The Night I Met Harry

I had awaken once again with the satin feel of the sheets beneath me. I took a moment to embrace them before reaching to Harry's side of the bed. I was draped with intense confusion as I forced open my eyes. He was always remarkable at waking when I was removed from him but I guess I couldn't say the same. I sat up piercing the room over before swinging my legs around to hang off my side of the bed. I forced myself up to walk toward the where the dresser was stood. A note was stuck against the mirror wearing the handwriting I'd become so use to.

Harry:

Went out for a bit. I'll see you soon, babe.


So he was leaving me alone to roam. Weird, I have to admit after his actions yesterday but I didn't see the point in not coming to terms with it. I headed for the bathroom attached to the bedroom. The fancy tiled floor repeatedly met the skin on the palms of my feet until I'd reached the sink, pulled my hair back into a tie, and began brushing my teeth.

Another note held temporary contact with that mirror as I finally encouraged my sleepy eyes fully open.

Harry:
You should probably head to the living room now.


I smiled to myself at both the increased confusion and how clearly I could hear his voice in my head as I read. I finished up, washing my face quickly as to see what all the fuss was about. I took the steps one at a time. From mid-thigh downward everything was bare from where his shirt had stopped. I loved wearing them because to me even when he wasn’t here, he was. I walked down the hall, listening to the echo my footsteps had given the house. I folded my arms over my chest in habit, my head held down while I still adjusted to the brightness of the day. My heart cheered when I saw them, noise immediately filling the room. I'd missed them intensely. Attention seemed to be held to my ring as they smiled and expressed their excitement, the scene was overwhelming just as always. Rachael, Julie, Sarah, and Caitlin from left to right. A group hug had taken place as I tried to process their words individually.

Julie:
"We're going to kill you. Why didn't you tell us?"

I was so use to it's clutch on my finger now, though I didn't exactly have an answer for them. Things were a little complicated when I first received it and the last thing I thought of was calling them in an excitement.

Winter:
"I'm sorry. A lot has happened."

Caitlin:
"Good. We have catching up to do."

They hovered their fingers over my stomach as I stood there. I had to admit it was a little weird the first time around when I'd told them, but from Harry doing it so much and I think I'd grown into it.

Sarah:
"Aww, it’s an actual bump now. How long have we been away?"


They pulled me toward the couch. We laid in every direction into it. One hand against my stomach, another in my hair where they'd released it from the tie, and others at my fingers to better see the ring. We talked about everything that had been happening. But I couldn’t help that the longer I'd thought, an increase in questions begin to surface.

For starters they hadn't said anything about the black ring beneath my eye. Not a word. And on a weirder note, they didn't at all tell me how or why it was they'd gotten here.

Winter:
"Wait. How are you guys here. What's going on?"

Silence for a moment, then a resume in conversation when I assumed they'd thought of something.

Rachael:
"Oh- we just heard you missed us."

Sarah:
"Yea, and we're suppose to take your mind off of things."

They looked toward her as if she'd said something she shouldn't have. This wasn't fair. I didn't like being left out of things and I usually didn't have that feeling around them. They told me everything so to be on the opposing side was a little upsetting.

Winter:
"Why haven't you asked about my face?"

Silence again. I was beginning to create scenarios in my head. Either they'd already known, or he warned them and instructed them not to ask about it. Ugh this was annoying.

Julie:
"Let's not talk about that okay. You should eat something."

Caitlin:
"Yea, we'll make it for you."

Wow. It just like having Harry here. This was really bizarre but I guess I'd just approach it with hesitance for now.


We'd eaten and sat around for awhile when I received a text from Harry.

Harry:
Hey. Go in my wallet and get the black card in the first slot. Spend whatever you want, it's yours. You and the girls have fun.

I read it repeatedly, trying to figure how he'd planned this far and I had no idea about it.

Winter:
You didn’t have to do that Harry. And when will I see you?

I focused my ears back in on what topic the girls had switched to, as I thought in the blanks. I was eager for his reply when the phone vibrated against my fingers. An incoming call. It had been from a number I hadn't recognized but remembered it calling before. I motioned for the girls to quiet down before answering.

Winter:
"Hello?"

Mason:
"Oh hey, you answered."

Immediately I'd felt I shouldn't have.

Winter:
"Uh yea, Hey Mason. Did you change your number?"

Stupid question. Obviously I’d blocked his so he’d been calling from another. They all looked my way as if silently asking who it was. We had hardly any friends that all of us didn't already know about so maybe that was what it was.

Mason:
"How are you?"

Winter:
"Alright."

After that conversation with Harry, this was really awkward for me. I prayed the girls wouldn't make it worse.

Mason:
"The weather's great. What are you doing today?"

I bit my nails subconsciously.

Winter:
"I actually have company today."

Mason:
"Oh."

Really awkward.

Mason:
"Okay. We'll do something another time."

No we won't.

Winter:
"Alright."

I hung up quickly. Pulling my eyes from the phone to again rest on the group in front of me.

Rachel:
"Who's Mason, Winter?"

It was similar to when Harry had first asked about him.

Winter:
"Just some guy I met here."

