within the meadow √ h.s.

s i x t e e n

"delilah, your break is over," jonathan, a high school student who managed to get a summer job at the cafe, said. "also, there's someone asking for you."

delilah folded the corner of the page in her book and nodded to jonathan who immediately pulled out his phone and began typing away.

lenny had taken the week off and left delilah in charge to keep the place standing. it was near closing time, so people were beginning to trickle out and be on their way. she saw the familiar head of curls at the table they claimed as their own while the rings adorning his fingers tapped on the surface of the wood. he was quite a vision to admire when he was paying no attention.

delilah felt warmth seep through her skin and coat her aching heart. the warmth intensified as she approached harry from behind quietly and placed her hands over his eyes.

"woah, the room suddenly got very dark. who's in charge here?" harry's teasing voice made delilah laugh before she removed her hands and took the seat across from him. "hey there, darling."

harry leaned across the table and placed a kiss on delilah's lips leaving them scorching. "want me to grab you something before we start cleaning up?"

"tea, please?" harry smiled widely like a toddler asking for candy.

"coming right up," delilah said making her way to the counter to grab the mug and prepare the drink.

she returned with his beverage and he thanked her. it had been odd since harry revealed he was leaving before the new year; in four months.

it wasn't weird between them, and things didn't quite change. that's why it was odd. they acted as if four months was decades away, not right around the corner. the topic wasn't brought up since that day, and it was odd.

delilah's conversation with laura was pushed to the back of her mind. it was a beautiful day in august and the perfect time for love, but delilah ignored it.

"your birthday is coming up," harry mentioned happily. "the big 2-1."

"eh, it's not a big deal," delilah brushed off.

"yes it is!" harry retaliated. "it's going to be a great day, i have it all planned."

"oh no, planned? does it involve laying in bed with a book while you draw?" delilah asked with hope.

"there will be no such thing! but i guarantee you will love it," harry assured her, grabbing her hand and placing a kiss on it.

+

"i wish the flowers stayed bloomed forever," delilah huffed from her position on the ground with her head in harry's lap.

"i wish all good things could last forever, darling," harry said with sadness hidden within his voice.

"harry," delilah sighed, knowing what harry meant. she wanted to hide from reality and fight it off, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to win that battle. "just..send me postcards, and photos, and maybe a phone call every once in a while. but don't call too often, i don't want you to miss out on anything because you feel like you need to call."

"i will send you postcards, letters, cheesy tourist photos, and call you so much you'll be annoyed and want to block my number. i'll even bring you a souvenir from every place i visit." harry stared down at the glowing girl with eyes softer than the flower bed they laid on. he sent her a smile that said everything he couldn't say yet, but delilah didn't pick up on it. he wished to tell her how he felt, but held the words back every time.

"you're going to have so much fun," delilah returned the smile filled with emotions she couldn't express, and harry picked up on it.

harry felt an addictive fire within him, and he never wanted to be without it. with delilah as the fuel, harry was sure the flames would be everlasting and never subside.

he planted kisses all over her face as the breeze captured her laughs and carried them through harry's head. he was on a heavenly realm at that moment when he realized delilah loved him back.

all through glances, smiles, and laughter, harry knew he could never love another like he loved delilah. the fire he felt was remarkable as the love lingered in the air but was held on the tip of their tongues not yet ready to greet the fresh air of the meadow.