Metanoia [H.S.]

3.

Harry's POV

She left me on the cold winter road as she trudged to the Motel 6, constantly heaving her duffel bag further onto her shoulder. Something inside of me wanted to offer to carry it for her, but I could tell that she didn't want to be around me.

I don't even know her name.

I think asked her at one point during the bus ride but she ignored me.

I continued to make my way to the motel as well. It was the only place in this tiny town to stay and I wanted to make sure that she was safe too.

The way that she would begin to breathe heavily and tug her eyebrows together in frustration while she slept continued to intrigue me. I wanted to know who she was and what was bothering her. She is different, that's for sure.

And I like that.

I checked into a room for the night and paid the receptionist who then handed my room key and pointed me to an elevator.

It felt incredible to lay down on a flat surface and feel the comfort of the motel mattress beneath me, even if it was hard compared to some peoples standards.

It was diffucult to be on the run. The pressure of living down the road from my childhood home was driving me to the point of insanity. I had to leave. I had to escape those memories and clear my flooded mind from those past experiences. Hopefully I can find solitude somewhere.

I pulled the thin comforter up to cover my bare chest, closed my eyes and tried to maintain my wandering thoughts about who the girl with the think brown hair and the piercing blue eyes really is.

---

8:06 am.

I am not a morning person, but somehow I awoke this morning at 8:06 am. It's terrible and I wish I could fall back asleep. Unfortunately, I can feel my stomach clenching, starving for something of nutritional value.

I slip on a plain white T-Shirt and throw a flannel over it. It was freezing cold last night, but hopefully with the sun out today it will be warmer. I still haven't decided if I am going to stay another night so I leave my bag in my room and head to the lobby.

My heart begins to race as I see her small figure sitting in one of the lobby chairs. A blue beanie covers her head as she stares down at her phone.

Part of me wants to leave the building quickly because she was so rude yesterday and I don't know if I can handle that today without snapping at her. But a larger part of me wants to talk to her.

To actually know her name.

Before my mind can make a decision, my feet have lead me to the chair beside her and I sit down.

"Did you sleep well last night?" I ask, instantly regretting it.

"Did you follow me here last night?" She replies and looks up from her phone. The bags beneath her eyes are prominent, maybe she didn't sleep well at all.

"Well considering it's the only place to sleep within a 30 mile radius, no I did not follow you."

She sighs and locks her phone before putting it into her pocket and standing up.

"No, I didn't sleep well."

I think that was the first time she has actually answered my question without firing back with one of her own.

"Let's go to breakfast. I need to talk to someone about everything and so far even though I've been a complete bitch, you've still been nice to me and seem to want to listen."

I stand up, towering over her. When I do so, she begins to walk towards the door.

"Wait." I say and grab her arm, she turns to face me again and confusion spreads over her features.

"What is your name?"

"Kate," she rolls her eyes, "now let's go, I'm starving."

---

We walk down the road and find a small coffee shop, hidden behind the subway. The quaint buildings exterior fits the overall theme of the tiny unknown city. It's walls are painted a light brown and small outdoor lamps hang above the old wooden windows.

The interior however, looks like a cafe that would be found in downtown Seattle. It's mix matched chairs, wooden floors but bright colored walls are an extreme contrast to that of the exterior. Lattes, cappuccinos, mixed drinks, scones, and the special baked good of the day are the only things that comprise the menu.

We order our food and find a seat near the back of the diner. The chair squeaks as Kate sits down and she lets out a soft laugh. I think it's the first time I've heard her laugh.

Her smile is small, but it's recognizable and a dramatic change from the frown that has been occupying her features for the past day. Her small dimples fade and her lips pull together when she notices me looking at her.

"What?" She questions.

"Nothing. I just haven't seen you smile before." I shrug my shoulders.

"It's not something I want to do right now. It takes too much energy and I'm too angry to smile anyways."

"It looks good on you."

Her expression reads that of shock. It's small and disappears quickly, but it was there and I noticed it.

"Stop."

"With what?" I question.

"With the kindness and the cute little remarks that you've been saying, it's annoying."

"Everything I do seems annoying to you right now."

"That's because I'm supposed to be angry at my ex, but you're making it really hard."

"And why is that a bad thing?" I smirk.

"Bec- well because he hurt me and I need to be angry at him and break something, throw something, anything."

"Okay, let's go then."

"What? Where?" Her eyes go wide.

I take her hand in mine as I help her out of her seat.

"Our drinks, we haven't even eaten anything yet."

I forgot that I was hungry once we got to talking and I felt like I was beginning to peel back the layers of Kate.

"Oh, right. Well okay. After we eat then we can go break something."

She nods in response.

I know she is excited, I saw it flicker behind her eyes but she isn't going to let me know that. She is going to be as distant and uninterested as possible, but I know she can't wait.

We sip on our drinks and pick at our scones for a little while before heading outside into the frosty air.

------
Hi hi people! I'm so sorry it has taken me forever to update. I am finishing up my classes for this semester and it's been overwhelming.

I am looking forward to getting a move on with this book. I've got some good things planned.

Please comment your thoughts. I love criticism and want to know how to improve my story!!

Thank you for reading.

Britt.