8 Years Later... (Harry Styles Fan Fiction)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 - This was a choice 

Harry turned on a stereo and played a CD that was already in there. The song resumed where he'd last left off, it was in the middle of 'Hurts Like Heaven' by Coldplay. He grabbed my hands and we playfully danced together for a bit. This song brought back memories… Suddenly my mind compelled me to stop. Harry frowned and looked at me concerned.

I stopped the music, and looked at him.

"Shit!" I exclaimed, pacing around the room frantically.

"What's wrong?" 

"Can I see your phone?"

He handed me his phone and I clicked the 'Calls' icon. "Guess what I just remembered?" I sighed.

"What?" he asked nervously.

"We snuck out- no, BOLTED out of a hospital this morning where I was supposed to stay all day. It's almost 5 now, I can't imagine who's looking for me, the nurses, my parents… I'm screwed." I said.

Harry looked at the floor realizing what we'd just gotten ourselves into. I dialed my moms cell phone number then saved in his contacts under the name 'Autumn's mom', then stopped. I couldn't press 'call' I was like frozen in fear. My mother and I hadn't been getting along lately. My grades haven't been so good and passing High School is in jeopardy. I've been very careless about school and people lately. I decided to send her a text instead, to avoid getting yelled it.

To: Autumn's mom

Hey mom, it's me Autumn. I know you're probably wicked pissed and worried right now but I want to let you (and dad) know that I'm okay. The car accident was a hit and run, but I was left with only a few scrapes and bruises so I'm fine. I'm staying with a friend for a while… However, I'm hesitant to tell you who I'm with and where I am, in fear that you will come and find me, then drag me home. I hope you understand, I'm under a lot of stress right now. School hasn't been treating me nicely and I just need to get away. Oh, and did I mention Rebecca doesn't remember who I am? Anyway, I'll keep you posted. Please don't be angry with me. 

I sent the text. I thought it was mature and reasonable, which is always how I tried to protray myself to my mom. I looked up at Harry. He put his arm around me as we sat on a couch together. I leaned my head into the crook of his neck and stayed there silently.

"Mommy issues?" he asked, half joking and half serious. I let out a breath-like laugh, half-heartedly. 

"You could say that…" I began, "My parents got divorced a few years ago. My dad's a lonely wreck and my mom's a high-strung basket case… Well, not literally but she gets crazy at times. I'm not doing well in school, Harry. My parents have given up on me. I'm… I feel like I'm a failure to them."

Harry pulled my body closer to his, comfortingly. "No, love. Don't say that. You're parents are just worried about you. You know, teenagers and parents, we don't exactly get along very well and that's normal." he said, quietly in my ear. There was a silence, before Harry started to unload his held-back emotions.

"I think my mum is hiding something from me." he confessed, bluntly. 

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think… I mean. It's complicated. I don't think I know who my real dad is. My mother's dated a few guys in her lifetime and the guy she's with now isn't the guy I remember as a child. In fact, I think my mother's been with 3 different guys… and by that, I mean romantically. My mum isn't some kind of tramp." he laughed, "I never really talked to her about it… well, for years. I remember her saying something about my dad when I was really young, too young to remember pretty much anything she said, really."