The Night I Met Harry

Winter:
“Gosh, Danny! You can’t just do stuff like that. That really freaked me out.”

I stood in from of him as he leaned against his car. His facial expression made it clear he hadn’t been getting it. His hands reached down to snug into his pockets as if waiting for me to finish.

Winter:
“Well…?”

Danny:
“I don’t understand how sending someone flowers can be spun into a bad thing.”

His voice was too calm, causing me to feel annoyed. I wondered why he’d done it in the first place, if Harry saw that I wasn’t sure what he’d do. Probably break his hand this time.

Winter:
“Really? "I know where you live?!”

Danny:
“No. I said that as a joke because you haven’t been answering my calls. Calm down, what’s your problem?”

I had to contain my anger. I took deep breaths as I tried to piece together what an idiot he’d seemed to me. Maybe I was overreacting just a little because of the possibilities of who it could have been. The memory flashed around in my head momentarily as I pushed it away silently.

Danny:
“Are you okay?”

I fingered through my hair, starring over at him in guilt. I had to admit this could have been worst.

Winter:
“I’m sorry. I have too much on my mind, okay. It’s just a lot has happened since we last spoke…”

Danny:
“Well I would know if you were talking to me.”

Winter:
“You know why I haven’t.”

Danny:
“Oh. Do you always do what Harry says?”

His tone was mocking as he now stared up at me. I’d never thought about it like that.

Winter:
“Don’t do that. How would you feel if I was with you and random guys sent flowers to my house?”

Danny:
“First, I’m not random. It’s different. And what was I suppose to do just lose you as a friend completely? Got you to talk to me didn’t it?”

I felt drilled. The exchange was beginning to make me a little exhausted so I decided not to reply. Up until speaking with him I’d been thinking the worst, so maybe he wasn’t that bad. I didn’t want it to be like before where the relationship I was in caused me to neglect my friends. I’d definitely be discussing this with Harry later. Shame caused me to speak before I’d been ready. I was sure Harry would disapprove, but we were just friends. I was sure how we met was a factor in why he'd been so insecure about Danny and I, but it was almost comical for him to think anyone was hotter than he was. I missed him already.

Winter:
“Look. I’m hungry; you want to go grab something?”

I witnessed his demeanor change immediately.

Danny:
“Sure, get in.”

I hesitated before moving.

Winter:
"Just know that if you ever try anything, I'm never talking to you again."


--

Danny:
“And you didn’t tell me!”

Winter:
“See this is why I didn’t… relax. I’m fine, it was just some jerk.”

I continued my focus to the contents of my plate as I felt his eyes on me. I made sure to leave out the part about my asthma, in attempt to avoid any more pity.

Danny:
“Still, that’s a little unsettling. As long as you’re okay, I guess. What’d Harry do?”
I remembered in that moment the bruises that were still visible on his hand, and wondered what he’d been doing.

Winter:
“You know what he did. Can we change the subject?”
I swirled the pasta around on my fork while I waited to hear from him. I couldn't help but feel it wasn't as good as Harry’s.

Danny:
“So what have you and Harry been up to?”

Winter:
“Actually I go back to work this Monday, so Cate wants Harry and me to double date with her and Austin.”

I sipped at my glass of water casually.

Danny:
“So what do you plan on doing?”

I glanced over at my phone as a vibration interrupted the conversation.

Winter:
“Uh, bowling.”

It was Sarah apologizing for the other night. Each had been doing so one by one though I hadn’t yet filled them in on what’d happened. I wasn’t at all mad at them, because it wasn’t their intention to cut the night short.

Danny:
“Sounds fun. Does he bowl?”

Winter:
It’s alright. Had fun.

I’d text her back as I listened to Danny. I exited to the homescreen when I saw the time.

Winter:
“Not sure yet... Is it really 7 o’clock? Danny we should go?”

I wondered why I hadn’t heard from Harry. I didn’t want to send him signals that I’d still felt different about us. He didn’t have to work tonight, so I was glad we’d have time to talk. I prayed it wouldn’t be an argument.

Danny:
“Alright, I got the check.”

I reached for my wallet before he could object. At least I could tell Harry I paid for my own food.

Notes

Made some errors but corrected them. The next chapter is longer. I'll post it soon. LOVE YOU FOR READING :)