birds // hs

15. The Way Back

Harry walked me home but he didn't say a single word, not even when my stepdad came out and began yelling at me. By the end of his rant about my being irresponsible and inconsiderate, my eyes were filled with tears and my nose was running like there was no tomorrow. And Harry still hadn't said a single word.

"I'll just...text you later," I muttered, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. "Bye."

"Wait, Rachel," he called as I began my ascent up the stairs. "Just- be at work early tomorrow, okay?"

My hopeful smile faded. "Oh, yeah."

"Later."

He left me alone on my front porch, sad and confused and disappointed. I was just a hormonal mess.

"Okay?" My Pops asked cheerily as he walked up to me with arms fills of grocery bags. "What's the matter?"

He followed my line of sight to the empty sidewalk that Harry had disappeared from, but of course there was nothing there anymore.

"What's wrong, sweetness? Boy troubles?"

"Just one boy," I mumbled more to myself than him. "I just um, I think I may have messed everything up."

"Oh?"

"I was so mean to him," I continued as I took a bag from his arms and helped him carry the rest inside. "He's never going to want to speak to me again."

"Oh, baby," he chuckled knowingly. "That's where you're wrong, darling. Harry likes you, everyone knows it. He'll speak to you when he's ready, alright?"

"So I shouldn't call him, then?"

"I wouldn't," he advised with a small sigh. "If he's angry he just needs time to cool down. Let him have some time."

"How much?" I asked in a near whimper. "I-I think I really like him."

"Well that complicates things."

"Yeah," I half-laughed. "So what's for dinner then?"

"Actually, I have a date," he smiled proudly. "We're having steak and you're welcome to join."

"Oh, no no," I shook my head quickly. "Why didn't you tell me? I'll get out of the house for a few hours and you two can just enjoy the alone time."

"Don't be ridiculous!" He frowned. "I'd love to have you here."

"I'm going to go get changed and then I'm going to dinner," I smiled, pecking his cheek lightly. "Maybe dinner alone will help me sort things out."

"But-"

"Have fun tonight!" I called with a laugh as I ran up the stairs. "I'll be back around nine."

I changed into a cute black sundress and some flats, then pinned my hair back and put on some foundation to cover my new sunburn. After spritzing on my new Victoria's Secret perfume, I was ready to go.

"You look beautiful," my Pops chuckled, squeezing my shoulder as I leaned into him. "Have fun, okay? And call me if you need anything."

"Yeah, of course."

My face was buried in my purse as I walked out to my car, attempting to search for my car keys in the pitch black while music floated from the windows of my Pops' house. I guess his date must have walked because the next noise I heard was laughter, and I smiled in spite of myself.

"Need a light?"

It was that boy that bothered Harry and me at dinner, the one that invited me to the party on the beach so long ago.