HALF A HEART
Chapter 28
Two Weeks Later…
Annie’s POV
I closed my book and plopped it onto my bed when I heard a knock on my door. I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want to see anyone today. I wasn’t having the best of days. I stumbled down my stairs and threw the door open.
“Eleanor? Louis? What are you guys doing here? I thought you guys would be spending the day together.” I said.
“We are silly,” Eleanor paused, “But we wanted to give you this.” She said handing me what looked to be a scrapbook.
I took it from them and saw that the cover was ivory with dried leaves scatter sporadically under the plastic cover, the words “Harry and Annie” written in cursive on the cover.
I looked at them quickly. “Guys, what is this?”
“Happy Valentine’s Day Annie.” Louis said simply. Tears rimmed my eyes.
“You might want to sit down honey.” El said.
I gestured for them to come in and sit with me and they followed me willingly. I sat down on the couch and they say next to me, holding hands, their knuckles white with anticipation of me seeing what they had done for me….or done TO me…
I ran my hand over the cover, feeling the grooves of the dried leaves under the plastic cover. My hand began to tremble as I lifted the cover of the scrapbook and looked at the first page. My hand flew to my mouth as I stared at several pictures of Harry and I. Each picture on the page had white flower stickers in two of the diagonal corners making them look adorable and beautiful all at the same time. The first picture of us was at the movie night at Eleanor’s house. It was a picture of me with my head resting on Harry’s shoulder, his arm wrapped protectively around me and he was looking at me with passion in his eyes. I didn’t remember that picture being taken; I was asleep after all. The picture next to it was of the same instance except Harry’s facial expression toward the camera suggested that he didn’t want them to be taking the picture. My lips perked into a smile at the thought of this happening, though remembering nothing of it.
“Who took these?” I chuckled.
“We both took our fair share of them throughout the scrapbook. At first we were just taking pictures of our friends, but it turned into something more meaningful.” Louis explained.
I nodded and looked at the next picture: a snap of me laughing at Harry having chocolate frosting on his nose from the cupcakes he frosted at the same get together and Harry trying desperately to see the frosting that painted his nose. I laughed and looked at the next picture of me wiping the frosting off with a napkin, a refulgent smile plastered on both of our faces, Harry’s cheeks rosy from embarrassment.
I turned the page and saw a picture of Harry making pancakes at my kitchen stove. He had flour in his hair…typical. He had my mom’s apron on…also typical. My mouth grew into a smile when the next picture was of Harry now facing the camera and making a duck face with a peace sign. The next picture was of Harry and I sitting at the island stools across from each other, eating the pancakes that Harry had made for us. We were both laughing about something.
I looked at Louis and Eleanor who were also smiling at the collection of photos. “Okay I know you guys weren’t there when this happened.”
“Oh yeah, you’re mom took some too. She gave them to us.” El chuckled and I nodded also chuckling. I felt my cheeks go red at the next picture. “What WAS he doing?” Eleanor laughed.
“Uh he was quoting The Notebook as it was playing on the screen; the part where Noah was confessing his unconditional love for Ally. I cannot believe my mom got a picture of this.” I laughed. My face in the picture looked embarrassed but loving every moment of that experience and I remember it like it was yesterday. I wanted to kiss him so bad…
The next few pictures were at the Annual White Party. I remember my mom taking the first one. It was of Harry and I; his arm was wrapped around my waist and I was hugging the single white rose against my chest. I had my arm wrapped around his ribcage and our heads were pressed together, both of us smiling radiantly. I few tears escaped my eyes and splattered on the scrapbook pages as I looked at the next pictures. They were of when Harry and I were dancing at the party. The first one was of us looking longingly into each other’s eyes and the next was when I had pulled Harry closer to me so it looked like we were hugging more than dancing. His face was crinkled in thought as he listened to what I was saying to him. I felt Eleanor rub my back in small circles as I turned the page again.
