I catch you when you fall

Chapter 3

When I stand outside, I close my eyes again and take a deep breath. I don't know how to classify this encounter and what to think of Harry. When I open my eyes again, I realize that it's still raining. I would like to go to a quiet place where there is no human soul and sort your thoughts, but since it's raining, this is not a good Idea. I make my way to my car and watch the goings around me.

There are not many people around and everyone is in hurry to get out of the rain. Sometimes I wonder why, somehow rain has a calming effect to me. When I get to my car, I put my bag on the passenger seat, get in and drive home. When I get home, I first change my clothes after someone threw me a drink today. I sit at the window and look into the beginning dusk.

To organize my thoughts, I take my notebook, put my headphones in my ears and lose myself in the music. Meanwhile I write down everything that comes to my mind and concerns me. After I feel better and have written everything down, I take a look outside. It's dark and the stars shine brightly in the sky. I lie down in my bed and look at the stars through the skylight until I fall asleep.

I only spent the next two days at home and today I'm going out with friends. Actually I'm unmotivated and unhappy. Just smile and pretend everything is fine, I think to myself when I go to my friends. My friends talk about trivial things for a while and I don't really listen until someone speaks to me. "Hey Ava, are you okay? You're so quiet today" she says and looks at me quizzically. "Oh I'm sorry. I'm  a little distracted today, don't worry" I say, forcing a smile on my face. "I thought something was wrong but you would tell me that, right? I'm your best friend after all" she says and smiles happily at me.

Is that really you, I think. After all a stranger is more attentive than my friends. "Yes....but I have to go now" I say and make your way to the cafe. When I arrive at the cafe, I open the door and walk straight into someone. Startled I look up and have to laugh softly when I see the person's face.

"Sorry Harry, I didn't see you" I say and smile at him. Somehow he manages that my smile is real. "We have a strang way of greeting each other" he says with a smile. "How are you and how has your day been so far" he asked me and immediately my smile fades a little and I smoke up to keep it going.

I'm about to say good when he surprises me again. "You don't have to try to cover it up" he says and looks at me carefully. "I haven't said anything yet" I answered confused. "You don't have to either. Your fake smile can't be overlooked and one look into your eyes tells me that you are not happy". He looks at me for a moment and then holds out his hand to me. "Do you trust me?"