The Opening Act (H.S) {Completed - Editing}

Mall Meltdowns

Slowly but surely I get my mom to bed, fighting back sobs myself. I know I need to not cry in front of her because it will only break her further. I know she won't sleep, but she at least needs to lay down and rest. Sitting in front of the TV all night in hopes of more news won't do her any good.

I walk back into the living room and Harry comes from the kitchen, looking at me with concern. "I put the flowers in a vase... is everything okay with your mum?"

I plop on the couch and bring my feet up to take my shoes off. I immediately put my legs up and hold my knees to my chest. Harry sits down beside me just as my phone rings from the bag on the chair across the room. He stands up and watches me as he gets my phone. He must recognize the number, because he answers it. He looks at me skeptically and walks into the kitchen.

"...I don't know whats going on. What do you mean is she okay?...No, but her mum is crying and won't even speak. Ave won't talk either." He pauses again and looks at me from the doorway. "Shit. Uh, yeah. I'll try to talk with her... Yeah, I'm staying here the night... alright, bye Lacey."

He sits down next to me and I look at my phone in his hands. "Can, you, uh.. can you call Raina and tell her my mom won't be at lunch tomorrow?"

I can even hear the saddness in my voice. I can feel the tears falling down my cheeks ever so slightly as he nods his head and wraps an arm around me. He does what I ask him too then he sets my phone on the table.

"You wanna talk about it?"

"Is there anything to talk about?" I ask, a deep sigh falling from my lips. I snuggle up against him and he pulls me tighter against his body. "He never tells us anything about his missions. Because he's so close to higher government with his work he's sworn to secrecy for like 95% of what he does. This training or mission or whatever was even more secret, we weren't even told where he was going."

Harry kisses my temple and I feel more tears running down my cheeks. He pulls me into his lap and I wrap my arms around his shoulders. I feel his thumb swipe across my cheeks and he kisses my head again. "I'm sure he's alright. They're experienced. They know what they're doing. It's the kind of situation where you have to focus on not thinking about the worst thing possible. I know it's hard, but it helps."

"But, what if it's not? What if he was kidnapped by some other country's navy or marines?"

He pulls my into his chest and in that moment I'm so thankful he's here. He just lets me cry against his chest for who knows how long, until he nudges me slightly. "You can't ask any what ifs, babe. It's only going to make it harder on you. Let's get you to bed."

"No," I mumble. "I won't be able to sleep."

"Ava, babe, you need to rest. I know you're worried about your dad but you need to keep yourself healthy too. Now come on, get up."

I shake my head and he huffs. He stands up with me in his arms still and carries me down the hall to my room. He lays me on my bed and goes over to my dresser, opening my pajama drawer. He takes some out and hands them to me.

"Go get cleaned up. I'll be in here when you're done."

//

After getting about five hours of sleep, I was tired of being tired and not being able to keep my eyes shut without thinking of the worst situation possible. The only reason I was able to fall asleep in the first place was because Harry sung me to sleep.

At three in the morning, I was done with attempting to sleep. I grabbed a blanket and went out onto my balcony, ignoring the cool air making my feet cold.

I probably looked a mess, I could feel the dry tear stains on my face and my hair was in a knotted mess. I leaned against the railing and found myself playing with the anchor charm around my neck.