The Night I Met Harry

He held my fingers wedged between his as we walked through the market. My head lie against his shoulder as we past produce toward the herbs he'd come to pick up for dinner tonight.

Harry:
"Winter, you mind getting a cart. We totally just walked past them."

I nodded before heading in the direction, folding my arms across my middle to conceal the chill of the air from my body. I picked up a sanitizer wipe and clean the handle thoroughly before continuing back. I watched him as he eyed the greenery in a manner of concentration as I pushed the cart. A girl with dark hair moved towards him, tapping his shoulder and giving a smile before I’d got there. He smiled back at her as he ruffled his hair and accepted her hug. It seemed as though keeping her hands to herself wasn’t her thing. They trailed his back from where they hugged and over the material that clung to his arms. They continued to talk as I approached them slowly. Envy was something I wasn’t allowed to feel anymore, yet I grew territorial with their closeness. I hugged into Harry as I was before, creating a little more distance between them. Her eyes fell agape me. He accepted me in front of her as I waited for their resume.

I'd obviously taken him by a surprise but his expression changed quickly to make me think otherwise.

Harry:
"This is my girlfriend, Winter. Winter this is Savannah. I've known her since high school."

I smiled to greet her and she’d hesitantly mirrored the gesture.

Savannah:
"Nice meeting you."

I didn't lend my hand or offer a hug because I didn't feel I knew her well enough. She'd turned back to Harry after taking me in.

Sarah:
"See you around, Harry."

The walk away was awkward. I watched behind her as she met up with a group of friends. He'd pulled away to stare down at me sternly.

Winter:
"…What'd I do?"

Harry:
"What was that?"

I wondered how deep each dimple
would travel to broadcast his amusement. I looked away to puzzle the thought.

Harry:
"We're just friends."

From his response, it seemed I'd been in the wrong for that. I felt instant regret for not simply walking away. I really had no problem with him having female friends though he hated the idea of it being the other way around. I kept quiet as I wondered off to get milk. A vibration drew my attention down to my phone.


Winter:
“Hey.”

Danny:
“Hey Winter. How are you?”

Winter:
“…okay.”

Danny:
“That’s great, listen. Me, Josh, and Sarah are going to go see a film. Do you want to go?”

I looked over the dates of the milk cartons closer to the front before pulling one from the rest.

Winter:
“Uh sure. When?”

Danny:
“Now. Do you want us to come and get you?”

Winter:
“I’m actually not home. I’m at the market.”

It had come to me that I was just getting use to calling it home.

Danny:
“We’re on the way.”

--

We were on the way back, laughter filling the car. It was hard not to have a sense of humor around them.

Sarah:
“The girls and I are coming over with Allison tomorrow okay. Around 12-ish.”

I nodded as I got out of the car, and waved them goodbye.

Josh:
“Wait Win, here. I and the lads got you something.”

Something about that sentence seemed really wrong. I approached the passenger side window and he’d given me a heavy box for its size. I instantly held my forehead with embarrassment as I blushed.

Winter:
“Sarah, you told them?”

Sarah:
“It was Julie.”

The laughter continued as it had all night.

Josh:
“We’re just kidding. Congrats.”

He held his hand for me to give him five. I’d done so reluctantly.

Winter:
“You’re assholes, you know that.”

Danny:
“Stop it. You know we love you.”


I was waved goodbye as I entered the door. I closed it behind me, routinely throwing my keys on the table nearest the coat rack. I looked up to see him across the room at the computer desk, his attention still held to the screen.

Winter:
“Hey.”

I sat the box on the table while I removed my coat. It was quite late by now.

Harry:
“Hey…What’s that?”

I was hoping to avoid that question but as usual it never worked.

Winter:
“Um…Josh and the guys got them as a joke. They’re condoms.”


He looked up from the screen at me. I walked over to hug him and felt alarmed when he didn’t seem all that receptive.


Winter:
“Something wrong?”

Harry:
“That’s who you went out with?”

Winter:
“No. It was four of us, with Sarah and Danny.”

Harry:
“You do realize it’s 2 o’clock in the morning, right?”

I actually didn’t, but I also didn’t see what difference it made.


Winter:
“I don’t have work tomorrow. What is your problem?”

He powered down the computer, getting up and drawing away from me.

Winter:
“Harry you said you wouldn’t do that.”

He continued into the kitchen as I followed him. He reached for a bottle of alcohol along with a small glass from the china.

Winter:
“Harry, no.”

I tried taking it but he’d held it from my reach.

Harry:
“I just need a drink, okay. Just one.”

Winter:
“I said no. Give it.”

I motioned for him to hand it over. He sighed for a moment before obliging slowly.

Winter:
“If I can’t drink, you can’t either. Just talk to me.”

He sat in the tall chair against the table quietly. I waited but he wouldn’t start.

Winter:
“Is it because I’m coming in late? I really didn’t know it was 2 am. And the condoms Harry…they’re just joking.”


Harry:
“Okay…Listen…I get that I’m not your mom or anything, but I worry about you. You’ve been gone for like seven hours, it’s late, and I’m not use to that. You’re so sensitive to everything and I just need to know that you’re okay.”

Winter:
“You could have called or texted me.”

Harry:
“I would have but I thought you were pissed about the whole Savannah thing.”

Winter:
“Why would I be pissed?”

Harry:
“…Because you’re just like me. You don’t like me around other girls like that, even though you don’t say it. I can sense it.”

Winter:
“So you’re admitting that you don’t like me around other guys…because when I’m with the girls you say nothing.”

Harry:
“I’m admitting that I’m selfish when it comes to you…I’ve just been assuming that’s a good thing because I didn’t really care with other girls.”

I walked over to him to hold each side of his cheeks in my hand and squeeze gently.

Winter:
“You’re such a baby… What am I going to do with you?”

I pulled his face toward mine. His lips were warm and comforting. I felt his long eye lashes against my skin with the closeness. I went in for a hug to provide closure to our dispute. His face buried in my hair as it always did. It was the most soothing feeling I’d ever received from another person.

Harry:
“You can’t just be out at 2am with my child.”

I found uncontrollable humor with his tone. I let go to look up at him. He smiled as I continued loudly while setting the alcohol back where he’d gotten it. I wiped my eyes as the tears formed with hilarity. There was no way I’d ever get use to hearing that.

Notes

Hi guys!!
Hello to the new subs. And sorry if there were errors. Rushed a bit because I have homework.

Hope you all are great. I will update again Tuesday. Heart you. <3

-Kristian