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When Aunt Karen knocked on my bedroom door to wake me, I had a brief moment of panic until I saw Harry wasn't in my bed anymore.
I guess I hadn't woken up when he'd left.
There was a note on the pillow where he had slept.
I rubbed the tired vision out of my eyes and then opened the folded paper.
Good morning, beautiful. You were sleeping so peacefully when I left. I didn't want to wake you. But today I'd like to be the one to take you to school. I'll be there at seven-thirty. If Liam gives you a hard time, call me and hand the phone to him.
He wanted me to ride with him to school.
I glanced up at the mirror across from my bed and saw the smile on my face.
It was a real smile, one filled with excitement and hope.
For a long time, that smile had been a stranger to me.
Now I was happy.
Standing up, I walked over to the mirror, then reached out and touched the girl there.
She was older than the one I once knew.
Her eyes held more strength and maturity.
She was happy.
I was happy.
"You'd like him, Mom," I whispered.
"He's wonderful," I say up towards the sky imagining my mom looking down on me.
She would have wanted me to tell her everything about him.
She'd squeal with me when I told her about our first kiss.
She would listen to me talk about him and not get bored.
She hadn't just been my mother; she was my best friend.
Knowing that Harry would make her happy for me made me feel even more complete.
The emptiness that had become part of me wasn't so empty anymore.
Harry was filling it.
Aunt Karen's voice calling that breakfast was ready reminded me that I had to hurry.
I wanted to let her know I was riding with Harry today.
It was his game day, and I wanted to surprise him with my school spirit too.
I just needed to get Liam to lend me a jersey.
Fifteen minutes later I was dressed and headed to the kitchen.
I texted Liam asking him if I could borrow a jersey.
He'd agreed and said he'd bring it to the kitchen for me.
