The Hero Without The Cape

Chapter 4

Harry's POV

Stepping out of the car, I seen a large fountain surrounded by several types of flowers and two sitting benches. I stood mesmerized until Lauren came and wrapped her hand in mine. "What is all of this?" I asked still shocked at the beauty of this place. The sun had just started to set and different shades of red, orange, and yellow were taking over the sky.

"This is my happy place." Lauren spoke. She took me to sit on one of the benches beside her and then she continued talking. "Do you mind me telling you something personal? I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"I don't mind. I don't mind at all."

"Well, my freshman year of high school, my father, um, passed away. I found this place in the process of running away from home. I got a ride from some lady driving a truck. I kept my eyes out the window and told the lady this is where I wanted her to drop me off. The car stopped right at that fountain and cried for hours. I somehow felt that my dad passing away was my fault. Like, maybe if I wouldn't have asked him to run to Zaxby's then he would never gotten into that wreck. He would've still been here. I slept in the garden for 4 days until my mom found me and made me come home. Back home, I was miserable again. It took a while for my mom to let me out of her sight in fear that I would run away again. But when she trusted me not to run away, this is where I come whenever I'm down." Her words trailed off as I heard the hurt in her voice.

"What do you do out here? If you don't mind me asking."

"Sometimes I cry. Other times, I write, sing, or talk to my dad. That's his star. Right there." She pointed at the sky. The star was bright shining and fairly big.

"So, why did you bring me out here? This is your happy place." I said putting emphasis on the 'your'.

"I don't know actually. Today at lunch, I just had a feeling that I should show you this place. Now that you mention it, I honestly don't think there's a real reason for bringing you here."

"Well can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything."

"This morning, when those boys were messing with me before school, I was thinking about being homeschooled. I was going to go home and tell my mom to take me out. But then you came. I barely know you, yet I feel like I'm always responsible for making sure you're okay."

She laughed. "Looks like I'm the one making sure you're okay."

We shared a laugh and after a bit, silence took over. More time had passed and Lauren and I had a bunch of pointless conversations. We talked about why my family relocated, how she didn't like her stepdad in the beginning, where both of our parents work, things we like and don't like, how her mom found her hours away from home but I still felt like she was holding back. I felt like I still hadn't known her yet. Instead of asking more questions, I pointed out the time. "Oh, Lo, it's half past 10 we should get going."

Lauren and I rose from the bench simultaneously. I tried to open the car door but it wouldn't unlatch. I, then, started to pull on the handle rapidly until I heard Lauren's beautiful laugh.

"What?" I asked.

"I haven't unlocked the door yet, Harry." She said as she pressed the unlock button. "Now try!"

We climbed in the car and I gave her directions to my house. It took us almost two hours since we stopped to eat and we had been a hour and a half away from home. We had finally arrived at my home. "Goodnight, Lo. Thanks for tonight. I had a good time."

"You're welcome. So did I." She leaned over and hugged me so I started to get out of the car. She paused my actions by speaking again, "Hey, do you want me to take you to school tomorrow? I know I can't go, but that doesn't mean we have to go two days without seeing each other."

"Nope. I will walk. You shouldn't wake up early if you don't have to."

"Harry?"

"Yes?"

"I'm taking you to school tomorrow. I go running every morning at six, even before school. So, be ready by 7:30. Okay?" I nodded and climbed out of the passenger's seat.

She waved bye and I entered my house.

Lauren's POV

As I drove off, I couldn't help but think there was a reason those bullies had messed with him. If they hadn't, I probably wouldn't have met him. Of course, I would've spoken to him if I'd seem him in the halls. But actually hanging out with him, he probably wouldn't even have wanted to.

I missed him already. It was our first day meeting, but I felt like we were already best friends. Yet, I felt like he held back. I mean, we told each other a lot, but we didn't tell each other everything. He was holding back. I grew curious. I looked at the clock and realized it was extremely close to one in the morning and I would be exhausted tomorrow. I reached my home pulling into the garage and entering the house. I sat my keys on the kitchen island and headed upstairs to my room. Taking off my jacket and sitting it on the love seat on the opposite side of the closet, I walked over to the bathroom and started the shower. The water was as hot as I could stand it. I stood in the shower for a bit thinking about tonight. About how I barely knew this guy, but I still felt so close to him. I thought about what he thought of me and if there'd actually be a reason for me helping him today. I thought about what would happen from here. I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around my body while I dried off my newly washed hair. Letting the damp curls fall down the small of my back, I walked to one of my dressers and grabbed a white pair of Soffe shorts and a AWOLNATION t-shirt. I looked at the clock seeing that it was now 1:54 a.m. and climbed into bed. I set the alarm for 7 deciding to skip the run due to exhaustion and drifted into a deep sleep. That night I dreamt of Harry and I was surprisingly okay with that.