As It Was (h.s)

viii

Now you're in my life
I can't get you off my mind
***

I open my eyes and I'm met with the credits of The Notebook.

Fuck

I slept through the whole damn movie.

"Hey, sunshine." Harry says, I was laying on top of him, and we were cuddled up on his couch. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Yeah, sorry I fell asleep. I just didn't get much sleep last night." I said, rubbing my eyes.

"Don't apologize, I understand." He presses his lips to my forehead, softly.

I smile but it dissipates when I remember the circumstances of this situationship I have going on with him.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks, his expression changing to match mine.

"This is fucked up, Harry." I say. "I wish things were different."

He nods, but doesn't say anything yet, it gets quiet for a minute, before I speak again. "I want to leave him."

"Really?" Harry asks, sounding surprised.

"Yes. I can't go back to him and pretend anymore. It took me a year to convince myself that I was in love with that man but only one night to realize I never was. I want you, I can't do this anymore with him." I admit. I married Cole because he asked, and because I thought it would be good for me. He wasn't what I wanted. he never was and he never will be. Especially now.

"If that's really what you want, my love." He says. "I'll support you no matter what you decide."

My phone rings on the coffee table and I reach over and grab my phone. My wedding ring still sits on the glass, staring at me. Mocking me, almost.

When I see the name flash across my screen I sit up. "It's Cole." I say, leaning against the couch, Harry sits up with me.

"Hello?" I say, putting it on speaker for Harry to hear as well, but I hold my finger to my lips to signal for him not to speak.

"Hey, uhm...Kathy is leaving tomorrow. Are you okay, Aria?" He asks. He sounds tired, there's a strain in his voice that shows concern and true worry.

"I'm fine, What time is she leaving?" I ask him.

"I don't know. Just that she said she was leaving. I have a work trip I'm heading out for tonight, so I won't be home when she leaves." He sighs. "I'm really disappointed in you, Aria. You weren't there when she needed you most. You know she's been going through some things and-"

"I don't care. When will you be back from your trip?" I look over at Harry and his brows are furrowed and his eyes are locked on the floor.

"Two weeks, Aria. What is up with you, lately?" He sounds irritated now.

"Can we meet up before you leave? I need to talk to you about something." I ask. I don't want to miss him. If he's leaving tonight this needs to be done before then. 

"I'm busy, just tell me now." His irritation seems to grow with every word I say.

"It's important. I don't want to just say it over the-"

"It'll have to wait then. Look, I got to go. I have things to do." And then he hung up.

"That's bullshit." Harry says shaking his head. "He just completely disregarded you. He didn't even fucking-"

"He's busy, Harry." I defend. Setting my phone down and leaning back against the couch.

"Don't fucking stick up for him. If he really cared about you he wouldn't just brush off things you think are important, Aria." Harry snaps, he's pissed off.