Collision

My mind is clouded and fuzzy when I wake again in the afternoon. I replay the previous events of the day in my mind as I wipe the sleep out of my eyes. Me catching a ride with Jacob and Harry's and I's argument on the dirt road come to mind. I'm still not sure why Harry would be angry with me. I know he was worried but he didn't need to flip out on me over a simple ride.

I sigh and crawl out of the tiny bed in hopes of trying to talk to him. Maybe I can sustain an argument since I got some sleep.

I join everyone downstairs and find them all spread out on the couch and chairs, watching another football game. Harry's eyes lock with mine as I step onto the hardwood floor, following me all the way to the kitchen. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and sit down at the coffee table, sipping on the cold water as I think of what I'm going to say to him.

My plans are cut short when Harry strolls into the kitchen, not bothering to look at me as he opens the fridge and also grabs a bottle of water. We make eye contact as he sits down across from me and his fingers begin tapping on the glass table.

"Did you sleep okay?" His tone holds no emotion, neither does his face.

"Great, actually," I smile and take another sip. All of my previous thoughts have disappeared the moment Harry walked into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," he says quietly a few minutes later.

"I didn't think it was a big deal that I rode with him." I say.

"It was to me," he sharply responds. I stand to leave the table but he grabs my wrist quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that." I sit back down at the table and motion for him to continue.

"It's just your mum told me that you left for town and I went looking for you. And then you stroll up with some complete stranger and say, it's no big deal," he explains.

"It wasn't a big deal. It was a simple ride." I argue.

"Let's just agree to disagree," he smiles and places his hand on mine across the table.

I guess this is as much as an apology I'm going to get from Harry so I just smile and nod in hopes that this whole thing is over.

The Next Day

"Do we have everything?" Dad asks as he starts the car. We're all scattered around the large car, bags in hand. I'm reluctant to leave this place, despite the little bit of drama that Harry and I had here.

"I hope so," Anne chuckles. On that note, we all pile into the car, everyone taking their original seats. For a minute, I expect Harry to sit beside his mother, but he climbs into the back seat with me and plops down near the window. I smile and lace his fingers with mine as the car backs out of the driveway.

"We're here," someone stirs me awake. I open my eyes to see Harry hovering over me, his large hand on my shoulder.

I grab the bag that he has in his other hand and slowly climb out of the car. My legs are tense and it's hard to walk at first, but I stretch them out as Anne and Harry get their belongings from the back.

"I'll talk to you later," Harry pecks my lips as he wraps one arm around my shoulder. I look over at everyone else saying their goodbyes, and feel slightly guilty that I'm not over there with them. I give Harry another quick kiss before we join the rest of the people near the end of the car.

"Thank you for everything," Anne smiles and gives my parents each a tight hug before turning to me. Anne knows that we'll probably see each other very soon but she gives me a hug anyway and whispers a goodbye in my ear.

After everyone says goodbye for the final time, Anne and Harry retreat to their house while we get back in the car. I look over at my brother in the seat beside me and see that he has a completely emotionless stare as he watches the trees and houses go by. I want to say something to him but I'm afraid that if I do, I'll burst into tears.

Hayden walks upstairs to collect his things since he'll be leaving in a few minutes, and the rest of us remain in the kitchen to wait for him. When he comes back down, I'm not the first one crying.

"I'll be back, Mom. Stop crying," Hayden laughs as a tearful Mom throws her arms around him. They share a silent conversation and by the time she pulls back, she is no longer crying.

"I'll see you soon," my dad wraps his arm around my brother's shoulder and gives him a firm squeeze. Tough or not, I can see he's struggling to hold it together.

Hayden motions for me to follow him once he's done and we walk quietly outside, making sure to shut the door so they can't hear our conversation.

As soon as the door shuts tightly, I throw my arms around him with such force that he almost falls back into the bushes.

"Promise me you will stay safe," I whisper into his ear, stroking his back softly.

"It's only another year. Then I'll be home for good," he says back, still not answering my question.

"Promise me," I pull back to where we're eye to eye.

"I promise, Jess." he tells me firmly and I smile at his answer. I hug him a few more times before he finally decides that it's time for him to leave. I wave goodbye to him as his black car pulls out of the driveway. Tears prick my eyes and this time, I don't try to stop them.

Notes

Sorry it took so long to update but I had a lot of work to do over the weekend! But, aside from that, here's your promised update. A few of you may be confused as to why she's upset. Her brother, who's in the military, is going back for another year. So don't think that she's going through some depression, she's just sad to see her brother go.

Please comment and/or vote if you haven't already! It means so much and it only takes a second ;)