Summer is quickly approaching, and I’m becoming more and more anxious. My first semester here at the University of California: Los Angeles has gone by surprisingly fast, and it’s given me ample time to figure everything out. I feel like a new person really; for once I’m in a good place.

Just last month, I received a call from Anne. We talk every now and then, but this call was much different from our usually chats—she broke the news to me that she and my dad were trying to work things out again. She wanted to be the one to tell me in case I was upset, but I told her I supported her. At first I was confused, but I know deep down my dad would never do something like that again. He would never cheat on Anne like he had with my mom.

Our talk surfaced a lot of pain I was holding inside of me, but somehow I managed to get through it. I’ve even decided to go back to San Diego to have dinner with Anne and Dad. Funny how things change. But I’m ready. I’ve talked to Dad a few times over the phone, and I know it’s unfair for me to hold this grudge. I never thought I’d think this, but it’s time to forgive and forget; there’s nothing we can do to change it, and I know he’s trying to make up for it. All I can ask of my dad is that he doesn’t make the same mistake again, and that he does not lie to me anymore, and so far, he’s managed to do that. So I’m appreciative, and I will give him yet another chance.

There was one stipulation to meeting my dad again, however, and it had nothing to do with him or Anne. I asked that we would meet on a day Harry would not be around, and he would not find out. I didn’t want him to know I was back in town for different reasons.

Our contact hasn’t been much in the past months, and I still miss him like crazy, but I’m uncertain if that was enough time. I feel that I may be ready, but I want to be 100 percent certain that both of us are, and I’d like him to have more time if he needs it. So for now, we continue our little to no contact and work through our own personal conflicts. One day we’ll find our way back to each other, this I know.

Today, I pack a small bag for my trip to San Diego. Colleen, my roommate, and I will still be living in our apartment over the summer, but Dad insisted that I at least stay the night at the house so I don’t have to drive so much in one day. I agreed only because he said Harry would be staying at a friend's.

I still know it’ll be difficult to go back there, however. The memories in that house will flood my memory as soon as I step through those doors, but I’m finally ready. I’m stronger now.

Colleen is out with her boyfriend Drew today, so as soon as I’m all packed, I make myself a cup a coffee and head out. I have many mixed emotions about going back to San Diego and seeing my dad, but it’s time.

I feel much older than my eighteen years lately; I’ve really made progress with myself by moving here, and although it was difficult on myself and Harry, I hope he recognizes that once (if) we reunite, it will all have been worth it.

---

“Oh Chloe, I’m so happy you decided to come out here. I’ve missed you.” My dad runs up to the car and pulls me into a tight embrace, like he hasn’t seen me in ages. It feels like it’s been that long.

“Hi, Dad,” is all I can manage. My throat tightens with emotion, and I really don’t even know why. I suppose it just feels good to let go of all the anger I held inside towards him. It’s a new beginning.

“How was the drive down?”

“Long,” I laugh. “Is Anne inside?”

Dad takes my bag from the backseat of my car and ushers me inside to where Anne is making dinner for the three of us. Once again, I feel my eyes watering when I see the bright, happy woman smiling in the kitchen. I haven’t seen her since I left, and I’ve really missed her.

“Chloe!” She beams and drops the spoon she was stirring something with and runs over to me. “Oh, I’ve missed you darling. It’s so good to have you home.”

“I missed you too, Anne,” I say as I hug her back.

“We have so much to catch up on! But why don’t you sit down at the table and I’ll get dinner served.”

I smile and comply to her request, sitting next to my dad at the dinner table. We eat Anne’s famous chicken Alfredo and mostly talk about my life in Los Angeles. It feels weird to be having such a normal conversation with them, talking about my classes and my new friends, but I love it. I truly feel like I’m at home, although there is still one thing, or person rather, that is missing.

I opt not to mention Harry at dinner, but I make note to talk to Anne later. I’m really appreciative that she didn’t hate me after leaving, or my decision to break up with Harry even after all that he’d been through. I’m grateful she understood, and that she supports me just like my own mother would. It makes me happy to see her again, and back with my dad, because she’s smiling much more, and I can tell she is much more happy herself.

