Harry's P.O.V.

Monday

I walk downstairs this morning dressed for my new job. I'm going to be a waiter at some diner. Though not excited at all, I'm glad Avery is giving me a chance. Even if it's just as friends. I'll have to keep her in the dark about a lot of things though. Like my past life in England, for instance. She must never know what I was into and the reasons why. She can't know why I had to leave, what I was- still am- running from. Nobody other that my friends back in England know about all that. I'm even keeping my family mostly in the dark. Therefore, I need to keep these things as secrets from her, for her safety because I care about her. I don't want to just "get in her pants". I want a relationship with her. I've never been one to have one night stands and that's it. I like the emotion and feeling that comes with relationships. I can't show it though. Not with my outer image. And I can't risk being in a relationship with her if, in fact, I still need to be running from certain things. Louis keeps me updated daily if I need to leave Florida or not. Right now I'm able to stay here. but not for long. Which is another reason I can't date Avery. I can't risk her getting hurt. I can tell she's already broken enough. My screwed up life and problems don't need to be in the picture.

I snap out of my thoughts to see I'm at the fridge. It's open. I must've been too lost in thought. I check the time and see I've been thinking for ten minutes. My eyes widen. I'll have to leave for work. I'm not late but I might want to stop somewhere on the way. I write a note to Gem and Mum telling them where I'll be in case they need me. I then grab my keys and proceed outwards to my car. As I'm driving, I see Avery walking on the sidewalk in the same direction I'm headed. I slow down and pull over by her, rolling down my window in the process.

"Avery," I say as she comes closer once she realizes it's me, "Do you need a ride somewhere?" I ask. I don't want her walking past these alleyways alone.

"No, I'm good. I'm almost there." She replies quietly, not making eye contact. Something's up. The entire weekend we had a good time... as friends. Now she's acting all shy.

"Get in the car, I'll give you a ride." I tell her, not giving her a choice. She sighs but climbs in anyway, buckling up immediately. "Where do you need to go? I ask.

"Um, to a diner called 'Steak & Shake'. I'm not sure if you know where it is or not. But it's up the road a few miles." She says quietly, not even tearing her gaze from out the window. Something's definitely wrong.

"I know where it is. Today will be my first day working there. I assume you work there as well." I tell her, wanting to keep up a conversation. She nods in reply.

"So we get to work together" She says, voice barely above a whisper, making eye contact with the passing scenery out her window. I pull into the diners parking lot and, before she can get out, grab Avery's arm. Just above the elbow. She finally looks up at me, making eye contact. She has tears brimming her eyes. My eyes widen.

"Avery, what's wrong?!" I ask, concerned.

"Nothing." She answers quickly tearing her gaze from mine, trying to escape my grip and leave the car.

"Avery, look at me. Look me in the eyes and tell me nothing's wrong." I sternly tell her, knowing I'll win this. She looks to me, tears about to fall.

"It's just the anniversary of something today and the....." she trails off, mumbling nonsense at the end. I embrace her in a hug. I don't know what the anniversary is for, but I don't want to pry, make her cry, or seem pushy. However, I fail at one of those when I hear her sobbing. I glance out of the corner of my eye to the clock and see we're about ten minutes early, so I allow her to let it out, soothing her quietly.

"Shh, shh, Avery. It's okay. I've got you. you're okay." I continue with sweet nothings like this until I hear her sobs stop and her breathing calm, me still rubbing her back in comforting, smooth, circles. She slowly retracts from me and looks into my eyes.

"Thank you, Harry." She says, looking drop dead gorgeous- red, puffy eyes, no makeup, hair in a messy bun atop her head, her work uniform on she still looks like the most beautiful girl in the world.

"For what?" I confusedly ask.

"For not asking to hear the full story. And for being here. Usually I only have Annabelle on this day." I quickly hug her again.

"Oh, Avery, I promise you, I'll always be here for you. No matter what. I'll never leave your side... hypothetically, that is." I chuckle at the end while pulling away from her warm embrace. I see her somewhat smiling.

"Thanks, Harry. The same comes from me. I'll always be here for you." She replies, making my heart beat even faster in my chest.

"Always?" I ask

"Always." She tells me. God, I wish we could be more than friends! She's so perfect!

"Forever?" I ask.

"Until the sun burns out." She tells me. Since Wednesday last week, when we agreed to be friends, we've come a long way. Practically best friends now. Well, best friends who barely know anything about one another.

I glance back at the clock again and see we're almost late. My eyes bulge out of my head as I rush out of the car, Avery following.


*After Work*

Wow that was tiring! And who knew those girls would be flirting with me the entire time. I hope they aren't regular customers. I got a good tip, though. Avery had to come save me, from their attempted groping when one purposefully spilled her drink all over me, saying I had a call about a relative who had died. Boy, that brain of hers. After work, I drove her home. Light, meaningless conversation on the way. She then thanked me again before getting out and asked me: "Always and forever?" to which I replied with : "Until every star in the universe bursts." She kissed my cheek before getting out. I stayed a little to see her get in safely, then left for home.

I really wish I could get to know her better but, as I've said before, I can't risk it. I can see her walls are built high. It's going to take some time to tear them down. But I'll eventually achieve in doing so. It just takes time. Time, energy, emotion, and determination.

Notes