It feels like we've traveled back in time from Holmes Chapel to Phoenix. Coming and going around the same hour, 5am, and on the same day. It's Thursday May 15, 2014; my graduation day. I'm finally set free into the world, as if I hadn't been enjoying it already.

Now back in my simple room of only three posters, still of The Beatles, it doesn't feel quite like home anymore. Harry's out for an early jog around the neighborhood and I'm guessing dad's downstairs making a pot of coffee. He said mom was having trouble resting last night and took a melatonin supplement to help her sleep, otherwise she would've been up to greet us.

I've already set my outfit aside for this evening; an ivory button blouse with a long black bow and skirt. Forget about the sparkly evening gowns most of my classmates will be sporting, my unique style suits me. It won Harry over didn't it?


There's nothing left to do but wait. I open my laptop to blog about my pre-graduation jitters and check my emails. I read one from Calvin stating that my first check has been deposited this morning into my bank account. Aside from wishing me good luck today, he also assigned me to write a brief update on the band's fan-site and Facebook by next Monday. Great! Billy's the last person I want to talk to.

The door opens and I see my beloved mother, a natural beauty with the biggest of hearts. Her smile is as wide as the room and I immediately fall into her arms. She's still my home. I revert back to that little girl that could do no wrong in her eyes. That's why its important that I not stay here, I'm not that baby girl anymore. I'm a young woman, and Harry reminds me of that transformation everyday.

Mom wants to gather some old photo albums and look through them in the family room. As embarrassing as this will be for me, I'm sure Harry will love the idea. Speaking of Harry, I hear him come through the door down stairs. Mom then leaves the room to prepare breakfast and I take my clothes to the laundry room for ironing.

Carefully hanging my clothes once I return, my phone alerts me of an unread text. It's Troy. He says his trip isn't at all what he expected but there's no further details as to why. I ask him to explain but have a feeling he won't. Suddenly my door creaks.


"Hey, how was your run?"

"Ummm. . . good," Harry answers with a blank stare. He seems burdened by something.

"What's wrong?" I scowl.


His hand is still on the door as he contemplates to take a step towards me. His brows burrow and his mouth tightens. I can see his jaw lock up the more I observe him, giving me more reason to worry.


"Nothin'."

"Then . . . why the hesitation?"


Harry walks over with his wet hair, smelling like fragrant body wash. Grabbing my waist he holds me in front of him as he sits on my bed. He takes a moment before making eye contact and licks his lips. What has him so tongue-tied?


"Let's take a nap."

"We can't, mom's expecting us downstairs. Come on."

"No!" Harry jumps to his feet and begins to whisper. "Let's just-wait here . . . a bit."


My eyes narrow in on his conspicuous behavior but before I can question anything my phone beeps. I see a response from Troy asking me to call him when I get the chance. Harry also glances over my screen and turns serious with the flare of his nostrils.


"Why does he want you to call him?"

"Am I not allowed to have guy friends, Harry? I mean, since you clearly drove my last one away," I push away to head towards the door but his long fingers immediately wrap around my arm.

"Hey hey, where's this comin' from?"

"I'm not the one hiding things. And your jealousy act is getting old."


Harry lets go and I give him another minute to see if he'll open up but he doesn't even flinch. Making my way downstairs, my parents are waiting in the family room with two photo albums already open. There's an empty spot between them on the couch but I'm more concerned about the lack of foot steps behind me.


"Is Harry coming down?" Mom asks.

"He should be joining us soon."


We get through one album and its still just the three of us. A scary thought hits me. I left my phone on the bed, though I have nothing to hide, if I find out he's gone through it again . . . we may have a serious issue. As I think of the ways to spy in on him, slow footsteps grow louder.

Harry walks in and smiles at my parents but it's not his most vibrant one. He grabs an album off the coffee table and sits in the armchair across from us. I catch him several times really studying my parents and then me, leaving me uninterested in this nostalgic trip. Harry complains every time I shut down, he can't expect to get away with the same treatment.


"Will you excuse me a minute," I utter to my parents and walk towards the armchair. "Can I speak with you?"


Walking straight to the guest room, I turn around with arms crossed as I wait. Harry's expression hasn't changed but this tension is building a rather unhealthy cyst of anxiety in me.

"Talk!"

"This is YOUR day . . . that's why I'm really strugglin' bout what to do here. And while I feel it isn't my place, I still don't wanna keep anythin' from you," Harry drags his feet to the closest chair by the dresser.

