𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧 // Harry Lewis

one

MIDNIGHT RAIN
𝟎𝟎𝟏 ⭑ ( london, uk ) .ᐟ

Violet stepped off the plane and was immediately greeted by the typical UK weather: a drizzly, overcast sky that seemed to cast a gray pallor over everything. The cold, damp air was a stark contrast to the warm, sunny climate she had grown accustomed to in Los Angeles. She took a deep breath, the familiar scent of rain-soaked earth and distant sea filling her senses, bringing with it a rush of memories and emotions.

It had been over a year since she last set foot in the UK, back in November 2019. So much had changed since then. As she navigated through the bustling airport, her mind was flooded with thoughts of what she had left behind. Her departure had been abrupt, driven by an urgent need to seize an opportunity that promised to propel her career to new heights. But the cost had been high: she had left behind friends, family, and most painfully, Harry Lewis.

Harry, with his quick wit and infectious energy, had been her rock for two years. Their relationship had been turbulent, marked by intense arguments and passionate reconciliations, but it had been real. Leaving him had felt like tearing a piece of herself away, and his reaction had been equally intense. He had blocked her on all platforms, cutting off any means of communication. Most of their mutual friends, the Sidemen and their close circle, had followed his lead, leaving her isolated save for JJ and Josh, who still checked in on her occasionally.

As Violet collected her luggage, she couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread. The pandemic had kept her away longer than she had ever intended. She had been stuck in Los Angeles, watching from afar as the world changed and moved on without her. Now, as she prepared to face the life she had left behind, she felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach.

The calm didn't last very long, however. Just as Violet was beginning to relax and take in the surroundings, a sudden shout disrupted her thoughts.

"Violet! Over here! Over here!"

A guy with a camera was calling out to her, his flash already going off. Startled, Violet immediately pulled her sunglasses from her pocket and slipped them on, instinctively covering her face with her hand. She had hoped to avoid this kind of attention, but her time in Los Angeles had undeniably boosted her career, and with it, her visibility. She had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that the move had brought her the success she sought.

"Violet!" another voice called, and she knew she had to move quickly.

She spotted the Uber she had ordered earlier, parked just a few steps away. She hurried over and climbed in, shutting the door behind her just as another flash went off. The driver, sensing her urgency, quickly sped off.

"Thank you," Violet said, exhaling a sigh of relief and offering the driver a grateful smile. She adjusted her mask over her face, hoping to stay as inconspicuous as possible for the remainder of the journey.

"Of course," the driver replied, glancing at her in the rearview mirror with a knowing look.

As the car navigated through the busy streets, Violet leaned back against the seat, trying to calm her racing heart. She hadn't anticipated being recognized so soon, and the encounter left her feeling exposed. She glanced out the window, watching the familiar landscape of the UK pass by, and tried to focus on the reason she had returned. She wasn't just back for a visit; she was here to face her past, to reconnect with those she had left behind, and to find some closure.