HALF A HEART
Chapter 14
Annie’s POV
I stumbled down the stairs on Saturday morning and like always, I got out the loaf of bread that Harry baked for me and stuck a few slices in the toaster. I was so excited because after this week we’d be on Holiday Break and I wouldn’t have to worry about school or any of that shit. I could just be with Harry and the rest of the gang and it’d be amazing. And what makes it even better, is that Harry loved the painting I painted for him. I had worked so hard on it and I was SO nervous to give it to him. I don’t even know why.
My mom walked into the kitchen and sat at one of the island chairs. I turned around from the toaster, “Hey mom. How are you?”
“Hm?” She said glancing around the cup of coffee pressed to her lips.
“I just asked how you were?”
“I’m fine sweetheart.”
I nodded and turned back to the toaster when it popped. I started spreading the slices with butter and watched how the white oily food disappeared almost as soon as it touched the steaming bread.
“Honey we’re going back to the States for Holiday Break and we’re leaving tomorrow.” My mom blurted out.
I almost dropped the knife I was using to spread butter with…No…She has got to be kidding me… I turned around to face her and I could tell she was nervous about telling me. “Why?” Was all I asked.
“Because your uncle and your grandparents would actually like to see us again. It’s been months Annie.”
“But mom, I’ve FINALLY accepted this place as my home. Now your going to drag me back to my childhood and make this harder?”
“Annie it’s our family. I can’t say no.”
“Yes you can!”
“You grandfather already paid for our tickets. I can’t say no!”
My heart dropped. I knew I wasn’t going to win, “I’m going to Harry’s.” I said grabbing my toast off of the counter and walking out the door. Yes I was in my pajamas and my Uggs. And I forgot my coat…I’m a genius I know.
I walked up to his front door and knocked on the door lightly. I didn’t want Harry or his family to think I was angry with them. I heard footsteps approach and the maple door swung open.
“Annie!” Harry’s mom greeted me.
“Hi Anne.”
“Dear girl are you crazy! It’s freezing outside where is you coat? Come in. Come in.”
I walked into Harry’s now familiar house and the heat wrapped around me like a blanket as Anne shut the door.
“Is Harry here?” I asked.
“Yes, but he’s still sleeping. Go ahead and wake him up. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”
I nodded and walked up the stairs and opened the door to his bedroom slowly. Harry was crashed on his bed with his sheets in a tangled mess. He was lying on his stomach with his hands sprawled out. His curls were even wilder then when I would see him during the day. I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly to myself as I walked over to his bed. I sat down next to him as slowly as I could so I wouldn’t disturb him. I reached my hand over and started combing my fingers through his soft curls. He took a deep breath and stretched his arms. He started rubbing his eyes and then he looked at me. His emerald eyes grew wide.
“Annie!”
“Hey babe.” I laughed.
He rolled over onto his back, curled one of his arms around my waist and pulled me against him in a massive hug. He kissed the top of my head and then looked at me, “To what do I owe this fine honor?” He asked.
I sat up again. I took a deep breath and said, “My mom told me something today.”
He sat up. His covers falling off of him showing me he was wearing only boxers. I felt my cheeks turn pink. “What did she say?”
“My mom and I are going to the States for Holiday Break…”
His emerald eyes grew to the same size as when he saw me sitting on his bed when he woke up, “You have GOT to kidding me…”
“I wish I was.”
“When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
He let out a deep sigh, “Well that really sucks. Will you be gone the whole break?”
I nodded. “My grandfather is paying for us to come visit so I doubt we’d only go for a week.”
He cocked his head at me and stuck out his bottom lip, “But I want you here with me.”
“I want to be here too.” I smiled weakly.
He cupped my face in his hands and pressed his lips to mine. He put one of his hands on the back of my neck and pulled me harder against me. I squealed as he fell back on his pillows with his hands wrapped around my waist. I rolled on my back and laid next to him so we were both staring at the ceiling.