"Harry, you better spit it out. I don't like this."

"I was in here gettin' dressed bout to run up the stairs when I overheard your mum . . ."

"And . . ."

"I didn't get much. All I heard her say was "I feel like I should tell her now" but your dad interrupted and said somethin' like "wait till tomorrow at least"."

"What? Tell me what?!" My voice dips.

"I dunno, Jude. She sounded . . . afraid."

"What? What could be that important yet they feel the need to wait?" I try making a run for it, if anything is bothering my mom, I need to know.

"Please don't-don't say anythin'," Harry blocks my way. "Wait . . . wait till they bring it up."

"But Harry . . . what if it's something really bad. Something completely unexpected. Do you think they want to get a . . ."

"Don't jump to conclusions. That's why I didn't want to say anythin'," Harry begins to caress my arms. "Focus on tonight."

"Oh-kay."

---

Everyone's in the car, dressed and pressed, yet I can't take my mind off what Harry shared earlier. I'm looking for clues, as I usually do when something doesn't seem right. Either my parents have a hidden talent for acting or I'm just not looking hard enough. Harry squeezes my hand in what I think is a means of comfort, until I see straight ahead.


"What's with all this traffic?" my dad asks oblivious to what Harry and I are fretting.


Mom darts her eyes back at me with concern. Yes, it's exactly what we were thinking. Harry is shaking his head and breathing deeply while I'm thinking of a way around this. There's a huge line into the parking lot and that's no surprise, the bigger problem is the fan mob waiting at the entrance of the stadium, including the sharks with their cameras at hand.


"How did anyone even know?" I scratch my forehead.

"Is that . . . for you, Harry?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Pierce. I had no idea."

"Tammy, why don't you take Jude inside. I'll stay with Harry and figure this out."


Mom and I nod as we unfasten our seat belts. Climbing out of the car, Harry hands over my toga and I quickly slip into it before giving him one last apologetic glance.


"I'll meet you inside. Don't worry, babe," he smiles calmly.


We speed walk in between the stalled cars, joining the stampede of graduates and their loved ones. Placing my cap on, I keep my head low in case someone should recognize me. This idea is silly to me until an older man calls out my name. That sends a wave of chatter and shoves as the girl's assume that Harry is near.

I manage to get inside untouched, leaving the trail of lightning flashes behind. But it doesn't end here. I puff and look to my mother who seems shocked out of her mind.


"Welcome to my world now, mom," I chuckle nervously.


Once she fixes my cap properly, we take a few more steps inside only to be confronted with puzzled faces. One of the faculty members offers to take our picture and we oblige. We are then handed the ceremony pamphlets while being led to the seating arrangements between the graduates and the audience of proud relatives.

Sitting in this chair amongst my classmates, a moment I've awaited since the first day of college, a flash of memories play before me like holograms. I look around at the many familiar faces but few I've gotten to know. Regardless, we share this one last day. Some more excited than others who are too distracted by their phones; they should be taking all this in.

"Hey Jude," I feel a tapping on my shoulder. "What was that outside? I was walking a few feet behind you when all that happened."

"Umm . . . I really don't know," I answer back over my shoulder.

"Oh. Are you going to Linc's grad party tonight?"

"I'm not sure."

"You should come!"


The thought of Harry and my dad making it in safely causes me to look pass my friend Selene. I sit as straight up as possible to scan the back but it's too hard to tell. Feeling a vibration in my skirt pocket, I quickly reach in for my phone.


I'm very proud of you daughter :) We all are. -Dad

Turning in my chair just enough to see my dad wave back at me, I'm filled with so much emotion. My eyes fall along the row to the seats beside him and onto the curly head next to my mom. This moment is hard to beat.

"Is Harry back there?" The person to my left inquires.

"What's that?" I respond caught off guard.

"Our celebrity guest Carly was raving about," he continues.

"Carly?" My need to know every excruciating detail takes the front seat but I'm forced to swallow my tongue at the tapping of the microphone.

"Good evening everyone . . ." Roger begins and I'm nailed to the chair. I thought he said he wasn't coming.


I can't bear to see Harry's expression right now.

Notes

A/N: Chapter Playlist

"Poison & Wine" -The Civil Wars

"Tiptoe" -Imagine Dragons

"Believe" -SafetySuit

---

Extreme shout out to all you amazing girls for voting and subscribing. I'm thrilled to the stars. :) ciao bellas