Stay

I packed an overnight bag when I got back to Amy’s and had some lunch. Once she got home I let her know that I was going to Harry’s that evening for the night.

“That’s great that you guys can still spend time together,” she said when I told her.

“It is,” I said smiling a bit… well more than I had in the past few days.

“It still doesn’t change the fact that we do have a problem but make sure you make the most of these visits,” she said.

“I will, don’t worry,” I said.

“And you’ll get through it,” she said.

“Thanks, Amy,” I said quietly.

“I’m always here for you,” she said smiling.

So I set out for Harry’s at five thirty. I decided to walk as it was the easiest for me and meant I wasn’t likely to be noticed going to his place.

I took a little while to walk across town and to the park that backed Harry’s house. It was beginning to get dark as I walked towards the place where the secret gate was. It had been there a long time before Harry bought the house but had come in handy. It was a bolted gate set into the fence but vines had grown over it and the fence so it no one knew it was there. There was also a whole heap of low hanging willow trees that hid its location.

I ducked as I walked between the trees and made my way to the gate. I found the bolt and pulled it back opening it a little and sneaking in before closing and re-bolting it behind me. It led into Harry’s backyard. I walked up the lawn and as I looked at the kitchen window I saw Harry’s grinning face and he waved at me before coming to the door and opening it just as I was climbing the steps.

“Babe!” said Harry excitedly as he pulled me into a hug before grabbing my bag, “Let me take that for you.”

“Harry, it's ok,” I try and protest.

“Claire, sit down,” he said before pulling me inside and closing the door. I followed him down the hall to his bedroom where he placed my bag on his bed before hugging me tightly once more.
“I’m so happy to see you, babe,” he said.

“Me to, Harry,” I said and I knew we were both thinking the same thing. Harry’s next words confirmed it.

“It’s been horrible without you.”

“What’s happened?” I asked. And so we both sat down on the bed. I pulled my legs up and crossed them as I turned to Harry.

“I met Rebecca after you left. I mean, she’s nice and everything but its not right. She’s not my type and I have to go to her whenever she calls ‘cause that’s what management said and it really sucks. And I’ve been missing you, babe,” he said.

“I’ve missed you too, Harry,” I said as I leaned on his shoulder and he wrapped an arm around me. “The media hasn’t made it any easier, they’ve already got a billion stories out.”
“You haven’t been looking for the stories have you, babe?”

“No, they’re on every store front. In all the magazines and stuff. It’s kinda hard to miss,” I said.

“I wish they knew the truth,” said Harry.

“So do I, Harry.”

“I mean I don’t want to do it. She called me at some ungodly hour last night and I had to drive over there and spend time with her and it’s just… I don’t like it,” he said, sounding frustrated.

“Why do they make you do that?” I asked.

“I don’t even know. It’s messed up.”

“What happens if you don’t go?”

“I get in trouble. I don’t know what they’ll do but I’m just doing what they say because I don’t know what else to do.”

“Oh, Haz,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a comforting hug.

“I wish we could just be together properly and they would leave us alone. What did we ever do to deserve this?” he said.

“I don’t know, Haz but it’ll all work itself out I’m sure,” I said, rubbing his back.

“I sure as hell hope so, ‘cause we can’t live like this forever,” said Harry.

“I agree,” I said.

“But enough of that, what do you wanna do, babe? I should probably make you some dinner,” he said, his tone lighting up a bit.

“I can help,” I said, grinning.

“Didn’t I tell you to sit down, babe?” said Harry, chuckling.

“Oh come on, Haz. If I help you it means I spend more time with you,” I said.

“Well, that does sound like a good offer,” he said, tapping my nose.

“Come on then,” I said, grabbing his hand and pulling him out to the kitchen where we began to make spaghetti bolognaise. Harry decided to turn on the radio and we both danced around the kitchen as we continued making dinner. At one point Harry came over while the pasta was cooking and wrapped his arms around my waist and we began to sway to the music as I stirred the sauce.

We pretty much sat down for dinner straight away and chatted happily as we ate, it was almost like old times. I say old times because despite it being barely a week since our lives had been turned upside down it felt like an age ago since we’d seen each other.

After dinner we sat down in front of the TV and snuggled up under a blanket. We didn’t really mind what we watched; it was really the fact that we were together now that mattered. As we channel surfed we found Miranda on one channel and so we watched that. It turned out that the channel in question was having a bit of a marathon, which was great and so we settled in to what promised to be a great evening.

Part way through the third episode I felt Harry’s phone vibrate in his pocket. He sighed as he pulled it out and checked the caller ID.

“I’ll be right back, babe,” he said, standing up and leaving the room as he answered the phone.

“Hello?” I heard him answer. “Hi, Rebecca… I’m good… right now? Ummm I’m not sure… I know… I’m a little busy, though… I know, I know… Fine, I’ll be over,” he said and the last answer came with a huge sigh. My heart sank a little. Of all the times she could have called it had to be now. He was slouching as he walked back in the room.

“She just called,” he sighed.

“I heard,” I said.

“I’m sorry, babe. Tonight was supposed to be our special night,” he said and he truly did sound sorry.

“I understand, Harry,” I said, looking at my knees.

“Babe…” he said as he came over and gave me a hug. “I’m really really sorry, I don’t want to leave.”

“Then why don’t you stay?” I said quietly.

“Honestly, babe, I would if I could, truly,” he said before kissing the top of my head.

“Ok,” I said.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. You can pop yourself into bed whenever. I’ll try not to stay there long,” he said.

“Yep,” I said.

“I love you, Claire,” he said, kissing me on the head again.

“Love you too, Haz,” I said.

And with that he got up and left. I knew he had to do it but I wasn’t going to pretend that I wasn’t disappointed. I knew it wasn’t his fault, though.

Not long after he left I slipped into his bed and cried myself to sleep. Just when I thought I was able to cope with it all. How wrong I was.

Notes