The Night I Met Harry

I barely wore converses but Harry had instructed me to keep them on. My hair fell around my face as I watched him and his friends talking from across the room. I’d looked up at his friend Alex, who continued to question me. I assumed he was emo from the connotation of his appearance and the eyeliner that lay heavy around his eyes.

Alex:
“And between me and you… he talks about you a lot.”

I’d barely heard the last of it as he mustered it through a whisper. I smiled to myself with the thought. I felt him absorb my reaction before leading me over to more of his friends. A girl leaned against the kitchen counter as she poured large amounts of alcoholic drinks. My arm was released when we’d gotten to her as he began again.

Alex:
“This is my girlfriend, Leah… This is Winter, Leah.”

She stopped what she’d been doing, turning and embracing me in a smile. She seemed warm and welcoming though she hadn’t yet said anything. Her hair was cut short with messy curls crowding her face. Her hazel eyes were the first to catch my attention as I held contact.

Leah:
“Hey. This is Winter?! Oh my gosh, you’re so pretty.”

I was wrapped in her arms before I could say anything. I hugged back voluntarily as if I’d none her forever. All of his friends were so nice and it made me feel closer to Harry now that I knew the people he was secure to. She released me grabbing a glass and placing it in my hand as I watched Alex leave the room with a smile. I sat up on the stool beside her as she continued preparing everything.

Winter:
“Thanks. Uh…does everyone bartend?”

It was interesting watching as she swirled the bottles like I’d seen Harry do many times. She laughed briefly.

Leah:
“No, it’s just for fun.”

She was obviously good at it. I’d observed that she was an easy person to talk to, and I knew then that we’d likely be friends in the days after this.
I looked around at the many people that now filled the house. It wasn’t decorated but it was easy to tell it was well kept. I felt alone even with her the longer I wondered where Harry was.

Winter:
“Do you always have these things?”

She now sat beside me, full attention on something other than the shot glasses now.

Leah:
“Only when it’s my turn. Harry’s next in line.”

They all seemed pretty close, and I felt kind of glad to be a part of it. She’d gotten up pulling me toward the next room and guiding me in the direction of the couch.

Leah:
“We all want you to feel comfortable. If you’re important to Harry, you’re important to us.”
I took that in briefly as I stare down at my hands. A group of people now entered through the way we’d just came. It was a group of guys accompanied by a girl with hair that slightly resembled mine. I took in her feminine appearance as her presence became familiar. Leah moved closer to me, her eyes looking in the direction I’d been studying.

Winter:
“Who’s that?”

I looked over at her for assurance as her expression changed profoundly. I started to feel slightly like she was reluctant to answer the question.

Leah:
“Oh…That’s Jessica.”

I’d felt a boil of heat spill through me at hearing her name. I wasn’t entirely sure I understood why she’d been here but maybe I’d been missing something. I felt in that moment as if I were intruding on their gathering, or inserting myself in their circle. My stomach was slightly sick again. By the look on her face I’d assumed she knew about her being here. I questioned if they all hung out like this when I wasn’t around… and if that had been why Harry still kept in contact with her before. I excused myself, before getting up and walking quickly over to the place I’d laid my coat.

Leah:
“Winter, wait.”

She grabbed my arm, crossing boundaries I wasn’t sure we’d had up until now. I turned around in warning for her to release me.

Winter:
“Don’t worry. Just remembered I have a thing, is all.”

I didn’t at all expect for her to believe me but rather for her to drop the subject. She was nice. But now my feelings were hurt.

Leah:
“Winter, come on. Don’t be mad at Harry. It’s my fault. I didn’t invite her… but I didn’t exactly uninvited her either.”

Winter:
“Did he know she would be here?”

She’d looked down to confirm my worries, her curly hair rounding her face and making her childlike and small.

Leah:
“I don’t know.”

Winter:
“Nice meeting you, Leah.”

I’d put on my coat on the way out of the door, shutting it quietly behind me; though I doubted that anyone would notice with all the commotion.
Something told me everyone back there was still use to Harry showing up with her. I wondered how stupid I looked imposing on their get together. Maybe it just wasn’t my place, and it just hurt that things weren’t different. I took deep breathes, encouraging myself to forget about it. I’d texted Cate as I walked along the night’s air.
---

Cate: " Winter, you have to take at least one."

No. I knew exactly what that meant, and everyone knew I couldn’t hold my alcohol. I watched humorously as they take shots of Everclear, one after another. I was sure it'd be disgusting by the color. She’d uncapped another tall glass bottled and passed it to Austin. I’d never met him before, but I assumed by their contact that they’d been dating. I’d drill her later for leaving me out on the details.
I watched as Cate took her turn, holding her head back and swallowing quickly before making an expression similar to tasting a sour lemon.

