The Chase (h.s. au)

Chapter 32

TWO YEARS LATER

Harry.

I've lost my mind. I've gone crazy and I can't tell myself how stupid I am enough. The anger I have on myself, the hate I have on myself, the regret I have on myself, is endless. My life is meaningless and I have nothing anymore.

Nothing.

When her friend, Martin, told me she moved back home, I understood. I understood perfectly why she would. As much as I wanted to touch her, kiss her, love her one last time, I knew that she had chosen better. I hurt her and I'd do anything to rewind that night and decline Kelly's offer. She gave me straight alcohol and I allowed her to kiss me and touch me; the worst and the biggest mistake I'd ever made in my life.

Lauren's smart for leaving. I wouldn't even want to stay with myself if I did that. There is nothing I want more than to talk to her one last time to apologize, but I've kept my space for her sake. She hated me but loved me at the same time. Nothing is worse than seeing her walk out the door and never come home.

I'm in England, desperately trying to find something out about myself. I quit school and started just wandering. There is no meaning to life without her.

When I reach my flat, I walk in and grab the mail. My hand grabs a few envolopes and I flip through them as I open my door. One envolope is a stand out and I open it, my heart dropping even further into my chest.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," I groan, the invitation to my father's wedding.

In Michigan.

They explain in the invitation that the wedding moved quickly and that it's a week away, my eyes rolling. How the hell am I supposed to afford a plane ticket?

I flip it over and a note is attached to it, my hand unfolding it.

Harry-

I want you to be my best man. This is a plane ticket so you can come home. I miss you like hell son and I need to see you again. Stop torturing yourself because you should see the woman Lauren's become now. You'd be surprised but you need to grow up. Fight for her if you love her so much.

The flight leaves at eleven tonight and I start packing, not knowing what else to do with myself. I've had the worst years of my life flash before me; the ring I still hold onto lying in a dusty drawer.

I'm such a fucking idiot.

The flight is long and boring, the kid I sit next to maybe five years old. The stupid irony fills me everywhere and I lean my head against the window, closing my eyes as I fall asleep.

Flashback

"Does that make sense?" Kelly asks, my head nodding. I sign one last paper and she sets them back in her purse.

"Do you want a drink? You deserve one after the long day you had," she says, my hand running through my hair.

"I don't know. I have to get home. My girlfriend..." I say, but she shrugs.

"Just relax. She's understanding," she says, my head nodding. She sets a drink in my hand and I sit on the chair again.

"Why law?" she asks, my shoulders shrugging.

"I like the idea of protecting people, so I'd love to protect all those who can't defend themselves."

She smiles and I gulp the drink down, her fingers refilling my glass. We keep talking and drinking until I can't see straight, her lips pulling into a smirk.

"You alright there?" she asks, standing up.

"Yeah. I'll be fi-"

She climbs onto my lap, her hands grabbing my cheeks. "Yes. You most definitely will be fine," she says, her lips laying on mine. She tastes like strawberries, my lips moving along with hers as I try to figure the other flavor on her lips. Her fingers remove the tie on my neck and I keep my hands still on my sides.