flower crowns // l.s.

❁23❁

Harry was wearing a pair of blue jean shorts and a gray t-shirt for the picnic Gemma planned. Josh was planning on going, but he had to unexpectedly head in to work. It had taken Harry a total of five days to ask Josh where he worked, and that was only because he was highly intimidated. But, of course, he shouldn't have been. He had also discovered that Josh is a bit of a dork, with a collection of comic books that Harry wished he wouldn't have read (he regretted reading the Civil War series most). During the time he was shocked and amazed by so many comics, it soon became clear as to why he had so much. Apart from collecting, he was the CEO of Greene book publications. The actual company was in New York, but he has an office in California he worked at. Josh said he preferred California over New York because of the relaxed vibe it gave off. And, since it's where he was born, he plans on staying there. But he also said that his company would have a fit if he was just living his simple life without any kind of work, so he'd taken it upon himself to build some much needed bookstores around the state—with Gemma's help. Harry may or may not be jealous. He can barely afford a small building to start a legitimate floral shop in, yet Josh is able to build as many bookstores as he dreams without a care in the world.

"Harry, c'mon. We haven't got all day, you know," a voice said from behind him.

He turned and immediately laughed as he watched Gemma lift a whole package of water bottles. She looked like she was preparing for the hike of her life, with a backpack on, sunglasses, proper boots and clothes. It's just a picnic, Harry wanted to say. Instead he reached out and grabbed the water to set down on the kitchen counter. "How much water do we need?" He asked, which sounded more like a complaint.

"Enough to keep us hydrated! California is hotter than you think," she said, reaching into the package to pull out water bottles.

"Are you sure we're just picnicking?"

"Yeah!" She took off her backpack to put the water in. "But we're doing it at Sunken City. I wanna take you down there, you'll like it."

Harry wasn't too keen on the name. "What? Is Atlantis down there or something? Is it safe?"

Gemma laughed and shook her head. "Yes, it's safe. Now are you ready to go?"

Harry nodded and inhaled deeply, following Gemma out of the house. They both got in the car and headed off to Sunken City, which Harry hopes really is safe and not dangerous at all. California really is lovely; he can see why Gemma loves being here. The sun is out all the time and the weather is always so nice and warm. Harry really loved it too, and he hated that the trip was nearly over. He did miss his friends, though. And he really needed to talk to Niall. That call he had with him the other day worried him.

Surprisingly, Harry had barely thought of Louis. There would be times when something reminded him of Louis, but his heart didn't feel like it was caving in on itself when he did. Maybe it was because he didn't have to face Louis out here, and didn't have to worry about running into him. There wasn't a connection to him out in California, and it helped Harry in an odd way. Made him really think, too. It was possible, he thinks, that he hadn't fallen completely for Louis and that's why it was beginning to be easy to get over him. Harry felt relieved that he didn't have to pine over Louis anymore.

The drive was longer than expected, and once they got to the park and had unpacked everything, they both headed over to a tree to set up the picnic. The tree was tall and wide and shielded them both from the sun, which was perfect.

"After we're done eating, we're going right over there," she said as she pointed towards the ocean.

Harry turned his head, not really seeing much but a fence and then water beyond that. He reached for a water bottle and sipped it, brow raised. "As long as you don't kill me, I'll go."