Reticent (h.s fanfic, punk Harry)

Chapter 12

OPHELIA/PRESENT

While Connie drove, I kept my eyes on the signs to see if we were any closer to the Hampton's. car rides always gave me a headache and I had forgotten to pack my Advil. Connie beside me looked fine, she had the music loud and swayed from side to side as she drove on. She stopped a few times to pick up some food for the both of us, but nothing that had a bathroom.

But soon we were in front of the hotel her uncle owned, and we were getting out to see the old man waiting for us with a big smile. I didn't know much about Olaf, only that he was really the coolest uncle alive. At the age of fifteen when Connie's mother had dropped us off here for a spring break vacations Olaf hadn't thought twice about letting Connie try her first beer. She'd felt like a bad ass and proceeded to make out drunkenly with one of the bellhops who was then fired.

He'd offered me a beer as well, but I had declined, it wasn't right to have a beer at such a young age. Throughout Connie's drunken state I'd made sure to stick with her and make sure she didn't get into any more trouble to get other people fired.

"Uncle Olaf!" Connie was out of the car and threw herself in her uncle's arms. Olaf accepted her hug with a large smile and a pat on the shoulder. I was out of the car next and went to give him a small hug. "Hello there, Darling." His voice was as soft as I remembered it from then. He'd put on some weight, gotten a bit of a beer belly. But through all that he still looked fantastic and fresh. He smelled of cigar and expensive cologne.

"Hi. How are you?"

"I'm wonderful, I can't wait to spend time with my favorite niece and her friend. Come on you two. Dinner will be served in just a few hours. The penthouse is ready for all the shenanigans we'll be getting into." He patted us on the back. "Nick!" He barked to a young man talking to a middle aged woman who looked quite confused.

He instantly looked up and jogged towards us. "Yes, sir."

"Take the girls' stuff and take it to the penthouse, also park the car nearby." Olaf took the keys from Connie and handed them to Nick. He made a beeline to the car while we walked into the hotel.

It looked busy for a weekday. People were scattered by the receptionist table with their families awaiting their turn. Some were by the bar already starting to get drunk, and some other were heading to the indoor pool. Olaf lead us away from the crowd and towards the elevators which were starting to get packed as soon as we went in. Olaf hit the penthouse button and some kid came to the front to punch in every number there. Olaf sighed but paid no mind to him. "So ladies, tell me everything. What have I been missing this whole time?" Olaf asked looking from one of us to another.

"Dad got a new job." Connie smiled up at her uncle. "It's a new corporation, and dad says that he might make a big investment in it."

"New corporation? Those aren't always promising."

Connie only shrugged. "He looked like it's promising. And mom doesn't look too worried about it. I'm sure everything is fine."

Olaf nodded but didn't look too convinced. After the doors opened and let people walk out, it finally opened to the penthouse. Connie was the first to run in and jump on the white round couch. She reached for the TV remote and turned it on. Friends came on. It was one of my favorites. Olaf walked in next and walked straight to the mini bar. "And how about you, my dear?" Olaf looked at me. "How are things with you."

I was hesitant to answer. I walked to the table behind Connie and pulled out of the chairs to sit down. He had nothing on the table but a bowl of fruits. I took out an apple only to peel off the sticker and put it back. "It's fine. Nothing too big has happened. My parents are fine." I shrugged. From behind me I could hear Connie sighing. She had said in the car that it was fine to tell Olaf why we were here. There was no embarrassment, and I wasn't embarrassed of anything. I just didn't feel that comfortable with telling him right away. But there was no shame in getting dumped.