Moving On [H.S]

Chapter 7

The next isn't any better for her. Her headache didn't go away, mainly because she got high and drunk again to distract herself, forgetting that would just make it worse. She drinks her tea to try and make herself feel better, which only slightly works. The days goes by, each afternoon after work, Maya walks with Harry and Isabella enjoying their company.

After 4 days, Isabella decided to give Maya a hug goodbye when they went their separate ways, shocking both Maya and Harry. It has been about 2 weeks since Harry and Maya have become friends, a basic level of understanding grounded between them as they spend more and more time together.

He walks over to the door, but he doesn't see Maya standing there. He figures maybe she is just running late, and waits for 5 minutes. But when she doesn't come down, he walks back up, and sneaks onto the roof. He pauses when he sees her crouched down near the edge of the roof.

"Maya?"

He asks and she turns around, quickly wiping her red eyes from any tears.

"What's wrong?"

He asks as he sits down beside her.

"Nothing...you should go..you're going to be late for Isabella."

She says and Harry frowns, concerned with Maya's state.

"Ok..I need to go pick her up, but at least go to the bathroom. I don't want to leave you up here when you're obviously upset."

He says and she pauses, before nodding in agreement. He walks her back down into the office, and over to the bathroom where they say a brief goodbye. Harry picks up Isabella who looks around confused when she doesn't see Maya.

"Where's Maya?"

"She had to take the train home today."

Harry says and the little girl nods, not questioning it. Harry's mind spins with worries, with thoughts. What if she goes back on the roof and-..he doesn't let himself finish that thought.

"What's wrong?"

Isabella asks and Harry snaps out of his thoughts.

"I'm alright...just thinking about things."

He says and she plays with his hair.

"What things?"

"Adult things. Don't worry about it, I'm alright."

He says giving her a kiss on the cheek and Isabella smiles. He puts her down when they walk in the door and she walks over to the TV, watching her cartoons. Their daily night routine goes by smoothly, eating dinner, getting ready for bed and putting Isabella to sleep, but Harry can't get Maya off of his mind.

He thinks to text her but remembers he doesn't have her number. Maybe on the work website? He quickly jumps up and opens his laptop, looking through the employee list and seeing her home phone number. It's worth a try. He quickly dials it and waits through the agonizing ringing. When she picks up, his heart stops.

"H-hello?"

She stutters into the phone and Harry almost trips on his own words.

"Hey Maya...it's me, Harry. I just wanted to check up on you to see if you're ok."

There is a long pause, but he can hear her shaky breathing.

"I'm fine....yeah...yeah m'fine."

She slurs and he furrows his brows. He jumps when he hears a thud and a groan of pain escape her lips.

"Are you alright?"

"Just fuckin tripped."

She curses and giggles. He knows she is not sober.

"Are you going to be ok?"

"Yeah! I jus.....woah. The room is doing a twirl."

She says and Harry feels panic rise in him.

"Go lay down Maya."

He says calmly and he hears her slow, uneasy footsteps until he hears a softer thud, of her falling on her bed.

"I'm laying down."

She laughs and he nods, relieved that she won't fall and hurt her head.

"Are you sure you're going to be ok?"

"Yeah...jus gonna go to sleep."

She slurs and he nods.

"Ok...stay safe. I'll see you tomorrow."

"G'night."

She says and he sighs.

"Goodnight."

He says before reluctantly hanging up. His theories were true, she is not sober, which explains her constant headaches, red eyes and jittery behavior. He knows it so well because that was him, for most of his teenage years. He doesn't want her to end up the same way he almost did.

...

Tomorrow is Friday, and if Harry is able to work up his courage, he might just have plans tomorrow night. He wakes up and gets Isabella ready, they eat breakfast and head out like usual. He drops Isabella off at day-care before heading into work and seeing Maya getting in just before him. She struggles to balance papers in her arms, and just as she is about to drop them all, he catches the slipping pile of papers. Her eyes meet his and a smile spreads over her face.

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver."

She says and Harry smiles.

"I'm flattered."

He says and she chuckles a little before they both go to their own cubicles. At their lunch break, Harry walks into the break room but doesn't see Maya. He knows where she is. He walks up to the roof with his lunch and sees her sitting, eating a banana near the edge of the roof.

"Mind if I join you?"

Harry asks and she turns, and smiles when she sees him. He sits down beside her and pulls out his usual green apple as they watch the clouds roam over the sky.

"Did you call me last night, or was I dreaming?"

She asks and Harry looks down at his hands.

"It wasn't a dream. I did call you."

He says and she nods.

"Thank you."

Is all she says and he nods, sensing the fact that she doesn't want to push the subject.

"Are you...are you free tomorrow night?"

He asks and she feels her heart almost stop.

"Yes...why do you ask?"

She asks and he tries not to fumble with his words and be as confident as possible.

"Would you like to go to dinner with me? I saw this Italian place down the street from our apartment. Niall says they have really good food. It's ok if you don't-"

"Harry."

She says interrupting him and he glances up at her.

"I would enjoy that."

She says and he blinks a few times, making sure he wasn't hearing things, before the most innocent smile spread across his face.

"Really?"

He asked and she nods, a smile on her own face.

"Of course."

She says and he could jump up and touch the clouds.

"Does 7 sound good?"

Harry asks and she nods. They spend the rest of their lunch break enjoying the view of the town, and swapping stories, jokes and glances when the other isn't looking.