Things have changed around here, and I can only hope that Harry has too.

After dinner, Dad resorts to the couch to watch a baseball game on the TV while I help Anne clean up. She makes conversation about her book club and her job, her plans for the wedding that is now back on for next year, but she never mentions Harry. I’m grateful for that, but I also have so many questions, so when she takes a sip from her wine, I start with an easy one:

“Does my dad know about… Does he know that Harry and I were..?” I don’t know why I’m such a stuttering mess or why I can’t finish my though, but thankfully Anne understands.

She nods and gives me a knowing look. “I had to tell him,” she says apologetically. “He was worried about you moving to LA on your own after everything with you being sick, and I had to convince him you were okay, and why you needed to get away. I’m sorry, Chloe, I hope you’re not upset.”

“No, I’m not upset, I was just wondering. He doesn’t know about the baby though?” I have to force the words from my mouth, because I hate talking about it.

This time Anne shakes her head, “No. And I won’t tell him. I think it’s your decision if or if not you want to tell him, and if you do, it should be you telling him.”

I nod and dry the last plate. “How is he?” I ask quietly.

She sighs and begins to wipe down the counters with a rag. “He’s better, Chloe. It’s been hard on him, you leaving, and trying to catch up on school, but he’s better.”

I feel myself exhale the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. “I’m glad,” I say truthfully.

“He misses you, you know.”

I try to take a deep breath as a lone tear spills from my eyes. “I miss him too.”

Anne sighs again and walks over to hug me once she notices my tears. “I know he was stubborn about you leaving, but he understands now. I know he doesn’t blame you, and… never mind.”

“What?” I ask.

“I just think you should talk to him. For closure, or just to talk. I know he’d be here in a heartbeat if he knew you were here.”

I sigh and pull out of our embrace. “I can’t, Anne. I just don’t know if I’m ready to see him yet. I believe everything you’re saying, I’m just… I’m afraid things will be different,” I admit.

My biggest fear that my decision to leave didn’t actually do us any good, and things between us will never be okay again. I really don’t want that; I did this all so we can be happy together one day.

“You’ll never know until you talk to him,” Anne tells me. And she’s right.

“I know… Maybe I’ll stick around a little longer tomorrow before I leave and we can talk.”

“Chloe, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. You’re free to move back in if you want to, darling, you know I love having you here and now that things with your dad are better, I’m sure he’d love to have you back.”

“I don’t know… I have my apartment, and I can’t back out on Colleen…”

Am I actually considering this? I haven’t even spoken to Harry yet. First things first, Chloe, I remind myself.

“Well just know that we’d love to have you back, and in the time being, you can visit here as long as you need to. Your room will always be yours.”

“Thank you, Anne. For everything.” I hug her again.

“I should thank you too, Chloe,” she mutters into my hair. She must sense my confusion because she continues, “I hate talking about it, but Harry really changed after we lost Gemma, and I know coming here was hard for him, but once he met you, I know he finally started to live again.”

Anne pulls back and holds me at arms length to look at me. “I’m know I’ve told you this before, but thank you for being apart of his life. Even after every thing that happened with the rehab…” she trails off as she remembers the horrific time, “just know that I don’t blame you, I never did. I’m so thankful that you supported him through that time, and I’ll forever be in your debt for all you’ve done for my son.”

We’re both crying like babies after she finishes. “Thank you for having such an amazing son,” I laugh through my tears.

“I really hope you two can work through this, but just know, I’ll always be here for you. No matter what happens, I love you, and you can come to me for anything.”

I once feared that Anne would replace the role as my mother in my life and in my heart, but today I’ve seen a new light. Anne is someone I’ve grown to love and depend on in my life, but today, she’s more than just my dad’s fiancé. I will never forget my mom, but Anne has become someone who will always be there for me, and I couldn’t be more blessed.

“Thank you, Anne. I love you,” I tell her.

---

After Anne and I’s emotional talk, we retreated to the living room with my dad to watch a movie and lighten the mood. After it finished, I decided to head upstairs as the exhaustion from my trip down here caught up to me. We all said our good nights, and then I went up to shower and get ready for bed.

