I walk into the café not even bothering to attempt with Lily. Last time I did, I was her new neighbor. How stupid could I be? Seriously, Harry? Trying to get a brain damaged girl to remember you? She can't remember a thing why would she remember you? Plus, my 13 failed attempts border on crazy stalker level. It's about time I left the poor girl alone.
Liam approaches me with a menu in hand and grabs the seat next to me.
"What's with the long face?" He asks me with an ever present worried face.
"I just give up, you know? Like, what the hell am I doing chasing after her? I mean, I know I love a good puzzle but, that's mission impossible." I huff out.
"Sorry about that. But, hey I can relate." He sighs looking far off. "Everyday is another rejection."
"You've got that right." My eyes involuntarily flick over to her booth. "Hey, how come you guys aren't still dating? I mean if she lost her memory and her last memory is of being with you?"
"Um... well... you see, we were together but, she had been distancing herself from me for a while. I had a feeling she was going to dump me, which is why that Sunday was so important. I mean, besides her father and all. But, yeah everyday she comes in here and gives me the pity look. And, every night she comes back and dumps me." He explains to me and it's like his face just breaks into fragments just as his heart does the same.
"Um... woah... sorry dude." I try to console himn awkwardly patting his back.
"Yeah, it's life. Not much to do about it." He mutters quietly. "Well, I should get to work, need anything?"
"A stack of plain pancakes, with syrup, butter, whip cream on the side, and tea. Please." He nods and goes on to make my order.
After, I eat I pay my tab and make my way to my car. I'm just about to get in when I feel a small gentle hand tap me on my back. I turn to find myself face to face with her. Her cheeks are a rosy red, she must've ran afted me. And, her hair is wild and a bit disarrayed but, it still manages to look soft and inviting enough for my fingers to run through it. Her eyes seem to sparkle with determination which is further emphasized by her soft lips which are set in a straight line. Her bushy brows are furrowed and her lips part.
"Who are you?" She asks seemingly upset. "Who are you?! I'm not insane, I just... have this conflagrant feeling that I know you from somewhere. And... and, I've seen you before. From somewhere... I don't know in my dreams. But, it must be impossible to dream about someone you don't know and have never seen in your life. So, who the hell are you? Please, explain this to me before I completely lost my mind." She grips her head and her eyes are wild as she takes a glance in every direction. She seems as if she might just break down just there.
"Who are you?" She yells at me. I realize I had just been staring at her in silence.
"Harry. I could explain it all to you if you'd like." I quickly state and she seems to calm. "Come on, let's um, let's go somewhere more private?" She nods and I guide her into the car then, get in myself.
I quickly drive to an old park that's usually empty. And, of course it doesn't fail me. I make my way to the old swings that creak in the breeze. It's probably empty all the time due to the fact that it's a safety hazard but, it seems that no one cares to fix, or to remove it.
"So, erm, I guess I'll start with today- or should I say the day you think today is but really isn't. It's a Sunday and it's your father's birthday and you wanted to spend time with him, but you couldn't just up and leave. Now your father caught word of this from Liam who desperately wanted to keep you from dumping him. You both felt the end and that's the last thing he wanted, so he goes on and gets your father to fly in. Now Liam, Zayn, your dad, and some guy named Ed decide to surprise you with a good ole' road trip, as nostalgic as they were.
"So... you guys are in the car and Liam tells a joke... your dad looks back to tease him... he turns back to find you're about to crash. T-then... he swerves and runs right into a tree." I take in a deep breath before letting out my final words. "It was a terrible accident. Your brother, Liam, and Ed came from the accident basically unscathed physically. But, y-your father wasn't so fortunate. I'm sorry but he died in the crash, Lil. A-nd, you? Well, you don't remember because you ended up brain damaged."
She stares at me and it's like I can see every phase of grief tick behind her eyes. It's like a wheel of fortune and the wheel is spinning and we're both waiting for which it'll settle on.
"Bullshit. I don't know you, you don't know me." She mutters. "I know myself, I'd know if there were something wrong with me or around me."
"I'm sorry, but you don't Lily. Just listen, please? For years they've ignored the fact and you've been on repeat while the world has been on forward." I reason with her, calm and gentle should do the trick.
She frowns and closes her eyes and I can tell she's trying to register everything but, also trying to remember. And, although nothing obvious is really going on, it's hard to watch. Because, the more she tries to remember and doesn't, the more frustrated she becomes. And, I can just see it in her face that she's losing her mind.
Deep lines are etched onto her forehead and eyelids, as she squeezes her eyes more for concentration. Her lips are pursed in determination and frustration. Then, all at once her lips part and she just screams.
"I don't know if this is your idea of a joke but it is sick! For a second I almost believed it. That would've been a real laugh, huh? You are sick." She yells at me and her suddenness makes me take a step backwards. "Take me back." She spits the words with such vehemence that if her words were venom, I'd be dead.
I'm not quite sure what to do so I do the only thing I can do; take her back. The drive back is silent and seemingly far much longer than the ride there. But, we get back and she makes it her duty to quickly escape as if the car was the hot fires of Hell and the café was her getway to Heaven.
I'm left alone in the car and I roll my head back sighing in defeat. I have no idea how to help and there was my chance just when I had given up and I totally bombed. I personally don't believe it's the best to let her live life on a skipping track but today proved I wouldn't be of any help. I should leave it to the doctors and focus on school and get the hell away from her, Taylor, and this damn town.
YOU ARE READING
Carrying the Torch
Fanfiction"Either way you win. And either way you lose. What can I tell you? Love's a bitch.”