When I Come Around

Chapter 12

"I asked Harry and Valerie if they wanted to come, but they couldn't," I said, "Val had work and I think Harry didn't want to be a third wheel."

"That's okay," Eleanor said with a shrug, "how is it going with Val living with you guys? Kinda weird for a girl to be there or is it all good?"

"It's going great," I said, "Valerie is like my little sister, so it's fun. I don't really know how Harry feels, he is sorta quiet."

"Valerie was saying how her and his girlfriend had a small argument the other day," Eleanor said, "that must have put a rift between Harry and Val."

"I don't know," I said, "it's so weird with them. One day they are happy and friends, and the next they hate each other."

"If only they would just fall in love," Eleanor said, "it would be so fun to double date!" I smiled, kissing her cheek.

"I don't think that will happen anytime soon. I think Valerie may be trying to get back with Andy," I said, "I hate that guy though, he's useless."

"I don't care much for him either," Eleanor said, "even though she was broken when he left her, I couldn't be happier for her."

"Wow, how insensitive, El," I joked, laughing. She laughed with me.

"He is a waste of time," Eleanor said, grinning. I smiled.

Later that evening, I arrived back to the apartment. Harry was watching TV, and since I knew Valerie wasn't home, I took this time just to talk to him. Honestly, we hadn't spoken much recently. Harry was slightly upset with me after Valerie moved in, but we got over it, and with our busy lives, we barely had time to talk anymore.

"How was your date?" Harry asked, glancing towards me.

"Great, I had fun," I said with a smile, "what about you? Riley and you doing good?"

"We were," Harry said, "she broke it off."

"Oh. Well, there is a perfectly good girl living in your same apartment, nothing huge or anything," I said, making him laugh.

"I told Val I wanted to be more than friends, but she brushed me off. I don't know what to do," Harry said.

"Just wait for when she comes around," I said, "she has a lot going on right now. The baby, Andy, her work, everything."

"I don't want to spend months waiting for her, when she still doesn't want to date me in the future," Harry said.

"Mate, don't think of it like that. If you truly want to date her, and not just dating. If you truly want to be with her, you are going to have to compromise somewhere in the middle," I said.

"I do, but what if she falls in love with Andy? I am just her roommate then," Harry said.

"I don't think Andy is going to stick around for long," I said honestly, "he is a party animal. He's not near ready to settle down, let alone have a baby. But I'm telling you this: if you begin sending Val in circles, you are out of the apartment. Valerie is like family to me, so I will not allow you to mistreat her."

"No way, man," Harry said, "I would never do that. I like her a lot and I want her to feel content, I wouldn't do that to her." I smiled, nodding. I saw Valerie as just another sister of mine, so I wouldn't allow any man to hurt her. I patted his shoulder, looking towards him.

"I think you two could work it out, just don't push it. She may want to wait for a calmer time in her life," I said, "maybe after the baby is born, or once she finishes college." Harry nodded.

"Thanks," he said with a smile. I smiled, nodding. I stood, going to get something to drink. What I told Harry wasn't a lie. I honestly felt like Harry and Valerie would be a great couple, and I would love for them both to finally be happy. Harry never really had a 'true' girlfriend, but he went on many dates. I knew it was probably discouraging to him to never be able to pursue a girl, but he just had to wait for the right one to come around. And Valerie, on the other hand, simply dates the wrong people and ends up getting hurt. Her first boyfriend, Zach, broke her heart in high school. She never dated anyone for two years after him. And now, she has Andy who probably won't do anything good in his life. It's like Valerie and Harry are just floating around, trying to find each other in this crazy mess of life, and every time they are face-to-face, they put up some sort of excuse. I know Valerie probably doesn't feel the same, but I think this baby is going to be the best thing that ever happened to her, because it will bring Harry and her closer physically and mentally. For Christ's sake, they live down the hall from each other, any closer they will be sleeping on top of each other! I went back into the living room with Harry, sipping some of my drink.

"Where is Eleanor? I thought you were going to have her come over?" Harry asked.

"I decided not to ask, we both have work tomorrow," I said, "and I have to go to the store, get some groceries." Harry nodded. I glanced at the time, and decided to leave for the store then. Valerie was busy at her work, so Harry would be home alone. I left a couple minutes later, it being fairly late in the evening so not many people were out.