The next pictures were beautiful. There was one that was taken of me from behind but you could tell that I was watching Harry as he sung in the coffee shop. It was the gig where he sung “You and I.” The next picture was from the same angle only this time I had my chin resting on my hand and Harry was singing to me. Gosh this scrapbook is amazing…
My eyes grew wide as I turned the page and saw that the next pictures were of my reunion with Harry in the airport. I had his bouquet of roses in my one hand and the other hand was wrapped around his neck. He had both of his arms around my waist and had lifted me into the air. Both of us were smiling with pure joy and excitement at seeing each other again.
I closed my eyes and replayed the memory in my head: the impatience I had with the anticipation of seeing him again, my heart pounding as I walked the tunnel back into the airport, my stomach exploding with butterflies as I saw him standing with a bouquet of roses, my body tingling as he held me and kissed me passionately.
“Oh.” I said as I opened my eyes releasing the tears that I was holding back. I closed the scrapbook and put it on the coffee table before getting up to find a tissue. I came back into the room and Eleanor and Louis were standing waiting for my return.
“Are you okay Annie? We weren’t sure if we should give this to you or not.” El said concerned.
“No, I’m really happy you guys did this for me. It was beautiful, truly amazing. Thank you so much.” I said as I walked over to them and gave them each a hug.
“So where are you headed to next?” Louis asked me.
“I’m actually going to the States.” I shrugged.
Both of their eyes grew wide. “They want you in the States? Really it’s gone that far?” El said surprised.
“Yeah I know. I’m shocked too but some of the schools have contacted me and they want me to speak there.”
“It’s so amazing what you’re doing Annie; you’re making people stand up for what they believe in and inspiring them to stand up for others. It’s beautiful.” Louis smiled at me in recognition of my efforts to spread Harry’s beliefs and actions.
“When do you leave?” El asked.
“Tomorrow…”
She didn’t say anything. She just gave me a hug before gathering her things to wait for Lou by the door as he hugged me as well. They left and I skimmed the pages of the scrapbook again before packing it in my suitcase to bring to the States with me.
I made an agreement with myself of sorts. If Harry wasn’t going to make it, I wanted him to be remembered for what he did. I wanted there to be a message left behind in his stead and I wanted thousands of people to know about it, I wanted thousands of people to be involved. Over the past two weeks I had spoken in twenty different schools, giving them a similar speech that I had given to my own school. I was going to make sure that Harry was remembered though there was still a twinge of hope that he would someday wake up but with every passing day, it grew more and more unlikely to occur.
I walked into the hospital doors and greeted the women at the front counter; they know me well enough by now. I’ve walked these halls a hundred times in the past month and a half. I come here three or four times a week but now I’m leaving and my stomach churns at the thought of being away from his side in the time that he needs me most. But he wouldn’t want me to spend this time waiting for him…He’d want me to be doing what I’m doing and go to the United States of America to deliver his message of peace and acceptance. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
I walked into the hospital room and saw Gemma and Anne sitting in the room watching TV.
“Annie!” Gemma said enthusiastically before leaping out of her chair and embracing me in a hug. “Nice to see you again! How’s the inspiring going?” She winked at me and I was glad to be so supported by her.
“It’s doing way better than I thought it was going to,” I paused, “Some schools in the States want me to speak.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Annie, that’s amazing!” and she embraced me in a bigger hug as Harry’s mom came over and hugged me as well.
“We’re so proud of you.” Anne smiled and cupped my cheek with one of her hands. “And Harry would be proud of you too.” I smiled weakly at her words trying desperately to hold back the tears that were threatening to escape my eyes.
“When do you leave?” Gemma asked.
“I leave tomorrow morning. I wanted to see Harry one more time before I go…I’m gonna be gone for a couple weeks…and it’s going to be really hard not being by his side.” I whispered the end of my reply.
