Everglow | on hiatus.

everglow: nineteen

Harry calmly stares at Rohan as they wrap up a speech therapy session. It's not that awkward.

Last night he asked Nia to go on a date and today happens to be that date. He is confused and terrified.

This is a new feeling. He has always been super smug and cocky about his past dates. This just feels extremely different. Even when he knows this person and has gone on many dates with her.

Rohan calmly clears his throat to bring back his attention to the room and Harry calmly blinks. The speech journal is gently flipped open and Rohan makes a few notes before glancing at Harry with a supportive smile.

"Your speech is picking up," he starts the not-so-awkward recap.

"Okay....thank you," Harry manages to say, looking away.

"But I still think you're holding yourself back and we have to work on that," Rohan continues.

"H-How?" Harry doesn't bother looking at him.

"I can't say but your understanding is way better than when we started these sessions and you're more responsive," Rohan continues.

"Going...going on a date with Nia," Harry turns to him, calmly.

"Okay that's the smoothest speech you've given me and wow, that's great news," Rohan tries to act surprised.

"Yes...okay," Harry doesn't know why he just told him.

"Is there more you want to say?" the pathologist asks, going with the flow.

"Afraid...to speak," he continues, relaxing a little on the sofa.

"I noticed the same thing too, you're holding back a lot. Are you okay telling me why?" Rohan asks, concerned.

Harry slowly shakes his head in defiance. It's not that he doesn't want to share with Rohan. It's just that he doesn't even know why he's holding back with his speech recovery.

There's something comfortable about this stage in his life and he doesn't understand it. This is the slowest his life has ever been since he shot into fame. It has been the quietest and he honestly doesn't hate it.

Full recovery indicates returning to his former life and he's clearly no longer that person. He doesn't recognise the old Harry and he doesn't want to be that man again.

"Not...okay," he replies, hoping Rohan understands.

"That's fine. My job is really to help you speak better, so I'm here for whatever you need," Rohan nods in understanding.

"Okay....okay so date with Nia?" Harry smiles a little.

"Okay, let's talk about that. How are you feeling?" he asks, wondering what they're supposed to talk about.

"You...are....friend?" Harry squints, asking to be sure.

"Harry, I'm not dating the woman you like, okay?" Rohan chuckles.

"But....wanting to?" he asks again.

"Okay, that was once," Rohan rolls his eyes with a smile. "We're just friends and I know you know that too."

Harry smiles because he knows that and he just needed to hear that again. Nia has repeated how she's just friends with Rohan and she's currently helping him find someone to date.

It's relieving to know he doesn't have to fear the worst. But Nia is a stunning woman with a pure heart, he understands how easy it is to be drawn to her.

"We...done...now?" Harry asks.

"You sneaky lad, of course we have homework for you," Rohan chuckles, getting out a flat folder.