All At Once

Ch. 10: "You Don't Understand." Part 2

I felt my chest begin to tighten and it was already getting harder to breathe. I drove through the familiar roads to Dignity Memorial Cemetery of Sacramento. I could feel Harry's eyes on me the whole time, probably with a confused look on his face but I couldn't look at him right now. I went to the very back end of the cemetery and thought back to yesterday when Harry told me I "didn't understand" losing someone close to you.

I parked in the same spot that I always used to. I pulled the keys out of the ignition and Harry grabbed my hand. He had a frightened look on his face, sort of embarrassed looking.

"Annie..." he spoke quietly.

I gave a tight smile, squeezed his hand, and said, "Let's go."

We were standing in silence but, it was more of a comfortable silence, surprisingly.

"Mom, Dad, this is my friend Harry. Harry, these are my parents." I still couldn't look Harry in the eye. I was starting to feel weak, like I was going to cry. Harry grabbed my hand, intertwined his and mine and I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Peters." He said and took a deep breath.

"Can I have a second?" There were tears coming down my cheeks now.

"I'll be in the car." Harry replied.

Once I saw Harry get into the car and close the door, I sat down and let a few sobs escape from my mouth.

"Hey mom, dad. I really miss you guys, and I'm not sure if you're even listening right now but, I really need someone to talk to. It hasn't been easy for me in L.A. Me and Connor broke up. I know you guys loved him, I loved him too but...things just didn't work out. And you're probably wondering about Harry, ha. Ever since your guys' accident, I just haven't been able to let anyone in. He's a great guy and I think he likes me but you'll never guess what he does...he's a pop star." At this, I laughed.

"He probably has billions of girls after him, a billion that are better than me. Anyways, after this I'm going to visit Josh. I really miss him. Actually, I was thinking of bringing him back to L.A. with me." I looked back at the car and saw Harry talking into his phone. I sat in silence

"I should probably go now. I'll come again soon though, I promise. I really miss you guys."

I got up and wiped my face, got myself together. I told my parents that I loved them and walked back to the car.

I put the key back into the ignition and turned to Harry.

"Well, now you know." I laughed. Laughing was just something I did when I was nervous mostly.

"You should've told me." Harry said.

I looked him straight in the eyes. "Would it have made a difference?" I laughed again.

"Yes it-Annie...I'm so sorry. I told you that you wouldn't understand when you understand way better than I would. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." I said, simply. I sighed and drove on.

...

"Where am I taking you? I have to make a stop on the way home so I can't take you. Plus, my windows aren't as tinted as yours so I'm pretty sure you'll get noticed in my car."

Harry sighed. "Back to the hotel, my car is waiting there. Where do you have to stop?"

"I'm picking up my brother, he's coming to visit me in L.A. for a while."

"Oh, cool."

I dropped Harry off at the hotel and checked out of room so I could head on to Hanford to get Josh.

"Alright I guess I'll see you later then."

I just kind of nodded and gave Harry a tight smile when he came in for a hug.

"Bye Harr-" I would have finished but I was a little shocked when Harry hugged me and kissed me on the cheek.

"Bye Annie." And with that he just, walked away.

Alright then...

...