Passing by Harry’s room had me feeling odd. I wanted badly to open the door and smell his clothes for his signature scent of spearmint and his cologne, I wanted to see if he still had the picture of us on his bed side table that I’d given him, but most of all, I had wished he was in there.

I pushed aside my feelings and went to my room. It’s weird being in here again, but once again, I feel at home, and it’s comforting.

I shower and change into my usually nighttime attire of yogas and choose my UCLA crew neck to sleep in. I get cozy under the blankets after plugging my phone into the charger, and try to fall asleep. Of course, all that is on my mind is what I’ll say to Harry tomorrow if he comes home and I’m still here. That’s the plan, to wait here for him so we can talk, but I have a feeling I’ll chicken out and make up some excuse to get back to LA before he gets home.

I finally feel my eyelids get heavy and my mind dozing off, but then my door opens, and now I’m definitely awake when I see who stands in the doorway.

“Chloe?” He whispers, face full of shock.

“Hi Harry,” I manage. I sit up in the bed and rub my eyes, making sure this isn't a dream.

I have no idea what to say or do, and neither does he. We both stay in our places, studying each other. He looks the same, if not better. His hair is longer, but it’s pushed back and out of his face. His skin holds a beautiful tan, and his eyes. I’m lost in them just like every other time I’ve looked into them.

The shock evaporates from his face, but there’s still so many emotions strewn across it. “What are you doing here?” He whispers, like he doesn’t believe I’m actually here.

“I had dinner with our parents…” I answer. My heart is beating and my mind is racing. I almost feel like I’m going to pass out.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He looks hurt, but I can also see he’s just glad I’m here.

“I wasn’t ready,” I admit. “I didn’t know if you’d be ready to see me. Or want to see me.”

Harry runs his hands through his thick hair and looks at the ceiling before returning his focus on me. “Of course I would want to.”

“I’m sorry,” I croak out before my throat tightens with emotion. I can’t believe he’s here, after all this time, and he wants to see me.

He sighs. “It’s okay.”

I wipe my wet eyes with the sleeve of my sweatshirt as he moves to sit on the edge of my bed. “Come here,” he whispers.

“Harry,” I warn. I don’t know if this is a good idea. Him, on my bed…

“Please Chloe. I just need to touch you, hold you right now. That’s all, I promise.”

I take a deep breath before allowing myself to give in. I need this too. I move onto his lap and he wraps his arms around my body. I lace my arms around his neck and begin to cry. This is home.

“I missed you so much, Chlo,” he whispers and I feel his lips on my head. “So much…”

I look up at him in shock. “You don’t hate me?” I ask, although I’m not sure I want the answer. How could he not hate me after I left him, and hardly contacted him in the last six months.

“Never,” he frowns, “never.”

“I missed you too,” I tell him. I feel his body relax after I tell him that, and I realize he must’ve had the same fears as I had. I’m relieved to know we’re both on the same level.

“Chloe,” he sighs and holds me tighter. He kisses my head and rocks me slightly, soothing me, and making me sleepy. I inhale with my nose at the crook of his neck and relish in his scent that hasn’t changed.

Neither one of us says anything after that, but we eventually move so we’re laying down together. We don’t talk, we just lay. I know tomorrow will bring questions and perhaps conflicts, but for now, I feel safe and loved, and I want to stay here for as long as I can.

---

I wake up well rested and slightly warm, then I remember the events of last night. I feel a strong arm wrapped around me, and I realize it wasn’t a dream.

Harry’s here, and he’s in my bed.

I turn to face him, only to see he is already awake and watching me. “Morning,” he says, his face serious. He mustn’t be looking forward to our impending conversation either.

“Morning,” I reply, searching is beautiful green eyes for anything. “I though you were staying over somewhere last night?” I ask. Might as well start off with an easy question.

“I wasn’t feeling it, so I came home. I think I had a heart attack when I saw your car parked outside,” he smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I apologize again.

“It’s okay… I get it, kind of.”

