almost || h.s

January 1 1964

It was 1964. The date was January 1st. It was the beginning of a new year and a new me. I had quite an eventful year previously, filled with a plethora of losses and despairs.

...

The night sky held a healthy glow, luminating the city scape. It was quite a busy night actually. People from all around the city were helping clean up the mess from last night. Streamers and beer bottles laid all around the streets, making it hard for people to drive without popping a tire.

I remained on my balcony, overlooking the work and progress and enjoying the sight of young people prancing around in wonder and joy. I had been a lot like them lately. I've found myself attending numerous parties and staying passed curfew to watch the sunrise at the pier.

It's crazy to think that one man could effect my life so much. The thought of him brought me back to the journal that I haven't read in over two months. Reminiscing in the crisp pages beneath my fingers, I grabbed a pen from my dresser and found a clean page.

Harry,

I haven't talked to you in a while. Time has passed since I last saw you. It's crazy to think that it's been 3 months already. Anyways, how have you been? I hope they are treating you well up there, I really do. I'm being treated pretty well down here. It turns out everyone missed me. Crazy, isn't it?

I've taken your advice, too. My parents were very understanding and they now let me make my own decisions, for better and for worse. So no more forced marriages for me.

Have you found someone up there yet? I really hope you have. You deserve to be in love for as long as Heaven exists. I bet your wondering if I have found anyone and the answers is still no. In your last letter, you told me to go find my true love. But I can't. I'm sorry, but I just cant. I already found him. Even though he's gone, he will forever be my true love. I'm not sure why I'm directing this in third person when I'm talking to you. I think your odd behavior is rubbing off on me.

I've visited your grave twice already. I even put flowers on your parent's grave. I figured that since I never met them, that I would at least honor them for creating such a wonderful man.

I go on the 2nd of every month. So I will have to wake up extra early tomorrow just for you. But that's alright.

Well I should be going now. I'm supposed to be meeting up with my friends soon.

P.S. I've turned into a party girl. Are you proud of me?

I love you.

-Elizabeth

I sat the journal on my bedside table, making sure that it was perfectly situated and wouldn't just grow legs and walk away.

I went to my closet, grabbing a jacket and walked out of my bedroom to the kitchen.

"Mother, I'm going out." I kissed her cheek and gave a sincere wave.

"Don't get into too much trouble, Elizabeth." She scolded me, making me laugh in the process.

"I'll try my best." I gave her one last hug before heading out the door. I walked down the now vacant street, enjoying the smell of the night air.

My mind was brought to the night I decided to run away. My body was in a state of nerves and excitement. I loved the thrill of disobeying and ignoring my parents wishes and commands.

I remember that long bus ride like it was yesterday. The driver was very kind to me and now that I think about it, it's like he meant to drop me off there. It's like he knew of what to come. And I just love that idea, knowing that he saw my state of distress and knew the perfect cure, love.

I found a bench, ignoring the reminder of the party I was to attend. The bench felt cold and bare, as if it need something to be warmed. It sort of reminded me of Harry, the way he was ready to die until love stopped his actions.

It's insane that I still think about him like he's still here. I guess it's my way of coping with his loss, enjoying the moments we shared and comparing him to my everyday life, which he doesn't exist in. Not even my friends know about Harry. I feel like it's my own secret, something I can keep forever. Although my parents know, they could care less, I believe. It doesn't bother me, only excited me really. Knowing that I experienced something that no one else could ever imagine, love, pure and meaningful love.

My thoughts were interrupted by a young man walking across the street ahead of me. It looked like he was heading in the same direction I was, towards the party. I figured I should probably head over there before someone begins questioning my absence.

...

My feet led me to the pier, where I saw a group of my friends surrounding an open cooler, filled with alcohol. I slowly walked up, as if I wasn't late for a reason.

"Liz! Where have been?" A friend of mine shouted, pushing an opened beer into my hand.

"Sorry. I got caught up in something."

She nodded her head before heading back into the group of friends. I quickly took my spot on the pier, sitting on the dock with feet hanging off the edge. I liked this spot, in fact, I loved it. It reminded me of the real meaning of life, the simple things.

My mind drifted to Harry again. How he would have loved this place, loved the people and the simplicity. God, I miss him.

"You really didn't get caught up with things, did you?" I turned to my left, finding a young man with deep green eyes staring back at me.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you on that bench on my way here."

"So you were that guy walking." I said more to myself.

"I'm George. Nice to meet you." He extended his hand, bringing a wide smile with the all too familiar dimples showing.

"I'm Elizabeth."

"You're staring quite intently at me." He chuckled, looking off towards the water.

"I'm sorry. It's just you remind me of someone."

"Really? Who?" He eyes never leaving the water as he spoke.

"Harry Styles."

I saw him smile widely.

"That old bloke. I miss him."

"You knew him?"

"It's a long story."

"I have time."

Little did I know that George would mean so much to my future, or should I say our future.

_________________

AUTHORS NOTE:

This IS the end.

I would just like to say thank you all for being so supportive and loving of my writing. This book has to be my favorite of the ones I've written so far. Also, thank you for over 1k reads. It truly means a lot.

I would also like to give partial credit to Ariana Grande's song "Almost Is Never Enough" for giving me inspiration on writing this book.

Thank you again for reading and constantly voting and commenting. I hope it ended the way you wanted. I love you all so much. Thanks for reading!!!!

- cierra xx