“So what do you want to do today love?” He asked keeping his emerald gaze on the white ceiling.
“Anything as long as it’s with you.” I breathed.
“Well alrighty then.” He said and jumped out of his bed. I sat up and leaned against the headboard of his bed and watched him dig through his dresser. He slipped on some denim jeans and a light blue dress shirt. He ran his fingers through his curls and turned back to look at me. “Okay I’m ready!”
I rolled my eyes, “I hate guys. They take five minutes to get ready and still look ruggedly handsome. If a girl were to spend five minutes on her appearance you wouldn’t recognize us.”
“Well just judging on your attire alone and your messy bun still kind of frizzy from sleeping I would guess you didn’t spend even a single minute ‘getting ready,’” He put up air quotes, “Yet you still look just as beautiful.”
I felt my mouth twitch into a smile and my cheeks turn pink. I walked up to him slowly and locked my hands around his neck, “Why are you so good to me?” I asked.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. He kissed me with his tender lips. His lips tasted slightly like artificial cherries like he had used Chap Stick. I smiled against his mouth at the thought of him using cherry flavored Chap Stick though I wasn’t surprised.
I pulled away from his lips and stared into his emerald eyes though I didn’t remove my hands from behind my neck and he didn’t remove his arms from around my waist. “I have to get dressed.”
“Call me when you’re ready. I’m going to think of something to do while you’re gone okay?”
I nodded and kissed him again, “Okay babe.”
I started walking out of his room when he called my name. “Annie honey at least take my sweater. I know it’s not that far of a walk but it’s incredibly cold out right now.” He tossed a purple pullover sweater with the words, “Jack Wills” printed in big white letters. I slipped it over my head and welcomed the familiar scent of Harry as it wrapped me like a blanket.
“Thanks Haz.” I said and walked down his stairs and out his door. I walked back to my house kicking rocks as I went. I was still upset with my mom. I felt the same as I did when she told me we were moving to London. No, this wasn’t as extreme; I’m not moving back to the States. I’m angry at my mother in the same way I was that day she told me that my life was going to change forever. I understood why we had to go…But that didn’t mean I was okay with going….or that I was more eager to go.
I stumbled back into my house and ignored my mom calling my name from the living room. I walked back up to my room and searched my closet for something to wear. I thought back to what Harry had put on: jeans and a dress shirt so he probably wanted me to wear something decent. I dug through my dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of my black tights. I inched them on and slipped on a black and dark pink dress. The sleeves were ¾ length. The design reminded me of Aztec designs. It was round-neck and the skirt draped out from my stomach and fell to a little below my mid-thigh. I took my hair out of the messy bun that I had slept in and flipped my head over to shake out the natural curl. I flipped my head back up and ran my fingers through my hair. I put on some make-up that made my eyes pop but still looked somewhat natural. I slipped on some flat black boots and grabbed my phone from my dresser.
I called Harry’s cell. He answered after two calls. “Ready love?” He asked.
“Yessir.” I chirped.
“Alright I’ll be there in a second. Love you.” And he clicked off.
I walked down my stairs and found my mom in the kitchen, “I’m gonna go out with Harry today Mama.” I said. I wasn’t asking.
“Okay honey. Just make sure you’re back in time to pack.”
“Okay.” I rolled my eyes when she wasn’t looking at walked out the front door. Harry was standing with the passenger door open, waiting for me to occupy the seat inside. When he saw me a smile grew on his face and his eyes lit up. His cheeks flushed pink and walked to meet me.
“You look gorgeous Annie.” He said and gave me a lingering kiss. He stepped away and gestured that I get in his car. I obeyed willingly and sat down in the familiar car. My heart fluttered with the anticipation of the day. This was exactly what I needed: just a day filled with Harry.
