Verbatim [h.s]

Six

// hello this is future me, I just wanted to hop on and just say that in this chapter there is something happens that seems very rushed and forward considering. I hate spoiling anything and I understand people are so used to slow slow burns but you need to know that pretty much 99% of my writing has a purpose and I have said it for a reason. That being said, without spoiling, there is a reason what is said is said if that makes any sense. Anyways, I just wanted to write this just because many people have said they're not carrying on reading for that reason and it's quite disheartening but I get it, if you're into a slow burn this probably isn't for you BUT there is a reason behind it. Thank you for listening to my babble haha enjoy the rest of the book:) \\

"The beach?" I question, dumbfoundedly looking at him. He just chuckles to himself. Why the fuck are we going to the beach in the winter? It's freezing outside nevermind by the sea, I'm glad I did wrap up warm.

"Yep." He relaxes back in his seat, his right arm stretched out along the window holding the wheel with his fingers, then his left arm rests down holding the gear stick.

"Which one?" There aren't exactly beaches fifteen minutes away from London and I know he said it was a long journey. I had only been to the beach a handful of times, those being on some weekends in Cornwall with mum and my stepdad and then once when I went to Europe in high school.

"Brighton." I gawk at him. Isn't that like two hours away? I'm sure there's one closer than that. Surely. Also isn't it a stone beach not even sand? He must've picked that one specifically.

"Any reason why?" I question.

"I just like it there." He shrugs and I leave it not digging anymore right now. I have never been to Brighton or Brighton beach before so I guess I'm kind of excited. I would never go their alone, maybe with Aud but she's never shown any interest in going so I'm excited that Harry is taking me.

"Have you been a lot?"

"I go frequently yeah. Usually, at night, it's quiet then." He seems so relaxed right now. Every time I've been around him he seems so assertive and powerful but has this tension surrounding him that makes me feel slightly stressed for him. I can imagine his job is probably demanding of him. I wonder if he likes it?

"I notice you haven't got a southern accent, are you from up north?" I speak first, trying to think of a conversation starter. It feels natural to be with him but I put so much pressure on myself I start questioning everything I want to speak about.

"Yeah, originally from Manchester way. I moved down here when I was 21." Interesting. My brother went to University in Manchester, I wonder if they met. Well, Manchester is a pretty big city the odds of their paths crossing are probably slim to none.

"Oh cool, did you go to University there?"

"Yeah, studied Business." Oh?

"My brother went to a University in Manchester, studying Business too. I wonder if you ever met him." I casually shrugged. If they knew each other that would be a small world.

"There's like three or four different Universities I think, but maybe what was his name?"

"Max, Max Michaels." It felt weird saying his name out loud, mum and I rarely spoke about him. It hurt her a lot when he left for good without a goodbye and it hurt me too, although we weren't close he was never not nice to me. I had good memories with him, well good memories of the select few times he spent with me. He was troubled and I never blamed him for leaving, his dad abandoned him, and he took it hard.

"I-" Then a loud horn blaring and a car in front of us swerving in the road interrupts what he was saying and we're forced into the other lane of the motorway. "Fuck." Harry manages to straighten the car back up, looking in the rearview mirror he frowns so I look back and see two cars have crashed.