“Well we’ll give you some time alone with him then honey.” Anne said and nudged Gemma to get her to start walking toward the door and she did willingly.
As soon as the door clicked behind them I walked over to Harry and knelt beside him for the thousandth time. His scars were healing and he no longer needed to wear gauze around his head so his curls tumbled around his face. I brushed them away from his eyes before grabbing his hand and holding it to my cheek like I’d done so many times before.
“Harry, it’s working.” I whispered as I finally let my tears fall. “People are understanding what they need to do to make the world better…to make it more peaceful and accepting.” I croaked. “I did it Haz.” My tears streamed out of my eyes like rivers as a few sobs escaped my mouth. “I’m going—t-to the S-States tomorrow. I won’t b-be back for a f-few weeks.” I stared into his emotionless face and squinted my eyes in pain and hugged his arm against me harder as tears burned down my cheeks like acid.
“Harry, please wake up. Please. I can’t d-do this without y-you anym-more. Please Harry let me h-hear you s-speak again.” I pleaded and sobbed, “Please l-let me see your e-eyes again. Harry…” I sobbed as I rested my cheek on his chest and soaked his hospital gown with my tears as I listened to his weak heartbeat. “Please Harry…” I whispered.
When I accepted what I already knew…that he wasn’t going to wake up at the sound of my pleading voice, I lifted my head and kissed his cheek softly and squinted my eyes in the effort it took to pull myself away from him.
“Goodbye my love. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.” I whispered and stood up. I walked out of the hospital room ignoring Gemma and Anne sitting in the hallway.
The emotions I was feeling at this time did not compare to anything I had ever felt before. My heart was being ripped out and I couldn’t do anything to bring him back…
What if I’ve lost him forever…
Annie’s POV
I closed my book and plopped it onto my bed when I heard a knock on my door. I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want to see anyone today. I wasn’t having the best of days. I stumbled down my stairs and threw the door open.
“Eleanor? Louis? What are you guys doing here? I thought you guys would be spending the day together.” I said.
“We are silly,” Eleanor paused, “But we wanted to give you this.” She said handing me what looked to be a scrapbook.
I took it from them and saw that the cover was ivory with dried leaves scatter sporadically under the plastic cover, the words “Harry and Annie” written in cursive on the cover.
I looked at them quickly. “Guys, what is this?”
“Happy Valentine’s Day Annie.” Louis said simply. Tears rimmed my eyes.
“You might want to sit down honey.” El said.
I gestured for them to come in and sit with me and they followed me willingly. I sat down on the couch and they say next to me, holding hands, their knuckles white with anticipation of me seeing what they had done for me….or done TO me…
I ran my hand over the cover, feeling the grooves of the dried leaves under the plastic cover. My hand began to tremble as I lifted the cover of the scrapbook and looked at the first page. My hand flew to my mouth as I stared at several pictures of Harry and I. Each picture on the page had white flower stickers in two of the diagonal corners making them look adorable and beautiful all at the same time. The first picture of us was at the movie night at Eleanor’s house. It was a picture of me with my head resting on Harry’s shoulder, his arm wrapped protectively around me and he was looking at me with passion in his eyes. I didn’t remember that picture being taken; I was asleep after all. The picture next to it was of the same instance except Harry’s facial expression toward the camera suggested that he didn’t want them to be taking the picture. My lips perked into a smile at the thought of this happening, though remembering nothing of it.
“Who took these?” I chuckled.
“We both took our fair share of them throughout the scrapbook. At first we were just taking pictures of our friends, but it turned into something more meaningful.” Louis explained.
I nodded and looked at the next picture: a snap of me laughing at Harry having chocolate frosting on his nose from the cupcakes he frosted at the same get together and Harry trying desperately to see the frosting that painted his nose. I laughed and looked at the next picture of me wiping the frosting off with a napkin, a refulgent smile plastered on both of our faces, Harry’s cheeks rosy from embarrassment.
