Bad News

Chapter 15 - Surprise

(December 13th, 2014)

"You don't have to do this," I tell Harry for the tenth time today.

Christmas break is finally here. I have decided to go home earlier than I planned because I want to surprise my parents. What they know is that I would be heading home tomorrow instead of today.

The problem was finding the train ticket. The stations were too crowded in holiday season, I couldn't get any single ticket. I was beginning to cancel my plan and just wait for my parents to pick me up. But then Harry offered to drive me all the way to Brighton.

Harry chuckles before turning on the engine. "It's alright. I'm sure your parents will feel a lot better if you go with me than with an overcrowded train," he smiles and starts driving down the road. "You've met my parents so I think it will only be fair if I meet your parents too."

There is a warm feeling in my stomach again. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks within seconds. I don't remember when it started but I've been feeling this fluttery kind of feeling for a little while now.

Harry has been nothing but sweet towards me ever since we first met. But after telling me everything about Zayn, I feel like he is sweeter. He would wait for me after the last class and drives me to the bakery himself. To top of that, he is a decent company. Despite his terrible jokes, I found myself laughing along with him. I just like the sound of his laughter.

It is comforting to have him by my side for four and half hour drive to Brighton. Harry never forgets to hold my hand whenever he is driving. I was a little bit scared at first, but he assured me that he'd done that before.

I wonder for who– no! I have to stop thinking about this kind of thing.

I feel Harry squeezes my hand gently. "What are you thinking about?" he asks without removing his attention from the road.

"Nothing, I'm just grateful to have you as my company," I smile at him.

We talked a lot of things in the car. One of those being his fear of being bald. Harry also asked me about my favourite food, Chicken Gordon Bleu. He brags about his ability to cook it and swore it will be the best dish I'll ever tasted. I just laughed and made him promise to cook it for me the next time we are staying in his flat.

We stopped by the Mc Donald's to buy lunch. He was in the middle of explaining why he hates the burgers in there when my phone rang. I held my finger in the air to stop him from talking.

"Hey, Lou," I greet Louis warmly.

"Hey, Grace. Are you still coming home tomorrow?"

I weighed the option whether to tell Louis about me coming home today. There will be a possibility he would tell my mother. Not that I don't trust him with secrets, but I also want to surprise him.

Louis has been so distant ever since he broke up with Eleanor. It makes me guilty for not knowing he even broke up in the first place. He was there when I needed someone to talk to, but I was too busy with my own shit when he needed me.

"Grace?" his voice interrupts.

I clear my throat. "I'm here, Lou. And yes, I still am. Why?"

"Nothing. I just make sure you'll remember to make me a cake for my birthday. You promised to show me your new skill," I can picture him smiling from the other line.

"Of course. I won't forget my promise, you know that."

He laughs upon hearing my statement. "I know, I just like messing with you," he chuckles. "Anyway, Jeremy is waiting for me. I probably should go to rehearsal now."