Red [h. styles]

Twenty One

21

"Delivery for Jena Townes," the delivery boy said, holding out a large bouquet.

"That's me," Jena said breathlessly, taking the flowers from his arms.

"Sign here."

Jena did as she was told, shutting the apartment door behind her.

The bouquet was comprised mostly of daisies, and Jena knew immediately that it was from Harry. She doubted that anyone else knew they were her favorite flower, and no one would have sent her daisies just for the hell of it, as they weren't the flashiest of flowers.

Jena sighed, putting the flowers in water immediately. As mad as she was, they were nice flowers. It would be a pity to let them go to waste.

The next day, another bouquet of flowers arrived. Once again they were daisies, but this time the bouquet was a good three times larger. Harry still hadn't called, evidently giving her room to breathe. She appreciated the thought; even after their fight he was considerate. But the shows of grandiose were starting to get on her nerves.

The day after that there was a large bouquet of daisies and a collection of chocolates. The chocolates were possibly the best Jena had ever eaten, and if that was what she got for being mad, she considered doing it more often.

The day after that, Harry came in person.

"What are you doing here?" Jena demanded.

"I want to apologize," Harry said, "I brought lots of chocolates."

Jena sighed. "Come in."

Harry entred cautiously, setting the flowers and chocolates on the small counter, awkwardly taking a seat on the couch.

"You have five minutes." Jena stated, crossing her arms.

"Okay." Harry said, adjusting himself. "I'm sorry that I yelled at you, and I'm sorry that what I said upset you."

"No." Jena said plainly.

"No?" Harry repeated.

"No. That's not a real apology. That's not apologizing for your actions, that's your trying to avoid the fact that your actions have consequences. Try again." Jena offered, and Harry nodded.

"Okay." Harry accepted her offer, readying himself once more. "Then I apologize for my previous apology as well. I shouldn't have called you a freak, because you're not. You're a beautiful human being, and I am completely in love with you. We both said some things we didn't mean, and while you overreacted to my calling you paranoid, I still shouldn't have called you that, either. I'm an idiot, and I fucked up big-time. But at least I know I'm an idiot, and I hope that counts for something in your mind. I love everything about you—I love your laugh, and the way you smile, and how you never finish a book. You're easily the smartest person I've ever met, and I'm honored that you have taken the time to get to know me. I can only hope that this is not the end of our story."

"You really mean that?" Jena asked warily.

"More than I've ever meant anything." Harry said passionately, grasping her hands in his own.

"And even when I go crazy again, and I will, you'll mean that?" Jena replied carefully.

"Even when you go crazy." Harry assured her.

"Okay." Jena nodded.

"So you'll give me another chance?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Yes."