Trace

Chapter 33

 It's over. I think to myself as I open my eyes in my bed. The morning sunshine streams through my window with a bright happiness and joy. Little does it know the aching feeling in my heart. Tomorrow is the day Harry will be leaving for Liverpool. 

     I find myself crying softly and touch my neck to wear the necklace he gave me lays. The necklace is of a small bird. He told me that birds fly out for the winter, but always find their way back home. 

  Harry will find his way back to me. Schooling will most likely take up most of his time, and I can still take a plane to visit him on the weekends and days he has off. 

   Today, however, Harry and I plan to spend the entire day together, and tomorrow I'll drive him to the airport. I slowly get out of bed and into the bathroom to shower. 

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   "Don't you look lovely?" Mum smiles kindly at me. 

I'm wearing a strapless floral dress with white lace shoes. 

   "Thank you. I won't be home until late tomorrow. I'm taking Harry to the airport," I say. 

My throat is dry as I say those words, and I can feel my brown eyes filling up with tears. 

   "Aw, baby. You know it's not that big of a deal. He's just going to Uni."

I shake my head. "I will never get to see him, mother! I'm used to going to him whenever I want to see him!"

   Tears now flow easily down my pink cheeks.

"Cae," she whispers, her eyes glistening with tears.

  I lean into her for a hug and feel a comfort I haven't felt in a long, long while.

"I'm so sorry, Mummy. I haven't paid much attention to you at all this summer, a-and all I have been-"

   "Ssshh, baby. Don't apologise. Watching you fall in love for the first time was the best feeling for me to feel. I felt so much joy for you when your eyes would light up whenever Harry knocked at the door."

    This makes me cry even harder and Mum rubs my back soothingly. 

"Go on up to fix your makeup, now. You don't want smears under your eyes when you see Harry," she smiles sympathetically. 

   I sniffle and nod and give her a thank you smile. 

After running upstairs and fixing my makeup, I send Harry a text telling him I'm on my way. 

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   HARRY'S POV

I wait outside of the flat complex for El. Soon enough, I recognise her car pulling up and my heart paces when she gets out of the car. 

   She looks absolutely flawless in the sun's morning beam. I find myself jogging to her and embrace her in a big hug. We kiss and then she breaks away. I see that her eyes are tearing up. 

    "Harry," she whispers, then breaks down in a quiet sob. 

I do my best to keep back my own tears as I pull her in close to me. 

   "You look beautiful today, baby. Not like that's any different," I say quietly and kiss her hair. 

She sniffles and holds tight to me. 

   "C'mon, let's get this day started," I force a smile onto my face despite the breaking feeling in my heart. 

   El holds my arm as we walk to my car. I open up her door and close it for her, then I walk over to the driver's side.