Allure (ENG)

Chapter 7 - Harry

When I walk away from her, I wonder if I should have given her an explanation. My phone keeps buzzing in my hand. For a second I stop and turn around to see Emily walk away from me. The red flowery dress she is wearing causes me to bite my lip. She is definitely a sight to see. I look back at my phone, Eduardo's name beams across the screen. I glance back at Emily one more time and watch how she becomes smaller and smaller on the horizon.

"Harry here," I say casually into the phone.

"Harry, I don't feel so good." Eduardo clears his throat.

"Asshole, you weren't in bed this morning."

"Maybe." In the background I can hear a voice, but I can't hear what is being said. I walk off the beach in the direction Eduardo would pick me up with the van.

"Okay, but who am I supposed to go with then?" Eduardo remains quiet on the other side of the phone. "With whom?" I repeat. As soon as I see the van, I quicken my pace.

"I will see you tonight!" he exclaims enthusiastically, after which he hangs up the phone. I sigh heavily. I swear to god if Eduardo has arranged for one of the summer crew to go with me, it is sure to drive me crazy. I cross the street behind the van. Without looking I get into the passenger seat.

"Goodmorning." I jerk out of my thoughts. My mum is behind the wheel. My head is overflowing with Spanish cuss words. I will get my revenge on him for this. "Eduardo is not feeling well, but he thinks he will be okay by tonight. So I thought I would accompany you." How great.

"Okay," I say instead. I fasten my seatbelt as my mum exits the parking lot.

"Did you stay late yesterday?" I respond with a confirming sound. You never know where my mum will take a conversation. "Nice customers?" This is what I mean, my mum always has a hidden agenda.

"What did you see?"

"Uh, well..." she stammers. "Was Kristy there?" Stunned by her question I look at her.

"What?! No? I think?"

"You think? You were talking to her a few times." I think back to last night and then I grasp what she is referring to. Blonde hair, blue eyes. She looks like Kristy.

"No, that wasn't Kristy," I reply softly. Should I tell my mum about Emily's existence? I have only talked to her. Okay, I also went for a walk with her. My body heats up when my thoughts jump back to earlier this morning. To her smile and her ocean eyes.

"Oh." My mum turns into the parking lot of the wholesale vendor. "Do you miss her?" In one smooth turn she parks the van next to the entrance. Do I miss her? The question forms a knot in my stomach. Do I miss Kristy? "You were so troubled by that picture of her."

"Maybe because I do want to let go of the past." My mum bites her lip, like mother, like son. Just because she doesn't want to let go of her past, doesn't mean I don't want to let go of mine.

In my mum's home there are still plenty of pictures with my Dad. Whenever I get back for the summer, she is a bit too curious. They haven't been together since I was one, but they remain interested in each other.

My mum's body language betrays her and I almost regret what I just said. What goes around comes back around.

"I just don't get why you two aren't together anymore," my mum says.

"I thought I told you." The frustration I feel might be noticeable in my voice, but I don't care.

"You told me there was no click. Even a blind person could see the chemistry between the two of you." I see how she watches me out of the corner of her eye.