Because of Larry

Chapter Eight

Miranda stared at her mother's corpse in the coffin. She tried to stay strong, but her mother was a very important figure in her life. She turned her head away letting a few tears escape her eyes. Miranda made her way to her seat in the front row. Straightening out the back of her black dress, she sat down.

Her mother's sister, Miranda's aunt, was giving a short speech about how important her sister was to her. "And I'll miss Jenna very very much." Her aunt sighed, "And now Jenna's daughter, Miranda, will come up to say a few words."

Miranda made her way to the podium, shaking. She felt as if she would break down in front of everyone; her whole family. She adjusted the microphone so it was in front of her. "Um," Miranda said softly, "There isn't much to say about my mother except that she was always happy and played a very important role in my life. She was there when I needed her, not as a mother but as a best friend. When her depression kicked in it really hurt me. Sometimes she wouldn't even get out of bed and I-" Miranda stopped herself and let out a short sob, "I guess I just want to say that I loved her and I still do but..." Miranda looked the the coffin, "she's in peace now. I'll see her soon enough."

Miranda saw her mother's siblings crying and it broke her heart. She looked down and went back to her seat and that's when it hit her.

Miranda had nobody.

-

Harry put on his latex gloves and tied his maroon apron behind his back.

"Back so soon, Harry?" His former boss chuckled.

"Mhm." Harry smiled at her.

"That's actually what we needed. I gave Miranda the day off and now we're short one worker. On the wrong day, too. Today's a busy day." Barbara glanced at the customers who had just entered joining the already long line.

"Wait, why'd you give her the day off?"

Barbara knitted her brows and pressed her lips together, making a worried face, "She's busy today and by the time she's done she'll be exhausted."

Harry nodded and headed back to the bakers. He took the pile of freshly baked bread, heading to the front to place them on the racks for display. As he was doing this, the bell above the door rang informing everyone that a customer had arrived.

After a few seconds he heard someone rush behind him. He looked back and saw Miranda running to her grandma.

"Miranda! What are you doing here? I gave you the day off."

"I know but I figured you'd need help." Miranda lowered her voice, "And it's not like I left early or anything. I was there for the burial and I ran home and got changed."

"You okay?"

"Mhm." Miranda nodded. Her grandmother kissed her forehead and gave her comforting smile. Miranda turned around and jogged into the supply closet, grabbing a mop. She ran to the back and started mopping the kitchen floors.

Harry went back into the kitchen. The bakers were making more pastries so he'd have to do something else, but first he wanted to talk to Miranda.

"Miranda," Harry came up behind her as she turned around and smiled, "What happened?"

"Oh, uh," Miranda's smile wiped off her face, "Nothing." She went back to mopping.

"Well, it seems like something." Harry followed her.

"Harry, I'm not ready to talk about it. I mean, you're a great friend and all, but I'll tell you later. First, I need to see if I can trust you."

Harry nodded, "Fair enough."

-

Louis laughed at Niall's joke as they walked down the block to the bakery. They were going to go pick up Harry so they could hang out around town.

They heard a scream so they looked to their side to see a teenage girl who looked about fourteen.

"I'm such a big fan!" The girl approached them, "Can I get a picture?" The boys agreed and took pictures with the girl, who's name they discovered was Emily.

Emily approached Louis to get an individual picture like she did with the rest of his bandmates. After she did, she hugged him and whispered, "I know how much you're suffering."

"Excuse me?" Louis said, confused.

"To be forced with someone you don't love. That must be horrible."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Eleanor. You can't possibly love her. You love Harry, right?" The girl stated like it was obvious.

"Excuse me. I love Eleanor. Harry's my best friend, not my boyfriend."

"Okay." The girl said, not so convinced. "But there's no way you can love that bitch." She said under her breath, but Louis heard. He controlled his anger, clenching his fists. Emily skipped off, happily.

And then Louis understood everything.

A/N: Yay double update