I stumbled down the stairs on Saturday morning and like always, I got out the loaf of bread that Harry baked for me and stuck a few slices in the toaster. I was so excited because after this week we’d be on Holiday Break and I wouldn’t have to worry about school or any of that shit. I could just be with Harry and the rest of the gang and it’d be amazing. And what makes it even better, is that Harry loved the painting I painted for him. I had worked so hard on it and I was SO nervous to give it to him. I don’t even know why.
My mom walked into the kitchen and sat at one of the island chairs. I turned around from the toaster, “Hey mom. How are you?”
“Hm?” She said glancing around the cup of coffee pressed to her lips.
“I just asked how you were?”
“I’m fine sweetheart.”
I nodded and turned back to the toaster when it popped. I started spreading the slices with butter and watched how the white oily food disappeared almost as soon as it touched the steaming bread.
“Honey we’re going back to the States for Holiday Break and we’re leaving tomorrow.” My mom blurted out.
I almost dropped the knife I was using to spread butter with…No…She has got to be kidding me… I turned around to face her and I could tell she was nervous about telling me. “Why?” Was all I asked.
“Because your uncle and your grandparents would actually like to see us again. It’s been months Annie.”
“But mom, I’ve FINALLY accepted this place as my home. Now your going to drag me back to my childhood and make this harder?”
“Annie it’s our family. I can’t say no.”
“Yes you can!”
“You grandfather already paid for our tickets. I can’t say no!”
My heart dropped. I knew I wasn’t going to win, “I’m going to Harry’s.” I said grabbing my toast off of the counter and walking out the door. Yes I was in my pajamas and my Uggs. And I forgot my coat…I’m a genius I know.
I walked up to his front door and knocked on the door lightly. I didn’t want Harry or his family to think I was angry with them. I heard footsteps approach and the maple door swung open.
“Annie!” Harry’s mom greeted me.
“Hi Anne.”
“Dear girl are you crazy! It’s freezing outside where is you coat? Come in. Come in.”
I walked into Harry’s now familiar house and the heat wrapped around me like a blanket as Anne shut the door.
“Is Harry here?” I asked.
“Yes, but he’s still sleeping. Go ahead and wake him up. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”
I nodded and walked up the stairs and opened the door to his bedroom slowly. Harry was crashed on his bed with his sheets in a tangled mess. He was lying on his stomach with his hands sprawled out. His curls were even wilder then when I would see him during the day. I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly to myself as I walked over to his bed. I sat down next to him as slowly as I could so I wouldn’t disturb him. I reached my hand over and started combing my fingers through his soft curls. He took a deep breath and stretched his arms. He started rubbing his eyes and then he looked at me. His emerald eyes grew wide.
“Annie!”
“Hey babe.” I laughed.
He rolled over onto his back, curled one of his arms around my waist and pulled me against him in a massive hug. He kissed the top of my head and then looked at me, “To what do I owe this fine honor?” He asked.
I sat up again. I took a deep breath and said, “My mom told me something today.”
He sat up. His covers falling off of him showing me he was wearing only boxers. I felt my cheeks turn pink. “What did she say?”
“My mom and I are going to the States for Holiday Break…”
His emerald eyes grew to the same size as when he saw me sitting on his bed when he woke up, “You have GOT to kidding me…”
“I wish I was.”
“When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow.”
He let out a deep sigh, “Well that really sucks. Will you be gone the whole break?”
I nodded. “My grandfather is paying for us to come visit so I doubt we’d only go for a week.”
He cocked his head at me and stuck out his bottom lip, “But I want you here with me.”
“I want to be here too.” I smiled weakly.
He cupped my face in his hands and pressed his lips to mine. He put one of his hands on the back of my neck and pulled me harder against me. I squealed as he fell back on his pillows with his hands wrapped around my waist. I rolled on my back and laid next to him so we were both staring at the ceiling.
“So what do you want to do today love?” He asked keeping his emerald gaze on the white ceiling.
“Anything as long as it’s with you.” I breathed.
