Hoax | H.S|

The Anniversary

Harry has snuck back into his shell. The little bit that had peeked out was fully retracted into hiding.

We are passing a gas station ahead of us, the large sign gleaming, and I get the idea to get out. Order an Uber. There had to be atlas forty minutes until my house and just like yesterday. I wasn't going to put myself through unnecessary stress with this man.

"Pull over at this gas station," I ask, expecting a snappy response.

But he does as I ask, turning and pulling into a parking spot in the front, looking over at me. "You gettin' a snack?"

"No, I'm getting an Uber home," I reply shortly, gathering the purse from beneath my legs.

"Wha'? No. Absolutely not," Harry says in response, his eyes becoming a little wider from the surprise of my actions. I wasn't one of those girls who was going to put up with his bullshit, maybe like his other ones.

"I'm not subjecting myself to however much longer this car ride is with you with you. The intern was right, you are a prick," with that I'm reaching for the handle on my left.

I feel his hand wrap around my right wrist, "Look, don't. Fuck, you make shit so complicated."

"I really don't. I'm not going to let you bully me," I glare over at him, anger gleaming in my eyes.

"I'm sorry, okay? Fuckin' shit," He groans, running his other hand through his messy wind-blown hair. "Let me buy you a snack."

I can help but chuckle, a smile unwelcomingly tilting the corner of my lips, "Is that how you offer your girlfriend's apologies? Through snacks. Well probably not your size zero ones, what do you offer them...green smoothies perhaps?"

A barely there grin appears on his tense face, he shakes his head slightly at my obnoxious remark before letting go of my wrist. "Let's go in."

We enter the gas station, meandering towards the snack aisles. I am quick to grab a bag of salt and vinegar chips, cruising down the candy lane to grab a Butterfinger. King size may I add. Then to add to my health, I shuffle a diet coke into the crevice of my inner elbow.

Harry had wandered off before coming to find me by the beverage cooler. He had a snickers, -regular size -, and a Voss water bottle. I roll my eyes at him, "You're really ballin' out."

He glances over my junk, I expected a rude remark or a judgement purse of the lips like most do, instead he reaches out to grab my diet coke to carry it for me. The fact he could hold his water and my drink in one hand made me feel a slight tingle. I needed to get laid.

As we make our way towards the entrance, a little gaggle of teenage girls step in front of us, cell phones in our faces. Then came the bombardment of questions and giggles from at least eight or nine girls.

"Can we please get pictures with you guys?"

We both oblige, accepting the compliments of, "You two are the cutest together!"

Repeatedly the requested, "Can you say 'happy birthday' to Kasie?"

After a few minutes with the fans, they let us pass, I can still feel them videoing our backs as we slide our stuff onto the checkout counter.

I feel Harry slide his hand across my lower back, a light grip on the bunch up fabric of the shirt I was wearing - his shirt.

For an unexplained reason, the gesture made me feel safe and I felt like Harry could sense it as I unintentionally leaned into his side. My head brushes his sturdy shoulder as he takes out his wallet to pay.