Poppy/H.S

Chapter 22

Louise and I come downstairs to the sounds of a very loving family singing Happy Birthday to Anne, the song echoing through the house. Louise and I share a smile, and carry on walking towards the source of joy. We follow the cheerful song and enter the living room, my eyes first landing on the guy wearing the brightest clothes today, his red sweater outshining anyone else in the room. With Poppy sat on his lap, the two of them are singing from the top of their lungs. The spot on Harry's left side is empty, while the seat on his right side is occupied by Gemma and whom I assume is her boyfriend, since his arm is around Gemma's shoulders. My pink punch cake is laid on the coffee table, Anne staring at it in awe, her cheeks flushed. I've noticed an additional decoration on the cake as Anne leans down to blow the candles.

"Make a wish, auntie!" A girl whom I've never seen before says, three guys possibly of Harry's age cheering along. The part of Harry's family that is foreign to me for now, is sat on the other sofa in the room.

"Grandma, can we cut the cake now?" a soft voice breaks the silence, making everyone in the room laugh, including me and Louise who add stood at the door, not wanting to interrupt the pervious moment by turning the attention to ourselves.

To be frank, I don't feel comfortable crashing a birthday party filled with an amazing family atmosphere. I feel like I don't belong here, even though everyone was so welcoming to me. Harry has reassured multiple times that everyone was okay with be being here, but I've now come to realise that even though I already had the consultation with Louise, I can't go home yet because Harry is my ride home. My four-hour long ride home. Since it doesn't look like Harry and Poppy are ready to go home yet, I will have to stay at Anne's party until they are ready to leave.

As I stand by the door that's relatively close to the beige sofa decorated with colourful Gucci pillows, I can hear Harry whisper, "Be a good girl and stay patient," to Poppy. And somehow, I feel like those words fit my situation perfectly, too. I should behave politely and throw away my social anxiety, staying patient until I'm allowed to go home.

"Of course, we can cut the cake, my dear. After all, if it wasn't for your stubborn daddy, we wouldn't have any cake to cut," Anne chuckles. "Ella, darling, could you grab a knife from the kitchen please? Don't forget the plates, too," she directs the request to the girl who had encouraged her to make a wish earlier. Considering the fact she has called Anne her auntie earlier, I assume she's Harry's cousin.

I watch Ella stand up from the sofa opposite the one where Harry and Poppy are sitting, and walk towards the door, where Louise and I are standing. I give her an awkward smile when our eyes meet, moving to the side so that she can walk further, but I don't expect her to stop to talk to me, like she does. It is only now that I realise her face is covered in freckles. She's wearing a pair of jeans, a simple black blouse and a bird necklace is hanging around her neck.

"You must be Valentine, the lawyer, right?" she asks, a smile on her face.

"Yeah, that would be me. And you are?"  I let out an awkward laugh, hoping she's going to introduce herself to me properly. I don't it seem like I've been eavesdropping or something.

"I'm Ella, Harry's cousin," she says, extending her hand out. "It's lovely to meet you. I'm going to grab a knife for the cake Harry had brought. Excuse me," she says, walking towards the kitchen.

When I look around the room again, I notice everyone's eyes are set on me. Harry gives me a reassuring smile as he pats the empty seat next to him on the couch. Poppy, who's sat on his lap, gives me a teethy grin as she waves at me. I put my hair nervously behind my ear, walking over to the beige sofa and having a seat, my face red when I realise everyone's eyes are still focused on me. The three guys sat on the opposite sofa where Ella was sat previously look rather confused. Just as I take a seat next to Harry, his familiar musky scent fills my nostrils, and just like that, I don't feel anxious anymore. I ignore the stares, shifting in my seat.