I turned the page and saw a picture of Harry making pancakes at my kitchen stove. He had flour in his hair…typical. He had my mom’s apron on…also typical. My mouth grew into a smile when the next picture was of Harry now facing the camera and making a duck face with a peace sign. The next picture was of Harry and I sitting at the island stools across from each other, eating the pancakes that Harry had made for us. We were both laughing about something.
I looked at Louis and Eleanor who were also smiling at the collection of photos. “Okay I know you guys weren’t there when this happened.”
“Oh yeah, you’re mom took some too. She gave them to us.” El chuckled and I nodded also chuckling. I felt my cheeks go red at the next picture. “What WAS he doing?” Eleanor laughed.
“Uh he was quoting The Notebook as it was playing on the screen; the part where Noah was confessing his unconditional love for Ally. I cannot believe my mom got a picture of this.” I laughed. My face in the picture looked embarrassed but loving every moment of that experience and I remember it like it was yesterday. I wanted to kiss him so bad…
The next few pictures were at the Annual White Party. I remember my mom taking the first one. It was of Harry and I; his arm was wrapped around my waist and I was hugging the single white rose against my chest. I had my arm wrapped around his ribcage and our heads were pressed together, both of us smiling radiantly. I few tears escaped my eyes and splattered on the scrapbook pages as I looked at the next pictures. They were of when Harry and I were dancing at the party. The first one was of us looking longingly into each other’s eyes and the next was when I had pulled Harry closer to me so it looked like we were hugging more than dancing. His face was crinkled in thought as he listened to what I was saying to him. I felt Eleanor rub my back in small circles as I turned the page again.
The next pictures were beautiful. There was one that was taken of me from behind but you could tell that I was watching Harry as he sung in the coffee shop. It was the gig where he sung “You and I.” The next picture was from the same angle only this time I had my chin resting on my hand and Harry was singing to me. Gosh this scrapbook is amazing…
My eyes grew wide as I turned the page and saw that the next pictures were of my reunion with Harry in the airport. I had his bouquet of roses in my one hand and the other hand was wrapped around his neck. He had both of his arms around my waist and had lifted me into the air. Both of us were smiling with pure joy and excitement at seeing each other again.
I closed my eyes and replayed the memory in my head: the impatience I had with the anticipation of seeing him again, my heart pounding as I walked the tunnel back into the airport, my stomach exploding with butterflies as I saw him standing with a bouquet of roses, my body tingling as he held me and kissed me passionately.
“Oh.” I said as I opened my eyes releasing the tears that I was holding back. I closed the scrapbook and put it on the coffee table before getting up to find a tissue. I came back into the room and Eleanor and Louis were standing waiting for my return.
“Are you okay Annie? We weren’t sure if we should give this to you or not.” El said concerned.
“No, I’m really happy you guys did this for me. It was beautiful, truly amazing. Thank you so much.” I said as I walked over to them and gave them each a hug.
“So where are you headed to next?” Louis asked me.
“I’m actually going to the States.” I shrugged.
Both of their eyes grew wide. “They want you in the States? Really it’s gone that far?” El said surprised.
“Yeah I know. I’m shocked too but some of the schools have contacted me and they want me to speak there.”
“It’s so amazing what you’re doing Annie; you’re making people stand up for what they believe in and inspiring them to stand up for others. It’s beautiful.” Louis smiled at me in recognition of my efforts to spread Harry’s beliefs and actions.
“When do you leave?” El asked.
“Tomorrow…”
She didn’t say anything. She just gave me a hug before gathering her things to wait for Lou by the door as he hugged me as well. They left and I skimmed the pages of the scrapbook again before packing it in my suitcase to bring to the States with me.
