flower crowns // l.s.

❁17❁

Harry watched as Gemma posed in front of Big Ben, her cheeks sucked in and lips looking like a fish's mouth. He laughed, snapped the photo, and then gave her the phone. She took it happily and laughed. "Oh, that's definitely a keeper."

He hummed in agreement and let her hold onto his arm, leading her over to the Westminster bridge over The Thames to watch the sunset. The only thing she would nag about was her sudden need for cotton candy, which he promised to get her some after he showed her all the spots she wanted to see in London. "See, this is why you shouldn't've moved to America, Gem," Harry said after she gaped at the Elizabeth Tower from the view on the bridge. She quickly snapped pictures and ignored Harry.

"Cotton candy, bro. You promised," she said, looking up at her brother with a smile.

"Noo, let's just stand here for a moment," he said, placing an arm around her shoulder. The sunset shot out colors of pink and purple across the sky, clouds a swirling art of pastel's that blended so beautifully together. It was too amazing of a sight to walk away from.

Gemma sighed and let Harry have his way, both trying to block out the honking and bicycle bells behind them to enjoy the view. "California is so nice, you should visit," she said, still looking up at the sky.

He smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "I should. And I'd tell you I'm coming, too. Not just pop up at your workplace without ringing ya."

She hit his shoulder. Harry gaped and held it, laughing while doing so. "Oh, shut up. Just be glad I'm here."

Harry only shook his head and crossed his arms, beginning to nudge her with his elbow. "Hey, I am. And I hate that you're leaving tonight. But, like, why did you come all this way?" He frowned and looked towards the dirty ground. "You never return my calls or texts anymore."

He heard Gemma release a sigh, but still couldn't look at her. "I've been busy. Life is hectic there, I barely have time to breathe. I like it hectic, I like being busy and doing what I love. I guess sometimes I get too carried away. And I've met someone. Have I told you that? I've met someone, his name is Josh and he's the sweetest. And filthy rich, Harry, it's ridiculous. He helped pay for me to come down here."

Harry looked up and furrowed his eyebrows, offended. "You've met someone and you didn't tell me?"

Gemma, looking him straight in the eyes, nodded. "I guess when I left England to get away from the past, that meant trying to leave you there as well. And . . . I know, okay? I know I shouldn't have done that. But when I think of you, I think of Mom. Jesus, you look like her, Harry. You're so kind and sweet like her. And when I think of Mom, I think of Dad, and it all comes back and it's too much to handle. I freaking love being away from all of those memories and making my own life somewhere else, with someone else."

Harry was crying now, chest aching because he'd missed so much in her life because she can't stand talking to him. He understands how much the memories can hurt, but he'd never shut her out because of it. That's what Gemma did to him and it hurts; she's all the family he's got, and she didn't even want to talk to him.

She tried reaching out for him, but he moved away from her hands. "Then why come see me? You've got it all figured out, I see, so why come to the place you can't stand, to see the brother you can't stand?" Gemma wasn't crying. She never cried. Harry always remembered her as the strong one--the tough one. The only time he had seen her cry, was when she found out that their Mom had passed away.

"Harry, please," she said, a slight hint of desperation in her voice. "That's not what I meant. It's just hard! Surely, you of all people, can understand that, right? When was the last time you've been home? And not here, H, really home."