Julie:
"A guy you met? How’d you meet him, is he hot?"


I held my face in my hands at how predictable that statement was.

Winter:
"Uhh, sure."


Harry:
Soon. Enjoy your friends.

--


The evening had fallen over us and I was now fully dressed, and for the millionth time, forced in a chair while they focused on concealing the dark mark on my face. It had taken awhile now.

Winter:
“Sarah, not so much okay. You know I hate that.”

Respectfully, I loved the art of the whole “putting on your face” thing that they did, but I also never liked the idea of smearing it off during a hug on other people.

Sarah:
“Just hold still.”
And that brush constantly gave me the urge to sneeze. I sighed with relief when she finally pulled back in a matter to let me go.

Sarah:
“So difficult, gosh.”

I wouldn’t argue with her now that I was free to go. Which begged the question…

Winter:
“Where are we going, and why do I have to dress up for it?”

Rachael:
“We’re just…going to dinner…”

Poor liars, all of them. I glance in the mirror as I walked by when I saw it.


Winter:
“That’s awesome, Sarah.”

It was completely covered and for the first time wearing make-up, I felt like myself.


Sarah:
“You like it, terrific. Let’s go.”

--

I walked with them a slightly fitting dress that showed my bump. The heels were pumps so hopefully I wouldn’t have to worry too much about discomfort. My hair was curly but not naturally as always once Rachael found the curling wand. I took a deep breath as we approached the building from the parking lot.

Winter:
“You know…”

I began on the way up the stairs on the outside.

Winter:
“If you’re going to tell me we’re going to dinner, it has to at least look like a restaurant.”

Or maybe it was, I don’t know. It was quite hard to tell from the outside though lights gleamed bright from the inner.

As we entered, my fingers tightly clung to one of the girls, I was heavily approached by the people about the room. The first thing I noticed was how high the ceiling was at a quick glance, when my brain started to put together individuals clear to vision. I smiled with excitement when I began to recognized friends, family, and even people I considered neither. His friends greeted me after mine. Everyone had been connected in the same attire, beautifully and I felt overwhelmed with the urge to cry. It was a really happy feeling and the hormones didn’t help. Hugs were given and hands hovered against my stomach and I felt surprised in the fact that I hadn’t felt weird about it at all. I turned to see the curls approaching from the crowd. He looked so handsome in his dark blazer and button up, dimples in full effect as he stare at me as well.

I looped my arms around his neck with his request for a hug in fear I’d smear Sarah’s masterpiece.

Winter:
“You’re really sneaky you know that,”

They cratered deeper on either side of his face accompanied by his pearly white teeth. He pecked my lips as everyone watched us and I felt myself settle into comfort. He rubbed on the tips of my hair as if resisting the urge to run his finger through it in habit.

Harry:
“You’re so pretty.”

I blushed like an eight year old at his compliment. The room hummed of conversation and laughter as everyone met. We talked there for a bit, people approaching periodically with smiles and passing on. I studied the corner stacked with gifts, silently being thankful for how great our friends and family were. We touched a lot with the attraction we held, but I knew there would be no sex. I sighed humorously with that thought. Just then he turned me around to point to someone emerging from the crowd as he held my waist firmly. I gasped with surprise.

Winter:
“Mom.”

I walked halfway to meet her. I was sure the makeup had rubbed off that time but it didn’t appear on her shirt after the hug. She pulled me away I assumed either because the noise of the room or she had something important to relay. I followed behind closely as we stepped into a room just outside of that one. It was a fancy place with lots of mirrors and chandeliers positioned throughout.

Linda:
“It’s been too long. You weren’t showing when I saw you last.”

She smelled of something sophisticated. Her hair was curly and dark like mine giving me the intense feeling of looking into a mirror.

Winter:
“I know, it’s great. I actually love the bump, mom.”

I still hadn’t wrapped my mind around being some else’s mom but I’d figure that out later. Her smile dimmed on a more serious note. I did the same in mental preparation.

Linda:
“Is everything alright, sweetheart? You know, with Harry.”

She tucked her hand behind her ear as she studied me. I didn’t yet know how to respond but she listened anyways as I said nothing.

Linda:
“It’s just the last that we talked-“

Oh. For a minute there I thought maybe I had smeared the makeup and my eye was somehow revealed to her. I smiled with that realization to assure her.

Winter:
“Everything’s great. We just weren’t communicating before and-“

I trailed off, looking along the floor for the answers.

Winter:
“He’s great. We’re great, I promise.”

She returned my smile by giving her own. I hadn’t stayed for very long when she kissed my hand and began withdrawing away from me.

Linda:
“You’re father wants to talk to you, honey.”

Was that a joke? If the wall wasn’t there for stability I would have been in trouble. I stood against it, turning to see him there. I hadn’t for awhile…and honestly I didn’t know how I felt about that. I could never think of leaving my child, or not seeing her for months at a time…no matter how old she’d gotten. He was dressed nicely as well though I rarely ever saw my dad without a suit anyways. This get together was obviously something Harry had done to make everyone aware of our engagement, but I wondered if it were his first even knowing of Harry. Especially being that my mom didn’t talk to him anymore…and these days I had no reason to.