Winter: " No way."

I laughed as our friend Josh knocked his back, taking to his a little worst than Cate had hers. He'd slammed it down, sliding it in front of me and filling it up. I shook my head back and forth as they encouraged me further.

Josh: "Come on Winter, just this one."

They were never going to let this go. He shoved the small glass between my fingers as I stare at it blankly. I closed my eyes in defeat, bracing myself and swallowing to wet my throat. I held the glass up quickly before pouring the contents straight down, cringing as it passed my taste buds and spilling down my throat. They cheered in approval. Honestly, all alcohol was awful but I was sure I knew the reason they drank it anyway.

Cate: "Not bad right. You have to try this other one."

I sighed burying my forehead in the palm of my hands. This would be a long night.


Caitlyn and Austin had gone for takeout, leaving me and Josh on the couch. We sat socially conversing as I browsed Netflix.

Josh:
“So tell me what happen with Scott.”

I looked down as a pool of guilt devoted my mood. His name followed me everywhere I went.

Winter:
“Not talking about it.”

I was brief, but I’d expected him to catch the hint.

Josh:
“Why? I’m not flirting or anything, I swear.”

Winter:
“Then why are you asking Josh?”

His facial expression changed to reflect amusement at my words.

Josh:
“Maybe, I’m nosey.”

That was agreeable but I’d kept it to myself. I fingered my hair from my face noticing my phone battery had gone out. I sighed to myself as I looked up to see him studying me.

Josh:
“Okay. Well at least tell me about Harry.”

My movements became unsure, and in that moment I wondered who else Cate had informed.

Winter:
“What else did she tell you?”

I continued my attempt to bring my phone back to life.

Josh:
“She? Harry told me.”

His words were coming as a surprise to me so I’d chosen to keep quiet. I wasn’t sure whether or not I took him seriously.

Josh:
“You don’t believe me.”

No.

Winter:
“You know Harry?”

Josh:
“Since High School.”

I felt slightly uneasy, both from the conversation and my previous consumption of alcohol.

Josh:
“He’s really into you, you know.”

My thumbs twirled around themselves as I thought of his amazing curls. I’d sat wishing things in my life weren’t so complicated. I needed to just relax and just let things happen as they were meant to.
---
I sat in a taxi with Josh as I tried focusing on the things around me. I was sure I was more than drunk. I watched as the trees passed by the window quickly, the motion of the car making me dizzy.

Josh: "Wait here okay."

I heard him tell either me or the driver. He'd gotten out and opened my door on the opposite side.

Josh: "Winter, come on."

I swatted his hands away subconsciously, refusing to move from the spot I’d made comfortable. I heard him laugh in reply, as he reached for me again. I was pulled upright and led up the driveway to my front door. I saw that the lights were on though everything failed to register. I rummaged in my bag for a moment, until I heard the jiggle of the keys. I pulled them out slowly before repeatedly failing to put the key in the lock. I heard Josh laugh loud and uncontrollably as I mimicked without intent. I tried again. The darkness made it impossible for me to tell what I’d been doing. I’d started to laugh again when the door was swung open from the inside.

Winter: "I told you, you were making too much noise.”

The laughing continued from his side as he kept me from falling.

Josh:
“No you didn’t.”

He’d mustered through his giggles.

I heard myself continue unaccountably, my vision slightly blurred. I turned as I felt Josh's hands against my back.

Harry:
“What is she doing with you?”

I was grabbed and studied quickly.

Harry:
“And why is she drunk?!”

By the sound of his voice I could tell he’d been furious, and I was more than happy I wasn’t on the receiving end.

Josh:
“She had a few shots, it was nothing. She’s fine.”

They’d been talking about me like I wasn’t there, though in this state I might as well have not been.
I felt Harry sigh deeply as I buried my face into his chest. I knew he was pissed, whether or not it’d been at me or the situation.
My giggles had left me, now replacing itself with extreme fatigue as I realized my sensitivity to the light of the house.

Harry:
“Josh…This doesn’t happen again. Got it.”

I assumed he’d given him a nod when Harry had slammed the door. I felt my feet leave the surface of the floor as I was carried like a child.

Harry:
“Where is your phone? I was worried.”

And I was too out of it to comprehend anymore. I hummed into him so he’d know I’d been listening… or at least attempting to. There was a more slow and steady sigh that released his anger.

Harry:
“…We’ll talk about this in the morning…”

And that’s the last I remember.

Notes

Posting the next this weekend. LOOOVVEEE you for reading. Subscribe,