I look away from him. We lay there in silence for God knows how long before he asks, “Are you ready yet Chloe? To come back... to be together?”

I sigh and begin picking at a loose thread on my duvet. “I don’t know, Harry,” I tell him truthfully before continuing, “I feel like we don’t even know each other anymore. We’ve hardly talked, and I know I’ve changed a lot since I left.”

Now it’s Harry’s turn to sigh. “Then let’s get to know each other again,” he says, his voice holding a little irritation.

“It’s not that simple, Harry.”

“Why not?”

“I’m just.. I’m not ready to jump back into anything again. Like I said, I’ve changed, and you probably have too. We haven’t seen each other in half a year…”

“We’re still the same people, Chlo. I still love you,” he says, and I can’t deny the relief I feel.

“I still love you too,” I choke out.

Harry closes his eyes as he exhales. Then he takes my face in his hands and slowly lowers himself until his lips are on mine. Our kiss begins slow, and I don’t respond at first, but then I remember how much I’ve missed him, how much I’ve missed this, and my lips begins to move.

Harry groans and pulls me closer to him. Our tongues brush together in a passionate caress, and I hear myself moan. “We can be together again, baby, we’ll be stronger this time,” Harry mutters against my lips.

I pull away and scoot away from him slightly. “Fuck, I’m sorry Chloe.”

“It’s not your fault,” I tell him. I just felt a little overwhelmed; after not kissing him for so long, it felt better than I remembered.

“Just please, give us a chance,” he says. I can already tell he’s grown over out time apart. His tone isn’t desperate or pleading, but he truly wants another chance.

“Did you see anyone while we were apart?” I ask the question that’s been pressing in my mind before I say anything else.

“No,” Harry answers without hesitation. “Chloe, I don’t care if you did, I just want you back. Let me show you that things can be different this time.”

“I didn’t. I was never with anyone,” I clarify.

I feel him relax with that knowledge, and he exhales in relief. “What’s holding you back then, Chlo? Tell me,”

“Can we just get to know each other again?” I suggest.

He seems to ponder my suggestion before he replies. “You want to start over?”

I never thought of it that way, but maybe that would be best. If we just forgot about the past and got to know each other again, the people we’ve become in the past months, maybe we could go from there. “Yeah,” I nod.

“If that’s what you want.”

“I’m not saying we’ll never be together again, but just for now, can we just be friends?”

“I’d take that over what we’re doing now,” he says with a sad smile. “I still love you, Chloe. I always will.”

“I know, me too. But let’s just start over. We’ll go from there.”

“Okay,” he agrees.

I sit up on my knees and wrap my arms around his neck after kissing his cheek. “Thank you,”

“Thank you,” he sighs. “Thank you for coming back to me. For giving us a chance.”






The hardest part about saying goodbye to Harry six months ago was having to do it everyday. I missed him every second I was gone, and I even regretted my decision most of the time. But now, since I’ve returned to San Diego and reunited with the boy who has changed my life for the better, I look forward to getting to know him all over again.

We’ve both used our time apart to work on ourselves, and it only makes sense to start over; we're different people. We’ll become stronger this way, and I know that one day we will be together again, and nothing will break us apart because of this.

I’m done being upset and angry over all of life’s disappointments, and now, I am going to focus on what matters the most. It is believed that everything happens for a reason, and I believe that our time apart will give us a stronger foundation to build our new relationship together on.

Things won’t always be easy, but this is for the best. If Harry and I are meant to be, we’ll make it. But for now, we will settle for getting to know each other again, and rediscover why we fell for each other in the first place.




Sometimes pain becomes such a huge part of our lives that we expect it to always be there because you can't remember a time when it wasn't. And then one day you feel something else, something wrong only because its so unfamiliar. And in that moment, you realize, you're happy.

Notes

So this is the last chapter :/

BUT DON'T UNSUBSCRIBE BECAUSE I WILL BE POSTING AN EPILOGUE SOON!

****I'll post the epilogue once this story gets 350 votes!****

Pretty please comment and subscribe, also, please rate this story if you have not already!


Stay tuned for the epilogue and my new story ;)