Mandolin Rain

Harry's POV

I wake up smiling. I finally know for certain that Elliot likes me. I feel like a kid on Christmas, excited to race down the stairs and see my present. Except I just can't wait to get out of my sleeping bag and give Elliot a hug and see her smiling face.

I throw a shirt and slip my sandals on noticing I'm one of the first one awake in the tent, I'm now wondering what time it is and if Elliot is even awake. My phone is long past dead so I've been letting it charge in the jeep all night so I don't even know what time it is. I carefully unzip the tent and peek my head outside.

Elliot's cousins I think Stu, Clover, and Jazzy are outside around the fire.

“Good Morning Harry!” Clover calls out.

“Hello.” I respond making my way towards them, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air. “Elliot awake yet?” I ask trying to play it cool.

“Oh yes, she's always the last to go to bed, first one to wake up. I think she's over at the lake again.” Jazzy responds.

“Thank you!” I yell out as I turn back around and head towards the lake.

I walk along the path and finally at the clearing I see her facing the lake on the same dock we hugged on last night. I wanted to kiss her so badly but I also want to respect her and at least take her out on a date before we move on to kissing. Sounds stupid but I have feelings for Elliot that I've never felt before and I want this to be different.

As I get closer I see she's fishing. Seriously amazes me everyday.

“Good Morning Sunshine.” She calls out.

“How do you do that every time?” I ask amazed at her skill level.

“You're not quiet at all Harry! Plus you're wearing cheap flip flops, I can hear them on the dirt path.” She tells me as I get closer and take a seat next to her on the dock. I decide to lean in and kiss her on the cheek which she is obviously surprised about as her eyes go wide. “Ah, well a very good morning.” She smiles. “Did you brush your teeth yet?”

I quickly close my lips. “Um, no. Not yet.” I admit, feeling like I've been scolded by my mum.

She elbows me, “It's fine Harry, just don't make it a habit to kiss me with stinky breath.”

Before I can say anything Elliot's bobber sinks and she squeals jerking the line back and setting the hook. She hops up excited. “Harry, get the net!” She asks of me as I reach around to find it she reels it in and it finally starts to get closer we notice how large it is. Elliot's eyes go wide as she gestures for me to slip the net in the water to bring it up. The fish flops around as I bring it out of the water.

“I have to take the hook out.” She tells me as she carefully puts the pole down and takes a look at the fish, easily slipping the hook out of it's jaw.

“Now what?” I aks.

“Now we eat it for lunch! Only a few more fish to catch.” She tells me. “This one will be for you and me. Everyone else can fend for themselves.” She winks and starts gathering her supplies up.

“So that's it? You're all done?” I ask.

“Yes sir. I'm starving for breakfast and people should be waking up for our morning hike.” She explains as she stands up I quickly follow and take her tackle box from her. I quickly grab a hold of her free hand and lace my fingers with hers. She looks down and then looks back at me, a wide grin spreads across her face as I take her hand and kiss it making Elliot blush. I don't think I've ever seen her blush.

We took the longest hike I've ever been on. My legs are so sore and tired I have no idea how Elliot's family is even able to participate in yoga right now. I've decided to sit this one out and watch from a distance. Not everyone is doing yoga but others are off doing their own things.

“Hey Harry.” Lynx sits next to me leaning back lounging on the chair.

“How's it going Lynx?” I ask hoping I get her name right.

“Going well, I'm too tired for that yoga shit.” She admits and her frank words make me laugh.

“Yeah, I don't know how everyone does it.” I admit starring at Elliot.

“Well, get used to it, Elliot has endless energy. She goes for runs that last miles upon miles and then still does yoga or Pilates a few days a week. She's nuts.” Lynx says laughing.

“You close with Elliot?” I ask, I always seem to want to know more about her.

“She's more close with Clover but we still hang out. Why? You finally admit your love to her?” She teases but it catches me off guard and I choke on the water I've been sipping on.

“My love for Rain?” I repeat.

“Oh come on Harry, it's obvious. Try to hide it and deny it all you want but we all know the truth.” She raises her eyebrows at me.

“I'm not denying it. I just didn't realize everyone saw it.”

“They do. And I saw you going after her last night when she went for her annual midnight swim.”

“So she really does do that? Every year?” I ask.

“Every year, no one else wants to do it. But I'm sure you know that Elliot doesn't care what other people think.” She tells me.

“Oh I know.” I smile thinking about all the things she wants to do that I'm embarrassed to do, I always care too much about what others will say and think about.

“Well Harry, when you get a girl like Elliot though, don't pass her up. Most people can't handle her creative mind so they pass or they mess it up but I like you, I hope your different.” She stands to stretch.

“I hope so too. While I have you, where should I take Elliot for our first date?” I ask, knowing that Lynx will think a little differently then myself.

She quickly sits back down. “A date huh? Well, she's not a dinner and a movie kind of girl. I saw that you guys have already been to Disney so that's out. You're in LA so off the top of my head things she'll like kayaking that place, oh what's it called.” She closes her eyes to think. “The Marina Aquatic Center, that's it. The Moonlight Rollerway Skating Rink would be fun too, rollerskating is always a good time, and the California Science Center, and she always likes to go to the Ranco Park Archery Range, its actually free to learn how to shoot, it's pay by donation. I've been there with her once and she always has fun. So you have some ideas to name a few.” She smiles at me and pats me on the shoulder. “I'm sure you'll have fun no matter what you do.”

I nod my head and wipe my palms on my shorts, suddenly nervous. Elliot is finished with her “class” and she makes her way over to me.

“Hey.” She smiles and takes a seat next to me. “Didn't feel like joining in?” She asks as she drapes her legs over the side.

“I'm exhausted. I don't know how you all do this.” I gesture to the area around us to explain myself.

“Oh you're fine. I don't know how you go and sing for hours at a time entertaining people so we're even.”

“That's just for a few hours, this is your whole life.” I try to explain my point.

“Oh Harry, I sleep really well, eat really well, and workout for a living. I have no excuse.” She smiles at me as she slips off her shoes. I absentmindedly grab a hold of her foot closest to me and start rubbing it. She doesn't protest, instead just leans her head back and looks up at the sky to relax.

“So we still going out?” She asks.

“Of course we are. Why, do you not want to?” I ask suddenly thinking she might not want to.

“I do!” She smiles and I set her foot back down and bring my arms back to myself. “You're not going to pay attention to my other foot?” She whines, I think one of the first times I've ever heard her whine.

I turn my head to her and smile. “Aww did little Elliot not get what she wanted?” I tease her.

She sticks her bottom lip out and pouts, “No, I didn't. Pretty please?” She props her other foot up and I give in and massage it. “Thank you.”

“You owe me.” I tell her laughing.

“Yeah right. I took you to this awesome place that will last in your memory forever. I think you still owe me if anything.” She smirks.

“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” I smile back at her and let her feet rest on my lap as we soak in the sun.

Notes

Ohhh you all are FANTASTIC! :)

Love coming back to update, and see I have four amazing new comments. Ya'll just know how to make a girls day. AND just for that, I'll be updating not one but TWO chapters today!

Thanks for all the lovely comments, votes, and subscriptions, I just cant get enough of them. :)

Happy Sunday!