Through The Lens

Chapter Five

Mari
After my coffee shop freak out, Harry drove me home. I went straight to my room and slept for what felt like forever.
When I did wake up, I was surprised to find myself in my Grammy's bed as opposed to mine. I wrapped my blanket around me and stepped out of the room. I heard voices echoing and little bits of laughter. I padded down the hall to the stairs and ran up them. I followed the voices I heard to my room.
I gasped as I entered. "Grammy! What are you doing up here? How did you get up the steps?!" I ran over and sat down on the bed next to her, looking her over.
"Your friend Harry carried me."
I glanced over at Harry who stood by my dresser with a photo album in his hand. "You carried my grandmother up the stairs? Are you insane?"
"Mari, it really wasn't a problem. She wanted me to find the box of photo albums but I felt weird coming up here alone." He explained.
I shook my head. "Take her back downstairs."
"Marina!" Grammy scolded. "That is no way to speak to your guest."
"Grammy, you brought him into my room. This is my space. I have a right to my personal bubble." I looked up at Harry. "Please take her back downstairs." I got up and walked into my bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
I leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. My chest felt tight as I turned around and sank to the floor. I couldn't see, I couldn't think straight.
"Mari? Can we talk?" I heard Harry outside the door.
"No." I choked out.
"Mari, love, please. I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to stay long enough to make sure you were okay. Your granny didn't mean to upset you either. Please, Mari. Please just talk to me."
With tears prickling in my eyes, I reached forward and unlocked the door and it opened from the outside.
"Mari, please look at me."
I kept my eyes adverted. "My room is my safe haven, Harry. My grammy hasn't been in here since I was ten."
The Brit sat on the toilet seat as I continued.
"It's always been my place." I paused. "It's quiet and I've made it my own."
It was quiet for a few moments before he cleared his throat quietly and then spoke. "I'm sorry."
In a swift movement, Harry was out of my bathroom and my room. I sighed, knowing I'm going to fuck this up before it even gets started. I got up and followed him downstairs.
I found him in the kitchen fixing a cup of tea. "Harry."
"Hmm?"
"Can we talk?"
He simply nodded.
Leaning against the island in the middle of the kitchen, I whispered, "I'm sorry."
He turned and smiled. "Mari, stop apologizing. It's okay."
I frowned, my eyebrows creasing. "Stop being okay with everything. Please, Harry!"
"Love, I understand your anxiety. It's okay." He widened his smile and tilted his head. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
I nodded feeling completely defeated by this. "Yes, that'd be lovely. Thank you." I sat down at the small table.
After a few minutes of complete silence, Harry walked over with two mugs. He sat down and slid one across the table.
I took it with a smile and wrapped my hands around it. "Is Grammy in her room?" I asked softly.
Harry nodded. "Yes. I offered to set her up on the couch but she said she felt tired."
"Thank you." I said almost inaudibly.
"You're welcome."
I picked up the tea bag and put it on a napkin. "I have to be honest here, Harry. I'm struggling a bit with this."
"What about specifically?" He asked quietly.
I shrugged. "All of it. I mean, don't get me wrong, this weekend was absolutely amazing and I loved it so much! I just-" I sighed and looked around. "I grew up here. I had so many firsts in this house. First step, first word, first day of school, first sleepover, first kiss. Gosh, it's so hard to leave this place. Sure it's only been a few days since I said yes, but the more I think about it, the more I want to change my mind." I looked up at him to see he was looking down at his tea. "How do you leave a place like this behind?"
His eyebrows creased as he stirred his tea with his pointer finger. "It's hard. When I moved to London after the X-Factor, I was terrified. I was leaving the only place I really knew, the only people I ever knew. But I had the other boys." He met my gaze. "Having someone with you is the key. That's why I'm here Mari."
"Jeff said you're leaving tomorrow." I said as the thought came into my head.
He nodded. "He was right. At the time."
My brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
"You don't have any other family, Mari. You need to have someone else you can rely on and it'd be hard to be able to count on me when I'm a thousand miles away."
"What about your girlfriend?"
Harry shrugged. "What about her? Like you said, she shouldn't control me or what I do. I made this decision and I'm sticking by it." He smiled wide which caused me to smile too. "There, now keep that smile on your face and we'll be just fine."
I chuckled. "Okay."
"So, I'll be at the studio a bit with Niall this next week, but I want you to meet him at some point. When are you free?"
"Tuesday and Thursday." I said flatly.
"If I text you the address on Tuesday will you come?" Harry asked and then bit his lip.
I pursed my lips as my mind went through scenario and scenario of meeting someone I'd only seen through pictures on a phone screen. I'd thought the same thing of Harry and he turned out to be alright.
I nodded. "Sure."
He released his lip and grinned. "Great! He'll love meeting you! And don't worry, he's a great guy! One of my best mates! You can't get much better than Nialler!"
I giggled. "It sounds more like you're trying to sell him to me."
"Hey!" He chuckled.
I scrunched up my face. "Let's not go that far, Styles."
"Okay, but just saying."
I nodded. "Duly noted."
Harry burst into laughter. "Oh my god." He shook his head and stood up. "Well, I better get home."
I nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow, yea?" He asked, hopeful.
I gave him a small smile and nodded. "Sure, but I need to go to Sacramento in the morning. I have an appointment at the care center there."
"Okay, how about I go with you?" Harry offered quietly.
"You would do that?" I asked.
"Didn't I say I would be here for you?"
"Well yeah, but I didn't realize what that entailed."
"I'll be there. When are you leaving?"
"Seven."
He nodded and pulled out his phone. "Okay. I'll be here just before then."
I smiled and got up. "Thank you, Harry." I crossed the room and put my arms around his waist.
He lightly hugged me back. "You're welcome."
***
I woke up early the next morning and got things ready for the day. I woke Grammy at a quarter after six and gave her a sponge bath. I got her settled in the living room and gave her instructions for lunch and possibly dinner, depending on how late I'm gone. Then took a shower myself and slid on a pair of black leggings, a black v-neck tee and a large red and black plaid flannel. I quickly braided my hair before walking into the kitchen and grabbing a banana. At five to seven, there was a knock on the back kitchen door.
I walked over and opened it. Harry, dressed in black skinny jeans and a black tee, sleepily walked inside.
"Good morning." I giggled.
"Good morning." Harry yawned and rubbed his eyes.
"Still tired are we?"
He nodded. "Yes. Very much so."
"What did you do after you left here last night?" I took another bite of my banana.
"Went home and called Amanda. We didn't hang up until almost three am." He explained.
I chuckled. "Well you can rest on the way to Sacramento. It's going to be a long day."
Harry shook his head. "No, no. I'm alright. Besides, I'm driving."
I furrowed my brows. "No you're not. This is for Grammy, I'm driving."
"Mari." He groaned. "Please let me drive."
"Harry!" I laughed. "You're falling asleep leaning against my kitchen counter! You're not driving!"
The tall, brunette boy frowned. "Fine, but can we take my car? Your truck might not make it." He smirked.
I rolled my eyes. "Yes we can take your car. I'm not going to argue with that."
Harry tossed me his keys. "Perfect!"
I followed him out the door and locked it behind us.