SAUDADE ; [ narry ]

CHAPTER 4.

[ BIT OF A FILLER ] 

WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 1997  2:50 p.m.

 Days had passed and there were oddly no signs of Harry at all. 

Niall didn't understand why, but his mind began to worry and he became anxious for the next time he would see the tall male. He didn't realize how much he needed something to distract him until it was gone. Niall always thought Harry would make things worse, but it was not seeing him for so long that had him in a state of wreck. 

The poor lass was even more irritable than before, always alert and even though he had started eating regularly now, he could barely taste what went into his mouth. He dragged on with daily activities like anyone else, but barely processed the motions. It was odd, how he felt like such a wreck and how Harry seemed to grasp onto Niall's happiness; the small bit he had left. 

Maybe it was too soon to determine, but Harry was beginning to feel like Niall's lifeline once again. 

Over and over again, the blonde boy kept reminding himself why Harry left and of the things he did. He knew full well he was putting himself in a place to be hurt again, but after replaying memories in his mind, he wanted it all again.

On the fourth day of the forth month, as Niall was bounding down the jagged steps of the school building after having left school an hour or so early, his eyes lifted from his feet and his eyes instantly locked on the tall lad with unruly locks. He paused mid-step and his hand tightened around the strap of his backpack with anxious tension building in his stomach. It was like he couldn't breathe, but in an odd way he liked it. 

Luckily for him, Harry hadn't noticed him yet, he was scrolling absentmindedly on his cell with his eyebrows drawn together in slight confusion. Niall was hesitant of course, but his feet decided to grow a pair before he did and he rushed in the direction of his old friend. 

As the blond appeared, Harry's attention shifted from his phone and an almost alarmed look took over his features. It was a very pleasant surprise for him and a very big step for Niall even though he didn't quite understand what he was doing. 

"Hi,' Harry breathed after seconds of sharp silence, his body pushing off the side of his car. Niall was slightly mesmerized by his choice of clothing today, but it wasn't anything different from what he wore practically every other day. 

Today Harry was dressed in a silk manila shirt with the first two buttons loose. His legs were covered in the torn fabric of his regular black jeans, and his feet held his usual brown boots complete with leather. What Niall found the most mesmerizing was the ink peeking from his chest. Sparrows.

His hand lifted from his side, his feet shuffled an inch closer to Harry and before he knew it, the pads of his fingers were brushing along the skin of Harry's chest. He didn't pull away immediately the way Harry thought he would but instead he just traced the sparrow with nimble fingers, his lips moving in an odd rhythm. 

Harry was in awe. The proximity of the two was enough to have his heart freeze in place, and the way Niall was so focused and looked so unreal had him by surprise. He felt as if he was dealing with a delicate bird, one small move and it would fly away forever. So Harry absorbed he contact as well as the moment, but without meaning to, he sucked in a shaky breath and Niall fell back down to earth. 

His hand retracted quickly as his eyes blinked away their daze, glancing away at the ground to regain his thoughts. The pair stayed quiet for several moments before Harry decided to speak. 

"I'm surprised you came to me on your own. It's a good start. I hope you don't have any plans for the rest of the afternoon. I would like to take you to the nearby diner if you'd allow it. It's a leap, I know, but I promise I mean only well." Harry had his lip between his teeth in anticipation, staring down at Niall with urging eyes. He hoped he wasn't too forward with his request, and besides, no harm in late lunch.