Gold Rush

Chapter 6

Harry and I lived in the same small town since our birth maybe, but we spoke for the first time in Secondary school. I knew who he was, he had always been surrounded by girls and was popular. His best friend Louis was the classic joker, always messing around and laughing as loud as possible. The two of them were the kings of the playground and Harry did not why but he attracted girls like sugar. For my part I was the typical girl, hiding under my long blond hair and my shy smile. I stayed with my best friends, trying to be as small as possible.

He was the kind of person I avoided and I was the kind of person he avoided but intentionally. I was invisible.

However, one night, everything changed. Josh organized his first party for his birthday and he has invited almost the whole school. The party was huge but I did not feel right. Everybody was laughing, playing, drinking while I just skipped away in a room on the first floor. The room was white as the rest of the house. There was a leather couch, a coffee table and a piano. I tried to play but I failed to make something which could be called “music”. I just sat on the comfortable couch in the dark.

I did not expect anybody to enter in the room but a tall boy, with messy hair came in. He did not see me until he reached the switch.

“ Oh you’re there.” He said surprised “I heard some noise and I just wondered...”

“Oh, sorry. I, I tried to play but I’m not really good at it.” I cut him, blushing. Those were the first words we exchanged. It was also the first time I really stared at him and I understood why he was so desired. His curls and cheek were making him look like an angel but his height gave the impression he was strong, his bright green eyes seemed to shine like diamond and his dimples which appeared when he smiled just made me shivered. I did not believe in love at first sight, but I believed that it was something like the feeling I had at this moment.

“It’s easy, let me show you.” He sat in front of the instrument. “You can come closer if you want to see…”

“Oh, ok…” I was still red when I sat next to him on the small seat.

He smiled again and began to play. I watched his gracious fingers hitting the piano keys and I recognized the song, it was one of my favourite, “How to Save a Life” from the Fray.

I was dazed by his easiness to play and for a moment I stopped looking at his hands and directed my sight towards his face, I saw his soft lips moving as he was singing in a very low voice. When the song ended I was still watching him and our eyes met. He grinned and told me:

“You see, easy!”

“It was fantastic…”

“Harold. But everybody calls me Harry.”

“I’m not everybody,” I said full of confidence suddenly, “and I’m Hannah.”

“I’m really glad to meet you.” He replied, his head leaning over me. I could felt his breath near my mouth when..

“I knew it was you!” Louis screamed, entering in the room. “It’s me who taught him that tune!” He said proudly, sitting on the sofa behind us. “And hey! hello lady, who are you?” he asked a huge smile on his drunk face.

“Louis, this is Hannah, Hannah, Louis, my best friend…” Harry declared a bit ashamed.

“Hello Hannah…” Louis said before winking at Harry.

We spent the rest of the night in the room, laughing at Harry’s and Louis’ bad and drunk jokes. Sometimes I felt Harry’s hand on mine and it made me blush every time.

After that night I thought that things would be different but when I came back to school it was as if nothing happened. Louis nodded at me once or twice but Harold had completely forgetting my existence. I was too shy to go and talk to him even if my friends tried to convince me. I tried to smile when our roads crossed but he did not see me. The night that meant so much to me, was just another one for him, at least it was what I thought.

It was a cold day for May, I was leaving school when I felt someone grabbing my hand.

“Hey!” His eyes seemed to brighten when he spoke.

“Harold?”

“Hannah! How are you?”

“How am… What do you want?” I asked sharply.

“I, I… We did not talk since Josh’s party and… I just wanted to know if you made any progress in piano?” He made the cutest face ever, seeing that I was not really glad to see him.

“No. I still lame.”

“Ok…” He turned his face back to watch Louis who was standing a little away behind him, raising his thumb up in sign of encouragement. Harry did not know what to say and I was bored to wait.

“I got to go Harry. Bye.” I declared, beginning to walk again when he took my hand.

“Wait, Hannah! I’m sorry,” He bent his head, “Don’t be mad at me I just did not know what to do… I hoped that if I avoided you, you would come to me… Didn’t you see how I tried to attract you?”

“By acting as if I do not exist?”, I asked surprised, “You really need to find another ‘plan’.”

“I know.. But don’t you see how I fell for you in that room? You are so beautiful, and nice and funny… I want to get to know you more, until I know you by heart. I love your smile, the way you speak, even your breath makes me crazy. I can’t stop thinking about you.

"Don't you think it is too much?" I laugh, embarrassed.

"No," He tried to be persuasive but he couldn't restrain a smile. "Just please, let me love you.”

My breath was jerky and I did not move when he pressed his lips against mine.

This is the story of how Harry and I, began to date.

Now, I was in my living room, next to him. Facing three pairs of eyes which knew that part of our lives, now they were ready to hear the story of how and why Harry and I had broke up.