Love and All It Does

07

Anika's POV
The day Harry and his family had to leave was the day I baked muffins for him as a congratulatory message for winning the interstate football competition held about two days before. By that time, I already knew how I felt about him. It was just too theoretical to be said. I wish I took the courage to tell him sooner. Things would have been different.

I remember they were loading boxes in a caravan; I remember seeing Anne hurrying down their front porch as she pulled her hair back into a bun; I remember Gemma with a disgruntled look on her face and putting in her earphones as she went inside the van; I remember Harry trotting down the front steps, in a gray pullover and black skinny jeans; I remember seeing him look towards my direction and stopping for a while, his eyes sad as he waved at me; and I remember just standing there, tears blurring my vision as I watch their vehicle zoom off.

It's been days since I've lost my journal, days since I've been convincing myself that I'll find it considering I don't even know where I lost it. Eventually, I know I'll be able to accept the fact that I couldn't find it. However, it seems like the thought of it is unbearable for now. I think maybe this is fate telling me to get over him already; to accept change.

Lorriane, Molly and I just finished having our lunch and are now already studying. Our books and notebooks are all scattered on the table as we listen to music on our own.

I didn't know Lorriane and Molly were both calling me until they waved their hands in front of me. I removed my earpods and raised my eyebrows at them. "What?" I prompt when they haven't spoke.

"You wouldn't believe what I'm seeing." Lorriane slowly says, staring pass me.

I knitted my eyebrows as I see everyone looking at the direction where Lorriane and Molly were looking. I turned to my back and literally froze when my eyes landed upon Stacy sauntering through the cafeteria.

What is she doing here? 

The once undisturbed place was filled with murmurs and exceptionally loud inquisitions.

I happened to look at where Harry and his friends were sitting and the same appalled look was painted on his face. His face fell down to his lap, chewing his food slowly as his jaw tensed.

He feels more and more distant every time I think about him, or just look at him.

I couldn't help but hear Harry's name come out of everyone's mouth upon seeing Stacy, and alongside the question Is she back?

She's now sitting with her loyal confidants who were squealing and enveloping her in a hug. I see Harry push himself up his seat and walk out of the cafeteria, his friends exchanging startled looks.

I look back on the mess before me, unable to return to studying now that the murmurs have gotten clamorous. I tried to focus, but I couldn't. Minutes have already passed since Harry had walked out, and in those minutes I can't help but think of him instead.

"Excuse me." I find myself saying before I have carefully thought about it. Before I knew it, I was already out the cafeteria. It took me a while to find Harry sitting in the middle of the lawn, a soccer ball tucked underneath his arm.

I just know it in myself that he needed someone right now, even though it isn't particularly me.

Harry's POV
What was she doing here? Is she back?  Why all of a sudden? Such questions filled my mind and have only made me waspish. I withdraw the ball from being tucked under my arm, gripping it tightly that my knuckles have turned white. Anger seeped through my veins as I think of Stacy, and can't help but only remember how she came in such a disappointment yesterday.