Through the Dark

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Oh my God! No way! James actually thought there was a literal giant apple in New York?" I laughed, our shoulders brushing as we chuckled.

Harry returned from the counter and, instead of sitting across from me, plopped down beside me. I raised an eyebrow and asked why, but he just shrugged and took a sip of his milkshake, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

We continued laughing about James' ridiculous story from high school.

"Yeah, really! He even told his parents he was going to New York to see the Big Apple," Harry said, chuckling as he reminisced.

"Oh God! Stupid James. I have to tell Stacy about this—she's going to laugh as hard as I am!" I said, still giggling.

In the middle of our conversation, a small voice interrupted us. A little girl, maybe ten years old, shyly approached our table.

"Hi," she greeted softly.

"Hi!" Harry and I said in unison. She smiled nervously and turned her gaze to him.

"You're Harry Simpson, right?" she asked.

"Yes, that's me. What's your name?" Harry replied politely.

"Emily," she said. "Can I have a picture with you? My sister and I are big fans. We watched your concert last summer." She smiled, eyes bright with excitement.

"Of course! Thank you for coming, Emily. Did you enjoy the concert?" Harry asked, pride lighting up his face.

"Of course! My sister loved it," she said, handing over her camera. I couldn't help but notice how pretty she was—her strawberry-blonde hair fell in soft waves, her eyes shining with emotion, and her smile looked angelic.

"Do you want me to take a picture of the two of you together?" I offered, and Harry's lips twitched into a smirk. Emily nodded and handed me the camera. I positioned myself in front of them, and we struck a pose.

"You're so pretty, Emily," I said with a warm smile.

"Thank you! What's your name?"

"I'm Sammy, Harry's friend and... music advisor," I said, leaning closer to them.

Emily looked up at me with an innocent seriousness. "You and Harry look good together. I hope you'll be his girlfriend someday."

I froze, my cheeks heating, and jabbed Harry in the ribs. "Ouch!" he grunted, and I handed him the camera to see the picture we'd just taken.

"You have a beautiful smile, Emily. I hope I get to meet your sister someday too," Harry said softly.

Emily bit her lip, and I saw her eyes glisten.

"What's wrong?" I asked gently. She looked at me and gave a small, sad smile.

"My sister... she died four days after the concert. She had been fighting cancer since she was five," she whispered. I felt a pang in my chest, knowing all too well the ache of losing someone you love.

"I'm so sorry," Harry said, pulling her into a comforting hug and kissing the top of her head. I could see the sorrow in his face, the heartbreak that mirrored my own.

When Emily pulled back, she leaned toward Harry and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and smiled. Then, holding out her pinky, she linked it with his in a sweet, unspoken promise. They looked so innocent and cute, I couldn't help but smile.

Then she turned to me. "Please promise me you'll never leave Harry. He likes you, and I can feel that you like him too," she whispered as she hugged me.