Collision

We walk forward for another few steps before stopping in a grassy area clear of flowers. Harry sets down a basket that I didn’t know he was carrying and spreads out a blanket across the ground, motioning for me to sit down.

“Are you sure we won’t get in trouble?” I ask, looking around. It seems relatively quiet but there may be cameras around.

“It’s not like we’re doing anything,” he laughs at my concern and takes my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles in a soothing way. I nod and push the thought of us getting caught out of my mind.

“What’s this?” I ask, leaning forward to examine the wicker basket he brought. Inside there is a few plastic containers along with a wine bottle and plates and cups.

“Lunch,” he smiles proudly, reaching inside to take out one of the larger containers. He opens the blue lid to reveal what looks like to be some sort of pasta.

“Here you go,” he hands me a bowl full of chicken alfredo along with a styrofoam cup filled with red wine. I sip on the wine as he fixes himself a bowl before eating.

We spend our lunch without a word, just enjoying the view. As the day drags on the scenery pops even more, making it even more beautiful than when we first arrived.

After I finish eating I lay back in the flowers and close my eyes, soaking up the sun.

“This is perfect, Harry,” I whisper barely loud enough for him to hear me.

“Definitely better than dinner and a movie,” he agrees, laying down beside me. I roll on my side to where I’m facing him and grab his hand, pulling it closer to me.

“Thank you,” I smile. This is far better than what I would have expected.

“Tell me about yourself,” he says, surprising me.

“Like what? I’m pretty much an open book,” I frown.

“Tell me something you don’t normally tell people.” He offers.

I rack my brain, trying to think of something. Something pops up but the only person who knows about it is my parents and Anna.

“I like photography,” I admit, closing my eyes in embarrassment. When I open them again, he isn’t laughing, he’s smiling.

“What?” I ask him.

He shakes his head and sits up. “I can’t believe you like photography.” He laughs this time, but it’s not a mocking laugh.

“Why not?” I cross my arms, also sitting up.

“You’re the only person that I know who likes photography. It’s so different from other girls.”

“Can I see your camera?” he asks.

“I don’t have a camera,” I lie.

“I see it in your bag all the time. I just thought you had some weird fetish.” He laughs. I shake my head at him but hand him over the camera with caution.

“What the hell?” He asks, taking it into his hands.

“What?” I scramble forward to make sure nothing’s wrong with the camera.

“It’s so old. It looks like something my grandma would hoard.”

I laugh. “It’s vintage. I got it from an antique shop.” I say.

He takes a picture of the scene around us before turning the camera on me. Two pictures print out, one of the meadow around us, the other of me laughing in the sunlight. Harry hands me the picture of the meadow while putting the other in his wallet.

“Your turn,” I say.

“I’m moving back to England after graduation,” he says without hesitation.

I frown. “Why? I thought you liked it here?” Harry not being here changes my whole outlook on this small town. Sure, I’ve made some friends but Harry is the best part.

“I do, but England is my home. Not this shitty town,” he answers.

“Okay,” I bite my lip, trying to find the words to say.

“Where would you go once you graduate?” He asks, sensing my tension.

“New York. Well, Cornell actually.” I reply, smiling at the thought of attending Cornell in a few years.

“You would move all the way to New York?” he opens the picnic basket and grabs a strawberry.

“It’s always been my dream to be a nurse and move to New York. I guess going to Cornell is the easiest way to get I want.”

“Oh,” his voice sounds hurt, like I just stole something from him. I ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach and tell myself that everything will be okay as he eats another strawberry.

The afternoon soon ends and once the temperatures drop, we’re sent scurrying to the car. Instead of taking the original way, Harry pulls me down another path just to the right. This path looks similar to the other one but instead of leading us out, it’s taking us further into the woods.

“Where are we going?” I finally ask.

“You’ll see,” he smiles over his shoulder.

A few minutes later a stream with various large rocks around it appears. The stream looks beautiful in the center of the dark pines and stones. We make our way around the stones and sit in a patch of sunlight on a stone near the stream.

“My dad used to take me here when I was upset,” he admits, breaking the silence.

Instead of responding, I lean forward and leave a quick peck on his lips. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me closer, our lips connecting again. I run my hands up his chest and fist his shirt.

After about five minutes of this, I lean into him and bury my face in his chest.

“It’s getting really cold out here,” I laugh.

“Here, take this.” He shrugs off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. I start to protest that it’s too cold for him to be out here in a short sleeved shirt but the look on his face silences me.

“Come on, let’s go,” he helps me stand and we walk back to the car. The air gets colder, almost unbearable as we reach the car and quickly climb in.

Harry swings by the coffee shop on our way home and gets us each a cappuccino to heat us up. I finish the warm drink as we reach my house and hold onto the cup, clinging to its warmth.

Harry’s car door opens and he jogs around the hood to open my door for me. He laces his fingers with mine as we walk onto the front porch.

“I had a great time.” I smile.

“Yeah, it was okay,” he shrugs with a grin.

“Shut up,” I push his shoulder.

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow. Good night,” he kisses my cheek, and with that, he leaves.

Notes

Here's another long chapter for you guys! I have a cook out to go to tomorrow night so I probably won't update until the weekend! Thanks for all the support, love ya!