Forgive Me (Color Me book 3 H.S) EDITING

CHAPTER 2

CARLI

"Do you need any fruit?" Anne asked, pushing the packed grocery cart after me. I looked at the various fruits and took a deep breath, my mind whirling. Harry has been forcing me to eat healthy, my doctor saying that it's the 'best thing for the baby'. I nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, I eat all the time so we should get a lot."

"Are you embarrassed because of that?" Anne said as we took plastic bags, I was looking at the apples as she looked at the oranges. 

"Kind of. When Harry and I go out to eat and I order more than I should, people look at me weird." I mumbled, stuffing six apples into the bag and tying it closed after I was done. "Like for instance, last week Harry took me out to Thai. I ordered a meal and a side dish of something. The waitress, of course who checked Harry out all the time, gave me a dirty look and hardly looked at me when she was helping us."

Anne put oranges in the bag, setting the bag in the cart as she scowled. "Women can be so nasty when they're desperate and a horny doggie."

"Horny.. Doggie?"  Anne and I laughed hard, I've never heard of that term before! "That's gross.." I giggled.

"It's true! Anyways, back to the point. Don't be ashamed that you stuff your face full with food, it's normal for a pregnant woman to eat her weight in crappy food. When I was pregnant with Harry I ate everything in sight. Cookies? You had to hide them or I would hide eat every crumb. My best friend was cheese sticks. I would eat the whole package in one day, it was awful."

I listened to Anne and smiled, my feet throbbing as I walked with her. We got all the essentials taken care of-- milk, cheese, juice, blah blah blah. Next was everything that I was craving.

"What's your favorite food right now?" Anne asked as we were in the candy aisle. I had put several kinds of candy in the cart, giggling as the food was piled high. 

"Right now my favorite thing is pickles. Harry doesn't get it, as soon as I wake up and all during the day I want to eat a pickle. He buys jars and jars just so I'm happy. It's cute." 

"Does he treat you right?" Anne suddenly asked, her eyes on me. I looked at her and watched her as her eyes filled with worry. "Does Harry make you feel beautiful even though you feel fat?"

"Of course he makes me feel beautiful. He tries so hard to be a good boyfriend and I can already tell that he's stoked to have a son. It's just.." I trailed off, not wanting to say anything more.

"Tell me, Carli. Please." Anne said softly as she walked over to me. I looked down at my hands which were around my bump.

"It's really nothing, Anne." I sent her a soft smile, which she didn't return. Instead she looked into my eyes, silently begging me to tell her. I sighed and closed my eyes, opening them slowly. "The gang gets in the way of everything a lot. He leaves in the wee hours of the morning and sometimes doesn't get back until dark. He takes time off just for the appointments but when I'm uncomfortable or need something Harry sends his new secretary. When he does send her, she gives me a little note card that has just a few words he wrote on them. Usually, 'sorry I couldn't make it' or 'hope you have fun today'. Harry just doesn't think sometimes.. I come in second a lot." I whispered. 

"Do you tell him how you feel?"

"I'm going to tonight. We'll have a nice dinner and we'll talk. I need to reconnect with him, I'm kind of excited you know?" I smiled at the thought, Anne smiling softly at me.

-

"Call me if you need anything okay?" Anne asked as she put the groceries away.

I nodded. "Of course." I smiled as I gave her a hug, waving as she drover away. I breathed out as I placed my hands on my back, looking at the clock and thinking that it was time to start dinner. I wobbled to the kitchen and took out pots and pans, the ingredients of the feast I was about to prepare coming after. I was going to make Garlic Shrimp Alfredo, cheese bread, a salad and wine for Harry-- grape juice for me. 

After I sizzled the shrimp, I watched the pasta boil. The aroma filling up the kitchen, my stomach growling as I thought of how good the food will taste. I hoped that Harry would like it, for me it felt like I was feeding an army, my energy gone. I was so exhausted that I wanted to call Fretta and ask her to finish my task. I looked out the window, the sky dark, the moon shining beautifully. I opened the window and felt the cool air, something refreshing apart from the hot stove I was slaving over. It seemed like a simple task to a normal person, but I was 8 months pregnant and swelled like a balloon. I wasn't normal at all. I looked at my phone and saw that Harry hadn't called, which didn't surprise me. He never does, but I was okay with it. 

I wobbled to the dining room with two plates and utensils. I decorated the table for dinner, my lips tugging up into a smile as I saw how beautiful it looked. I cleaned off the plates in the kitchen, putting together the salad and pasta. As the bread baked in the oven, I finished the pasta and carefully put some on the plates. Putting some salad next to it, I checked on the bread and saw that it was finally done. Cutting it up into slices, I put it in a basket and sat it on the table along with the plates. Popping open a wine bottle, I poured some in a glass for Harry, setting it down at his place. I poured myself some juice and sat down at the table. 

I was proud of myself for accomplishing this. Even though I'm tired I still feel good about myself. I rested my hands in my lap, looking at the clock. 7:45. 

I scowled, Harry was supposed to be home at 7:30 for dinner. I shrugged and sat there, waiting for him to come home to me.

8:00... He was coming, I'm sure. No calls.

8:30... Maybe he was stuck at work, could there be a problem? No calls.

9:00... Maybe he forgot.. No calls.

10:36.. No calls.

I stared at my empty plate of food, Harry's now cold meal just sitting there. Tears were falling down my cheeks, my own boyfriend stood me up. I made this dinner for him, to help with our problems and he couldn't even call. 

When the clock hit 11, I slowly got up, blew out the burning candles and carried my dish to the sink. I silently washed it, dried the surface off and put it back in the cupboard. I grabbed a sticky note and a pen, my tears still running. I shakily wrote;

You must have forgotten our plans. There's a dish of food on the table, hope you enjoy.

-Carli.

I sat it on the table by the door, knowing Harry would see it when he came in. I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand as I wobbled up the stairs, sobs escaping my mouth. This isn't the first time Harry had done this, why now? He wanted to change, but here he is blowing me off for some stupid Gang. 

I put on a nightgown and laid down in bed, my back facing the door.

HARRY STYLES

I walked up the steps to the house, my hand clinging some roses. I swung the door open, my eyes going to the bright pink sticky note. My eyes scanned over the message several times, my heart beating fast. What plans?

I quickly walked to the dining room, seeing the plate of food sitting there. Crap. Crap. Crap.

I cursed as the plan came flooding in. I let down my shoulders as I rested my hands on my head. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head, I screwed up. The thing was, this wasn't the first time. I've been crappy and I don't think I can stop. I ate my plate alone, knowing Carli was probably sleeping. 

I softly opened the door, my eyes falling on Carli's small frame. 

What am I going to do....