Carl:
“Hey.”

That was sad if it were the case.

Winter:
“Hey…dad.”

I hated him for being too busy to call or even send a card to see how I was. I was an only child and closer to my friends than I was to him these days and that was kind of sad to think about. I didn’t really want to talk or apologize or whatever it was this meeting called for. I didn’t want an explanation or anything verbal. I walked toward him burying my head into his chest as his arms wrapped tightly around me. I didn’t cry in fear I’d smear the makeup…but I did inside.

Carl:
“I’m sorry dear.”

Over his shoulder I could see Harry there watching. I didn’t know how he’d gotten him here but I loved him eternally for it. His dad wasn’t here but I’d embraced his mom when we’d first arrived. We stood there for awhile but he hadn’t let go…so neither did I.

--


The day had become darker the longer we stayed out here. Tumbles of waves could be heard in the distance. I cherished the warmth against my skin as I counted the barefoot steps I'd taken in the sand. His sudden sneeze had interrupted me causing me to lose count and start again.

Winter:
"Bless you."

He thanked me quietly, rubbing my arm gently as I looked ahead. More couples could be seen mirroring our behavior.

We held hands as we walked along the beach. The sun had gone, readying itself to set in a little while. I thought about the other night and how much more I'd be packing when I returned back to our place, breathing in the clean air at the thought.
He held his head down studying the sand and it's contents as we walked on. I held on a little tighter hoping it would rid whatever glum thoughts that had settled with him.

Winter:
"Something wrong?"

Everything had seemed great lately but something was wrong. He acknowledged me nonverbally before resuming.

Harry:
"I'm fine."

I guess I never knew how annoying that was coming from my lips until it'd come from his. Especially when something was obviously off. I let it go looking away and rubbing my stomach palm side down with my free hand. I wondered if it were about Mason. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned to him the fact that he was still calling me.

Harry:
"We need to talk though..."

He squeezed gently, slowly up the pace of our movements. I wasn't sure I liked the sound of that considering his behavior lately. He'd been kind of quiet and sure he was use to that with me but he was different. I sort of missed that glowing personality that constantly gave meaning to my life.

I waited for him to speak. A knot formed in my stomach with anxiety from the longevity of the pause.

Harry:
"You're not going to like it, babe."

I stopped completely to turn toward him. The wind pushed at me from west bound, taking my hair and fabric of clothing with it.
I silently praised his glowy skin in an afterthought. He was extremely beautiful to look atbut I feared I'd think differently depending on his next few words. What now? It was always something stirring between us, yet still always something new to surprise me.

Harry:
"I'm-"

He hesitated like the rest had somehow gotten caught in his throat on the way out. Goosebumps pricked my skin as we stood apart facing one another.

Harry:
"I'm going away for a bit."

The hair of my eyebrows found each other as I begged silently for his repetition. I think the thing that rubbed a bit too harshly at first impact was that I wasn't included in that sentence. I held my breath a little as hesitantly decided to continue.

Winter:
"Going? You're going where? Why?"

He closed his eyes liked I'd been being difficult, but you'll trust me in believing he hadn't saw that side yet.

Harry:
"Its...just for a month. I have some business to take care of."

I dropped his hand quickly while wondering his reason for being incredibly vague. In a month I'd be almost four months pregnant. The thought of the nausea and the seemingly endless nights I'd spend without him made me increasingly nervous. I tried speaking a few times but my thoughts we moving a little too quickly for me to read, myself.

Winter:
"Business? What business, Harry?”

For a second he wouldn’t talk and that panicked me. They shot one after the other and he’d sighed with patience. And honestly that had killed me. I saw the rejection approaching.


Winter:
“I mean- did I do something?"


Harry:
"Winter. It'll be fine. You'll be alright."

What the hell was he talking about? I would not be alright. This was so confusing. I mean, first I'm not allowed out of his sight...now he's leaving me. Just last night everything had been fine. No. No. I wanted him fornow, tomorrow, and days forthcoming. The air had become denser and the calming waves were now giving my anxiety with their constant push to shore.

Winter:
"Harry, that's not happening."

He stepped closer, hands on either side of my arms as my hands met my face.

Harry:
"Don't-"

He instructed after predicting my tears. I pushed them back forcefully at how mean he now appeared to me.

Harry:
"This is already hard enough. I’ll try to make it less than a month, okay. That’s all I can promise."

I was quiet as I felt the sensation. Not the one I loved but the one I never longed for. I didn't allow the salty drops to fall even though they begged me...even though the wind blew against my eyes in encouragement. I didn't know what else yet to say so I said nothing...Everything else around us becomes less interesting...less of a beauty than before. I held my head up, allowing him to win the conversation. Not because I wanted but because the knives were still alive in my heart's chambers.
I turned for us to continue our walk rejecting his fingers when they went to tangle in the gaps of my own.

Such a beautiful day.

Notes

Hoped everyone liked this chapter.

I've actually started my second fanfiction entitled, "Rage", if you want to check it out.

Hope you all like it. Thanks.

Link:
http://www.harrystylesfanfiction.com/Story/49183/Rage/