Just Let Go (Harry Styles)

Chapter Thirty-Six - Pizza!

Chapter Thirty-Six

The phone rang and I glanced up from shuffling papers around, my heart pace increasing. Jennifer's final week here in Los Angeles was finally here and so last minute packing was in full swing. I had become her partner again and finalized everything with her clients and banking. She gave me a huge severance check for my hard work and it made me start missing her. I was grateful she was so dependant on me helping her. It kept me busy and distracted from the turmoil in my life. Jennifer's face brightened when she heard the voice on the other end, meaning that it was Kalvin, her boyfriend in Hawaii, calling. When Jennifer answered a question from the caller, she gave me a quick glance and I looked away, continuing my work.

The phone ringing was not the only thing that caused my heart to skip it's normal rhythm. Since returning home from London almost 4 months ago, the dreams of Harry had not only started, but increased. Every night I dreaded going to sleep, but once I slept, I dreaded waking up. I could never look at any sort of taco place again. It reminded me too much of my first unofficial date with Harry. We shared tacos and flirted over kissing. Now look at me, sad and alone. Those happy times feel like forever ago.

Once Jennifer ended her call, she sat back and sighed. "So I heard that One Direction is here in Los Angeles for the Music Festival this week." She said cooly, glancing over at me. I swallowed hard and tried not to look too affected by her words. I knew they were here. That was all the news was talking about; Where they had gone, who they saw, what they were doing, etc. I had to remind myself hourly not to listen to the radio or watch TV for fear of seeing something... or someone. "Kristen?" Jennifer said after her words were met with my silence.

"Yeah, I heard that too." I said with a controlled, but natural sounding, tone.

"Has he contacted you?" Jennifer's question sounded innocent, but she knew that One Direction and Harry Styles was a touchy subject for me.

"Jennifer, I really don't want to talk about him." I said looking at her with pleading eyes. She looked away for a moment, guilty for having asked. She stared at the wall in silence for a minute, her silence making me feel uncomfortable. She stood abruptly, doing a fun spin to face me. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"We need to go out and celebrate!" She said giddily. "One last Hoora before I leave." I was surprised at first to feel the atmosphere in the room change so much from sullen to happy. I wanted to go, but I also didn't want too. Going out tonight would only remind me that my dear friend was moving and leaving me behind. I was not in the mood to go anywhere either. I still needed time to recover from my shattered heart and the only way to do that was in the safety of my apartment.

"Thank you for the offer, Jennifer, but I'll have to decline." I said solemnly as I looked into her bright eyes. "Okay, how about we binge watch RomComs or something on Netflix? I can order some pizza and we can spend the rest of the night in front of the TV." She never once stopped her happy smile nor did she look away from me. It's true that this was her last week here and come Saturday, she would be living in Hawaii. A flashback of our entire relationship ran through my mind. I remembered the first time I saw her. I remembered I thought of her strange because of the field of work she went into. I remember always having to tuck her into bed on the couch when she would get home late from jobs. I remembered us going shopping together for the first time and all the laughs we shared together. Jennifer had become my best friend and if my heart could break anymore, it would. I was becoming alone again. I lost Harry and now I was losing Jennifer. The though made me want to cry but I held in my tears and nodded a to her idea of Netflix and pizza. Without saying any words, she gave me a hug to comfort me. "Thanks, Kristen"

After she felt like I had calmed down, she told me she would order the pizza. "Please get a cheese!" I called as she proceeded out of the room. "I hate all that extra stuff!"

"But you can always take it off! Cheese is such a waste." She looked back at me. I Stuck my tongue out at her and she dramatically sighed. "Fine!" She said stopping at the entryway. "One cheese for Kristen coming up!"

I decided to make myself busy and ready the room for our marathon. A lot of Jennifer's personal belongings were packed away already, and only basic house furniture was left including her 70 inch TV. I grabbed pillows and a blanket and put them on the floor next to the couch so that I could be comfortable while Jennifer, I know, would take the couch. I powered up her TV and located the Netflix application.

"Looks cozy!" Jennifer said reentering the room. "I called for pizza. They said about 40 minutes. Let's start our first movie." Jennifer jumped onto the couch and nestled herself into the puffy leather cushions. I settled on the floor and we decided to start our hopeless romantic adventures with Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan in Kate & Leopold.

I had seen this movie before at a Thanksgiving party that my extended family hosted many years ago. I thought it was cute, but watching it now, I saw a deeper meaning. I saw a man and woman in love, separated by time. I saw a woman holding herself back because she was unable to let herself go and let herself love him. My thoughts drifted to Harry and our first meeting at the airport, Our drive to his apartment, our first date at the taco place, and I remembered all of his shameless flirting up until he started pushing me away. My heart warmed at the memory of the night he came to my side and confessed his deepest feelings for me and how rejoiced I felt because mine were the same. We slept together for the first time that night. I fell asleep feeling his breath on my cheek and his arms around my body. My eyes almost started to water, but I held them in. I didn't want Jennifer to worry about me, especially since this was her last week here. I wanted to send her off with a smile. I quickly wiped away any evidence of soaking eyes.

Time seemed to move extra slow tonight, even while we watched our movie. I was beginning to grow hungry and worried that the pizza delivery guy got lost... or worse, ate our pizza! I glanced up at Jennifer as I said nonchalantly, "Sure is taking a long time for pizza to get here." I paused the movie and saw we were already an hour into our movie. Pizza place said 40 minutes. Jennifer's sat up and looked at the time. "Oh, it should be here soon. You know how pizza places work, they always need a grave period." She got up from the couch and started for the exit.

"Where are you going?" I asked curiously.

"Bathroom." Jennifer said as she vanished from sight. I sat alone in her living room, staring at the paused screen of Hugh Jackman's face. Jennifer was gone for a good ten minutes before I finally heard the doorbell. Pizza! My spirits lifted as I thought of the melted cheese taste on the tip of my tongue.

"Jenn! Pizza!" I called. Since she was up, why not grab it on her way back? Surely she had to be done using the restroom by now. The doorbell sounded again, I called for Jennifer again. When I heard the doorbell ring for a third time, I lifted myself off the floor and located the pizza money we had set aside on the kitchen counter.

"Jennifer, pizza is here!" I called to her right as I opened the door.

"Kristen."

The door was shut and locked faster than you could say 'huh'. I stared at the solid dark colored oak door in shock.

Harry?