At the End of the Day...

Chapter 8

My mother stands beside me, and her cheeks are wet with tears.
My grandpa is slowly descending into the ground, inside a sturdy coffin.
I can't do this.
I can't take anything for granted anymore.
Life is worth so much, you know? I will never get to talk to him again. I'll never get to visit him up at his farm, and take a ride around the paddocks with him again. And I'm going to miss it so much.
There are hundreds of people here. My grandpa was quite well known, and our family is massive.
My sister is standing on the other side of me, and I can see she's trying to keep it together.
I can also see my dad in the distance - I only hope mum doesn't see him, because that could get messy. But I respect him for coming. I knew he would.
We each take a flower and toss it on top of the coffin, and after that is all a blur.
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I've been MIA for a week. I took time off work because I just can't face it.
I've never lost someone like this before. Not at this age, where I truly understand the meaning of it.
Mum flew back to Mexico because she had to get away. I don't know when she's coming back.
I haven't called Harry.
I haven't even thought about Harry until now.
I haven't seen him in any articles either.
I hope he's still here.
I grab my phone from the nearby coffee table, as I'm sat on the couch.
To Harry: I miss you, can we talk if you're still in Melbourne? .x
I really hope he isn't mad at me. He has no right to be, though. Once he finds out he should completely understand. Who knows, maybe he's moved on. We only met a few weeks ago.
I get up off the couch and mope into the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. When I come back out to the lounge room with my hot mug, I notice a new text that has come through.
From Harry: when do you want me over? X
To Harry: literally anytime
From Harry: good, because I'm coming over now :)
I'm really excited to see him.
I've missed his smile, his voice...just him in general.
And I really think he can cheer me up after what's happened.
I hope so.
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About 20 minutes later, there's a subtle knock at the door.
He's here.
I'm nervous to see him again. I'm nervous to tell him everything.
I walk over to the door, and open it slowly.
A smile can't help but cross my face.
"Hello, you," he says, with a small smile.
"Hey," I say. I can feel the tears starting to well up in my eyes, and I quickly usher Harry in and sit down on the couch.
"So...I probably should tell you what happened. At the hotel last week. You know, why I left...well. I got a call from my mum saying that my grandpa had died." Harry's face looks guilty, but I continue. "I'm really sorry I bolted, but I was really close with him. I just needed to be on my own for a bit."
"Eva...I don't know what to say...I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I can't begin to muster how you're feeling right now," he says, and he squeezes me in a tight hug.
I can't help but cry into his arms, and we stay like that for a solid 10 minutes.
I finally let go.
"You really make me happy, you know that?" I look up at Harry. I probably look a mess, but I couldn't care less.
"You make me twice as happy," he replies, his dimples on full display. Suddenly, I have a brilliant idea.
It's perfect.
"Harry...well...I don't know if you even want to do this but...I want to go up to my grandpa's farm for a few days, sort of just to relive all of the memories from my childhood...would you like to come with me?" I'm scared he's going to say no, but it's worth a shot.
We can be alone, get to know each other a bit more, and I can't wait to go to the farm, and reflect on my childhood...the carefree times. It will be perfect.
"I'd love to go with you, Eva. Anywhere with you. Only if you're sure you want me to come?" He seems cautious.
"I definitely want you to come! This weekend then? Oh - it's Friday! Should we head down tomorrow, if that's all ok with you?" I ask him.
"Sounds amazing. What time should I come over? I'll pick you up!"
"How about 10?"
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From Harry: I'm outside in the car, I don't want to get out because there are a bunch of people here for some reason, so whenever you're ready :) xx
He's such a sweetheart.
I'm really looking forward to going to the farm with him. I'm starting to really like him, but I'm scared he doesn't feel the same. I don't want to get too caught up in it.
But I do.
I'm sort of scared. I think I may possibly be falling for Harry Styles.
I better go out.
Breathe.
I pick up my luggage and turn off all the lights. Then I walk outside to see a shiny black car with a lot of people surrounding it.
This is the last thing I need.
I really hope they don't know it's Harry. The driver winds down his window and says, "we'll park around the block. Come meet us there." Then he drives off.
I walk in the direction that the car went, and soon find it.
I open the door and there's Harry.
Beautiful, charming Harry.
"Sorry about that," he says.
"Completely fine," I say, as I hop in to the darkness. I give him a quick peck.
He looks into my eyes with an expression I can't read.
"How are you feeling?" He asks me.
"A bit better. I'm glad I'm going with you," I tell him, and I snuggle into his warmth.
"Me too," he says, and we drive off.
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