kiwi || h.s [edited]

Chapter Fourteen

A week had passed by swifter than I had realised and soon enough I found myself at the doorstep of my beloved Kiwi. The darkness beneath my eyes gave away that my time off had rendered me anything but rest. Sleep still remaining a stranger to me. The familiar smell of coffee wafted around me as I realised the machines were already humming away. I searched the rather quiet cafe to find the culprit for taking over my duties.

The thief wandered from the kitchen with bewilderment at the store's unexpected visitor.

"You're back," Harry smiled brightly as he walked up to me. His dimples showing themselves proudly.

"Yeah, but it wouldn't appear I've been missed," I gestured toward all my normal chores having been completed already.

"Didn't know you were going to show up today, or ever again for that matter," He chuckled with a little bitterness at the end of his sentence.

"I just needed a little time to myself,"

"I came by," His words were softer this time as if he decided that caution was the best way to go about the conversation.

"I know" I returned his soft tone with gentle words of my own.

"James said you were ill," He scanned me warily as if looking for any traces of said illness.

"I was" I said, you know like the liar I am. because telling him that I couldn't get out of my bed for an entire week due to severe sadness would open an unending slew of questions I was in no shape or form to answer. To be honest it it were a mere issue of the body this would all be simple, but issues of the heart are rarely solved as easily or swiftly.

"It hasn't been the same, the cafe I mean," Harry's eyes flickered away from hers momentarily at his little admission.

"Well no need to worry, as you can see I'm back" I smiled falsely at the taller man.

"For how long this time?" His questioned held far more weight than either of us were willing to admit. How long could I remain in control of my grief this time? How could I hold this pretence before it came crashing down again leaving me with scattered pieces of myself.

"For as long as I can," And maybe for the first time that day, I was answered the real question. Not the one he posed but the one that he asked without using words. And I really believed what I said. I had no idea how long I would be able to stop myself from ricocheting into a mess of grief and agony.

I could tell he wanted to know more. Wanted to understand the words that were never voice but echoed almost telepathically but we were interrupted with our first customer and soon enough they continued to flood in and out. And they had burned into just another busy day of customers. The entire day I had been keenly aware of Harry's eyes that followed me wherever I went as if he was waiting for any sign that I needed help. And it frustrated me to see this man that was always so carefree in his way of living watching me like a child. Like he had something to worry about for the first time in his untainted life.

"Alright, goodbye Harry" I called out once the day had finally burned into night and my bag found its place in the dip of my shoulder. Harry had disappeared from the lockers to make sure all the machinery had been switched off, all counters cleaned and cleared and that the open sign had been flipped to reflect our closing.

"Wait!" He called out before his long limbs entered the locker room.

"I was thinking -" He began.

"No," I immediately interjected knowing that I was not strong enough to handle whatever he was about to say.

"I haven't even said anything yet,"

Against better inclination, I leaned back against my sealed locker and just gestured for the mop of curls and a dangerous Cheshire Cat smile continue with his thoughts.