why I haven't broken up with Zoe yet. I text her the night of the baseball game but by the time she responded to me I didn't have the nerve to tell her we were done so I just kept “dating” her. Even though in my head we were done. And I've let this dumb relationship go on a whole extra month, four weeks and we've spoken maybe five times. What a joke.

Today was the big day, I was finally getting my cast off. I asked Elliot to come with me. We've been hanging out quite a bit lately, me going to personal sessions and we meet up at least once or twice a week either for food or coffee. She's so easy to get along with it's crazy.

I always get so nervous around her. I fumble with my words, constantly play with my hair to find things to do with my hands, shuffle my feet, I'm like a bumbling idiot. I notice everything she does. Like when she laughs super loud and snorts, when she bites her lip while changing lanes in traffic, she blushes whenever I tease her about her non existent social media or tease her about her music choices, how excited she gets to be outside, how she danced in the rain that one night and her clothes clung to her, how she smells, when she smiles and her whole face lights up, how excited she gets about catching fireflies, she likes to learn new things, she has a terrible singing voice but doesn't care, and how she smiles at everyone. I notice everything about her.

I hear the buzzing and realize that it's Elliot at the gate waiting for me. I can't wait to get rid of these crutches. I buzz her in without saying anything and meet her out in the driveway.

“Ready for this?” She asks me. I got the first appointment of the day, Elliot said she wanted to celebrate the whole day after I got my cast off so she found a sub for her classes during the day.

“Yes! I can't wait to get rid of these.” I stand and put my crutches in the air to show her. After I throw them in the back and hop in. I'm getting used to riding in the death trap as so I call it.

“I can't wait to see your face when they bring the saw out to cut that off your leg.” I swallow and eyes wide look at her.

“A saw?”

“Well yeah. How do you think it comes off? It's a hard cast Harry. They'll cut it on both sides and it just kind of pops off.”

“How do you know this?” I ask suddenly concerned.

“I broke my arm when I was younger, fell out of a tree obviously not showing my excellent climbing skills.” She smiles as she enters the freeway and things start to get loud.

I try to calm myself. I guess I didn't think about how they would get the cast off, it makes sense that they would have to cut it off. Now I'm nervous.

We arrive at the doctors office without saying a word to each other after she said that it will have to get cut off.

“Harry.” Elliot tells me as she parks. “Its really not bad, it doesn't hurt, they don't go all the way into your cast, they won't cut you. I promise. I didn't mean to freak you out.” She explains as she takes her seat belt off and reaches behind to grab my crutches. It's a pattern for us, she drives, gets my crutches and helps me out. I need to start doing things for her.

“I know. Just nervous.” I reply with every scenario playing in my head.

I check in and we wait, it doesn't take long since I'm the first appointment. Elliot asks if I want her to wait in the waiting room but she already knows that I want her back with me.

We sit and wait in the room and I can't stop my leg from bouncing. The nurse comes in with a tray of tools, including a hand held saw. My eyes dart nervously around and my leg continues to bounce until Elliot places her hand on my lower thigh.

I turn to her as she whispers, “Its okay Harry. It will be over before you know it.” I don't know what I'm thinking but I slide my free hand on top of hers and lace my fingers with hers. She doesn't pull away. We just sit there fingers intertwined and all I can think about is how she instantly calms me. I've never been around anyone who does this to me.

A knock at the door and quick opening makes Elliot jump as she tries to pull her hand away, I won't let her.

“Hi Harry. How are you doing to day?” Dr. Hansen asks me.

“I'm good, ready for this to be over with.” I tell him.

“Well it won't take long. Just a quick buzz and it should come clean off.” He smiles at me and pats the table. “Hop on up.” He tells me.

I let go of Elliot's hand and do what the doctor tells me. I tense up when he pulls the extension out of the table for my leg to go on and look at Elliot. Of course she's smiling at me. I try to smile but it comes out as a nervous frown.

When the doctor starts up the saw my eyes go wide and Elliot is instantly at my side, I grab for her hand without hesitation. She doesn't pull back, just lets me squeeze it as hard as I can when the saw starts grinding into my cast. Just like Elliot promised, it doesn't hurt a bit. I feel a little stupid for acting like I did but I'm not going to admit it.

After two quick swipes on each side, the doctor takes some scissors and cuts the gauze like material to pull it off the rest of the way, it slides off with ease and like that, my leg is free. It looks gross, but it's free. I wiggle my toes in appreciation.

“Alright Harry, you're all done. It will take you a little bit to get used to walking without the crutches but by the end of the week you'll be fine. You might feel some pain walking on it, it's normal, take a rest and if it continues even with some ibuprofen make sure to come back and we can check it out. Schedule an appointment in two weeks to see how everything looks okay?”

I nod and carefully hop off the table.

“I'm going to use the restroom before we go, meet you out front.” Elliot tells me and walks out the door.

“You have a pretty supportive girlfriend there Harry.” He tells me, I can't even correct him.

“I do, she's beautiful as well.” I smile at the thought of her.

“Lucky man.” He shakes my hand and walks out of the room as I collect the paperwork he got me and walk out to meet Elliot in the lobby.

“So I have a surprise for you to celebrate your victory.” She has a cheesy smile plastered all over her face.

“Oh I can't wait.” I say with sarcasm. “Before we do anything I need to go back to my house and shower, finally scrub this leg.

“Fine. But then you're mine. We're going to DISNEY!” She shouts and throws her arms out to spin around.

Oh my God, I'm going to Disney with a five year old. And I'm beyond excited.

Notes

So we finally know that Harry likes Elliot!

Let me know what you think of how the story is developing! :)

And if you want a Liam story, feel free to read my first story, "Give me Love like this."

Have a beautiful day!