I made an agreement with myself of sorts. If Harry wasn’t going to make it, I wanted him to be remembered for what he did. I wanted there to be a message left behind in his stead and I wanted thousands of people to know about it, I wanted thousands of people to be involved. Over the past two weeks I had spoken in twenty different schools, giving them a similar speech that I had given to my own school. I was going to make sure that Harry was remembered though there was still a twinge of hope that he would someday wake up but with every passing day, it grew more and more unlikely to occur.
I walked into the hospital doors and greeted the women at the front counter; they know me well enough by now. I’ve walked these halls a hundred times in the past month and a half. I come here three or four times a week but now I’m leaving and my stomach churns at the thought of being away from his side in the time that he needs me most. But he wouldn’t want me to spend this time waiting for him…He’d want me to be doing what I’m doing and go to the United States of America to deliver his message of peace and acceptance. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
I walked into the hospital room and saw Gemma and Anne sitting in the room watching TV.
“Annie!” Gemma said enthusiastically before leaping out of her chair and embracing me in a hug. “Nice to see you again! How’s the inspiring going?” She winked at me and I was glad to be so supported by her.
“It’s doing way better than I thought it was going to,” I paused, “Some schools in the States want me to speak.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Annie, that’s amazing!” and she embraced me in a bigger hug as Harry’s mom came over and hugged me as well.
“We’re so proud of you.” Anne smiled and cupped my cheek with one of her hands. “And Harry would be proud of you too.” I smiled weakly at her words trying desperately to hold back the tears that were threatening to escape my eyes.
“When do you leave?” Gemma asked.
“I leave tomorrow morning. I wanted to see Harry one more time before I go…I’m gonna be gone for a couple weeks…and it’s going to be really hard not being by his side.” I whispered the end of my reply.
“Well we’ll give you some time alone with him then honey.” Anne said and nudged Gemma to get her to start walking toward the door and she did willingly.
As soon as the door clicked behind them I walked over to Harry and knelt beside him for the thousandth time. His scars were healing and he no longer needed to wear gauze around his head so his curls tumbled around his face. I brushed them away from his eyes before grabbing his hand and holding it to my cheek like I’d done so many times before.
“Harry, it’s working.” I whispered as I finally let my tears fall. “People are understanding what they need to do to make the world better…to make it more peaceful and accepting.” I croaked. “I did it Haz.” My tears streamed out of my eyes like rivers as a few sobs escaped my mouth. “I’m going—t-to the S-States tomorrow. I won’t b-be back for a f-few weeks.” I stared into his emotionless face and squinted my eyes in pain and hugged his arm against me harder as tears burned down my cheeks like acid.
“Harry, please wake up. Please. I can’t d-do this without y-you anym-more. Please Harry let me h-hear you s-speak again.” I pleaded and sobbed, “Please l-let me see your e-eyes again. Harry…” I sobbed as I rested my cheek on his chest and soaked his hospital gown with my tears as I listened to his weak heartbeat. “Please Harry…” I whispered.
When I accepted what I already knew…that he wasn’t going to wake up at the sound of my pleading voice, I lifted my head and kissed his cheek softly and squinted my eyes in the effort it took to pull myself away from him.
“Goodbye my love. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.” I whispered and stood up. I walked out of the hospital room ignoring Gemma and Anne sitting in the hallway.
The emotions I was feeling at this time did not compare to anything I had ever felt before. My heart was being ripped out and I couldn’t do anything to bring him back…
What if I’ve lost him forever…
Notes
Hey guysss!!! I hope all of you are having a fantastic Sunday!! Thank you for all of the comments, votes, and subscriptions. They are what motivate me to update. I wasn't going to today but you guys just make me so happy :)
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Questions
WILL Harry ever wake up?
What will happen when Annie goes to the States?
Can we get 75 votes by Tuesday for my 18th Birthday???(: That would be the most amazing gift EVERRR <3
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Inspirational Quote: "The way people treat you is a statement about who they are as a human being. It is not a statement about you." <3 Remember that loves <3
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~JoseyWhite
Chapter 22 is my fav chapter!!
11/9/16