Law and Order- complete

XVI

Harry parks his car calmly next to a busted wooden bench with vines growing along the side. I could hear the hum of the crickets and cicadas as Harry turns the car off. 

"Are you ready?" I ask him as I undo my seatbelt and pull the handle to the door. My Fila's stomp into the damp leaves as I inhale the cool, night air. I look up into the sky, though it's blocked by the tall, foresty trees. I can still see the little white dots that are the stars and the moon even further away. So small and pale yellowish color.

I adjust the California hoodie from my head and run a hand through it, glancing back at Harry who's locking the car. I watch as his eyes move around in the darkness, trying to see exactly where the hell I got him out to. "In case you get any ideas, I'm twice your size." He mumbles to me, and I roll my eyes.

"You're being dramatic. Come on, it's up here."

Harry pulls out his iPhone and turns on the flashlight, shining the light against the mucky bushes and sturdy trees. I can tell that nature isn't his strongest suit, especially since he's wearing a pair of dark jeans and a tee shirt after I told him we'd be hiking. I know he's cold without his jacket. My hair falls over my ears as I look down to hold my own phone's light at the ground. If I'm not careful, I know I'm bound to step on a snake.

"How far of a walk did you say this was?" Harry catechizes.

"You're already tired?" I huff out, I know I am. I regret not bringing a bottle of water.

"No, I'm just not seeing anything worth being out here for." He grunts, I crane my neck to him- lips pursed as he looks down at the ground with every march his sneakers take.

"I told you, it's a nice view. You don't like nature?"

"I like soft hills and cattle. Not, fucking east coast bugs and grasshoppers."

He doesn't see me, but I roll my eyes at his theatrics. I know the top of the mountain is only minutes away since we drove most of the way. Part of me is excited to see the city from up here without Ryder. In a way, I feel like I'm replacing my memories of him with my own. With the bombshell Ellen and Miranda planted on me, I know that being up here will give me the space to be calm.

I look up from the ground where I know I can see the lights from the city shining down on us as if urging us closer. I catch a glimpse at Harry tying the front of his hair up into a small ponytail that resembled a palm tree, he huffs and aims the light back at the dirt as I turn to face in front of myself. There's a lake on our left,  one that you'd only know was there if you looked. It's covered by large shrubs that would have to be climbed through in order to access it, but the water is super clear and surprisingly cool.

"This is it," I announce to Harry as we near the top. I let out a soft sigh as my eyes trail across the city lights, little dots spread out across the terrain. A large AT&T building stood out, its blue words illuminating the entire street it stood on. The pale moon I'd taken sight of earlier stood almost directly above the Spectrum Center where concerts were held every week. My eyes follow a plane flying up from the airport and I think about my moms, wondering if that was the plane they were on. 

He's quiet. I think to myself, glancing at Harry. But he's only enjoying the view as well. Now that we're up watching the lights, I can see his face better. His forehead is moist from the uphill walk and his cheeks are highlighted with sweat. His mouth is pressed in a thin line, fists in his pockets where I assume his phone to be. I wonder what he's thinking.

"You like to stare, don't you." His deep voice teases, eyes still scanning the view as a smirk appears on his lips. I let out a soft chuckle and look away, following his gaze.