“Well alrighty then.” He said and jumped out of his bed. I sat up and leaned against the headboard of his bed and watched him dig through his dresser. He slipped on some denim jeans and a light blue dress shirt. He ran his fingers through his curls and turned back to look at me. “Okay I’m ready!”
I rolled my eyes, “I hate guys. They take five minutes to get ready and still look ruggedly handsome. If a girl were to spend five minutes on her appearance you wouldn’t recognize us.”
“Well just judging on your attire alone and your messy bun still kind of frizzy from sleeping I would guess you didn’t spend even a single minute ‘getting ready,’” He put up air quotes, “Yet you still look just as beautiful.”
I felt my mouth twitch into a smile and my cheeks turn pink. I walked up to him slowly and locked my hands around his neck, “Why are you so good to me?” I asked.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. He kissed me with his tender lips. His lips tasted slightly like artificial cherries like he had used Chap Stick. I smiled against his mouth at the thought of him using cherry flavored Chap Stick though I wasn’t surprised.
I pulled away from his lips and stared into his emerald eyes though I didn’t remove my hands from behind my neck and he didn’t remove his arms from around my waist. “I have to get dressed.”
“Call me when you’re ready. I’m going to think of something to do while you’re gone okay?”
I nodded and kissed him again, “Okay babe.”
I started walking out of his room when he called my name. “Annie honey at least take my sweater. I know it’s not that far of a walk but it’s incredibly cold out right now.” He tossed a purple pullover sweater with the words, “Jack Wills” printed in big white letters. I slipped it over my head and welcomed the familiar scent of Harry as it wrapped me like a blanket.
“Thanks Haz.” I said and walked down his stairs and out his door. I walked back to my house kicking rocks as I went. I was still upset with my mom. I felt the same as I did when she told me we were moving to London. No, this wasn’t as extreme; I’m not moving back to the States. I’m angry at my mother in the same way I was that day she told me that my life was going to change forever. I understood why we had to go…But that didn’t mean I was okay with going….or that I was more eager to go.
I stumbled back into my house and ignored my mom calling my name from the living room. I walked back up to my room and searched my closet for something to wear. I thought back to what Harry had put on: jeans and a dress shirt so he probably wanted me to wear something decent. I dug through my dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of my black tights. I inched them on and slipped on a black and dark pink dress. The sleeves were ¾ length. The design reminded me of Aztec designs. It was round-neck and the skirt draped out from my stomach and fell to a little below my mid-thigh. I took my hair out of the messy bun that I had slept in and flipped my head over to shake out the natural curl. I flipped my head back up and ran my fingers through my hair. I put on some make-up that made my eyes pop but still looked somewhat natural. I slipped on some flat black boots and grabbed my phone from my dresser.
I called Harry’s cell. He answered after two calls. “Ready love?” He asked.
“Yessir.” I chirped.
“Alright I’ll be there in a second. Love you.” And he clicked off.
I walked down my stairs and found my mom in the kitchen, “I’m gonna go out with Harry today Mama.” I said. I wasn’t asking.
“Okay honey. Just make sure you’re back in time to pack.”
“Okay.” I rolled my eyes when she wasn’t looking at walked out the front door. Harry was standing with the passenger door open, waiting for me to occupy the seat inside. When he saw me a smile grew on his face and his eyes lit up. His cheeks flushed pink and walked to meet me.
“You look gorgeous Annie.” He said and gave me a lingering kiss. He stepped away and gestured that I get in his car. I obeyed willingly and sat down in the familiar car. My heart fluttered with the anticipation of the day. This was exactly what I needed: just a day filled with Harry.
Notes
Hey guys!!! Thank you for voting and reading!! You guys are truly amazing. Publishing this story has brought so much joy into my life even though it has only been a few days.
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Questions:
What do you think Harry has in mind for Annie?
What will happen when Annie is gone for two whole weeks?
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~JoseyWhite <3
Chapter 22 is my fav chapter!!
11/9/16