The Night I Met Harry

I sat there on with my legs folded into the chair on the patio as I listened to the sounds of morning. I’d cuddled up with my sketchbook on my lap and a pencil between my fingers as I continued a picture I’d been working on all week. His skin was smooth beyond the paper and I’d gotten his intense eyes to look identical now. I took a deep breath as I absorbed the inspiration he gave me. I’d pulled the house coat to better conceal my body when the chill of the morning air was slightly encouraged by the wind. The pencil stroked the paper softly as I got my feelings off my chest. My hangover from the wine last night was loosened when I’d took some aspirin awhile ago when I’d woken up. I tucked my hair behind my ears while my eyes stare down at the paper.

Harry:
“Good Morning.”

I jumped slightly at his sudden appearance, turning the sketchpad over to conceal what I’d been drawing. His hair was messy but it was something I took pleasure in knowing why. A blanket had been wrapped around his waist as he now stared down at me.

Winter:
“Jesus. You scared me.”

I took the pencil tightly between my fingers.

Harry:
“Come inside, its freezing.”

I got up slowly as he waited for me to follow him. I closed the patio’s door behind us as the warmth of the room greeted me. He sat on the bed while I stood and watched him attentively.

Harry:
“Can I see?”

I clutched it into me at his words. Not that I didn’t want him to see, but it was one of the only things I’d been insecure about. And I'd never shown it to anyone.

Harry:
“Please…”

He’d been so adorable and I’d stood there like a child unable to say a word. My feet took steps toward him as my fingers reached it out to him faced downward. His arm was made the rest of the way as he took it slowly turning it over. I witnessed his eyes widen slightly. He looked up at me briefly before drawing his eyes back to the picture of himself.

Harry:
"Winter. It’s amazing...and painfully accurate..."

He remained quiet while he continued his examination for what seemly like forever before resuming.

Harry:
"Did you stare at me for this?”

He looked up for my answer and I shook my head slowly in response.

Harry:
“Tell me.”

I looked down at the red nail polish that glistened on my toes. It seemed a lot more interesting in that moment than any before it.

Winter:
“I already know where everything is…I don’t have to stare at you.”

His eyes were still fixed on me and I felt myself grow nervous at how that’d came out.

Winter:
“…If you think it’s weird, I’ll stop…It’s just… my equivalent to a diary, you know.”

The words escaped quietly. He patted the area next to him for me to abide.

Harry:
“You’re not weird, you’re my girlfriend. It’s okay. I love it…and I’d like to see more.”

I took a deep breath before reaching over him to turn the page. He seemed so fascinated by even the smallest detail.

Harry:
“It’s so hot that you do this.”

I began to loosen up the more he’d approved. There was nothing more I wanted than to be open with him…and it actually felt nice.

I’d gotten up from his side, taking his hand.

Winter:
“Come on. I want to go for a walk before everyone wakes.”

Harry:
“Sure, I need fresh air anyways. Can I take this, I want to see more.”

Winter:
“…Okay… ”

--
We’d been walking for an hour and conversation had effortlessly spilled between us all while he continued his quest through my sketchbook.

Harry:
“This is Allison.”

I stare ahead as the wind softly continued to brush my skin. This was a beautiful neighborhood and something told me we were still the only ones up.

Winter:
“Yea. I miss her, so…”

Harry:
“You know…I didn’t think I’d like babysitting. But with you…it was nice. I wouldn't mind doing it again.”

It was nice to hear, because I’d definitely be seeing about that as soon as we got back. He got quiet for a moment before closing the book and reaching for my hand. I tried possessing the book back from him but he held it from my reach.

Harry:
“I’m not finished. But I want to talk…tell me something that I don’t know about you.”

We both stare ahead now as we walked slowly in unison beside one another. It was quiet and peacefully in the area as we roamed awake with nature.

Winter:
“Uh, I don’t know. I’m not exactly sure what you know already.”

I felt his fingers relax between mine; As if in momentary thought.

Harry:
“…I know you play with your hair when you’re nervous... You twirl your thumbs together or take deep breaths when you've been thinking about something too deeply. I know you blink quickly when you’re confused or overwhelmed, and it’s hard for you to sleep when you’re away from me. Your favorite color is green and you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books... You’ve given up on cooking because it’s more intimate when you eat something I’ve made you. You love your job but the best part of your day is seeing me. And I think you love my hair, because you don’t hesitate to pull when…well you know…”

He laughed quietly.

Harry:
“I love when you do that, don’t worry.”

He’d knew I’d been slightly embarrassed by his observation. He brought my hand to his lips to peck it lovingly.

