"Morning" Harry greeted his mom as we walked into the kitchen where she was.

"Nice to actually see you today" she smiled. Harry and I had a lazy day and just sat in his basement watching movies all day.

"Oh, this is my friend, Aubrey by the way" he said as he stood back to let us shake hands. I felt embarrassed because I was wearing a pair of Harrys sweats and I haven't taken a shower since yesterday, but Harry had convinced me that I looked fine before we came upstairs.

"Hello Aubrey" she greeted me. "It's nice to meet you, glad to see you're making friends" she said as she looked at Harry.

"Speaking of friends we're going to a bonfire at our friend Ryan's so I probably won't be back until late" he said as he led us to the door, like he was trying to end this conversation as soon as possible.

"Well your father and I are leaving for Miami in a few hours, so you're all alone again"

"Alright, have fun." He said as we left the house.

It saddened me a bit thinking about the lack of relationship Harry has with his parents. Even though my parents are gone for multiple weeks straight, I am still able to maintain a healthy relationship with them, and I just wish Harry could have that too. It must be hard for him. He really has no one.

We got in Harry's Range Rover and drove to my house so I could shower and get changed for Ryan's bonfire. He was having the team over and some cheerleaders were going as well. It was nice to see Harry click with my group of friends, even though he was still a bit reserved around them. He was improving!

****

"I didn't realize it was going to be this chilly tonight!" I said as we arrived at Ryan's and got out of the car.

"Tell me again why you thought it would be a good idea to wear a tank top to a bonfire?" Harry jokingly asked.

"Because I just got it! Isn't it cute?"

"Very cute" he laughed. "Here, take this" he slid off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

"Then you're going to get cold!"

"It's fine, I came prepared!" He said as he unrolled his long sleeves and chuckled.

"Thanks, Harry"

We walked to the back of the big house and met everyone around the blazing fire.
****

"Aubrey what are you looking at?" Sophie asked me. The girls that were at Ryan's and I had ended up in the kitchen while the guys talked football out back.

"Is that Harry?" I asked, squinting my eyes trying to make out the face on the dark figure that stood outside the window.

"It looks like it. Why? He's just on the phone..." Sophie asked me confused.

"I don't know, he just looks weird... I'll be right back" I stood up from the stool I was sitting on and made my way through the house. I walked to the side of the house where Harry was standing by himself.

"Okay, I gotta go.. Thanks for letting me know" Harry said into the phone as he saw me. He took the device down from his ear and placed it into his pocket. "Hey Aubrey.. Sorry I have to get going, can you get a ride home with someone else? I know you wanted to stay longer"

"Who was on the phone?" I completely ignored his question.

"Just a friend from back in Phoenix, so can you hitch a ride with Maddie or Sophie?" He asked again.

"Why do you have to go? We just got here!"

"I just have to go, dammit Aubrey!"

"Woah" I took a step back. I had never seen him so angry.

"Aubs, I'm sorry..." He ran his fingers through his curls "I really need to go" he said as he walked away from me.

"Harry!" I chased after him. Whatever his friend said on the phone obviously upset him. "It's fine, I'm ready to go now anyways" I said as I caught up to him.

We silently got into his car and he began driving. After a few minutes he pulled over on the side of the road and put the vehicle in park.

"Harry what are you doing?" I asked. He had rested his forehead on the steering wheel and let out a sigh. "What did your friend say to you on the phone?"

He took a deep breath before saying anything. "One of my friends was in a car accident... It was really bad, Aubrey" He quietly said before he choked up. He ran his hands through his hair again.

"Oh my God..." He didn't have to say it, I knew his friend must've passed away. I didn't know how close they had been, but I know that this is really affecting him.

"I'm so sorry, Harry" I leaned over the center console and wrapped my arms around the silent boy. "Why don't you let me drive home" I unbuckled my seat belt, and opened the door, Harry doing the same thing.
I walked around the front of the car, and when I crossed paths with Harry, I stood on my tip toes and gave him a tight hug.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked as I adjusted the driver's seat and pulled back onto the road.

"No, I'll be fine. I'm just in shock, that's all." He said. I had a feeling that was a lie. He hadn't cried, but I knew this was really hurting him.

"Are you sure? Why don't you stay at my house tonight..." I asked.

"Alright" he agreed.

Notes

Wrote a lot today... So excited for you guys to read the next few chapters! :D

thank you for all of your comments, I love reading them! xxxxxx

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