Harry:
“…You have three piercings in each ear and you love how crazy your friends are; I know you love them. Sometimes you have two left feet and you hate the idea of me seeing you cry. Come to think of it, you hardly ever cry…I’ve only seen you once, and I remember it broke my heart that I’d caused it.”

I was impressed that all the information was more than correct. In fact I was pretty sure he knew me better than I knew myself…but he’d mentioned everything but Scott. I wanted to know what he got from that because I wasn’t sure myself. I turned to him, hoping this wouldn’t dampen things. We were good at communicating and I just wanted to be open with him. About everything.

Winter:
“What about Scott?”

He’d taken a moment of silence while we walked along the pavement. We’d still been going in the opposite direction from the house.

Harry:
“…Squeeze my hand if I say something false.”

I nodded my head as I prepared myself to play his game.

Harry:
“…You were so receptive the night we’d met…not because you enjoy the idea of cheating but because I was a stranger and oddly I’d made you feel things he didn’t. I know you loved him.”

He paused profoundly as my mind took trips to those distant memories and back.

Harry:
“You still love him…I know you do…But you’d never go back to him, because he’s not me. I can see you love me more than anything now…”

My fingers still hung loose in his hand. I was surprised at the things he’d been reading from me when I thought I’d held that part of me together.

Harry:
“And maybe it was just sexual attraction for you then but…I was already obsessed.”

I squeezed at how vulgar that sounded for me...like I was a whore who’d wanted nothing more than to hookup with some random guy when I’d had a boyfriend. I let his hand go as they began to shake. I tried convincing myself it’d been from the wind.

Winter:
“We should probably head back.”

He pulled me closer, taking my face in his hands.

Harry:
“What’d I say?”

I turned away cautiously from his grip.

Winter:
“Nothing. They're just probably looking for us.”

Harry:
“...Don’t push me away. Don’t do that.”

His tone was gently and pleading as he regained my hands contact with his.

Harry:
“We have a while before we get there, so just talk to me.”

We began walking in the direction we’d come from and though we’d taken a straight shot I still hoped we hadn’t got lost.

Winter:
“I’ve never been just sexual attracted to anyone before. Females are different…There’s always something else, or I wouldn’t have let you touch me. I would have kneed you below your pelvis.”

I felt him wince with the thought.

Harry:
“Understood.”

My phone began to vibrate in my pocket after his reply. I’d taken it reluctantly before seeing the caller flash across the screen. I answered it quickly.

Winter:
“Hey mom. Sorry I didn’t call you back last night, I was just uhh…Really busy.”

Harry’s lips kissed my cheek as he enjoyed the memories of last night. Surprisingly enough I remember everything despite the alcohol consumption.

Linda:
“It’s alright hun. But you need to know something.”

Winter:
“Don’t say it like that, you’re scaring me. What is it?”

She took a deep breath before her confession.

Linda:
“Scott stopped by to see me the other day. Winter, he told me everything.”

I stayed quiet until I had a feel for her directive approach.

Linda:
“It’s okay. I trust your judgment, that’s not entirely why I’m calling.”

Then I needed her to get to it already.

Linda:
“He says he misses you…and he’s gotten you a ring.”

My fingers gripped the phone tighter in impulse. The effects of my hangover seemed to have conveniently swum back, as my head began to spin. Was he insane? There was no way anything would go any further with me and Scott and I’d thought he understood that.

Winter:
“Why is he doing this?”

Linda:
“He says you’re his…Sweetie I need to see you. He’s not himself after you and I’m worried about the lengths he’ll take. Now I tried talking to him, but he had his mind set.”

I pulled Harry closer impulsively.

Winter:
“It’s alright mom, I’m with Harry…I’m bringing him to meet you sometime during the week alright?”

I felt a sound of relief on her end. It really was amazing how supportive she was of me. I’d never been a problem child so my judgment, in her eyes, was just as good as hers.

Linda:
“That’s wonderful.”

I could feel her presence comforting me through the phone.

Winter:
“Thanks for calling. I’ll call back later today alright.”

She’d said goodbye to me before hanging up.

Harry:
“What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath as I tried to control my trembling hands.

Winter:
“Scott went to see my mom…She says he’s not himself and she’s worried about me.”

I felt his mood shift immediately with the idea.

Harry:
“I’ll handle it.”

He said it sternly and his grip had tightened tremendously.

Winter:
“…What does that mean?”

He looked down at me before looking out beyond the day’s light in front of us.

Harry:
“Don’t worry about him. I will…handle it.”

Instant flashbacks of the way he handled that guy at the club came swimming back. I laid my head into him in fear. I was stupid to think everything would remain normal for long.

Notes

I'll be posting sometime next week.